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During the early months of the current COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing measures effectively slowed disease transmission in many countries in Europe and Asia, but the same benefits have not been observed in some developing countries such as Brazil. In part, this is due to a failure to organise systematic testing campaigns at nationwide or even regional levels. To gain effective control of the pandemic, decision-makers in developing countries, particularly those with large populations, must overcome difficulties posed by an unequal distribution of wealth combined with low daily testing capacities. The economic infrastructure of these countries, often concentrated in a few cities, forces workers to travel from commuter cities and rural areas, which induces strong nonlinear effects on disease transmission. In the present study, we develop a smart testing strategy to identify geographic regions where COVID-19 testing could most effectively be deployed to limit further disease transmission. By smart testing we mean the testing protocol that is automatically designed by our optimization platform for a given time period, knowing the available number of tests, the current availability of ICU beds and the initial epidemiological situation. The strategy uses readily available anonymised mobility and demographic data integrated with intensive care unit (ICU) occupancy data and city-specific social distancing measures. Taking into account the heterogeneity of ICU bed occupancy in differing regions and the stages of disease evolution, we use a data-driven study of the Brazilian state of Sao Paulo as an example to show that smart testing strategies can rapidly limit transmission while reducing the need for social distancing measures, even when testing capacity is limited. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The climates of the central and southern regions of São Paulo state in Brazil favor pathogens such as Puccinia psidii Winter, which causes a common and severe disease in Eucalyptus plantations under 2 years old. We studied genetic parameters including genotype by environment interaction (G × E) of resistance to P. psidii rust in Eucalyptus grandis at nine sites in São Paulo State. Open-pollinated progeny from ten 'provenances' were established in a randomized complete block design; at individual sites there were from 134 to 160 progenies, from four to eight blocks, and five to six trees per plot. Significant provenance and progeny(provenance) differences were detected, as was G × E involving progeny(provenance). However, the G × E involved little if any rank changes, indicating that selection can be done efficiently at a single site, if the disease level is sufficient. The estimated coefficient of genetic variation among the progeny within provenances $$ \left( {{{{\widehat{\mathrm{CV}}}}_{\mathrm{g}}}} \right) $$ was high and variable among the sites (ranging from 11 % to 36.7 %), demonstrating different expression of genetic variability among the sites. The estimated heritability at the individual-tree level $$ \left( {{{\widehat{h}}^2}} \right) $$ and within a plot $$ \left( {\widehat{h}_{\mathrm{w}}^2} \right) $$ ranged from low to intermediate (ranging from 0.04 to 0.46) and was high at the progeny-mean level $$ \left( {\widehat{h}_{\mathrm{f}}^2} \right) $$ (ranging from 0.30 to 0.86). Our study shows good prospects of controlling this disease by selection among and within progenies in a single site. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This note aims to discuss the industrialisation in the context of the State of São Paulo. The topic of industrialisation will be approached from the historical and geographical perspectives,. Thus, we will try to understand the industrial dimension taking into account its different moments, relating, when possible, the variables concerning the transformation in territorial dynamics in São Paulo State both in the past and in the present. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• It was evaluated 35 populations of Pinus spp. in in three locations. • Spontaneous establishment increased near the seed source, decreased significantly after 50 m. • All species found as spreading in our study are indeed potentially invasive. • P. kesiya and P. merkussi with potencial invasive, were not observed spreading plants. This study aims at verifying the establishing potential of the main species of the Pinus genus planted in Brazil and broaden the knowledge on the conditions that facilitate the invasion. The density of spontaneous establishment of plants neighboring pine stands planted with 35 populations of Pinus spp. (P. caribaea (var. bahamensis and var. caribaea), P. elliottii , P. kesiya , P. merkussi , P. oocarpa , P. patula , P. pseudstrobus , P. strobus , P. taeda, and P. tecunomanii) was evaluated in three locations in the state of São Paulo. The vegetation covers neighboring the pine stands were evaluated regarding native vegetation occupation, open area, and eucalypts plantation. The spontaneous establishment of plants census was conducted up to 100 m away from the pine stand edges; samples were collected over an area divided into four 25 m-wide transects. In each transect, the spontaneous establishment were quantified and classified into three size classes: seedlings (≤0.3 m), saplings (≥0.3 m ≤ 1.0 m), and trees (>1.0 m). The results indicate that Pinus elliottii is the species with the greatest invasion potential in the studied areas. Areas without established vegetation favored regeneration, indicating the effect of the environment on regeneration occurrence. The number of spontaneous regeneration increased near the seed source but decreased significantly between 50 and 100 m away, despite the directional effect of the prevailing winds and the long-distance dispersal capacity of the genus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Visits to Erythrina velutina flowers by urban birds were investigated. • This native tree provide nectar and water for birds from different lifestyles. • Interactive categories were identified, particularly perching-bird pollination. • Nectar was foraged during resource scarcity at the height of the dry season. • Erythrina velutina might be a management tool to promote urban biodiversity The negative impacts of urbanization on biodiversity can be mitigated via afforestation, particularly if the trees provide food, e.g., flowers and fruits. However, it is necessary to highlight the effectiveness of the tree species in attracting and supporting primary consumers in cities. Addressing animal-tree interactions in urban areas is useful for identifying such efficacy and consistently selecting native tree resources. Here, we investigate the role of the native tree species Erythrina velutina Willd (Fabaceae: Papilionoideae) as an effective additional food source for birds in an urbanized area of Ilha Solteira, a city in northwest São Paulo state, SE Brazil. This is done based on the frequent interactions of the birds with the E. velutina flowers due to their constant search for the diluted but copious nectar at the driest time of the year. Erythrina velutina attracted 17 species of nectivorous and non-nectivorous birds (11.37 visits during each 30-min session, n = 24), some of which were potential pollinators, such as oropendolas and parakeets. Nonparametric estimations indicated that at least five additional bird species might be attracted to the E. velutina flowers. The bird-flower interaction approach conducted here provides a background for selecting E. velutina for urban afforestation. As shown, this species is a native tree resource capable of promoting biodiversity in cities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]