NEOTROPICAL XENARTHRANS: a data set of occurrence of xenarthran species in the Neotropics

Xenarthrans – anteaters, sloths, and armadillos – have essential functions for ecosystem maintenance, such as insect control and nutrient cycling, playing key roles as ecosystem engineers. Because of habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting pressure, and conflicts with 24 domestic dogs, these species have been threatened locally, regionally, or even across their full distribution ranges. The Neotropics harbor 21 species of armadillos, ten anteaters, and six sloths. Our dataset includes the families Chlamyphoridae (13), Dasypodidae (7), Myrmecophagidae (3), Bradypodidae (4), and Megalonychidae (2). We have no occurrence data on Dasypus pilosus (Dasypodidae). Regarding Cyclopedidae, until recently, only one species was recognized, but new genetic studies have revealed that the group is represented by seven species. In this data-paper, we compiled a total of 42,528 records of 31 species, represented by occurrence and quantitative data, totaling 24,847 unique georeferenced records. The geographic range is from the south of the USA, Mexico, and Caribbean countries at the northern portion of the Neotropics, to its austral distribution in Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, and Uruguay. Regarding anteaters, Myrmecophaga tridactyla has the most records (n=5,941), and Cyclopes sp. has the fewest (n=240). The armadillo species with the most data is Dasypus novemcinctus (n=11,588), and the least recorded for Calyptophractus retusus (n=33). With regards to sloth species, Bradypus variegatus has the most records (n=962), and Bradypus pygmaeus has the fewest (n=12). Our main objective with Neotropical Xenarthrans is to make occurrence and quantitative data available to facilitate more ecological research, particularly if we integrate the xenarthran data with other datasets of Neotropical Series which will become available very soon (i.e. Neotropical Carnivores, Neotropical Invasive Mammals, and Neotropical Hunters and Dogs). Therefore, studies on trophic cascades, hunting pressure, habitat loss, fragmentation effects, species invasion, and climate change effects will be possible with the Neotropical Xenarthrans dataset

Risk profiles and one-year outcomes of patients with newly diagnosed atrial fibrillation in India: Insights from the GARFIELD-AF Registry.

BACKGROUND: The Global Anticoagulant Registry in the FIELD-Atrial Fibrillation (GARFIELD-AF) is an ongoing prospective noninterventional registry, which is providing important information on the baseline characteristics, treatment patterns, and 1-year outcomes in patients with newly diagnosed non-valvular atrial fibrillation (NVAF). This report describes data from Indian patients recruited in this registry. METHODS AND RESULTS: A total of 52,014 patients with newly diagnosed AF were enrolled globally; of these, 1388 patients were recruited from 26 sites within India (2012-2016). In India, the mean age was 65.8 years at diagnosis of NVAF. Hypertension was the most prevalent risk factor for AF, present in 68.5% of patients from India and in 76.3% of patients globally (P < 0.001). Diabetes and coronary artery disease (CAD) were prevalent in 36.2% and 28.1% of patients as compared with global prevalence of 22.2% and 21.6%, respectively (P < 0.001 for both). Antiplatelet therapy was the most common antithrombotic treatment in India. With increasing stroke risk, however, patients were more likely to receive oral anticoagulant therapy [mainly vitamin K antagonist (VKA)], but average international normalized ratio (INR) was lower among Indian patients [median INR value 1.6 (interquartile range {IQR}: 1.3-2.3) versus 2.3 (IQR 1.8-2.8) (P < 0.001)]. Compared with other countries, patients from India had markedly higher rates of all-cause mortality [7.68 per 100 person-years (95% confidence interval 6.32-9.35) vs 4.34 (4.16-4.53), P < 0.0001], while rates of stroke/systemic embolism and major bleeding were lower after 1 year of follow-up. CONCLUSION: Compared to previously published registries from India, the GARFIELD-AF registry describes clinical profiles and outcomes in Indian patients with AF of a different etiology. The registry data show that compared to the rest of the world, Indian AF patients are younger in age and have more diabetes and CAD. Patients with a higher stroke risk are more likely to receive anticoagulation therapy with VKA but are underdosed compared with the global average in the GARFIELD-AF. CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION-URL: http://www.clinicaltrials.gov. Unique identifier: NCT01090362

