Distance and age of the massive stellar cluster Westerlund 1. I. Parallax method using Gaia-EDR3

Westerlund 1 (Wd 1) is one of the most massive young star clusters in the Milky Way. Although relevant for star formation and evolution, its fundamental parameters are not yet very well constrained. Our goal is to derive an accurate distance and provide constraints on the cluster age. We used the photometric and astrometric information available in the Gaia Early Data Release 3 (Gaia-EDR3) to infer its distance of 4.06$^{+0.36}_{-0.34}$ kpc. Modelling of the eclipsing binary system W36 reported in Paper II led to the distance of 4.34$\pm$0.25 kpc, in agreement with the Gaia-EDR3 distance and, therefore, validating the parallax zero-point correction approach appropriate for red objects. By taking advantage of another two recent distance determinations using the Gaia-EDR3, we obtained a weighted mean distance for the cluster as d$_{\rm wd1}$=4.23$^{+0.15}_{-0.13}$ kpc ($m-M$=13.13$^{+0.08}_{-0.07}$ mag), which has an unprecedented accuracy of 4\%. We adopted recent Geneva evolutionary tracks for supra-solar metallicity objects to infer the age of the faintest RSG source from Wd 1, leading to a cluster age of 11.0$\pm$0.5 Myr, in excellent agreement with recent work by Beasor \& Davies (10.4$^{+1.3}_{-1.2}$ Myr) based on MIST evolutionary models. The age of W36 was reported to be 3.5$\pm$0.5 Myr in Paper II, supporting recent claims of a temporal spread of several Myr for the star-forming process within Wd 1 instead of a monolithic starburst scenario.Comment: 16 pages, 9 figures, revised version submitted to MNRAS on April 20th, 202

Toxina botulínica como tratamento para fobia social generalizada com hiperidrose

BACKGROUND: Blushing, trembling, and sweating are frequently seen in social phobia. OBJECTIVES: In this study, we aimed at describing the response of a patient with a generalized type of social phobia and hyperhydrosis to cognitive-behavioral therapy augmented by botulinum toxin. METHOD: Single case report. RESULTS: Mr. A, a 20 year-old university student, sought treatment in our unit for social phobia with comorbid depression. Mr. A also exhibited a diagnosis of palmar, plantar, and axilar hyperidrosis. He described that exposure to feared situations always lead to aggravation of sweating and other symptoms of heightened physiological arousal. Both social phobia and hyperhydrosis had their onset in early adolescence, with the former beginning four years before the latter. Cognitive-behavioral therapy led to aliviation of depression but effective treatment of social phobia was only possible after therapy with botulinum toxin. DISCUSSION: Botulinum toxin, a treatment that blocks peripheral autonomic symptoms, might also lead to improvement of social phobia.CONTEXTO: Enrubescimento, tremores e transpiração excessiva são fenômenos frequentemente observados na fobia social. OBJETIVOS: Descrever a resposta de um paciente com o tipo generalizado de fobia social e hiperidrose à terapia cognitivo-comportamental aliada à toxina botulínica. MÉTODO: Relato de caso único. RESULTADOS: O Sr. A, 20 anos, estudante universitário, procurou tratamento por apresentar sintomas compatíveis com os diagnósticos de fobia social e depressão. O Sr. A também apresentava diagnóstico de hiperidrose palmar, plantar e axilar. Tanto a fobia social quanto a hiperidrose tiveram seu início no começo da adolescência, com a primeira se iniciando quatro anos antes da segunda. A terapia cognitivo-comportamental levou à remissão da depressão, mas o tratamento efetivo da fobia social apenas foi possível após a terapia com a toxina botulínica. CONCLUSÃO: A toxina botulínica, um tratamento que bloqueia fenômenos autonômicos periféricos, também pode proporcionar alívio dos sintomas em pacientes com fobia social

Nutrição de tithonia diversifolia e atributos do solo adubado com biofertilizante em sistema irrigado

