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Background: A new paradigm has been discussed regarding the impact of economic cycles on the mortality pattern from specific causes. These causes are called deaths of despair, and they selectively impact specific demographic groups. Also, low- and middle-income countries are most affected due to their economic and social instability. In this sense, the objective of study was to compare the magnitude of disparity in deaths from despair according to sex, age, and race in Brazil. Methods: We performed Poisson regression modeling to estimate the magnitude of the association between sex, age group, race, and deaths from despair. Also, we estimated the relationship of time as a proxy of economic crisis phase and deaths of despair. Results: We found an association between mortality from despair and male sex (PR = 6.15, 95%CI 6.09–6.22); emphasis on the age groups from 40 to 49 years old (PR = 2.45, 95% CI 2.41–2.48) and 50 to 59 years old (PR = 2.39, 95% CI 2.36–2.43); and brown (PR = 1.21, 95% CI 1.20–1.22) and black race (PR = 1.36, 95% CI 1.34–1.37). Conclusions: The present study preliminarily presents the effect of the economic crisis and mortality in the population, with demographic differences. Association with race was opposite to that verified in the original study in the USA, which suggests that this variable should be analyzed in the light of structural context.

Taxonomic and functional diversity metrics have been used together to describe functional patterns through species richness in a given area or region. Many scientists have shown that these two metrics can be positively correlated; nevertheless, other studies have found the opposite. In either case, the usefulness of both metrics has helped to develop more reasoned conservation strategies in areas where biodiversity loss is occurring at an accelerated rate. In this study, we calculated metrics of both taxonomic and functional diversity in amphibian and reptile communities located in a variety of vegetation types (xeric scrub, pine forest, pine-oak forest, cloud forest, oak forest, and tropical dry forest) in the state of Durango. Using species richness (157 species: 36 amphibians and 121 reptiles) for the state of Durango, we found that the amphibian communities present in pine forest and pine-oak forest showed high values of taxonomic diversity (high Delta + values), meaning that the communities in these vegetation types are composed of a complex network of families and genera. The same result was true of reptiles present in oak forest, tropical dry forest, and xeric scrub. The communities formed by the snakes showed high values of functional richness, functional evenness, and functional dispersion in all vegetation types, as did the lizard communities present in xeric scrub. This indicates that the ecological functions of lizards and snakes (i.e., predators; pest controllers; links in the trophic chain) are an integral element of the functioning of these ecosystems. These results showed that vegetation types with greater taxonomic and functional diversity in amphibians and reptiles are sites that promote the sustainability of an ecosystem in particular ways, making them more suitable for conservation of these vertebrates. The information from this study can be useful in developing protection programs and implementing conservation strategies for several biological groups in particular areas of Durango and the Sierra Madre Occidental, helping to ensure the permanence of the remarkable biota of northern Mexico.

This work aimed to evaluate the efficiency of disinfection using ozone with hydrogen peroxide. Firstly, the affluent was characterised. Next, the behaviour of each constituent of peroxone was compared to the peroxone itself. Finally, the optimal operating conditions of oxygen flow, ozone dosage and H2O2/O3ratio were defined. It was observed that the disinfectant efficiency of the peroxone is greater than the efficiency of its constituents individually. In addition, there are significant removals of 76% turbidity, 50% ammonia, and 70% COD and SST. After the completion of the three experimental plans, it was found that the optimal ozone dosage is 9.8 mg/L and the optimal H2O2/O 3ratio is 2.2 mol/mol. Thus, it is observed that the real time application of use of ozone combined with hydrogen peroxide is promising in the treatment of effluents, especially those treated anaerobically.

