Dependence of hydropower energy generation on forests in the Amazon Basin at local and regional scales

Tropical rainforest regions have large hydropower generation potential that figures prominently in many nations’ energy growth strategies. Feasibility studies of hydropower plants typically ignore the effect of future deforestation or assume that deforestation will have a positive effect on river discharge and energy generation resulting from declines in evapotranspiration (ET) associated with forest conversion. Forest loss can also reduce river discharge, however, by inhibiting rainfall. We used land use, hydrological, and climate models to examine the local “direct” effects (through changes in ET within the watershed) and the potential regional “indirect” effects (through changes in rainfall) of deforestation on river discharge and energy generation potential for the Belo Monte energy complex, one of the world’s largest hydropower plants that is currently under construction on the Xingu River in the eastern Amazon. In the absence of indirect effects of deforestation, simulated deforestation of 20% and 40% within the Xingu River basin increased discharge by 4–8% and 10–12%, with similar increases in energy generation. When indirect effects were considered, deforestation of the Amazon region inhibited rainfall within the Xingu Basin, counterbalancing declines in ET and decreasing discharge by 6–36%. Under business-as-usual projections of forest loss for 2050 (40%), simulated power generation declined to only 25% of maximum plant output and 60% of the industry’s own projections. Like other energy sources, hydropower plants present large social and environmental costs. Their reliability as energy sources, however, must take into account their dependence on forests.     

Histopathological Evaluation of Combined Impacts of the Synthetic Progestin Levonorgestrel and Temperature on the Female Zebrafish Maturation Using a Semi-quantitative Grading Analysis—Is it Enough?

Pharmaceuticals contamination (e.g., synthetic progestins), and global climate change, represent two of the most stressful factors affecting aquatic species. To our knowledge, there is huge gap of data regarding the combined effects of both stressors on vertebrates’ reproduction. Thus, it is crucial to implement rapid screenings of measurable histopathological alterations in fish gonads. For that, we propose: (1) an evaluation of the combined effects of progestin (levonorgestrel) and temperature on maturation of zebrafish female gonads, using a semi-quantitative method (i.e., grading) and (2) testing the robustness of the grading analysis comparatively to a quantitative method (i.e., stereology). Grading analysis showed a decrease on maturation stage of ovaries exposed to both stressors. Although grading is less robust than stereological analysis, it is recommended for a preliminary approach, since it gives a correct idea on trends and it is fast and cost-effective. For a detailed histological assessment, we recommend a stereological study.     

Melatonin and dehydroepiandrosterone combination: does this treatment exert a synergistic effect during experimental Trypanosoma cruzi infection?

Abstract:  Previous studies showed that melatonin or dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) enhances the immune response against parasitic pathogens. The present study investigated the in vitro activity of melatonin combined with DHEA in a period of 24 hr during the course of in vivo T. cruzi infection. The in vitro activity of melatonin or DHEA alone, as well as together, were tested for the trypomastigote forms (doses ranging from 0.5 to 128 μ m ). In vitro, neither melatonin nor DHEA alone had any activity against trypomastigote forms, although when the highest concentration of combined melatonin and DHEA was used, it was active against the trypomastigote forms of the parasite. However, for this concentration, a quite toxicity on peritoneal macrophages was observed. For in vivo evaluation, male Wistar rats were infected with the Y strain of T. cruzi. They were orally treated with 10 mg/kg body weight/day of melatonin and subcutaneously with 40 mg/kg body weight/day of DHEA. Treatment with melatonin, DHEA and the association showed a significant reduction in the number of blood trypomastigotes during the acute phase of infection as compared to untreated animals ( P  < 0.05). A significant increase in the number of macrophages and nitric oxide (NO) concentrations were observed during the peak of parasitaemia with melatonin alone or combined with DHEA. However, with DHEA alone the highest concentration of NO was observed ( P  < 0.05). Moreover, DHEA treatment increased TNF-alpha levels during the infection ( P  < 0.05). These results show that melatonin, DHEA or the combination of both reduces parasitemia during the acute phase of infection. The combined action of both molecules did not exert a synergic action on the host's ability to fight infection, and it seems that among all treatments DHEA induces a more efficient immune response.     

