Resumo Embora a distribuição e a riqueza em espécies arbóreas nas fitofisionomias do Cerrado venham sendo bastante estudadas, a transição entre savanas e florestas deciduais ainda não foi abordada. Investigamos o efeito de características físico-químicas do solo sobre a distribuição de espécies arbóreas em região de contato entre cerrado sentido restrito e floresta estacional decidual (FED). As espécies arbóreas foram amostradas sistematicamente, e variáveis de topografia e características do solo foram medidas em 30 parcelas de 10×40 m, sendo 15 parcelas em cada fisionomia. A distribuição das espécies arbóreas foi espacialmente estruturada, e as características do solo diferiram entre as áreas de cerrado sentido restrito e FED, principalmente relacionadas à saturação de alumínio, saturação de bases e teores de fósforo. A saturação de alumínio aumentou em direção ao cerrado sentido restrito, enquanto a saturação de bases aumentou em direção à FED. A maioria das espécies arbóreas predominou em uma das fisionomias, como Callisthene major em cerrado sentido restrito e Anadenanthera colubrina em FED. Apenas 20% das espécies foram amplamente distribuídas em ambas as fisionomias ou, em poucos casos, restritas aos valores intermediários do gradiente de solo. Os resultados indicam um forte contraste de características do solo entre o cerrado sentido restrito e a FED, assim como uma transição acentuada e espacialmente organizada quanto à distribuição de espécies arbóreas.

Abstract Although richness and distribution of woody species in the Cerrado physiognomies have been extensively studied, the shifts of woody species from savanna physiognomies to dry forests have not yet been addressed. Here, we investigate the effect of soil physical-chemical traits on the woody species turnover between adjacent cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest physiognomies. Woody species were surveyed, and soil and topographic variables measured, in 30 10×40 m plots systematically distributed, with 15 plots in each physiognomy. We found a spatially structured distribution of woody species, and differences of soil traits between cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest areas, mainly related to the aluminum saturation, base saturation, and available phosphorus. Aluminum saturation increased toward the savanna area, while base saturation increased toward the dry forest. Most woody species predominated in one physiognomy, such as Callisthene major in the cerrado stricto sensu and Anadenanthera colubrina in the dry forest. Only 20% of the species were widely distributed across both physiognomies or, not often, restricted to the intermediary values of the soil gradient. General results indicate that contrasting soil traits between cerrado stricto sensu and dry forest produce a strongly spatially organized and sharp transition in terms of species distribution between these physiognomies.

Abstract Background Weight gain can trigger mechanisms that increase blood pressure. Nevertheless, obesity causes structural changes in the myocardium, including increased ventricular mass, atrial dilatation, and diastolic and systolic dysfunction. Additionally, blood pressure variations, like morning surge (MS) in obese hypertensive patients may have clinical relevance in cardiovascular events. Although morning blood pressure surge is a physiological phenomenon, excess MS can be considered an independent risk factor for cardiovascular events. Objective To evaluate MS values and their association with left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) and nocturnal dipping (ND) in obese and non-obese hypertensive patients. Methods A cross-sectional study that evaluated BP measurements by ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) and the presence of LVH by echocardiography in 203 hypertensive outpatients, divided into two groups: 109 non-obese and 94 obese hypertensives patients. The significance level was set at 0.05 in two-tailed tests. Results A MS above 20 mmHg by ABPM was detected in 59.2% of patients in the non-obese group and 40.6% in the obese group. LVH was found in 18.1% and 39.3% of patients in the non-obese and obese groups, respectively, p<0.001. In the “obese group”, it was observed that a MS>16 mmHg was associated with LVH, [prevalence ratio: 2.80; 95%CI (1.12–6.98), p=0.03]. For the non-obese group, the cut-off point of MS for this association was >22 mmHg. Conclusion High MS was positively associated with LVH, with a particular behavior in the hypertensive obese group.

