EcoClimate: a database of climate data from multiple models for past, present, and future for macroecologists and biogeographers

Studies in biogeography and macroecology have been increasing massively since climate and biodiversity databases became easily accessible. Climate simulations for past, present, and future have enabled macroecologists and biogeographers to combine data on species’ occurrences with detailed information on climatic conditions through time to predict biological responses across large spatial and temporal scales. Here we present and describe ecoClimate, a free and open data repository developed to serve useful climate data to macroecologists and biogeographers. ecoClimate arose from the need for climate layers with which to build ecological niche models and test macroecological and biogeographic hypotheses in the past, present, and future. ecoClimate offers a suite of processed, multi-temporal climate data sets from the most recent multi-model ensembles developed by the Coupled Modeling Intercomparison Projects (CMIP5) and Paleoclimate Modeling Intercomparison Projects (PMIP3) across past, present, and future time frames, at global extents and 0.5° spatial resolution, in convenient formats for analysis and manipulation. A priority of ecoClimate is consistency across these diverse data, but retaining information on uncertainties among model predictions. The ecoClimate research group intends to maintain the web repository updated continuously as new model outputs become available, as well as software that makes our workflows broadly accessible

Directional field-dependence of magnetoimpedance effect on integrated YIG/Pt-stripline system

We investigated the magnetization dynamics through the magnetoimpedance effect in an integrated YIG/Pt-stripline system in the frequency range of 0.5 up to 2.0 GHz. Specifically, we explore the dependence of the dynamic magnetic behavior on the field orientation by analyzing beyond the traditional longitudinal magnetoimpedance effect of the transverse and perpendicular setups. We disclose here the strong dependence of the effective damping parameter on the field orientation, as well as verification of the very-low damping parameter values for the longitudinal and transverse configurations. We find considerable sensitivity results, bringing to light the facilities to integrate ferrimagnetic insulators in current and future technological applications.This research was funded by CNPq grand numbers 304943/2020-7 and 407385/2018-5, Capes grand number 88887.573100/2020-00 and FCT grant number CTTI-31/18-CF(2)

Topological speckles

The time evolution of a topological Su-Schrieffer-Heeger chain is analyzed through the statistics of speckle patterns. The emergence of topological edge states dramatically affects the dynamical fluctuations of the wavefunction. The intensity statistics is found to be described by a family of noncentral chi-squared distributions, with the noncentrality parameter reflecting on the degree of edge-state localization. The response of the speckle contrast with respect to the dimerization of the chain is explored in detail as well as the role of chiral symmetry-breaking disorder, number of edge states, their energy gap, and the locations between which the transport occurs. In addition to providing a venue for speckle customization, our results appeal to the use of speckle patterns for characterization of nontrivial topological properties.Comment: 6 pages, 4 figure

Longitudinal Spin Seebeck Effect thermopiles based on flexible Co-rich amorphous ribbons/Pt thin-film heterostructures

Thermoelectric phenomena, such as the Anomalous Nernst and Longitudinal Spin Seebeck Effects, are promising for sensor applications in the area of renewable energy. In the case of flexible electronic materials, the request is even larger because they can be integrated into devices having complex shape surfaces. Here, we reveal that Pt promotes an enhancement of the thermoelectric response in Co-rich ribbon/Pt heterostructures due to the spin-to-charge conversion. Moreover, we demonstrated that the employment of the thermopiles configuration in this system increases the induced thermoelectric current, a fact related to the considerable decrease in the electric resistance of the system. By comparing present findings with the literature, we were able to design a flexible thermopile based on LSSE without the lithography process. Additionally, the thermoelectric voltage found in the studied flexible heterostructures is comparable to the ones verified for rigid systems.This research was funded by different sources. M.A.C. thanks CAPES (8887.573100/2020-00) and CNPq. A.F. thanks the FCT (CTTI-31/18-C.F. (2) junior researcher contract). A.V.S. and G.V.K. were supported in the frame of the Priority-2030 Program of Ural Federal University

Treatment outcomes of pulp revascularization in traumatized immature teeth using calcium hydroxide and 2% chlorhexidine gel as intracanal medication