The fertilization with biofertilizer associated with the use of irrigation favors nutrient uptake by plants and soil chemical properties; however, these effects are little studied in Tithonia diversifolia in semiarid regions. This study evaluated the effect of doses of bovine biofertilizer and irrigation on accumulation of nutrients in the leaves of Tithonia diversifolia plants and on soil chemical attributes. The study was carried out from December 3, 2014 to November 28, 2015, and arranged in a 2 x 5 factorial scheme, consisting of five doses of bovine biofertilizer (0, 40, 80, 120 and 160 m3 ha-1), combined with and without irrigation. The experiment was set in a randomized block design, using three replicates. Irrigation promoted increased accumulation of N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu and B in leaves of Tithonia diversifolia in the first cutting. However, the high bicarbonate concentration in the irrigation water and the occurrence of rainfall during the second crop increased the accumulation of Cu in the leaves of Tithonia diversifolia under rainfed condition, compared with irrigated plants. The increase in biofertilizer doses contributed to the increment of base saturation and the contents of organic matter, P and K in soil201110081013Associada ao uso de irrigação, a adubação com biofertilizante favorece a absorção de nutrientes pelas plantas e as propriedades químicas dos solos, porém tais efeitos são pouco estudados no cultivo de Tithonia diversifolia em regiões semiáridas. Avaliaram-se os efeitos de doses de biofertilizante bovino e da irrigação no acúmulo foliar de nutrientes em plantas de Tithonia diversifolia e nos atributos químicos do solo. O estudo foi conduzido entre 3 de dezembro de 2014 e 28 de novembro de 2015 e distribuído em esquema fatorial 5 x 2, consistindo de cinco doses de biofertilizante bovino (0, 40, 80, 120 e 160 m3 ha-1), combinado com e sem irrigação. O delineamento estatístico do experimento foi em blocos casualizados com três repetições. A irrigação promoveu aumento no acúmulo de N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S, Zn, Fe, Mn, Cu e B em folhas de Tithonia diversifolia no primeiro corte; entretanto, a alta concentração de bicarbonato na água de irrigação e a presença de chuvas durante o segundo cultivo aumentaram o acúmulo de Cu nas folhas de Tithonia diversifolia em sequeiro quando comparado às plantas irrigadas. O aumento das doses de biofertilizante contribuiu para o incremento da saturação por base e do teor de matéria orgânica, P e K no sol

SYNTHESIS AND EVALUATION OF ARYLIMINO PYRIDINE NICKEL(II) CATALYSTS: INFLUENCE OF SUBSTITUENTS ON POLYETHYLENE STRUCTURE

Abstract. The asymmetric arylimino pyridine Ni(II) catalysts have been examined with different substituents including diisopropyl, diethyl, fluoro, and chloro groups. The influence of these substituents and variation of ethylene pressure on the catalytic activity, crystalline structure, as well as on thermal properties of polyethylene has been investigated. The result show that complexes with substituent alkyl groups, which provide the increased electron density on the metal center ( o -diethyl and o-diisopropyl) exhibit higher activity, compared to those with electron acceptors substituents (o-fluoro and o-chloro)

Prevalence, incidence and distribution of citrus variegated chlorosis in Bahia, Brazil

Citrus variegated chlorosis (CVC) is one of the most important diseases for Brazilian citriculture. It is caused by Xylella fastidiosa subsp. pauca, a xylem limited, cycadelid and budwood transmitted bacterium. In Bahia, the second most important citrus region in Brazil, CVC has been present since 1997. Our objectives were to characterize the regional spatial pattern of CVC and to establish a relationship between epidemiological variables and horticultural practices, as well as to evaluate whether control measures used so far have been effective and, based on that, to conceive suitable control measures. A series of surveys were performed in two regions of Bahia State (Recôncavo Baiano and Litoral Norte), along with a survey of horticultural and control practices associated with sampled groves. CVC was restricted to Litoral Norte region, especially to three municipalities along the border between Bahia and Sergipe States. The mean CVC incidence in these municipalities followed a gradient, higher in the countryside and decreasing along the coast. Presence and dissemination of CVC was related to poor nursery practices, a massive use of a susceptible orange variety, and an extreme concentration of orange groves in high incidence municipalities, as well as to the absence of specific CVC control. Considering that CVC was not found in Recôncavo Baiano, this region could be considered a "CVC free zone" by the local government. Copyright by the Brazilian Phytopathological Society.EC/ICA4-CT-2001-10005CNPqFAPES

