Uso Da Zona De Amortecimento De Uma Unidade De Conservação De Cerrado Por Mamíferos

Habitat loss and degradation is threatening mammals worldwide. Therefore, Protected Areas (PA) are of utmost importance to preserve biodiversity. Their effectiveness, however, depends on some management strategies such as buffer zones, which prevent/mitigate the impact of external threats and might increase the amount of available habitat for wildlife existing within reserves. Nevertheless, how intensively terrestrial mammals use buffer zones remains little studied, particularly in the Neotropical region. Aiming to analyse the use of a buffer zone (5 km wide) by medium and large-sized mammals, we modelled the occupancy probabilities of five species of conservation concern including local (interior and buffer zone) as a site covariate, simultaneously controlling for imperfect detection. Data collection was made with camera traps from April to September 2013 in a 9000 ha Cerrado PA (“interior”) and in its surrounding area (39721.41 ha; “buffer zone”). This PA (Jataí Ecological Station) is immersed in a landscape where sugarcane plantations predominate in the northeastern of the state of São Paulo. We also conducted an inventory to compare the number and composition of species between interior and buffer zone. A total of 31 mammal species (26 natives) was recorded via camera traps and active search for sightings, vocalizations, tracks and signs. Occupancy estimates for Myrmecophaga tridactyla, Leopardus pardalis and Pecari tajacu were numerically higher in interior. On the other hand, Chrysocyon brachyurus had the highest occupancy in buffer zone, while the largest predator, Puma concolor, used both areas similarly. However, as the confidence intervals (95%) overlapped, the differences in occupancy probabilities between interior and buffer were weak for all these species. Additionally, regarding only the species recorded by cameras, the observed and estimated richness were similar between interior and buffer zone of the PA. Our data demonstrated that the buffer zone is indeed used by medium and large-sized mammals, including conservation-dependent ones. The lack of enforcement of current legislation regarding buffer zones is therefore a real threat for mammals, even when protection is guaranteed in the interior of protected areas. © Universidade Estadual de Campinas UNICAMP. All rights reserved.16

Influencia del ángulo de observación en la estimación del índice de área foliar (LAI) mediante imágenes PROBA/CHRIS

Revista oficial de la Asociación Española de Teledetección[EN] The estimation of biophysical variables, such as the Leaf Area Index (LAI), using remote sensing techniques, is still the subject of numerous studies, since these variables allow obtaining valuable information on the vegetation status. In this work, we estimate LAI from multiangular PROBA/CHRIS images, by analyzing the reflectance measured in its 5 observation angles, for the bands centered in 665 and 705 nm. These wavelengths correspond to the chlorophyll absorption band and the Red-Edge region, respectively. The Normalized Difference Index (NDI) calculated from this wavelengths, shows good correlation with LAI and allows its remote sensing estimation and its applicability to the recently launched ESA Sentinel 2, thanks to its new bands in the Red-Edge. This research analyzed the influence on the acquisition geometry in the NDI, calibrating the relationship between this index and the LAI for each of the five observation angles in the PROBA / CHRIS images. As a result, we have obtained a relationship capable of providing LAI from the viewing angle and the NDI index.[ES] La estimación de variables biofísicas como el Índice de Área Foliar (LAI) mediante técnicas de teledetección es objeto de numerosos estudios, ya que de su conocimiento se puede extraer valiosa información sobre el estado de la vegetación. En este trabajo se estudia la estimación del LAI mediante imágenes multiangulares PROBA/CHRIS, analizando el comportamiento de la reflectividad medida en sus 5 ángulos de observación, en las longitudes de onda de 665 y 705 nm correspondientes a la banda de absorción de la clorofila y la reflectividad de la vegetación en el Red-Edge, respectivamente. El Índice de Diferencia Normalizada (NDI) calculado en estas longitudes de onda, mostró una buena correlación con el LAI, lo que permite su estimación por teledetección y su aplicabilidad a las imágenes del recientemente lanzado Sentinel 2 de la ESA, pues incorpora como novedad varias bandas en el Red-Edge. En esta investigación se analiza la influencia en la geometría de adquisición del NDI calibrando la relación entre este índice y el LAI para cada uno de los 5 ángulos de observación de PROBA/CHRIS. Con ello, se ha obtenido una relación capaz de proporcionar el LAI a partir del ángulo de observación y del índice NDI.Este trabajo se realizó con el apoyo del proyecto “Creación y puesta en marcha del Centro de Estudios del Agua y del Medio Ambiente para el Magdalena Medio (CEAMAM)” de Colombia, proyecto de cooperación entre la Universidad de Valencia (España) y el Ayuntamiento de Barrancabermeja (Colombia).Delegido, J.; Meza, CM.; Pasqualotto, N.; Moreno, J. (2016). Influence of observation angle in leaf area index (LAI) estimation using PROBA/CHRIS images. Revista de Teledetección. (46):45-55. https://doi.org/10.4995/raet.2016.4612SWORD45554