Aerobic Granular Sludge (AGS) systems have gained prominence for liquid waste treatment and bioresource recovery. In this regard, various strategies are employed to accelerate granulation processes in sequencing batch reactors (SBRs) and maximize stability and bioresource production. Intermittent stress supplementation can facilitate granule development, promoting slow-growth microorganisms. At the same time, osmotic stress may enhance bioresource production. In this study, an AGS reactor control with no saline stress (R1) was compared to two AGS systems operated under constant (R2) and intermittent (R3) saline stress in terms of efficiency, stability and bioresource productions (alginate-like exopolysaccharides-ALE and tryptophan). Granulation occurred around day 59 and 21 in R2 and R3, respectively, while complete granulation was not achieved in R1 within the 80-day operational period. However, SBRs performed well after 45 days, with 70% of the biomass being granular. The production of the biopolymer ALE remained more stable in reactors with osmotic stress compared to R1. The microbiological analysis revealed specific responses and adaptations to environmental factors, with genera such as Thaueraand Pseudofulvimonasshowing higher abundance in reactors with complete granulation, indicating a positive correlation with saline conditions (5 g/L). These insights are crucial for optimizing the performance of AGS systems in future applications, emphasizing the benefits of intermittent saline stress in promoting rapid granulation, stability in bioresource production, contaminant removal, and robust granule formation.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of different sources of cobalt in a lactating dairy cow diet on in vitro ruminal fermentation. All diets provided the same amount of supplemental Co (1 mg per kg of diet DM) included in a premix with a targeted inclusion level of 2.5% of diet DM. Treatments were cobalt carbonate (CON), and three alternative Co sources; alternative source 1 (AS1), alternative source 2 (AS2), and alternative source 3 (AS3). Eight dual-flow continuous culture fermenters were used in a replicated 4 × 4 Latin square. Experimental periods were 10 d (7 d adaptation and 3 d sample collection). Composite samples of daily effluents were collected and analyzed for NH3-N, lactate, and VFA concentration as well as for nutrient digestibility. Samples of ruminal content were collected from each fermenter at 0, 1, 2, 4, 6, and 8 h after feeding to determine lactate, NH3-N, and pH kinetics. All data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS and the repeated variable of time was included for pH, lactate, and NH3-N. There were neither treatment effects nor interactions between treatment and time for pH, NH3-N, and lactate concentrations, indicating a similar Co kinetics across treatments. With regards to lactate pool, we did not observe treatment effects for L-lactate; however, we observed treatment effects for D-lactate and total-lactate as seen in Table 1. Analyses of total and individual VFA, N utilization, and nutrient degradation are still undergoing, hence, it is possible that Co sources have effects on ruminal fermentation.

Climate change may have an adverse effect on feed production. Hydroponic fodders produced in controlled environments are alternative feeds that may be used for dairy cattle. The objective of this study was to evaluate in-situ dry matter ruminal degradability of hydroponic fodders and corn silage. Two rumen-canulated lactating Holstein cows were used in a complete randomized block design with four treatments and 9 times (0, 2, 4, 8, 12, 24, 48, 72, and 240 h). Treatments were corn silage (CS), hydroponic sprouts of barley, wheat, and triticale. Quadruplicate samples were placed in Dacron bags (10 x 20 cm, 50 μm porosity) and incubated in the rumen. After incubation, samples were washed and dried in an air-forced oven set at 60°C for 48 h and DM recovery was weighted. Ingredients nutrient composition were CS (32.3% NDF, 8.4% CP, and 41.6% starch, 1.3% WSC; % of DM), barley (34.3% NDF, 17.1% CP, and 4.2% starch, 32.9% WSC; % of DM), wheat (23.7% NDF, 23.3% CP, and 8.5% starch, 32.7% WSC; % of DM), triticale (20.0% NDF, 16.2% CP, and 21.7% starch, 33.2% WSC; % of DM). Model included fixed effects of treatment and random effects of cow and replicate(cow). Data were analyzed using PROC MIXED of SAS. Degradation fractions were calculated based on DM disappearance. There were treatment effects (P< 0.01) on fraction A (degradable), fraction B (potentially degradable), fraction C (undegradable), effective ruminal degradability (ERD), and rate of degradation (kd: %/h). Fraction A was greater for triticale (74.1%) compared with wheat (70.2%), CS (63.1%), and barley (55.0%). Fraction B was greater for barley (28.5%) compared with CS (23.2%), wheat (19.1%), and triticale (13.9%). Fraction C was less for wheat (10.6%) than triticale (12.0%), CS (13.7%), and barley (16.4%). The ERD was greater for wheat (90.8%) compared with triticale (89.0%), CS (88.0%), and barley (85.6%). The kdfor barley (2.4%) was less than triticale (4.9%). The kdfor CS (1.8%) was less than triticale (4.9%). Overall, triticale had the greatest fraction A, barley had the greatest fraction B, and wheat had the least fraction C and the greatest ERD and kd.

