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Scholars' engagement with digital social networks is complex, warranting a comprehensive understanding of their use and participation. Current research has not yet grasped the motivators, gratification, and challenges that academics encounter across multiple digital social networks. With this in mind, this study surveyed scholars who purposely participate in digital social networks for professional endeavors. The theoretical frameworks guiding this research are the Uses and Gratification framework and the networked participatory scholarship conceptualization. A total of 307 higher education scholars completed an electronic survey with closed and open-ended questions. Data analysis included descriptive statistics and a team-coding approach for qualitative data. The results of this investigation highlight specific motivators for using digital social networks to support the scholar's teaching, research, and professional development. The results of this investigation suggest that scholars are constantly navigating challenges and trading them off against the benefits. The results of this investigation also helped determine the imagined audiences that scholars perceive as potential spectators when using digital social networks for their scholarly efforts. The results illustrate the many reasons provided by scholars, which aligned with the self-presentation and impression management theory.

Expanding the South American renewable energy matrix to ensure more sustainable socio-economic development, mitigate the climate change effects, and meet the targets set in the Paris Agreement is crucial. Hence, this study sought to estimate South America's wind speed and wind power density alterations projected by eight global climate models (GCMs) from the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project—Phase 6 (CMIP6). To this end, we applied statistical downscaling and bias correction to the GCMs outputs through the Quantile Delta Mapping method and assessed the projected changes in wind power in future climate under the Shared Socioeconomic Pathways (SSPs) SSP2-4.5 and SSP5-8.5 emission scenarios. ERA5 reanalysis data from 1995 to 2014 validated the models' historical simulations. The CMIP6 multi-model ensemble indicated an approximate 25–50% increase in wind power density in sectors such as Northeast and South Brazil and growing wind power in regions such as Argentine Patagonia, northern Venezuela, and portions of Uruguay, Bolivia, and Paraguay. Estimates of the wind power growth for the twenty-first century in those regions reiterated their potential performance in the historical period. For the SSP5-8.5 emission scenario, the ensemble projections indicated even more favorable wind power conditions in the sectors mentioned. However, individual projections of wind intensity anomalies obtained by each ensemble member showed a large spread among the GCMs, evidencing the uncertainties associated with the prospects of change in wind power on the continent. Furthermore, this study has presented a first analysis of CMIP6 projections for South American wind power generation, providing relevant information to the energy sector decision-makers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To test the fit of a seven-syndrome model to ratings of preschoolers' problems by parents in very diverse societies. Method: Parents of 19,106 children 18 to 71 months of age from 23 societies in Asia, Australasia, Europe, the Middle East, and South America completed the Child Behavior Checklist for Ages 1.5-5 (CBCL/1.5-5). Confirmatory factor analyses were used to test the seven-syndrome model separately for each society. Results: The primary model fit index, the root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA), indicated acceptable to good fit for each society. Although a six-syndrome model combining the Emotionally Reactive and Anxious/Depressed syndromes also fit the data for nine societies, it fit less well than the seven-syndrome model for seven of the nine societies. Other fit indices yielded less consistent results than the RMSEA. Conclusions: The seven-syndrome model provides one way to capture patterns of children's problems that are manifested in ratings by parents from many societies. Clinicians working with preschoolers from these societies can thus assess and describe parents' ratings of behavioral, emotional, and social problems in terms of the seven syndromes. The results illustrate possibilities for culture-general taxonomic constructs of preschool psychopathology. Problems not captured by the CBCL/1.5-5 may form additional syndromes, and other syndrome models may also fit the data. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Science education is under revision. Recent changes in society require changes in education to respond to new demands. Scientific literacy can be considered a new goal of science education and the epistemological gap between natural sciences and literacy disciplines must be overcome. The history of science is a possible bridge to link these "two cultures" and to foster an interdisciplinary approach in the classroom. This paper acknowledges Darwin's legacy and proposes the use of cartoons and narrative expositions to put this interesting chapter of science into its historical context. A five-lesson didactic sequence was developed to tell part of the story of Darwin's expedition through South America for students from 10 to 12 years of age. Beyond geological and biological perspectives, the inclusion of historical, social and geographical facts demonstrated the beauty and complexity of the findings that Darwin employed to propose the theory of evolution. (Contains 3 figures and 1 table.)

Institutional research (IR) in Latin America is experiencing dramatic growth due, in no small measure, to the need for quality assurance in educational institutions developing trained workforces for emerging economies. Quality can be assured only where it can be measured, and that is at the core of institutional research in countries to the south of the United States. This chapter focuses on the development of quality assurance mechanisms in higher education in Latin America, with emphasis on the experience in Chile. Development of an IR capability at colleges and universities has been a central component of this quality assurance initiative.