Resumo Fundamento O aumento do peso frequentemente desencadeia mecanismos que elevam a pressão arterial. A obesidade causa mudanças estruturais no miocárdio, incluindo aumento da massa ventricular, dilatação atrial, bem como disfunções diastólicas e sistólicas. Além disso, variações pressóricas nos hipertensos obesos, como a ascensão matinal (AM), podem ter relevância clínica na prevenção dos eventos cardiovasculares. A AM da pressão arterial é um fenômeno fisiológico, que quando elevada pode ser considerada um fator de risco independente para eventos cardiovasculares. Objetivo Avaliar valores da elevação da AM e sua associação com a hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) e com o Descenso do Sono (DS) em obesos e não obesos hipertensos. Métodos Estudo transversal que avaliou medidas pressóricas à monitorização ambulatorial da pressão arterial (MAPA) e a presença de HVE, avaliada pela ecocardiografia, em 203 pacientes hipertensos em tratamento ambulatorial, separados em dois grupos: 109 não obesos e 94 hipertensos obesos. O nível de significância adotado foi de 0,05 em testes bicaudais. Resultados A AM acima de 20 mmHg à MAPA foi detectada em 59,2% dos pacientes do grupo “não obesos” e em 40,6% no grupo “obesos”. A HVE foi encontrada em 18,1% no grupo dos não-obesos e em 39,3% no grupo de obesos, p<0,001. No grupo “obesos” foi observado que AM >16 mmHg esteve associada à HVE, com [razão de prevalência: 2,80; IC95% (1,12–6,98), p=0,03]. Para o grupo dos “não obesos”, o ponto de corte da AM para essa associação foi >22 mmHg. Conclusão A AM elevada associou-se positivamente com HVE, com comportamento peculiar na população de hipertensos e obesos.

Abstract The objective of this study was to determine the influence of nonionic surfactants on the effectiveness of preservatives used in emulsions containing high surfactant content. Mixtures of different concentrations were prepared between polyethoxylated (40) hydrogenated castor oil (PHCO) and polyoxyethylene sorbitan monooleate (PSO), with methylparaben, phenoxyethanol, methylparaben, ethylparaben, propylparaben, and isobutylparaben (PMEPBI) blend, phenoxyethanol and benzoic acid (BP) blend, and phenoxyethanol and caprylyl glycol (PC) blend. Subsequently, the compatibility of the formulation ingredients and the effectiveness of the preservatives were evaluated by the challenge test. It was found that PHCO and PSO inactivated the antimicrobial action of methylparaben and PMEPBI. Paraben-free preservatives BP and PC had less influence on surfactants than systems containing parabens. When incorporated into microemulsions and nanoemulsions containing 40% and 20% surfactants, methylparaben and BP 0.2% and 0.5% were only effective against Aspergillus niger. The PMEPBI 0.2% was effective as a preservative in nanoemulsified formulations against A. niger, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus. The results demonstrate that the efficacy of the preservative system in formulations containing nonionic surfactant excipients depends on the type of excipient, the components of the formulation, the preservative systems composition, the excipient to preservative ratio, and the availability in the formulation.

Resumo Fundamento: A hipertrofia ventricular esquerda (HVE) é um importante fator de risco cardiovascular, independente da hipertensão arterial. Apesar da evolução dos exames de imagem, o eletrocardiograma (ECG) ainda é o mais utilizado na avaliação inicial, porém, com baixa sensibilidade. Objetivo: Avaliar o desempenho dos principais critérios eletrocardiográficos para HVE em indivíduos hipertensos idosos e muito idosos. Métodos: Em coorte de hipertensos foram realizados ECGs e EcoDopplercardiogramas (ECO), e separados em três grupos etários: <60 anos, Grupo I; 60-79 anos Grupo II; e ≥80 anos, Grupo III. Os critérios eletrocardiográficos mais utilizados foram aplicados para o diagnóstico da HVE: Perúgia; Peguero-Lo Presti; Gubner-Ungerleider; Narita; (Rm+Sm) x duração; Cornell voltagem; Cornell voltagem duração; Sokolow-Lyon voltagem; R de aVL ≥11 mm; RaVL duração. Na avaliação do desempenho desses critérios, além da sensibilidade (Sen) e especificidade (Esp), foram analisadas as “Odds Ratios diagnóstico” (DOR). Consideramos p-valor <0,05 para as análises, com testes bi-caudais. Resultados: Em 2.458 pacientes, a HVE estava presente pelo ECO em 781 (31,7%). Nos Grupos I e II, os melhores desempenhos foram para os critérios de Narita, Perúgia, (Rm+Sm) x duração, sem diferenças estatísticas entre eles. No Grupo III (muito idosos) os critérios de Perúgia e (Rm+Sm) x duração tiveram os melhores desempenhos: Perúgia [44,7/89,3; (Sen/Esp)] e (Rm+Sm) duração [39,4%/91,3%; (Sen/Esp), p<0,05)], com os melhores resultados de DOR:6,8. Isto sugere que nessa população de muito idosos esses critérios têm maior poder discriminatório para separar pacientes com HVE. Conclusão: Nos hipertensos muito idosos os critérios eletrocardiográficos de Perúgia e (Rm+Sm) x duração apresentaram os melhores desempenhos diagnósticos para HVE.