AbstractLittle is known about the ecology and behavior of Rock Rattlesnakes (Crotalus lepidus) despite the species' wide geographic distribution throughout the southwestern United States and central Mexico. The goal of this study was to quantify space use, movement patterns, and habitat use by C. lepidusin the Chihuahuan Desert of extreme west Texas. We used radiotelemetry to monitor subjects during at least one activity season from 2007 to 2010. Mean (±1 SE) home range size for all individuals was 13.69 ± 3.06 ha, and mean daily movement rate was 8.46 ± 1.45 m/d. Although monthly movement rates were similar, movement was greatest in September, corresponding with the peak of the mating season for C. lepidusat our study site. We used multinomial logit models to analyze habitat use patterns among telemetered snakes while controlling for subject, estimated habitat availability, and season. Our subjects were most often observed using small arroyos, despite these habitats being relatively limited spatially within snake home ranges. Conversely, habitats typically associated with C. lepiduslife-history (e.g., alluvial rocky slopes) were more available to our subjects, but were used less frequently overall. We also detected seasonal associations in habitat use, with subjects being more likely to use alluvial rocky slopes during spring and shifting to arroyo habitat throughout summer. Snakes also used microhabitats nonrandomly, most often seeking refuge under shrubs where ground cover consisted primarily of vegetation rather than rock or gravel. Our study presents a detailed analysis of habitat and microhabitat use by this species, and the patterns of movement and home range size reported here largely contrast to those found in the available literature on the spatial ecology of C. lepidus.

The damage caused by Meloidogyneand Pratylenchusnematodes is included among the factors that limit growth and sustainability of sugarcane production. The objective of this study was to assess the seasonal changes and relationships between plant-parasitic nematode communities and plant variables (leaf chemical analysis and growth parameters) in sugarcane plantations in Pernambuco State, Brazil. Samples were collected at six, nine, and 12 months after planting in two sugarcane fields (plant cane and ratoon cane). Meloidogyneand Pratylenchuspopulations were extracted from sugarcane roots, counted and identified. Vegetative parameters that determine sugarcane growth pattern included stalk height, stalk diameter, and number of stalks and tillers. Leaf tissue was analyzed for potassium, phosphorus, calcium and magnesium contents. Meloidogyneand Pratylenchusabundance, plant nutrients and growth parameters in sugarcane plantations responded differently to environmental variation (i.e., temporal and sugarcane growth stage). Pratylenchusabundance decreased with the increase of leaf phosphorus content. Contrariwise, increases in potassium concentration resulted in high abundance of Meloidogyne. A positive association between the abundance of nematodes and sugarcane growth parameters suggest that the varieties planted in both study areas may present tolerance to Meloidogyneand Pratylenchus.

Data from field experiments conducted in the semiarid climatic conditions of northeast Brazil were used to investigate the energy flux relations and evapotranspiration (ET) of a mango (Mangifera indicaL.) orchard. The Bowen ratio–energy balance method was applied during the 1998–1999 fruiting cycles to estimate the energy balance components of the mango orchard, while the FAO Penman–Monteith approach was used for determining the reference evapotranspiration (ETo). Results indicated that latent heat flux density (λE) could be obtained, with reasonable precision, as a function of measured net radiation flux density (Rn). The percentage of Rnused as λE was higher for the fruit growth and fruit maturation phenological stages, and lower for the flowering and fruit fall stages. For both field campaigns, λE was found to be the major component of energy balance, comprising >70% of the available energy. Soil heat flux was always the smaller component, comprising <8%. Daily mean value of ET was higher during the 1998 fruiting cycle than that observed in 1999. Inversely, the ET increased approximately 6% from the 1998 to 1999 fruiting cycle. These results may be used for planning and management of irrigation for mangos grown in similar environmental conditions.