Cyanobacterial blooms are a potential threat to human communities and ecosystems. Since the late 1980s, researchers have reported harmful cyanobacterial colonies in Patos Lagoon (PL), the largest coastal lagoon in South America. Most studies concerning harmful blooms in PL have focused on its biology and on its southernmost estuarine region, with little information about its displacement inside the lagoon and the influence of physical forces on its dynamics. This study uses satellite-derived information (normalized difference chlorophyll-a index - NDCI), river discharge data, and meteorological data (wind speed and direction, rainfall, and air temperature) to analyze two bloom episodes in PL, during the austral summer of 2019/2020, specifically in its larger, limnic portion. A 30-year meteorological time series was used to contrast the same summer period. Two remote sensing images from Sentinel-2 were taken of PL margins, near their central portion. The summer of 2019/2020 was drier when compared with the historical data, characterizing low river discharge. This environmental condition was coupled with high temperature, which implies thermal stratification in summer even at 2-m depth sites, which might have promoted cyanobacterial growth and accumulation inside PL. Moreover, weak winds (<<6 m s-1) seemed to accumulate cyanobacterial patches on the water surface, including after vertical mixing caused by strong winds (>6 m s-1). The NDCI values represented the two days of blooms, with higher values occurring under higher water temperatures and low wind speeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Beliefs, myths and folklore can directly influence the way we interact with animals, determining whether these animals are persecuted or protected by humans. However, studies on cultural factors associated with fauna are carried out from a local perspective. Considering the importance of analyzes on a macro scale, evaluating how cultural factors influence human attitudes towards animals is an important research tool to identify the existence of patterns of use. Therefore, the objective of this systematic review is to evaluate which cultural factors are associated with vertebrate species around the world. The search for systematic review titles took place between April and May 2021. The search for keywords took place in the databases "Science Direct", Scopus", "SciELo" and "Web of Science" associating the term "belief", "myth" and "folklore" with the taxa "amphibians", "birds", "mammals", "fish" and "reptiles". The search for articles in the databases returned 33,451 titles related to cultural factors, using key terms. After the screening steps, 44 articles were included for data collection. A total of 274 species associated with cultural factors (belief, myth and folklore) were recorded. The cultural factor "belief" was predominant, being associated with 256 species. The present systematic review identified that the majority of cultural factors favor the persecution of fauna and South America presented the largest number of studies on cultural factors related to fauna. Our study recommends that all fauna conservation proposals must be based on local strategies and must, as a priority, evaluate the influence of beliefs, myths and folklores on human attitudes, and establish guidelines based on these investigations, favoring the reconstruction of the relationship between man and animal considering the biological and cultural elements present in this relationship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shows how, among the cultures of the indigenous peoples of tropical South America, the human body offers a language and mechanism central to the process of production, elaboration, and transmission, of knowledge, skills, and emotions. Discusses recent anthropological debates and describes a new discipline known as "anthropology of the child." Contains 36 references. (VWC)

The monocot family Cyclanthaceae (Pandanales) comprises ca. 230 known species in 12 genera restricted to the Neotropics. The family has not been the subject of a species‐level molecular phylogenetic study to date, with multiple evolutionary and biogeographic questions about Cyclanthaceae still unanswered. In this study, we address genus‐ and species‐level relationships and the historical biogeography of Cyclanthaceae based on a broadly sampled molecular phylogeny. Two low‐copy nuclear genes (phyC, rpb2) and five plastid regions (atpB‐rbcL, psbA‐trnH, trnL‐trnF, trnQ‐rps16, matK) representing 99 species and all genera of Cyclanthaceae were sampled, spanning the taxonomic and biogeographic diversity of the family. Our results strongly support the monophyly of all Cyclanthaceae genera and confirm previously proposed hypotheses of intergeneric relationships. Infrageneric relationships are generally well supported, with some exceptions in the genus Asplundia that may require a broader sampling to clarify. The early diversification of Cyclanthaceae is estimated to date back to the Paleocene‐Eocene period in South America, where the family possibly arrived through a boreotropical route. The origin of most genera is inferred from the Paleocene of the Tumbes‐Chocó‐Magdalena region, possibly indicating an earlier origin for this biodiversity hotspot. The current distribution of Cyclanthaceae is likely to have been strongly influenced by major biogeographical events in the Neotropics, such as the uplift of the Andes and the opening of the South America dry diagonal. Further studies that include a broader sample of the large Asplundia‐Dicranopygium clade and Sphaeradenia group are required. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2020, the world's largest continuous stretch of wetlands, the Pantanal in South America, recorded its most catastrophic fire season of the last two decades, resulting in severe economic, ecological and health consequences. Regional environmental institutions and communities are taking measures to protect their unique ecosystem, as is the case of the Reserva Particular do Patrimônio Natural (RPPN) Sesc Pantanal, a national protected area. The reserve was severely affected by the 2020 wildfires and is now en route to recover and intensify prevention strategies. Here, we employ a state-of-the-art satellite-derived burned area dataset and a global climate reanalysis product to map and assess the incidence and vulnerability of this reserve to its most concerning disturbance: wildfires. We validated the remote-sensed burned area product and found that the product successfully maps the years with higher fire activity. Then, we studied historical occurrences of burned areas within the reserve. The results show large burned areas are uncommon, and highlight the year 2020 as an outlier, when around 65 % of the reserve was burned. Climate trends over the last four decades show increasing temperatures and wind speed, and decreasing relative humidity and precipitation. Fire weather is thus steadily rising, bearing favourable conditions for fire activity over the most critical months of the year. This study provides useful information for fire management decisions within the largest