Suggestive diagnosis of attention-defcit/hyperactivity disorder in indigenous children and adolescents from the Brazilian Amazon

The prevalence of attention-defcit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms has been scarcely studied in indigenous cultures that preserve ancestral cultural characteristics. The objective of the study is to estimate the prevalence of suggestive diagnosis of ADHD among indigenous children and adolescents from villages in the Amazon. This is an analytical crosssectional study using instruments to track ADHD symptoms (the Child Behaviour Checklist for ages 6–18: CBCL/6–18 and the teacher report form for ages 6–18: TRF/6–18) and to investigate their negative impact on the patients (using the Strengths and Difculties Questionnaire—SDQ). The prevalence of a suggestive ADHD diagnosis according to the CBCL/TRF DSMIV ADHD subscale without and with negative impact as assessed by the SDQ was 4.3% and 1.1%, respectively. Comorbid oppositional-defant, conduct problems and anxious symptoms were present in all cases screening positive for ADHD. We also presented a case report as an illustration of the observed clinical presentation. ADHD is a recognizable disorder even in a culture that preserves millennial characteristics. Furthermore, the presence of ADHD symptoms was associated with signifcant impairment

TREATMENT OF COGNITIVE DEFICITS IN ALZHEIMER\u27S DISEASE: A PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGICAL REVIEW

The growing and aging population has contributed to the increased prevalence of Alzheimer\u27s disease (AD) and other types of dementia in the world. AD is a progressive and degenerative brain disease with an onset characterized by episodic memory impairments, although progressive deficits can be observed in several domains including language, executive functions, attention and working memory. The relationship between cognitive impairments and the topography and progression of brain neuropathology is well established. The pathophysiologic mechanisms and processes that underline the course of cognitive and clinical decline have been the theoretical support for the development of pharmacological treatments for AD. Cholinesterase inhibitors (ChEIs) and Nmethyl- D-aspartate (NMDA) antagonists are the main drugs used in the management of global cognitive impairment and several studies also explore the effects of both in specific cognitive measures. Recent research trends also examine the effects of combination therapy using both compounds. This review aims to update practical recommendations for the treatment of global cognitive functioning and specific neurocognitive deficits in AD using ChEIs, NMDA antagonists and combination therapy with both drugs

Linking plant phenology to conservation biology

Phenology has achieved a prominent position in current scenarios of global change research given its role inmonitoring and predicting the timing of recurrent life cycle events. However, the implications of phenology to environmental conservation and management remain poorly explored. Here,we present the first explicit appraisal of howphenology-amultidisciplinary science encompassing biometeorology, ecology, and evolutionary biology- can make a key contribution to contemporary conservation biology. We focus on shifts in plant phenology induced by global change, their impacts on species diversity and plant-animal interactions in the tropics, and how conservation efforts could be enhanced in relation to plant resource organization. We identify the effects of phenological changes and mismatches in the maintenance and conservation of mutualistic interactions, and examine how phenological research can contribute to evaluate, manage and mitigate the consequences of land-use change and other natural and anthropogenic disturbances, such as fire, exotic and invasive species. Wealso identify cutting-edge tools that can improve the spatial and temporal coverage of phenological monitoring, from satellites to drones and digital cameras. We highlight the role of historical information in recovering long-term phenological time series, and track climate-related shifts in tropical systems. Finally, we propose a set of measures to boost the contribution of phenology to conservation science.Weadvocate the inclusion of phenology into predictive models integrating evolutionary history to identify species groups that are either resilient or sensitive to future climate-change scenarios, and understand how phenological m ismatches can affect community dynamics, ecosystem services, and conservation over time