Abstract Background: Left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an important cardiovascular risk factor, regardless of arterial hypertension. Despite the evolution of imaging tests, the electrocardiogram (ECG) is still the most used in the initial evaluation, however, with low sensitivity. Objective: To evaluate the performance of the main electrocardiographic criteria for LVH in elderly and very elderly hypertensive individuals. Methods: In a cohort of hypertensive patients, ECGs and doppler echocardiographies (ECHO) were performed and separated into three age groups: <60 years, Group I; 60-79 years Group II; and ≥80 years, Group III. The most used electrocardiographic criteria were applied for the diagnosis of LVH: Perugia; Pegaro-Lo Presti; Gubner-Ungerleider; Narita; (Rm+Sm) x duration; Cornell voltage; Cornell voltage duration; Sokolow-Lyon voltage; R of aVL ≥11 mm; RaVL duration. In evaluating the performance of these criteria, in addition to sensitivity (Sen) and specificity (Esp), the “Diagnostic Odds Ratios” (DOR) were analyzed. We considered p-value <0.05 for the analyses, with two-tailed tests. Results: In 2,458 patients, LVH was present by ECHO in 781 (31.7%). In Groups I and II, the best performances were for the criteria of Narita, Perugia, (Rm+Sm) x duration, with no statistical differences between them. In Group III (very elderly) the Perugia criteria and (Rm+Sm) x duration had the best performances: Perugia [44,7/89.3; (Sen/Esp)] and (Rm+Sm) duration [39.4%/91.3%; (Sen/Esp), p<0.05)], with the best PAIN results:6.8. This suggests that in this very elderly population, these criteria have greater discriminatory power to separate patients with LVH. Conclusion: In very elderly hypertensive patients, the Perugia electrocardiographic criteria and (Rm+Sm) x duration showed the best diagnostic performance for LVH.

ABSTRACT Sugarcane is grown in several countries and environmental conditions, and production increases should not only be based on the expansion of the cultivated area. As water is a limiting factor for sugarcane yield, irrigation is crucial to increase its yields. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the agronomic performance of five sugarcane cultivars under irrigated and rainfed conditions and compare yields in each treatment with those of previous cycles. The experiment was carried out from July 2017 to July 2018, which stands for the fourth sugarcane harvest. It consisted of two irrigation factors (irrigated and rainfed conditions), and five sugarcane cultivars (CTC4, IACSP93-3046, RB86-7515, IACSP95-5000, and IAC91-1099). Irrigation was applied to supply 100% of crop evapotranspiration. Irrigation increased sugarcane yields, and such increases varied with the genotype and crop cycle evaluated. In general, the cultivars most responsive to irrigation were IACSP93-3046 and IACSP95-5000, regardless of the evaluation cycle, and CTC4 from the fourth harvest onwards. Irrigation did not interfere with sugarcane technological quality if harvested after the middle of the crop season (June). Cultivars with higher tillering capacity, such as CTC4, had improved yield stability throughout the cycle when under irrigated conditions.

RESUMEN Con el fin de estimar la temperatura base (Tb) de crecimiento a través de la aparición de hojas y calcular el filocrono para el pasto kikuyo, se establecieron tres parcelas en tres fincas de la provincia de Ubaté (Cundinamarca, Colombia) ubicadas a diferente altitud (2560, 2640, 3143 m. s. n. m.). Se realizaron cuatro ciclos de mediciones en un tiempo total de ocho meses. La Tb se estimó por el método de mínimo coeficiente de variación utilizando un modelo de regresión de segundo grado y el modelo obtenido se validó por el método de validación cruzada. La Tb para la primera, segunda, tercera y cuarta hoja fue 4,02, 3,68, 3,93 y 3,62 °C, respectivamente. El kikuyo requirió mayor tiempo térmico (TT) para la aparición de la primera hoja (97,5 grados día de crecimiento acumulados (GDCA)) que para la segunda (74,2 GDCA), tercera (73,8 GDCA) y cuarta hoja (76,0 GDCA) (p<0,05). No hubo diferencias en el TT entre fincas (p > 0,05). Hubo tendencia a un mayor número de días calendario requeridos para alcanzar cada estado de hoja en la finca ubicada a mayor altitud y con menor temperatura media. La validación mostró un adecuado ajuste (r2 = 0,94) y una concordancia sustancial (CCC= 0,97) entre los valores observados y los valores predichos para el TT estimado con los valores de Tb obtenidos para cada estado de hoja. Los resultados de Tb de crecimiento del pasto kikuyo obtenidos permiten realizar predicciones más precisas sobre el filocrono y generar modelos de crecimiento cercanos a la realidad.