privately held natural reserve in Brazil, and further allows the assessment of the applicability and limitations of large-scale and state-of-the-art products to inform decision-making within protected areas. • State-of-the-art large-scale products may inform decision-making where reliable long-term data is missing. • It is, however, essential to ally these products with local knowledge and expertise to obtain the most accurate estimates. • Large burned areas are not common in the RPPN Sesc Pantanal, and 2020 was an outlier. • Fire weather conditions are lasting longer every year and steadily increasing over the last 40 years. • The 2020 events led to a shift from a zero-fire policy to Integrated Fire Management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Revista CESUMAR: Ciências Humanas e Sociais Aplicadas is the property of Revista Cesumar - Ciencias Humanas e Sociais Aplicadas and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The genus Cordia L. (Cordiaceae) is widely distributed in South America and has great economic and pharmacological importance. South America is one of the most diverse regions of the planet in terms of plant species, especially angiosperms, with Cordia standing out in terms of its taxonomic diversity and wide distribution. We address here two questions regarding the genus: (1) What are the conservation statuses of its South American species? (2) Do those species occur in protected areas? We compiled a revised database of taxonomically verified Cordia species and used the ConR package to determine their EOO (Extent of Occurrence) and AOO (Area of Occupancy). We then evaluated the species based on IUCN criterion B. Of the 87 species recorded in South America, 49 were classified as near threatened (NT), 16 of Least Concern (LC), 15 as Endangered (EN), six as Vulnerable (VU), and one as Critically Endangered (CR). Fully 87% of all species were found to occur in legally protected areas. We mapped, for the first time, all of the protected areas where Cordia species occur. Important information on the conservation of South American Cordia species are provided, and undertaking conservation assessments for this genus and for Cordiaceae as a whole are suggested. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Caregivers can contribute enormously to the self-care of patients with heart failure (HF). The Caregiver Contribution to Self-care of Heart Failure Index (CC-SCHFI) measures these contributions across 3 scales: self-care maintenance, which evaluates caregiver contributions to symptom monitoring and treatment adherence; self-care management, which evaluates caregiver contributions in dealing with symptoms; and caregiver confidence, which assesses caregiver self-efficacy in managing all contributions to self-care. Although the CC-SCHFI has been used in several investigations, only 1 study has evaluated its psychometric characteristics. Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the psychometric properties of the CC-SCHFI in Brazil. Methods: A cross-sectional design was used in this study. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to assess construct validity, and factor score determinacy coefficients were computed to evaluate internal consistency reliability. Results: The sample comprised 99 caregivers of patientswith HF. Most were women (73%), with a mean age of 48 ± 14 years; 57% were patients' spouses. Confirmatory factor analysis confirmed the original factor structure of the instrument, with supportive fit indices for all 3 scales (comparative fit index, 0.95-1.00; root-mean-square error of approximation, 0.00--0.057). Reliability estimates were adequate for each CC-SCHFI scale (0.77--0.96). Conclusions: The CC-SCHFI is a valid and reliable scale to measure caregiver contributions to self-care maintenance, caregiver contributions to self-care management, and caregiver confidence in HF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In South America, one of the least addressed regions in paleoecological studies is the Brazilian Semiarid region, composed of vegetation from different biomes and currently marked by an arid climate. Although environmental conditions do not favor the formation of palynological sites, previous studies have indicated an expansion of savanna vegetation during the Last Glacial Maximum (LGM). However, more refined analyses with better spatial and temporal resolutions are important for a better understanding of these environments. The region's past reconstructed by models is related to intense climate changes on brief time scales in the Pleistocene and Holocene. Furthermore, paleoclimatic modeling reconstructions that only reproduce atmospheric conditions do not always represent all factors for vegetation formation and dynamics through time. In this work, we aimed to use the combination of bioclimatic and edaphic predictors to build models with machine learning algorithms capable of predicting the current and last 21,000 years' vegetation. Our results show that there is a significant gain in precision in the classification of vegetation formations when edaphic predictors are added. The use of subsurface horizons to generate edaphic attributes also resulted in better details of the local distribution of vegetation. The reconstruction of the past climate showed that the greatest change was promoted during the Heinrich Stadial 1 period; with the retraction of areas of open vegetation formations of the Hyperxerophilous Caatinga, areas of Arboreal Caatinga, Forested Caatinga, and Seasonal Deciduous Forest advanced. The current vegetation cover was established only in the Late Holocene, a period in which the humid conditions of the region allowed occupation by mostly dry vegetation. [Display omitted] • Joining soil and paleoclimate data allowed new results of vegetation distribution in the past 21 ka of the Brazilian Semiarid • Hyperxerophilous Caatinga has retracted in greater humidity periods and advanced only in the last 0.4 kyr. • The humidity pulses allowed Arboreal/Forested Caatinga and Seasonal Decidous Forest to occupy a larger area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although Brazil is considered a megadiverse country, its rich freshwater biodiversity is still poorly known. A general overview of to-date knowledge on Protozoa, Rotifera, Cladocera, and Copepoda species and distribution in Brazilian Hydrographic Regions is presented here, based on literature data since the 1890s. Ecological studies provided most of the occurrence records. The results show high richness for all studied biological groups and unequal distribution of the occurrence records, which are substantially influenced by research groups' location. The data also revealed that Brazilian zooplankton biodiversity still needs to be better studied, taxonomically, although from the beginning of the last century until 1980 these kinds of studies were predominant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is the largest land mammal in South America. The species faces steady population decline due to poaching, habitat loss and fragmentation, road-kill, pesticide pollution, competition with domestic