Figures 3-6 from: Chaves MF, Moura GJB, Tenório FCMA, Baptista JS, Lapa Neto CJC, Texeira VW, Texeira ÁAC (2017) Influence of rainfall and temperature on the spermatogenesis of Leptodactylus macrosternum (Anura: Leptodactylidae). Zoologia 34: 1-7. https://doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.34.e20782

In the semi-arid environment, the reproductive success of anurans depends on adaptations in their life cycle, which synchronizes with ideal environmental conditions to maximize the number of offspring. In this study changes in the histological and morphometric aspects of the testes of Leptodactylus macrosternum Miranda-Ribeiro, 1926 are characterized, to evaluate the influence of rainfall and temperature on them. Specimens were collected at Horto Florestal Olho d’Água da Bica – HFOB (06°49’20”S, 36°15’85”W) area, municipality of Cuité, state of Paraíba, Brazil. Search for specimens was active, happened at night, and amounted to 15 days from January to December 2013. The densities of spermatids (primary and secondary), sperm and area of the seminiferous locules of the testes were registered. The influence of climate variables (rainfall and temperature) on the density of primary and secondary spermatids, sperm and locular area were verified using Simple Linear Regression. Primary spermatids had the lowest density in July (57.90 ± 51.54 mm2), with a peak in November (300.32 ± 117.35 mm2); secondary spermatids had the lowest density in December (287.87 ± 79.05 mm2), with a peak in May (135,727.00 ± 301.13 mm2); sperm was in the lowest density in July (237.37 ± 121.10 mm2), with a peak in June (2,270.45 ± 602.62 mm2) and the locular area had the lowest density in December (40,292.9 ± 8,174.20 µm2) and highest density in June (338,875.01 ± 2,262.10 µm2). A notable decrease in sperm density was evident between June and July. That, associated with the observation of a larger locular area in June, allowed us to identify as June as the peak of spermatogenesis and the following month as the most potentially reproductive. The density of secondary spermatids(r = 0.02), sperm (r = 0.21) and locular area (r = 0.01) showed dependency on rainfall whereas only sperm (r = 0.09) showed dependency on temperature. Therefore, we can state that the reproductive cycle of L. macrosternum is potentially continuous, with a reproductive peak in July

Estimativa de estro em vacas leiteiras utilizando métodos quantitativos preditivos Dairy cows estrus estimation using predictive and quantitative methods

O Brasil é o sexto maior produtor de leite do mundo, sendo que essa produção cresce a uma taxa anual 4% superior aos demais países produtores. Parte desse aumento na produção de leite deve-se ao uso de diversas tecnologias desenvolvidas para o setor, principalmente, aquelas relacionadas à genética e ao manejo do rebanho. A detecção acurada do cio em vacas é um fator limitante na eficiência reprodutiva do rebanho leiteiro, sendo considerada uma das principais deficiências na reprodução bovina. Falha na identificação do estro com eficiência ocasiona perdas para o produtor. Métodos quantitativos preditivos, baseados em dados históricos e conhecimento especialista, permitem, a partir de uma base de dados organizada, a predição de padrões com baixa percentagem de erro. Este trabalho comparou a precisão das técnicas de estimativa de estro para vacas da raça Holandesa alojadas em galpão freestall, utilizando métodos quantitativos preditivos, por meio da interposição dos pontos intermediários provenientes de série histórica do rebanho. Uma base de regras foi formulada sendo que os valores dos pesos de cada afirmação pertencem a um intervalo de zero a um, e esses limites foram utilizados para gerar a função de pertinência Fuzzy, cuja saída era a predição de estro. Na etapa seguinte, foi aplicada a técnica de Data mining utilizando os parâmetros de movimentação, produção de leite, dias de lactação e comportamento de monta, sendo gerada uma árvore de decisão para analisar os parâmetros mais significativos na previsão de estro em vacas leiteiras. Os resultados indicaram que a presença de estro pode ser detectada com maior precisão usando a observação de movimentação das vacas (87%, erro estimado 4%) ou o comportamento de monta (78%, erro estimado 11%).<br>Brazil is the sixth world’s larger milk producer, increasing its production at an annual rate of 4% above other producer countries. Part of this raise in milk production was due to the use of several technologies that have being developed for the sector, mainly those related to genetics and herd management. Accurate estrus detection in dairy cows is a limiting factor in the reproduction efficiency of dairy cattle, and it has been considered the most important deficiency in the field of reproduction. Failing to detect estrus efficiently may cause losses for the producer. Quantitative predictive methods based on historical data and specialist knowledge may allow, from an organized data base, the prediction of estrus pattern with lower error. This research compared the precision of the estrus prediction techniques for freestall confined Holstein dairy cows using quantitative predictive methods, through the interpolation of intermediate points of historical herd data set. A base of rules was formulated and the values of weight for each statement is within the interval of 0 to 1; and these limits were used to generate a function of pertinence fuzzy that had as output the estrus prediction. In the following stage Data mining technique was applied using the parameters of movement rate, milk production, days of lactation and mounting behavior, and a decision tree was built for analyzing the most significant parameters for predicting estrus in dairy cows. The results indicate that the prediction of estrus incidence may be achieved either using the association of cow’s movement (87%, with estimated error of 4%) or the observation of mounting behavior (78%, with estimated error of 11%)