Polymorphisms in toll-like receptor genes and susceptibility to pulmonary aspergillosis

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) are important components of innate immunity. We investigated the association between polymorphisms in the TLR2, TLR4, and TLR9 genes and susceptibility to noninvasive forms of pulmonary aspergillosis. A significant association was observed between allele G on Asp299Gly (TLR4) and chronic cavitary pulmonary aspergillosis (odds ratio [OR], 3.46; P =.003). Susceptibility to allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis was associated with allele C on T-1237C (TLR9) (OR, 2.49; P =. 043). No particular polymorphism was associated with severe asthma with fungal sensitization. These findings reinforce the importance of innate immunity in the pathogenesis of different forms of aspergillosis.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, Portugal (POCI/SAU-ESP/61080/ 2004 and fellowship to A.C., contract SFRH/BD/11837/2003); CAPES (Brazilian government) (grant to A.P); and the Fungal Research Trust, United Kingdom

Start of SPIDER operation towards ITER neutral beams

Heating Neutral Beam (HNB) Injectors will constitute the main plasma heating and current drive tool both in ITER and JT60-SA, which are the next major experimental steps for demonstrating nuclear fusion as viable energy source. In ITER, in order to achieve the required thermonuclear fusion power gain Q=10 for short pulse operation and Q=5 for long pulse operation (up to 3600s), two HNB injectors will be needed [1], each delivering a total power of about 16.5 MW into the magnetically-confined plasma, by means of neutral hydrogen or deuterium particles having a specific energy of about 1 MeV. Since only negatively charged particles can be efficiently neutralized at such energy, the ITER HNB injectors [2] will be based on negative ions, generated by caesium-catalysed surface conversion of atoms in a radio-frequency driven plasma source. A negative deuterium ion current of more than 40 A will be extracted, accelerated and focused in a multi-aperture, multi-stage electrostatic accelerator, having 1280 apertures (~ 14 mm diam.) and 5 acceleration stages (~200 kV each) [3]. After passing through a narrow gas-cell neutralizer, the residual ions will be deflected and discarded, whereas the neutralized particles will continue their trajectory through a duct into the tokamak vessels to deliver the required heating power to the ITER plasma for a pulse duration of about 3600 s. Although the operating principles and the implementation of the most critical parts of the injector have been tested in different experiments, the ITER NBI requirements have never been simultaneously attained. In order to reduce the risks and to optimize the design and operating procedures of the HNB for ITER, a dedicated Neutral Beam Test Facility (NBTF) [4] has been promoted by the ITER Organization with the contribution of the European Union\u2019s Joint Undertaking for ITER and of the Italian Government, with the participation of the Japanese and Indian Domestic Agencies (JADA and INDA) and of several European laboratories, such as IPP-Garching, KIT-Karlsruhe, CCFE-Culham, CEA-Cadarache. The NBTF, nicknamed PRIMA, has been set up at Consorzio RFX in Padova, Italy [5]. The planned experiments will verify continuous HNB operation for one hour, under stringent requirements for beam divergence (< 7 mrad) and aiming (within 2 mrad). To study and optimise HNB performances, the NBTF includes two experiments: MITICA, full-scale NBI prototype with 1 MeV particle energy and SPIDER, with 100 keV particle energy and 40 A current, aiming at testing and optimizing the full-scale ion source. SPIDER will focus on source uniformity, negative ion current density and beam optics. In June 2018 the experimental operation of SPIDER has started

Performance agronômica de cultivares de cafeeiro enxertadas em Apoatã IAC 2258.