ABSTRACT In order to estimate the base temperature (Bt) of growth through the appearance of leaves and calculate the phyllochron for kikuyu grass, three plots were established on three farms in the Provincia of Ubaté (Cundinamarca, Colombia) located at different altitudes (2560, 2640, 3143 m. a. s. l.). Measurements were made in four cycles in a period of eight months. The Bt was estimated by the least coefficient of variation method using a second order regression model and the model obtained was validated by the cross-validation method. The Bt values for the first, second, third and fourth leafwere 4.02, 3.68, 3.93, and 3.62 °C, respectively. For the appearance of the first leaf, the kikuyu required more thermal time (TT) (97.5 accumulated growing degree days (AGDD)) than for the second (74.2 AGDD), third (73.8 AGDD) and fourth leaf (76.0 AGDD) (p <0.05). There were no differences in TT among farms (p> 0.05). There was a tendency to a greater number of days required to reach each leaf stage in the farm located at higher altitude and with lower mean temperature. The validation showed an adequate adjustment (r2 = 0.94) and a substantial concordance (CCC = 0.97) between the observed values and the predicted values for the estimated TT with the Bt value obtained for each leaf stage. The results ofBt for kikuyu grass obtained, will allow to make more precise predictions about the phyllochron and generate growth models close to reality.

Abstract Dermatological emergencies are a frequent reason for emergency departments consultation. In order to determine the prevalence of dermatological emergencies, to describe the kind of dermatological diseases that present as emergencies, to analyze the coincidence between the diagnoses received by the patients in those cases with a previous consultations for the same cutaneous manifestation, and to analyze the behavior according to the health system segment in which they were attended: public segment and private segment; a prospective, ob servational, analytical, cross-sectional and multi-center study was carried out. Two thousand eight hundred one patients were included. The prevalence of consultations for dermatological emergencies in adults was 15% in the same time period (public segment: 10.6 and private segment: 22.5%, p < 0.05). The consultation was due to an infectious disease in 35.5%, allergic in 29.6% and neoplastic in 8.6%; 0.7% of patients were hospitalized. In 31.7% of patients who had a previous consultation, a coincidence was found between the diagnoses made in 80.7% of those attended by a dermatologist, and 52.6% evaluated by non-dermatologist physician. The high prevalence of dermatological consultations and the existing differences in the probability of receiving an appropri ate diagnosis according to the specialization of the intervening professional, show the importance of the presence of dermatology-trained physicians in the emergency area.

Resumen Las urgencias dermatológicas constituyen un motivo de consulta frecuente en los departamentos de urgencias. Con el objetivo de determinar la prevalencia de las consultas por urgencias dermato lógicas, describir las mismas, analizar la coincidencia entre los diagnósticos recibidos por los pacientes, en los casos que realizaron dos consultas por el mismo cuadro, y analizar el comportamiento de las variables de acuerdo al subsector del sistema de salud en el cual fueron atendidos: subsector público, y subsector privado, se realizó un estudio prospectivo, observacional, analítico, de corte transversal y multicéntrico. Se incluyeron 2801 pacientes. La prevalencia de las consultas por urgencias dermatológicas en adultos fue de 15% en el mismo período horario (subsector público: 10.6% y subsector privado: 22.5%, p < 0.05). Motivó la consulta una enfermedad infecciosa en el 35.5%, alérgica en el 29.6% y neoplásica en el 8.6%. Se hospitalizó el 0.7% de los pacientes. El 31.7% de los pacientes había realizado consultas previas. En estos casos se encontró coincidencia entre los diagnósticos realizados en el 80.7% de los atendidos de forma precedente por un médico dermatólogo, y el 52.6% de los evaluados por médicos no dermatólogos. La alta prevalencia de las consultas por urgencias dermatológicas y las diferencias existentes en la probabilidad de recibir un diagnóstico apropiado de acuerdo con la especialización del profesional interviniente, muestran la importancia de la presencia de un médico con formación en dermatología en el área de urgencias.

Abstract This contribution reports on an experimental polishing procedure, that is comprised of early grinding in Al2O3 slurries and late polishing in colloidal silica, which is used for preparing the nitrided region of a plasma nitrided austenitic stainless steel, for crystallographic analysis via electron backscatter diffraction (EBSD). The suitability of the polished surfaces for conducting EBSD characterization was assessed through an analysis of both the surface roughness (appraised by atomic force microscopy) and the quality of the Kikuchi diffraction patterns. We observed that as-nitrided virgin surfaces were not suitable for EBSD characterization, due to intense surface roughening, which was induced by the nitriding process itself. At the subsurface region, exposed by on-top mechanical polishing, the flatter nature of the polished surfaces allowed the acquisition of EBSD patterns with enough quality for microtexture analysis. A resolution of 100 nm in the total removed layer was attainable via careful control of the polishing parameters. Close parallelism between the polished and original surfaces was verified.