Órgãos internos e trato digestório de novilhos superprecoces não castrados ou castrados, de dois grupos genéticos

Avaliaram-se as características dos órgãos e do trato gastrintestinal de novilhos com duas condições sexuais - castrados e não castrados -, com predomínio genético Charolês ou Nelore com idade e peso médios iniciais de 12 meses e 267kg, respectivamente. Os novilhos foram confinados até o peso de abate médio preestabelecido de 400kg. A dieta alimentar continha relação volumoso:concentrado de 50:50 (base na matéria seca), com 10% de proteína bruta. O delineamento experimental utilizado foi o inteiramente ao acaso, em arranjo fatorial de 2x2 (duas condições sexuais x dois predomínios genéticos). Para o peso absoluto do omaso, observou-se interação significativa de genótipo versus condição sexual dos novilhos. Animais não castrados apresentaram maiores pesos absolutos dos rins (0,81 versus 0,66kg), do abomaso (1,20 versus 1,00kg) e dos intestinos, nas diferentes formas de expressão, em comparação aos castrados. Os animais com predomínio Charolês apresentaram maiores pesos absolutos do omaso (4,24 versus 3,46kg), dos intestinos (8,18 versus 6,84kg) e do total do trato digestório (16,88 versus 14,90kg) em relação aos animais com predominância Nelore. Não houve correlação entre o rendimento de carcaça e os componentes não integrantes da carcaça

Desempenho de metal de solda adequado para soldagem de componentes de ancoragem

O presente trabalho apresenta os resultados de um programa de pesquisa cujo objetivo principal é o desenvolvimento de consumíveis adequados para a soldagem de componentes de ancoragem fabricados em aços de alta resistência. Após avaliação de diferentes composições químicas, com base no balanço de Mn e Ni é feita uma análise detalhada das propriedades mecânicas e microestruturais da composição química que propiciou os melhores resultados para permitir uma conclusão decisiva. Foram soldadas juntas pelo processo eletrodo revestido utilizando consumíveis de 4,0 mm de diâmetro, com preaquecimento de 200 ºC, corrente contínua, posição plana e energia de soldagem nominal de 1,5 kJ / mm. Após a soldagem, foram realizados ensaios mecânicos (tensão, impacto Charpy-V, dureza) e metalográficos por microscopia ótica, microscopia eletrônica de varredura e EBSD em amostras removidas integralmente do metal de solda, tanto na condição de como soldado quanto após tratamento térmico pós-soldagem (TTPS) realizado a 600 ºC. Os resultados mostram que os metais de solda obtiveram propriedades mecânicas satisfatórias após o TTPS, sendo adequados para aplicação em componentes de ancoragem de acordo com a especificação IACS W22. Além disso, observou-se que a tenacidade ao impacto experimentou uma melhoria com o aumento do tempo de TTPS, o que é crucial para componentes com maiores espessuras. Palavras-chave: metal de solda, propriedades mecânicas, tratamento térmico, componentes de ancorage