Clinical and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carrying SCCmecIV in a university hospital in Porto Alegre,Brazil

We evaluated clinical outcomes and molecular epidemiology of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus carrying SCCmecIV recovered from patients who attended at a teaching hospital from Porto Alegre, Brazil. All Panton–Valentine leukocidin (PVL)-producer isolates belonged to clonal complex (CC) 30 (11 isolates, related to Oceania Southwest Pacific clone [OSPC]), and the PVL-negative isolates were typed as CC5 (2 isolates, related to the pediatric clone). Five patients had health care-associated infections (HCAIs) with hospital-onset, 5 HCAIs with community-onset, and 3 community-acquired infections without risks. A high overall mortality (30.8%) was found. This study show that OSPC isolates are not only causing community-associated infections but are also involved in HCAI in our country.     

In vitro microleakage of composite restorations after nonvital bleaching.

OBJECTIVE: After bleaching treatment, esthetic restorations often need to be replaced due to color changes. Some papers have shown alterations in the bond of adhesive restorations to bleached teeth. The purpose of this study was to evaluate tooth and resin composite adhesion when submitted to nonvital dental bleaching. METHOD AND MATERIALS: One hundred and twenty bovine teeth were assigned to 3 groups (n = 40); paste of sodium perborate and water; 37% carbamide peroxide gel; and no bleaching (control). After 3 weeks of continuous bleaching treatment, standardized Class V cavities were prepared at the cementoenamel junction and restored with Single Bond adhesive system and Z100 resin composite. The samples were thermocycled 1,500 times (5 +/- 1/55 +/- 1 degrees C) with a 1-minute dwell time. Then, they were immersed in a 2% methylene blue solution (pH 7) for 4 hours, sectioned, and analyzed by stereomicroscopy. Microleakage analyses were done, using scores from 0 to 4, considering leakage on the incisal wall (enamel) and the cervical wall (dentin). Data were analyzed by Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney tests (alpha = 0.05). RESULTS: The results showed that sodium perborate and carbamide peroxide gel significantly increase the microleakage in Class V resin composite restorations to dentin but not to enamel margins. CONCLUSION: The risk of microleakage in dentin margins is increased soon after bleaching treatment.     

On LM type tests for seasonal unit roots in quarterly data

In this paper the application of the score principle to test for unit roots in seasonal processes is analysed. In particular, tests based on the procedure proposed by Hylleberg et al.(1990, Journal of Econometrics, 44 , 215–38) (HEGY) are introduced and the respective limit distributions derived in a local‐to‐unity context. It is shown that these statistics converge to distributions already tabulated in the literature. A Monte Carlo investigation contrasting the conventional HEGY procedure with the new Lagrange multiplier HEGY type tests reveals the latter to have a better performance. Furthermore, the limiting powers of the test statistic are also computed and compared.     

δ‐Aminolevulinate Dehydratase Inhibition by Phenyl Selenoacetylene: Effect of Reaction with Hydrogen Peroxide

Abstract: The effect of phenyl selenoacetylene and its selenoxide on δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase from liver of adult rats (mammalian source) and from cucumber leaves (plant source) was investigated. In vivo, selenides can be oxidized to selenoxides by flavin‐containing monooxygenases and selenoxides can regenerate selenides by thiol oxidation. The compound phenyl selenoacetylene was converted to selenoxides by reaction with hydrogen peroxide. Phenyl selenoacetylene inhibited mammalian and plant δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase with an IC₅₀ about 250 μM and >400 μM, respectively. Its selenoxide inhibited the enzyme more strongly, with IC₅₀ values of 45 μM and 100 μM for the mammalian and plant source, respectively. The selenoxide inhibitory action was antagonized by dithiothreitol suggesting the involvement of –SH groups. Moreover, δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase from a plant source was inhibited by the selenoxide, suggesting a possible involvement of –SH groups located at a site distinct from the region implicated in Zn²⁺ binding in mammalian δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase. The results of the present study suggest that (i) δ‐aminolevulinate dehydratase is a potential molecular target for phenyl selenoacetylene, due to the oxidation of enzyme sulfhydryl groups, and that (ii) the monooxygenation of this selenocompound, which in vivo could be possibly mediated by flavin‐containing monooxigenases, increases its inhibitory effect.