RESUMO: Alphaherpesvírus felídeo 1 (FeHV-1) e calicivírus felino (FCV) afetam gatos mundialmente. O objetivo deste estudo foi identificar a frequência de ocorrência de FeHV-1 e FCV em gatos com sinais clínicos de doença respiratória, oral e/ou ocular. Amostras foram coletadas de gatos atendidos em ambulatório e clínicas veterinárias e submetidas à detecção molecular e isolamento viral. Dos 49 gatos avaliados, 45 (92%) foram positivos para ao menos um dos vírus; 82% (40/49) foram positivos para o FeHV-1 e 41% (20/49) para o FCV. Destes, 31% (15/49) foram casos de coinfecção. Para o FeHV-1, 45% (18/40) dos gatos foram positivos na coleta do swab ocular, e o mesmo percentual (9/20) foi obtido para o FCV a partir do swab oral. FeHV-1 e/ou FCV foram isolados em 35% (17/49) das amostras. O principal sinal clínico observado foi secreção ocular em 71% (35/49) dos gatos, caracterizada como serosa, purulenta ou serossanguinolenta e, em alguns casos, associada à lesão e quemose. Nossos resultados demonstram a alta ocorrência de FeHV-1 e FCV em gatos domésticos na região Sul do Brasil e indicam que devem ser implementadas medidas para melhorar o diagnóstico, a prevenção e o manejo contra essas importantes doenças.

ABSTRACT: Felid alphaherpesvirus 1 (FeHV-1) and feline calicivirus (FCV) affect cats worldwide. The aim of this study was to evaluate the frequency of occurrence of FeHV-1 and FCV in cats with clinical signs of respiratory, oral and/or ocular disease. Samples were collected from cats cared for in veterinary ambulatory and clinics and submitted to molecular detection and viral isolation. Of the 49 cats evaluated, 45 (92%) were positive for at least one of the viruses; 82% (40/49) were positive for FeHV-1 and 41% (20/49) for FCV. Of these, 31% (15/49) were coinfection cases. For FeHV-1, 45% (18/40) of the cats tested were positive from the collection of eye swab, and the same percentage (9/20) was obtained for the FCV by the oral swab. FeHV-1 and/or FCV were isolated in 35% (17/49) of the samples. The main clinical sign observed was ocular secretion in 71% (35/49) of cats, characterized as mild serous, purulent or serosanguineous, and in some cases associated with ocular injury and marked chemosis. Our findings demonstrate the high occurrence of FeHV-1 and FCV in domestic cats in southern Brazil and indicate that measures should be implemented to improve the diagnostic, prevention and management against of these important diseases.

RESUMO A calibração de modelos é fator fundamental para a obtenção de elevadas acurácias na estimativa do crescimento e rendimento das culturas. Este estudo teve como objetivo parametrizar os coeficientes genético e de ecotipo do modelo DSSAT/Canegro para cinco cultivares de cana-de-açúcar mantidas sob três manejos hídricos, além de avaliar a precisão do modelo na estimativa da produtividade de colmos, produtividade de açúcar e altura de colmos. Foram utilizados dados experimentais de campo obtidos em dois anos de cultivo (2016 e 2017) na FCAV/Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, SP. As cultivares foram mantidas sob irrigação suplementar, irrigação deficitária e não irrigadas. Foram utilizados os dados do tratamento de irrigação suplementar (sem estresse) para a parametrização de cada cultivar. A acurácia do modelo foi verificada pela correlação de Pearson (r), raiz do erro quadrático médio (RMSE), erro médio (MBE), índice de concordância (d) e coeficiente de confiança (c). O modelo DSSAT/Canegro apresenta elevada acurácia na predição da produtividade de colmos e de açúcar da cana-de-açúcar cultivada sob regimes hídricos, apresentando-se como alternativa viável na simulação do rendimento da cultura. Para melhor performance do modelo DSSAT/Canegro, é necessário a parametrização das variáveis relacionadas ao ecotipo das cultivares, além dos coeficientes específicos das cultivares.