livestock and fires, among other threats. The lowland tapir is currently listed as vulnerable to extinction. Little information is available about natural disease processes for the species. This study aimed to report the pathological findings recorded in a cohort of 35 lowland tapirs killed by motor vehicle collision (MVC) on highways of Mato Grosso do Sul State, Brazil, between 2015 and 2018. The main gross pathological findings were those associated with MVC, primarily involving skeletal fractures and internal multiorgan damage with extensive bleeding and/or severe central nervous system injury. The most prevalent concurrent histopathological findings, unrelated to the cause of death, were: adrenal gland degeneration, necrosis and loss of fascicular and reticular cells with replacement fibrosis and cortical atrophy (9/15; 60%); interstitial pneumonia (20/34; 59%); glossitis (9/24; 38%); pulmonary anthracosis (12/34; 35%); colitis (9/28; 32%); and cholangitis/pericholangitis (9/35; 26%). The aetiopathogeneses and clinicopathological significance of some of these findings are unclear; however, parasitic infections appear to be common. Our results highlight the importance of wildlife health information obtained through the study of carcasses of roadkills. Mortality by Motor-Vehicle Collision represents an important threat to lowland tapirs in Brazil, particularly in the Cerrado biome. Through the systematic pathological study of road-killed tapirs, various novel pathologic findings or disease processes were documented/observed/recorded/found. Examination of road-killed wildlife may be pivotal for wildlife conservation, environmental monitoring and public health. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Investigacion en Enfermeria: Imagen y Desarrollo is the property of Pontificia Universidad Javeriana and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Snake venoms are extremely active biological secretions composed primarily of various classes of enzymes. The genus Bothrops comprises various pit viper species that represent the most medically significant taxa in Central and South America, accounting for more human envenomations and fatalities than any other snakes in the region. Venom proteomes of many Bothrops species have been well-characterized but investigations have focused almost exclusively on proteins smaller than 100 kDa despite expression of larger components being documented in several Bothrops venoms. This study sought to achieve detailed identification of major components in the high molecular mass subproteome of venoms from eight Bothrops species (B. brazili, B. cotiara, B. insularis, B. jararaca, B. jararacussu, B. leucurus, B. moojeni and B. neuwiedi). Enzymes such as metalloproteinases and L-amino acid oxidases were the most prominent components identified in the first size-exclusion chromatography fractions of these venoms. Minor components also identified in the first peaks included 5′-nucleotidase, aminopeptidase, phosphodiesterase, and phospholipases A 2 and B. Most of these components disappeared in electrophoretic profiles under reducing conditions, suggesting that they may be composed of more than one polypeptide chain. A significant shift in the molecular masses of these protein bands was observed following enzymatic N-deglycosylation, indicating that they may contain N-glycans. Furthermore, none of the identified high molecular mass proteins were shared by all eight species, revealing a high level of interspecific variability among these venom components. Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We describe and illustrate lesions in an outbreak of lead arsenate poisoning in beef cattle that ingested pesticide residues stored in an abandoned building of a former orange orchard. Of 70 exposed cattle, 14 had diarrhea, paresis, ataxia, recumbency, and/or seizures. Ten of the affected animals died after a clinical course of 12–18 h. Pathologic findings in 3 steers included extensive necrohemorrhagic, ulcerative rumenitis, omasitis, and abomasitis; lymphocytolysis in lymphoid organs; and nephrosis. Hepatic arsenic and lead levels in cases 1–3 were 20, 24, and 31 ppm, and 8.3, 25, and 9.4 ppm, respectively. Lesions in the forestomachs and lymphoid tissues have been rarely reported in cases of lead arsenate poisoning. In southern South America, these lesions are indistinguishable from those produced by Baccharis coridifolia, a toxic plant that contains macrocyclic trichothecenes, thus these conditions should be considered in the differential diagnosis of necrotizing lesions in alimentary and lymphoid organs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new species, Scopadus charynae sp. nov., is described and illustrated. Acanthomerosternoplini Tippmann, 1955 is reinstated. The female of Scopadus ciliatus Pascoe, 1857 is described, and previous misidentification of this species from is discussed; the distribution of this species is updated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Scientia Medica is the property of EDIPUCRS - Editora Universitaria da PUCRS and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The barks of Anacardium occidentale (cashew tree) been used for centuries in the popular pharmacopoeia of South America and West Africa for the treatment of infections and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, this work aimed to evaluate the biological effect of the ethanolic extract of the barks against strains of Candida spp. and cancer cell lines, as well as identifying the chemical constituents present in the product. For that, the extract was submitted to an UPLC-QTOF/MS, which mass fragments were compared in the literature at the botanical family level. For antifungal activity, the serial microdilution method was used in varying concentrations, and the modifier of fluconazole in sub-inhibitory concentrations (CFM/16). Cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT method [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazol bromide] in five cell lines (HL-60, NCI–H292, HCT-116, P815 and L929). Eight compounds were identified, including gallic acid, luteolin, epicatechin gallate and agathisflavone. An antifungal effect of the extract was observed for the strains of Candida albicans , Candida krusei and Candida tropicalis , with IC 50 lower than 400 μg/mL. In addition, there was a synergistic action with fluconazole against C. albicans and C. tropicalis. As for antitumor activity, there was a moderate activity against all cancer lines, showing low cytotoxicity for the normal line, making the extract an excellent candidate for drug development. The ethnopharmacological use of A. occidentale by populations for the treatment of DIP's and neurodegenerative diseases, reveal that this organ has biological actions against microorganisms that cause infections, as well as being capable of causing toxicity in cancer cells. • The extract of the bark of A. occidentale has anti- Candida effect. • Anacardium occidentale has the ability to intensify the effect of the antifungal Fluconazole. • The barks of A. occidentale have phenolic acids, flavonoids and tannins. • The bark extract presented