Objective: Pulp revascularization is an effective treatment for immature necrotic teeth. Calcium hydroxide has been used in pulp revascularization as an intracanal medication due to its antimicrobial action and the non-exhibition of crown discoloration and cytotoxicity for stem cells from the apical papilla. Our study aimed to investigate the clinical success and quantitative radiographic changes of root development in immature traumatized teeth using calcium hydroxide plus 2% chlorhexidine gel as intracanal medication. Methodology: In this retrospective study, 16 patients were treated with a standardized pulp revascularization protocol. Calcium hydroxide and 2% chlorhexidine gel were manipulated in a 1:1 (v/v) ratio and inserted into root canals with Lentulo spirals (Dentsply Maillefer, Baillaigues, Switzerland). Patients were followed up for a period from 9 to 36 months for the evaluation of clinical and radiological data. Radiographic measurements of root length, root width, apical diameter, and MTA placement from the apex were quantified using software ImageJ. Wilcoxon test and t-test were used, according to nonparametric or parametric data, respectively, for changes over time in root length, root width, and apical diameter. Results: Fifteen teeth survived during the follow-up period (93.75%) and met the criteria for clinical success. Although the changes seem to be very small in many cases, significant increases in the average root length (14.28%, p<0.0001), root width (8.12%, p=0.0196), and decrease in apical diameter (48.37%, p=0.0007) were observed. MTA placement from the apex and age at the time of treatment was not significantly associated with the quantitative radiographic outcomes. Conclusions: Pulp revascularization in traumatized immature teeth treated with calcium hydroxide plus 2% chlorhexidine gel as intracanal medication had high success and survival rates, showing periodontal healing and resolution of signs and symptoms. However, concerning the continued root development, the outcomes can still be considered unpredictable

A novel to perform a thermoelastic analysis using digital image correlation and the boundary element method

This work aims for a novel thermoelastic analysis methodology based on experimental steady-state temperature data and numerical displacement evaluation. The temperature data was acquired using thermal imaging and used as the input for a boundary element method (BEM) routine to evaluate its consequent thermoelastic displacement. The thermoelastic contribution to the resultant displacement arises in the BEM formulation as a domain integral, which compromises the main benefits of the BEM. To avoid the necessity of domain discretization, the radial integration method (RIM) was applied to convert the thermoelastic domain integral into an equivalent boundary integral. Due to its mathematical development, the resultant formulation from RIM requires the temperature difference to be input as a function. The efficacy of the proposed methodology was verified based on experimental displacement fields obtained via digital image correlation (DIC) analysis. For this purpose, a CNC (computer numerical control) marker was developed to print the speckle pattern instead of preparing the specimen by using manual spray paint or using commercially available pre-painted adhesives. The good agreement observed in the comparison between the numerical and experimental displacements indicates the viability of the proposed methodology

Phenotypic Features of Circulating Leukocytes from Non-human Primates Naturally Infected with Trypanosoma cruzi Resemble the Major Immunological Findings Observed in Human Chagas Disease

Background: Cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) represent a feasible model for research on Chagas disease since natural T. cruzi infection in these primates leads to clinical outcomes similar to those observed in humans. However, it is still unknown whether these clinical similarities are accompanied by equivalent immunological characteristics in the two species. We have performed a detailed immunophenotypic analysis of circulating leukocytes together with systems biology approaches from 15 cynomolgus macaques naturally infected with T. cruzi (CH) presenting the chronic phase of Chagas disease to identify biomarkers that might be useful for clinical investigations. Methods and findings: Our data established that CH displayed increased expression of CD32+ and CD56+ in monocytes and enhanced frequency of NK Granzyme A+ cells as compared to non-infected controls (NI). Moreover, higher expression of CD54 and HLA-DR by T-cells, especially within the CD8+ subset, was the hallmark of CH. A high level of expression of Granzyme A and Perforin underscored the enhanced cytotoxicity-linked pattern of CD8+ T-lymphocytes from CH. Increased frequency of B-cells with up-regulated expression of Fc-γRII was also observed in CH. Complex and imbricate biomarker networks demonstrated that CH showed a shift towards cross-talk among cells of the adaptive immune system. Systems biology analysis further established monocytes and NK-cell phenotypes and the T-cell activation status, along with the Granzyme A expression by CD8+ T-cells, as the most reliable biomarkers of potential use for clinical applications. Conclusions: Altogether, these findings demonstrated that the similarities in phenotypic features of circulating leukocytes observed in cynomolgus macaques and humans infected with T. cruzi further supports the use of these monkeys in preclinical toxicology and pharmacology studies applied to development and testing of new drugs for Chagas disease