ABSTRACT Model calibration is a fundamental factor to obtain high accuracy in the estimation of crop growth and yield. This study aimed to parameterize the genetic and ecotype coefficients of the DSSAT/Canegro model for five sugarcane cultivars kept under three water managements, besides evaluating the accuracy of the model in predicting sugarcane stalk yield, sugar yield and height. Experimental field data were obtained from two years (2016 and 2017) of cultivation at FCAV/Universidade Estadual Paulista, Jaboticabal, SP, Brazil. The cultivars were maintained under supplementary irrigation, deficit irrigation and no irrigation. Data of the supplementary irrigation treatment (without stress) were used for the parameterization of each cultivar. Model accuracy was assessed by Pearson correlation (r), root mean squared error (RMSE), mean bias error (MBE), index of agreement (d) and confidence coefficient (c). The DSSAT/Canegro model is highly accurate in predicting stalk and sugar yields of sugarcane grown under water regimes, presenting itself as a viable alternative in sugarcane yield simulation. For better performance of the DSSAT/Canegro model, it is necessary to parameterize the variables related to the ecotype of the cultivars, besides the specific coefficients of the cultivars.

RESUMEN El cambio climático trae como consecuencia el aumento en la frecuencia de fenómenos como los eventos "La Niña", generando periodos prolongados de anegamiento y sombrío. El objetivo del presente estudio fue evaluar los efectos de dos estreses abióticos sombrío (65%) y anegamiento y su interacción sobre parámetros de fluorescencia de la clorofila a en plántulas de lulo (Solanum quitoense var. septentrionale). Se implementó un diseño completamente al azar con un arreglo factorial. El primer factor consistió en dos niveles de sombrío (sin y con). El segundo factor fueron cuatro niveles (0, 3, 6 y 9 days) de duración del periodo de anegamiento, para un total de 8 tratamientos con tres repeticiones. Las variables de respuesta se registraron a los 6, 12 y 18 días después de iniciada la aplicación de los tratamientos de anegamiento. Se registraron medidas de contenido relativo de agua (CRA), fuga de electrolitos, contenido de clorofilas y fluorescencia de la clorofila a. Se encontró que las plantas de lulo son más susceptibles al anegamiento que al sombrío, evidenciado en una reducción del CRA en condiciones de anegamiento durante 6 y 9 días, presentando daño a nivel de fotosistema II a partir del día 3 y causando disminución en el contenido de cloro¬filas. Las plantas bajo sombrío presentaron mayor tolerancia al anegamiento en comparación a aquellas sin sombrío. Las técnicas de cuantificación de la fluorescencia de la clorofila a, especialmente la eficiencia máxima del PSII, la eficiencia real del PSII y el quenching fotoquímico, fueron una herramienta útil que permitió la caracterización de plántulas de lulo a condiciones de estrés.

ABSTRACT Climate change has resulted in an increasing frequency of the phenomenon "La Niña," generating prolonged periods of waterlogging and low light. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the effects of two abiotic stresses: shading (65%) and waterlogging, and their interaction on fluorescence parameters of chlorophyll a in lulo (Solanum quitoense var. septentrionale) seedlings. A completely randomized design with a factorial arrangement was implemented. The first factor consisted of two levels of light (with and without shading). The second factor were four levels of duration of the waterlogging period (0, 3, 6 and 9 days), for a total of 8 treatments with three replicates. The response variables were recorded at 6, 12 and 18 days after the application of the waterlogging treatments began. Measurements of relative water content (RWC), electrolyte leakage, chlorophyll content and chlorophyll a fluorescence were recorded. The lulo plants appeared to be more susceptible to waterlogging than to shading, with a lower RWC when waterlogged 6 and 9 days, presenting damage at the level of photosystem II from day 3, causing a decrease in the chlorophyll content. The plants flooded under shading had a greater tolerance to this factor than those cultivated in full light. The techniques of quantification of the chlorophyll a fluorescence, especially the maximum quantum efficiency of the PSII, the effective photochemical quantum yield of PS II and the photochemical quenching were useful tools that characterized the lulo seedlings under stress conditions.

The white shark (Carcharodon carcharias) is responsible for 49% of shark-related injuries in South Africa, yet no information currently exists on the composition or antibiotic resistance of bacteria hosted by these apex predators in South African waters. This study aimed to address this gap by sampling the bacteria present in the oral cavities of 28 live C. carcharias along South Africa's southern coastline. The antibiotic resistance of the range of microbiota was also assessed using antibiotic disc diffusion tests. A total of 51 strains from at least 20 species of bacteria were isolated from the oral cavities of C. carcharias. Of these strains, the most common bacteria present were Serratia spp., Proteus vulgaris and Vibrio alginolyticus. The overall antibiotic resistance was relatively higher in this study than that reported for bacterial microbiota sampled from other shark species. Results indicate that the combination therapy of imipenem (carbapenem antibiotic) and vancomycin (glycopeptide antibiotic) might be the most parsimonious option to effectively treat infections resulting from white shark bites, particularly in South Africa. It is hoped that, in addition to assisting medical professionals to treat shark bite victims, these findings enhance the understanding of the microbial communities present in large coastal predators and their surrounding environments.SIGNIFICANCE: •Overall antibiotic resistance of bacteria in the oral cavities of C. carcharias was relatively high. •Combination therapy of imipenem (carbapenem antibiotic) and vancomycin (glycopeptide antibiotic) is recommended for the treatment of white shark bites, particularly in South Africa. •The findings add to understanding of the microbial communities present in large coastal predators and their surrounding environments