a greater cytotoxic activity over tumor cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Accidents involving spiders from the genus Loxosceles cause medical emergencies in several countries of South America. The species Loxosceles laeta is ubiquitously present in Peru and is responsible for severe accidents in this country. To further characterize L. laeta venom components and to unveil possible variations in the Peruvian population, we provide an overview of the toxins-related transcripts present in the venom gland of Peruvian L. laeta. A dataset from a cDNA library previously sequenced by MiSeq sequencer (Illumina) was re-analyzed and the obtained data was compared with available sequences from Loxosceles toxins. Phospholipase-D represent the majority (69,28 %) of the transcripts related to venom toxins, followed by metalloproteases (20,72 %), sicaritoxins (6,03 %), serine-proteases (2,28 %), hyaluronidases (1,80 %) and Translationally Controlled Tumor Protein (TCTP) (0,56 %). New sequences of phospholipases D,sicaritoxins, hyaluronidase, TCTP and serine proteinases were described. Differences between the here-described toxin sequences and others, previously identified in venom glands from other spiders, were visualized upon sequence alignments. In addition, an in vitro hyaluronidase activity assay was also performed to complement comparisons between Peruvian and Brazilian L. laeta venom enzymatic activities, revealing a superior activity in the venom from Brazilian specimens. These new data provide a molecular basis that can help to explain the difference in toxicity among L. laeta venoms from different countries in South America. [Display omitted] • Toxin expression in Peruvian Loxosceles laeta spiders' venom glands were determined. • Phospholipases D (PLD) were the main toxins expressed (69.28 %), followed by metalloproteinases (20.72 %) and sicaritoxins (6.03 %). • New complete toxin sequences from different families were described for Loxosceles. • In vitro hyaluronidase activity assay of venoms revealed higher activity of Brazilian L. laeta , compared to Peruvian spiders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For many regions, such as in South America, it is unclear how well the existent protected areas network (PAs) covers different taxonomic groups and if there is a coverage bias of PAs towards certain biomes or species. Publicly available occurrence data along with ecological niche models might help to overcome this gap and to quantify the coverage of taxa by PAs ensuring an unbiased distribution of conservation effort. Here, we use a published occurrence database of 271 species from the cacao family (Malvaceae) to explore how South American PAs cover species with different distribution, abundance, and threat status. Furthermore, we compared the performance of online databases, expert knowledge, and modelled species distributions in estimating species coverage in PAs. We found 79 species from our survey (29% of the total) lack any record inside South American PAs and that 20 out of 23 species potentially threatened with extinction are not covered by PAs. The area covered by South American PAs was low across biomes, except for Amazonia, which had a relative high PA coverage, but little information on species distribution within PA available. Also, raw georeferenced occurrence data were underestimating the number of species in PAs, and projections from ecological niche models were more prone to overestimating the number of species represented within PAs. We discuss that the protection of South American flora in heterogeneous environments demand for specific strategies tailored to particular biomes, including collecting specimens inside PAs in less collected areas, and the delimitation of areas for protection in more known areas. • We discuss species coverage within South American protected areas using different data sources. • Threatened species of open/dry biomes are less represented than widespread species from forested biomes. • Despite having more area delimited for protection, sampling effort and modelling approaches overestimate species coverage in Amazonian protected areas • Our results call the need of new field expeditions inside protected areas, towards assessing the true coverage of species in these areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study evaluated the trophic ecology (diet composition, trophic strategy, similarities and overlap between species, feeding period and food consumption) of six benthivorous fish species in Araruama Lagoon, the largest hypersaline tropical lagoon on the east coast of South America, with an area of 210 km2 and an average salinity of 52. The burrfish Chilomycterus spinosus fed on Anomalocardia flexuosa shell deposits, ingesting associated fauna. The caitipa mojarra Diapterus rhombeus differed from all other species, having not only the highest proportions of algae and Nematoda, but also feeding on polychaete tentacles. The two mojarras Eucinostomus spp. showed similar trophic strategies, feeding mostly on Polychaeta. The corocoro grunt Orthopristis ruber also fed mainly on Polychaeta, but differed from Eucinostomus spp. in secondary items. The whitemouth croacker Micropogonias furnieri fed mainly on small Crustacea at night, showing a high number of secondary prey items with low frequencies and high prey-specific abundance. The daily food consumption (g food g−1 fish mass) for Eucinostomus argenteus was 0·012 and was 0·031 and 0·027 for M. furnieri in two different sampling events. The diet similarities between Araruama Lagoon and other brackish and marine environments indicate that hypersalinity is not a predominant factor shaping the trophic ecology of fishes in this lagoon. The stability of hypersaline conditions, without a pronounced gradient, may explain the presence of several euryhaline fishes and invertebrates well adapted to this condition, resulting in a complex food web. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Mediacoes is the property of Universidade Estadual de Londrina and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Highlights: [•] Heavy metal levels in mangrove sediments from the north-west coast of South America were generated. [•] Zn, Cu, Ni, Co, Cr, Ag and V were higher than those previously reported for other mangrove sediment. [•] Enrichment Factor for Ag, Cd, Cu, Se and Pb indicates anthropogenic origin due to industrial wastes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The small tomato borer, Neoleucinodes elegantalis (Guenée) (Lepidoptera: Crambidae), is a significant pest of tomato crops in Central and South America, where its occurrence and abundance is dependent on environmental factors. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of climate variables on the abundance of N. elegantalis in open-field tomato cultivation. The population density of N. elegantalis was sampled weekly after tomato fruits reached a diameter ≥0.5 cm until the final harvest, over 15 commercial tomato fields. Egg abundance and mortality, larval abundance and mortality, and pupae abundance was determined within each sample. Rain, photoperiod, wind speed, temperature, and relative humidity was monitored daily. The highest densities of N. elegantalis eggs, larvae, and pupae occurred between March and July. After July, N. elegantalis density was drastically reduced. Path analysis revealed that temperature, rainfall, and photoperiod had a significant and direct effect on N. elegantalis egg abundance, which indirectly affected larval and pupal densities. The path coefficient indicated a negative correlation between the number of N. elegantalis eggs and the photoperiod, while air temperature and rainfall had a positive effect on theses densities. This study improves our understanding of how climate influences N. elegantalis population dynamics. This information will assist in the development of more sustainable pest-management programs for tomato fields, allowing farmers to monitor and adopt control methods when populations rise. • Positive effects of temperature and rainfall on Neoleucinodes elegantalis. • Temperature, rainfall, and photoperiod influence N. elegantalis egg numbers. • The increase of photoperiod was detrimental to the number of N. elegantalis eggs. • Temperature increases provided favorable conditions for N. elegantalis. • Rainfall increases provided favorable conditions for N. elegantalis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: A forest fire risk model was designed and applied to a South American Mediterranean ecosystem, taking into consideration three analysis groups: fire risk; danger of fire spread, or propagation; and damage potential over economic threat values. The study area for development and validation of the model was the Mediterranean zone of central Chile and employed data from historical records spanning a 14year period (1997–2010). Territorial data layers, combined with analysis of the statistical database and wildfire simulation have enabled areas of highest vulnerability to be defined with greater precision, especially in sectors associated with the urban–wildland interface (defined as the zone where man-made structures meet wildland). Maps generated by this model have enabled improvements to be made to the traditional mapping of fires currently undertaken in South American countries. The results shown here are applicable to other Mediterranean areas, where modifications are made to the entrance variables in the risk model. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oil pollution is a significant conservation concern. We examined data from six institutions along the coast of South America: Emergency Relief Team of the International Fund for Animal Welfare, Fundación Mundo Marino, Centro de Recuperação de Animais Marinhos, Natura Patagonia, Associação R3 Animal, and Mar del Plata Aquarium and data from resightings in Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Falkland/Malvinas Islands. From 2000 to 2010, 2183 oiled Magellanic penguins were rehabilitated as part of the routine activities of these institutions or during emergency responses to eight oil spills in which they were involved; all rehabilitated penguins were flipper banded and released. Since their release, 41 penguins were resighted until 31 December 2011. The results demonstrate that, when combined with other prevention strategies, the rehabilitation of Magellanic penguins is a strategy that contributes to the mitigation of adverse effects of oil spills and chronic pollution to the species. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article discusses a study on the evaluation of the effects of the organophosphorous pesticide, fenthion on the liver morphology and energy metabolism of frugivorous bats that feed on fruits cultivated by plantations in South America. It offers information on the immersion of the fruits in a solution containing an adhesive spreader and fenthion before feeding them to the bats. It examines the increase of muscle glycogen, decrease of carcass fatty acids and maintenance of blood glucose levels after exposure.

Copyright of Revista Española de Cardiología (18855857) is the property of Elsevier B.V. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The article focuses on the long term effects of accidental exposures to ionizing radiation in Goiânia, Brazil in 1987, Yanango, Peru in 1999, and Concepción, Chile in 2005. Psychosocial problems were the most relevant issues in addition to recurrences of local radiation injuries in three Goiânian patients. The article points out that severe medical, psychosocial, environmental and economic impacts result from radiation accidents. Majority of accidents are blamed on gammagraphy.

The article presents a study on the helminths parasites from seven species of lizards which include Hoplocercus spinosus, Ophiodes striatus, and polychrus acutirostris. It states that the study was conducted by examining the lizards collected from August 1989 to 2005 in Mato Grosso do Sul State. The study found out that the Brazilian Cerado represents the biggest open-vegetation biome in South America. It also mentions that the lizard reach 26% of the total number of species.

Reconstruction of the South Atlantic opening has long been a matter of debate and several models have been proposed. One problem in tracing properly the Atlantic history arises from the existence of a long interval without geomagnetic reversals, the Cretaceous Normal Superchron, for which ages are difficult to assign. Palaeomagnetism may help in addressing this issue if high-quality palaeomagnetic poles are available for the two drifting continental blocks, and if precise absolute ages are available. In this work we have investigated the Cabo Magmatic Province, northeastern Brazil, recently dated at 102 ± 1 Ma (zircon fission tracks, Ar39/Ar40). All volcanic and plutonic rocks showed stable thermal and AF demagnetization patterns, and exhibit primary magnetic signatures. AMS data also support a primary origin for the magnetic fabric and is interpreted to be contemporaneous of the rock formation. The obtained pole is located at 335.9°E/87.9°S ( N= 24; A95= 2.5; K= 138) and satisfies modern quality criteria, resulting in a reference pole for South America at ∼100 Ma. This new pole also gives an insight to test and discuss the kinematic models currently proposed for the South Atlantic opening during mid-Cretaceous. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Pulmonology / Jornal Brasileiro de Pneumologia is the property of Sociedade Brasileira de Pneumologia e Tisiologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Abstract: Stereospondyls survived the Permo-Triassic extinctions in a refuge probably located in the landmass that nowadays comprises Australia. Subsequently, they radiated to other parts of Pangaea, reaching their highest distribution and diversification during the Early Triassic. An incomplete interclavicle from the Caturrita Formation represents their first record in the Upper Triassic of Brazil. Previously, Upper Triassic South American stereospondyls were restricted to Argentina. This new record reinforces a former hypothesis that suggests the presence of a more diverse stereospondyl fauna in South America during the Late Triassic than previously assumed. Additionally, the presence of a stereospondyl and a phytosaur in the Caturrita Formation reinforces the hypothesis of a change to more humid climatic conditions in the Paraná Basin during the Upper Triassic. The record of Early Triassic stereospondyls in South America suggests that they first colonized Brazil and/or Uruguay, spreading from South Africa during the Early Triassic, subsequently reaching Argentina. Up till now, there is no record of Middle Triassic stereospondyls in either Argentina and Brazil, probably due to either taphonomic bias or insufficient prospecting. Despite the lack of direct evidence, one should not dismiss an earlier stereospondyl colonization of Argentina still during the Early or Middle Triassic. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The cratonic blocks of South America have been accreted from 2.2 to 1.9 Ga, and all of these blocks have been previously involved in the assembly and breakup of the Paleoproterozoic Atlantica, the Mesoproterozoic to Neoproterozoic Rodinia, and the Neoproterozoic to Phanerozoic West Gondwana continents. Several mineralization phases have sequentially taken place during Atlantica evolution, involving Au, U, Cr, W, and Sn. During Rodinia assembly and breakup and Gondwana formation, the crust-dominated metallogenic processes have been overriding, responsible for several mineral deposits, including Au, Pd, Sn, Ni, Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Pb, U, P2O5, Ta, W, Li, Be and precious stones. During Rodinia breakup, epicontinental carbonate-siliciclastic basins were deposited, which host important non-ferrous base metal deposits of Cu–Co and Pb–Zn–Ag in Africa and South America. Isotope Pb–Pb analyses of sulfides from the non-ferrous deposits unambiguously indicate an upper crustal source for the metals. A genetic model for these deposits involves extensional faults driving the circulation of hydrothermal mineralizing fluids from the Archean/Paleoproterozoic basement to the Neoproterozoic sedimentary cover. These relations demonstrate the individuality of metal associations of every sediment-hosted Neoproterozoic base-metal deposit of West Gondwana has been highly influenced by the mineralogical and chemical composition of the underlying igneous and metaigneous rocks. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Copyright of Brazilian Journal of Biology is the property of Instituto Internacional de Ecologia and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

• Atypical S. yagiui and S. minus morphotypes with two macronuclei were reported and investigated. • We present the first record of S. yagiui in South America. • 18S rRNA-based phylogenetic analysis confirms the identity of the atypical forms. Spirostomum is a widely distributed heterotrichean genus composed of well-known species with described ecology and phylogenetic affinities. The morphological classification of Spirostomum species is mostly based on the body size/shape, number of cortical granule rows and macronuclear characteristics. These features along with molecular phylogenies based on ribosomal genes divide the genus into two phylogroups, one including species with a compact macronucleus, and another including species with a moniliform macronucleus. Here, we present our observations on atypical Spirostomum specimens with unusually two distinct macronuclei and shortened adoral zone of membranelles. These atypical forms appeared in the cultures of S. minus and S. yagiui , sampled at different sites in South America (Chile and Brazil) and associated with unrelated substrate types. Morphological observations of living and stained cells, 18S rRNA gene analyses, and a thorough investigation of the literature suggest that the atypical phenotype may be a result of uncommon pathways during the conjugative process. Thus, we demonstrate that studies of ciliate natural populations and their morphological variations, especially from undersampled biogeographical regions, can reveal the boundaries of widely used morphological characters for Spirostomum taxonomy and species identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have reported significant reductions in air pollutant levels due to the COVID-19 outbreak worldwide global lockdowns. Nevertheless, all of the reports are limited compared to data from the same period over the past few years, providing mainly an overview of past events, with no future predictions. Lockdown level can be directly related to the number of new COVID-19 cases, air pollution, and economic restriction. As lockdown status varies considerably across the globe, there is a window for mega-cities to determine the optimum lockdown flexibility. To that end, firstly, we employed four different Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to examine the compatibility to the original levels of CO, O 3 , NO 2 , NO, PM 2.5 , and PM 10 , for São Paulo City, the current Pandemic epicenter in South America. After checking compatibility, we simulated four hypothetical scenarios: 10%, 30%, 70%, and 90% lockdown to predict air pollution levels. To our knowledge, ANN have not been applied to air pollution prediction by lockdown level. Using a limited database, the Multilayer Perceptron neural network has proven to be robust (with Mean Absolute Percentage Error ∼ 30%), with acceptable predictive power to estimate air pollution changes. We illustrate that air pollutant levels can effectively be controlled and predicted when flexible lockdown measures are implemented. The models will be a useful tool for governments to manage the delicate balance among lockdown, number of COVID-19 cases, and air pollution. Image 1 • COVID-19 cases, air pollution and lockdown level inter-dependency can be predicted. • First time ANN application to predict air quality change as a function of lockdown. • MLP has proven to be robust, with mean absolute percentage error around 30%. • Hypothetical lockdown (10–90%) predicted CO, O 3 , NO 2 , NO, PM 2.5 and PM 10 levels. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Landscapes in drylands need at least 50 % of the landscape protected or restored. • Water production declined when 35 % of the landscape is covered by agricultural lands. • Landscapes rather than farms are the right planning unit for agroscapes in drylands. • Diversified production systems are needed for sustainable agroscapes in drylands. Finding a balance between ecosystem conservation and the production of goods and services that societies need to prosper is fundamental to the long-term sustainable development of any region, but this balance varies within the region's landscapes. We tested the hypothesis that landscapes with intermediate structure complexity (i.e., those that combine natural vegetation and human-transformed ecosystems) are the most efficient to produce food, water and energy for local populations in Caatinga, South America's largest dryland. We used empirical data and computer simulations to simultaneously assess the trade-offs between the production of these three ecosystem services and the landscape structure. The results supported the hypothesis. Moreover, we found that increasing