Este trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a influência da enxertia e do porta-enxerto Apoatã IAC 2258 na produtividade e nas características reprodutivas (peneira 17 acima e porcentagem de grãos chochos) de sete cultivares de cafeeiro da espécie Coffea arabica cultivados em campo. O experimento foi instalado em janeiro de 2004, em área isenta de nematoides, espaçamento de 3,0 m x 0,6 m, no Setor de Cafeicultura da Universidade Federal de Lavras - UFLA, sendo as avaliações compreendidas no período de janeiro de 2006 a outubro de 2011. Utilizou-se delineamento experimental em blocos casualizados (DBC) em esquema fatorial (7 x 3), com 4 repetições, sendo: a) sete cultivares de Coffea arabica: Obatã IAC 1669-20, Acauã, Oeiras MG 6851, Catucaí Amarelo 2SL, Topázio MG 1190, IBC Palma II e Paraíso MG H 419-1; b) três tipos de mudas: enxertada em "Apoatã IAC 2258" (Coffea canephora), autoenxertada e pé-franco. Avaliou-se a produção das seis primeiras safras (2006/2007 a 2011/2012). A porcentagem de frutos chochos e porcentagem de grãos peneira 17 acima foram avaliadas nas quatro últimas safras. Conclui-se que o emprego da enxertia não é eficaz para aumento de produtividade da planta de cafeeiro cultivada em área isenta de nematoides. Entre as cultivares estudadas, a cultivar Palma II é a mais indicada como copa em muda enxertada no cultivo em área infestada por fitonematoides.Título em inglês: Agronomic performance of variety of coffee grafted on IAC Apoatã 2258

Evidences of accumulation points in cascade regenerative phenomena observed in high voltage dc devices insulated by long vacuum gaps

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Tracing the origins of rescued chimpanzees reveals widespread chimpanzee hunting in Cameroon

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>While wild chimpanzees are experiencing drastic population declines, their numbers at African rescue and rehabilitation projects are growing rapidly. Chimpanzees follow complex routes to these refuges; and their geographic origins are often unclear. Identifying areas where hunting occurs can help law enforcement authorities focus scarce resources for wildlife protection planning. Efficiently focusing these resources is particularly important in Cameroon because this country is a key transportation waypoint for international wildlife crime syndicates. Furthermore, Cameroon is home to two chimpanzee subspecies, which makes ascertaining the origins of these chimpanzees important for reintroduction planning and for scientific investigations involving these chimpanzees.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We estimated geographic origins of 46 chimpanzees from the Limbe Wildlife Centre (LWC) in Cameroon. Using Bayesian approximation methods, we determined their origins using mtDNA sequences and microsatellite (STRP) genotypes compared to a spatial map of georeferenced chimpanzee samples from 10 locations spanning Cameroon and Nigeria. The LWC chimpanzees come from multiple regions of Cameroon or forested areas straddling the Cameroon-Nigeria border. The LWC chimpanzees were partitioned further as originating from one of three biogeographically important zones occurring in Cameroon, but we were unable to refine these origin estimates to more specific areas within these three zones.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our findings suggest that chimpanzee hunting is widespread across Cameroon. Live animal smuggling appears to occur locally within Cameroon, despite the existence of local wildlife cartels that operate internationally. This pattern varies from the illegal wildlife trade patterns observed in other commercially valuable species, such as elephants, where specific populations are targeted for exploitation. A broader sample of rescued chimpanzees compared against a more comprehensive grid of georeferenced samples may reveal 'hotspots' of chimpanzee hunting and live animal transport routes in Cameroon. These results illustrate also that clarifying the origins of refuge chimpanzees is an important tool for designing reintroduction programs. Finally, chimpanzees at refuges are frequently used in scientific investigations, such as studies investigating the history of zoonotic diseases. Our results provide important new information for interpreting these studies within a precise geographical framework.</p