Résumé: L’article analyse les ressources et les capacités de la politique étrangère du Mexique sous la présidence d’Enrique Peña Nieto, en particulier en ce qui concerne le budget approuvé et le budget réellement dépensé par le Ministère des Relations extérieures (SRE): on cite les taux de croissance annuelle, surtout pour ce qui est des ressources destinées à des objectifs stratégiques. D’autres sujets abordés sont le travail de coordination du SRE, la dispersion des activités internationales du Mexique, et l’évolution du personnel diplomatique et du Service extérieur mexicain. On parle aussi des capacités de la politique étrangère dans deux domaines fondamentaux. Le premier est celui des services consulaires, tandis que le second correspond aux efforts pour la coopération internationale, ainsi que pour la promotion du commerce, de la culture et de l’image du pays. L’article signale un déclin important des moyens et des capacités de la politique étrangère sous le gouvernement en question: le budget a souffert d’une réduction de 13% en termes réels (c’est à dire en dollars), et sa part dans les dépenses totales du gouvernement fédéral a baissé de même. Le rôle du SRE en tant que coordinateur des activités internationales d’autres ministères et organismes publics s’est affaibli. La présence du Mexique sur la scène internationale, quoique constante, n’a guère correspondu à l’importance du pays. Le personnel administratif du SRE a diminué sensiblement. Les ressources destinées aux consulats, fort restreintes, maintes fois ont été procurées à titre exceptionnel par d’autres ministères. La coopération internationale, les travaux de promotion et la diplomatie publique n’ont disposé que d’une recette limitée, surtout dans la seconde moitié de la période présidentielle qui nous occupe.

Abstract: This article analyzes the resources and capabilities of Mexico’s foreign policy during the administration of President Enrique Peña Nieto (2012-2018), in particular, the budget approved and exercised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (SRE), and its annual growth rate and the resources allocated to strategic issues. It also studies the powers of coordination of the SRE and the distribution of Mexico’s actions on the international stage as well as the evolution of diplomatic personnel and of the Mexican Foreign Service and, finally, examines foreign policy capabilities in two fundamental areas: consular assistance and resources devoted to international cooperation, and commercial, cultural and image promotion. The article concludes that there was a significant disinvestment of foreign policy resources and capacities during this administration: the budget fell by 13% in real dollar terms and decreased as a percentage of the total federal budget; coordination with the international actions of other ministries and public entities by the foreign ministry was very limited; Mexico’s presence in the world remained relatively unchanged and failed to reflect the importance of the country at the global level; there was a significant decrease in administrative personnel in the foreign ministry; consular resources were limited and, to a large extent, provided exceptionally by other ministries; finally, international cooperation, promotion and public diplomacy were only provided with limited resources for implementation in the second half of the government.

Resumen: Este artículo analiza los recursos y las capacidades de la política exterior de México durante la administración del presidente Enrique Peña Nieto (2012-2018), en particular, el presupuesto aprobado y ejercido por la Secretaría de Relaciones Exteriores, SRE, así como su tasa de crecimiento anual y los recursos destinados a temas estratégicos. También estudia los poderes de coordinación de la SRE y la dispersión de la acción internacional de México. Asimismo, analiza la evolución del personal diplomático y del Servicio Exterior Mexicano y, finalmente, examina las capacidades de política exterior en dos áreas fundamentales: la atención consular y los recursos dedicados a la cooperación internacional, la promoción comercial, cultural y de imagen. El artículo concluye que hubo una importante desinversión de recursos y capacidades en política exterior durante esta administración: el presupuesto se redujo 13% en términos reales en dólares y bajó como porcentaje del presupuesto federal total; la coordinación de la acción internacional de otras secretarías y entidades públicas por parte de la cancillería fue muy limitada; la presencia de México en el mundo se mantuvo relativamente constante y no refleja la importancia del país a nivel global; hubo una significativa disminución del personal administrativo en la cancillería; los recursos consulares fueron limitados y, en gran medida, provistos de modo excepcional por otras secretarías; finalmente, la cooperación internacional, la promoción y la diplomacia pública contaron con magros recursos para su ejecución en la segunda mitad del gobierno.