the percentage of natural lands in the landscape increased the production of biomass energy, water and food. However, water production stabilized when natural lands occupied more than 80 % of the landscape, and food production decreased when natural lands occupied more than 50 % of the landscape. Increasing the percentage of agricultural land in the landscape increased the production of all three ecosystem services, but biomass energy production and water production declined when agricultural lands reached 20 % and 35 % of the landscape, respectively. Finally, the production of all three ecosystem services declined when the percentage of degraded lands (i.e., lands that lost most of their natural productivity due to human-caused processes) in the landscape increased, but food production declined faster than the production of energy and water. To achieve groundwater, food, and long-term energy security, agricultural landscapes in tropical drylands require more conservation (including the restoration of degraded areas), more diversification of agriculture practices, and a better integration of individual initiatives at a larger spatial scale. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During drier periods estuarine salinization can stimulate the colonization of marine organisms and further bioinvasion, therefore, may cause future ecological change. In this sense, we applied the Rapid Assessment Surveys (RAS) on natural and artificial hard substrates during the most intense drought period (between 2014 and 2016) since 1950, in a tropical estuary in Eastern Brazil. Through the estuary salinization the ascidian Didemnum psammatodes overgrow the dominant native taxa; this dominance taxa shift provided suitable habitat favorable for invasion of Ophiothela mirabilis across the estuary. Even the invasion starts on artificial substrates, the higher resilience of natural substrates were not enough to enable the establishment of invasive species. This baseline is the first evidence of bioinvasion influenced by climate change drought periods in tropical estuaries in South America, which is a great advance for the development of management strategies to mitigate this and future climate change scenarios. Unlabelled Image • Climate relate drought periods enhance bioinvasion in estuarine hard substrates. • Artificial hard substrates were first invaded rather than natural hard substrates. • Didemnum psammatodes overgrows the estuarine native taxa. • Colonization of a new environmental engineering taxa promotes bioinvasion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duponchelia fovealis (Lepidoptera: Crambidae) is a key-pest of strawberry, causing significant crop losses. In Brazil, the lack of registered chemical pesticides led producers to seek for alternatives. In this context, microbial insecticides can play a key role in integrated pest management (IPM) programs. This work aimed to assess the susceptibility to entomopathogenic fungi (EF) of two natural enemies of D. fovealis commonly present in Brazilian strawberry fields: Podisus nigrispinus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) and Harmonia axyridis (Coleoptera: Coccinellidae). Adult susceptibility of these predators to B2 and B3 isolates of Beauveria bassiana ((Balsamo-Crivelli) Vuillemin), and two commercial products (Bovemax® and Methamax®) was investigated under laboratory conditions. The mortality of the predators by direct and indirect contact with EF and the capacity of predators to feed on larvae of D. fovealis previously exposed to EF were determined. The number of larvae consumed by P. nigrispinus was reduced by the direct application of commercial products, whereas no differences among treatments were observed when EF were applied by residual contact. In the case of H. axyridis, a reduction in the number of consumed larvae was observed for the Bovemax® treatment applied by residual contact. A high mortality of P. nigrispinus was caused by the direct application of commercial products, whereas H. axyridis was not affected by any treatment or mode of application. In conclusion, this study suggests that combining biocontrol agents with different mechanisms of action could be used as strategy to reduce the incidence of D. fovealis in strawberry. • Sensitivity of two natural enemies of Duponchelia fovealis to four fungal treatments was assessed. • Podisus nigrispinus was more sensitive to the treatments than Harmonia axyridis. • The strains B2 and B3 of Beauveria bassiana did not affect the predatory capacity of both predators. • Combined use of commercial products and natural enemies must be done with a 24 h delay. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Atlantic Rainforest is one of the global conservation hotspots, representing a seriously threatened area with high levels of endemism and species richness. The fishes from the Atlantic Rainforest are one of the most exploited vertebrate groups by the international aquarium commerce, with an annual trade volume of about U$15-25 billions, now aggravated by the Internet e-Commerce and playing a crucial role on the sales and distribution of these species. The Cichlidae is one of the most exploited groups with several species being commonly sold in several online sites and aquarium stores all around the world. In this sense, our aim is to study the genetic diversity of the native cichlid Geophagus brasiliensis from the South American Atlantic Rainforest in Brazil. We constructed a database including 75 sequences from Geophagus brasiliensis from the Ubatiba river with 540 bp of the mtDNA D-loop region using primers H16498 and L15774M and conducted molecular analyses with Geneious v4.82, DnaSP v5, Arlequin v3.5 and PopART. Our results point show that although G. brasiliensis is considered as a territorialist species, which exhibits parental care and small movement rates, population genetic structure could not be observed along the sample area, suggesting the existence of considerable gene flow at least among the sampled populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Marine mollusk production is increasing worldwide, and this trend is being evidenced in South American countries, where several species of bivalves are produced, exploited, and traded. This activity brings benefits either for the ecosystem, as it is a less impactful and polluting than other aquaculture practices, and to coastal human communities, as it provides food and income. However, emergence of outbreaks by pathogens is a major concern and can put an entire developing sector at risk. Perkinsosis is a disease caused by Perkinsus spp. protozoans that affect mollusks worldwide. In this review we provide information on Perkinsus spp. among bivalves from South America. Infections by these parasites were only reported to date among coastal Atlantic bivalves of Argentina, Uruguay, and Brazil. The vast majority of cases and studies are reported from Brazil. We comprehensively review those results here. Finally, we suggest some considerations for future investigations that may expand our knowledge of these parasites., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)