Genetic diversity in two threatened species of guitarfish (Elasmobranchii: Rhinobatidae) from the Brazilian and Argentinian coasts: an alert for conservation

The guitarfishes Pseudobatos horkelii and Pseudobatos percellens meet the criteria for threatened status as Critically Endangered (CR) and Endangered (EN), respectively. Both species occur in the Southern Atlantic Ocean. Considering the lack of data on the genetic structure of these species, the present study evaluated the genetic variability and population structure of the P. horkelii and P. percellens in the southern region of Brazil and the northern coast of Argentina, based on sequences of mitochondrial DNA, Control Region (D-loop). Samples of P. horkelii (n = 135) were analyzed in six localities situated in Northern Argentina, along the Brazilian states’ coast. The mean of nucleotide diversity was 0.0053, the ΦST was 0.4277 and demographic analysis of P. horkelii suggests the existence of stability of the populations, with D = 0.9929, FS = 2.0155, SSD = 0.0817, R = 0.2153. In P. percellens (n = 101) were analyzed from six Brazilian localities along the coast of Santa Catarina, Paraná, and São Paulo. The mean nucleotide diversity was 0.0014 and ΦST value of 0.2921, the demographic analysis indicates a high migration rate of P. percellens among the localities evaluated, with D = 0.5222, FS = 0.3528, SSD = 0.01785, R = 0.3890.As raias violas Pseudobatos horkelii e Pseudobatos percellens, são listados como “Criticamente em Perigo” (CR) e “Em Perigo” (EN), respectivamente. Ambas as espécies ocorrem no Sul do Oceano Atlântico. Considerando a falta de dados sobre a estrutura genética dessas espécies, o presente estudo avaliou a variabilidade genética e a estrutura populacional de P. horkelii e P. percellens na região sudeste do Brasil e litoral norte da Argentina, com base em sequências de DNA mitocondrial, região de controle (D-loop). Amostras de 135 indivíduos de P. horkelii analisados em seis localidades, situadas no norte da Argentina e ao longo da costa dos estados brasileiros. A média da diversidade nucleotídica foi de 0.0053, o índice ΦST foi de 0.4277 e a análise demográfica de P. horkelii, indicou a existência de estabilidade das populações, com D = 0.9929, Fus = 2.0155, SSD = 0.0817, R = 0.2153. Em 101 exemplares de P. percellens, foram analisados em seis localidades brasileiras ao longo do litoral de Santa Catarina, Paraná e São Paulo. A diversidade nucleotídica média foi de 0.0014 e o valor ΦST de 0.2921, a análise demográfica indicou uma alta taxa de migração de P. percellens entre as localidades analisadas, com D = 0.5222, FS = 0.3528, SSD = 0.01785, R = 0.3890.Fil: Cruz, Vanessa P.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Adachi, Aisni M. C. L.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Oliveira, Pablo H.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Ribeiro, Giovana S.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Paim, Fabilene G.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Souza, Bruno C.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Rodrigues, Alexandre S. F.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Vianna, Marcelo. Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro; BrasilFil: Delpiani, Sergio Matias. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Díaz de Astarloa, Juan Martín. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Mar del Plata. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras. Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Instituto de Investigaciones Marinas y Costeras; ArgentinaFil: Rotundo, Matheus M.. Universidade Santa Cecília; BrasilFil: Mendonça, Fernando F.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Oliveira, Claudio. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Lessa, Rosangela P.. Universidad Federal Rural Pernambuco; BrasilFil: Foresti, Fausto. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; Brasi

First report of Dryinus garcetei Olmi, 2012 (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) in the Northeast region of Brazil

The present study reports the first record of Dryinus garcetei Olmi, 2012 (Hymenoptera, Dryinidae) for Northeast Brazil. This research is very relevant given the scarcity of data regarding the Dryinidae family and the Dryinus Latreille, 1804 genus for this region. Furthermore, illustrations and an updated geographic distribution map of D. garcetei are presented