Resumo Agricultura urbana é muito comum nas cidades, como Rio de Janeiro e adjacências, sendo uma importante atividade econômica de subsistência. No entanto, esta prática pode criar condições adequadas para o estabelecimento e manutenção do ciclo de vida de muitos parasitos. Os moluscos limneídeos podem atuar como hospedeiros intermédios de muitas espécies de trematódeos, incluindo aqueles que infectam humanos e animais selvagens e domésticos. No presente estudo, o molusco Lymnaea columella foi coletado de plantações urbanas de agrião e a morfologia das cercárias liberadas por eles foi analisada por microscopia eletrônica de varredura leve e de varredura. As larvas foram identificadas como xifidiocercárias, pertencentes ao grupo das Cercariae Ornatae, Ordem Plagiorchiiformes. Análises histológicas da glândula digestiva dos moluscos infectados evidenciaram esporocistos, com formação de granuloma e metaplasia do tecido epitelial.

Abstract Urban agriculture is very common in the cities, as Rio de Janeiro and adjacencies, being important as economic activity. However, this practice can create appropriate conditions for establishment and maintenance of life cycle of many parasites. Lymneid snails can act as intermediate hosts of many trematodes species, including those that infect humans and wild and domestic. In the present study, the snail Lymnaea columella was collected from an urban watercress plantations and the morphology of cercariae released by them was analyzed by light and scanning electron microscopy. The specimens were identified as xiphidiocercariae, belonging to the Cercariae Ornatae group, of the order Plagiorchiiformes. Histological examination of the digestive gland of the infected snails revealed the presence of developing sporocysts, with hemocitary infiltration and metaplasia in the epithelial tissue.

RESUMO Técnicas inovadoras que busquem minimizar os custos de produção e a onerosidade de determinadas operações são um dos grandes desafios atualmente no setor sucroenergético. Nesse sentido, objetivou-se estimar os valores do Pol do caldo da cana-de-açúcar, em função do °Brix e do peso do bolo úmido (PBU), utilizando modelagem por redes neurais artificiais (RNAs). Foi organizado um banco de dados constituído de 204 análises tecnológicas provenientes de um experimento de campo com 15 tratamentos e 2 anos de avaliação. Foram utilizados 75% dos dados para a calibração do modelo e 25% para a validação. Foram utilizadas RNAs do tipo Multilayer Perceptron para calibração e validação dos dados. Antes da calibração, as variáveis foram normalizadas. O algoritmo de treinamento utilizado foi o backpropagation e a função de ativação foi a sigmoide. As RNAs foram estabelecidas com duas camadas ocultas e o número de neurônios variando de 4 a 20 em cada. As 15 RNAs com menor raiz do erro quadrático médio foram apresentadas aleatoriamente pelo software, dentre as quais 6 foram escolhidas para verificação da acurácia. As RNAs apresentaram elevada acurácia para a estimativa do Pol do caldo da cana-de-açúcar, tanto na fase de calibração (R2 = 0,948; RMSE = 0,36%) quanto na validação (R2 = 0,878; RMSE = 0,41%), podendo ser alternativa viável ao método padrão de análise. Redes mais simples podem ser treinadas para apresentarem a mesma acurácia que redes mais complexas.

ABSTRACT Innovative techniques that seek to minimize the costs of production and the laboriousness of certain operations are one of the great challenges in the sugar-energy sector nowadays. Thus, the objective of the present study was to estimate the Pol values of sugarcane juice as a function of °Brix and wet cake weight (WCW) using artificial neural network (ANN) modeling. A database was organized consisting of 204 technological analyses from a field experiment with 15 treatments and 2 years of evaluation. 75% of the data were used for the calibration of the model and 25% for its validation. Multilayer Perceptron ANNs were used for calibration and validation of the data. Before calibration, the variables were normalized. The training algorithm used was backpropagation and the activation function was the sigmoid. The ANNs were established with two hidden layers and the number of neurons ranging from 4 to 20 in each. The 15 ANNs with the lowest root mean square errors were randomly presented by the software, among which 6 were chosen to verify the accuracy. The ANNs had a high accuracy in the estimation of sugarcane juice Pol, both in the calibration phase (R2 = 0.948, RMSE = 0.36%) and in the validation (R2 = 0.878, RMSE = 0.41%), and can replace the standard method of analysis. Simpler networks can be trained to have the same accuracy as more complex networks.