Federal University of São Carlos

About: Federal University of São Carlos is a education organization based out in São Carlos, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Microstructure. The organization has 16471 authors who have published 34057 publications receiving 456654 citations. The organization is also known as: UFSCar & Federal University of São Carlos.

A biodiversity hotspot losing its top predator: The challenge of jaguar conservation in the Atlantic Forest of South America

Abstract: The jaguar is the top predator of the Atlantic Forest (AF), which is a highly threatened biodiversity hotspot that occurs in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. By combining data sets from 14 research groups across the region, we determine the population status of the jaguar and propose a spatial prioritization for conservation actions. About 85% of the jaguar’s habitat in the AF has been lost and only 7% remains in good condition. Jaguars persist in around 2.8% of the region, and live in very low densities in most of the areas. The population of jaguars in the AF is probably lower than 300 individuals scattered in small sub-populations. We identified seven Jaguar Conservation Units (JCUs) and seven potential JCUs, and only three of these areas may have ≥50 individuals. A connectivity analysis shows that most of the JCUs are isolated. Habitat loss and fragmentation were the major causes for jaguar decline, but human induced mortality is the main threat for the remaining population. We classified areas according to their contribution to jaguar conservation and we recommend management actions for each of them. The methodology in this study could be used for conservation planning of other carnivore species.

Nanocrystallization of fresnoite glass. I. Nucleation and growth kinetics

Abstract: We determined the internal nucleation, crystal growth and overall crystallization kinetics of fresnoite crystal (2BaO · TiO2 · 2SiO2) in an almost stoichiometric fresnoite glass. Due to the extremely high nucleation rates (∼1017 m−3 s−1) that limit the maximum crystal size to ∼700 nm the nucleation densities and crystal sizes were estimated by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The volume fraction crystallized was measured by X-ray diffraction. The nucleation rates obtained directly from SEM measurements reasonably agree with those calculated from the combination of overall crystallization with crystal growth kinetics. The activation enthalpies for viscous flow, transport of structural units across the nucleus/melt interface (nucleation) and crystal growth: ΔHη, ΔHτ and ΔHU respectively, follow a similar trend to that observed for other stoichiometric silicate glasses that nucleate internally: ΔHη=294>ΔHτ=87>ΔHU=61 kJ/mol. Fresnoite glass displays the highest internal nucleation rates so far measured in inorganic glasses. These rates are comparable to some metallic glasses and can lead to nanostructured glass-ceramics.

High levels of anxiety and depression have a negative effect on quality of life of women with chronic pelvic pain.

Abstract: SUMMARY Background: Chronic pelvic pain (CPP) is a common and complex disease whose cause is often clinically inexplicable, with consequent difficulty in diagnosis and treatment Patients with CPP have high levels of anxiety and depression, with a consequent impairment of their quality of life Aims: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of anxiety and depression and their impact on the quality of life of women with CPP Materials and methods: A cross-sectional controlled study was conducted on 52 patients with CPP and 54 women without pain Depression and anxiety were evaluated by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, and quality of life was evaluated by the World Health Organization Quality of life Whoqol-bref questionnaire Data were analysed statistically by the Mann-Whitney U-test, the Fisher exact test, chi-square test and Spearman correlation test Results: The prevalence of anxiety was 73% and 37% in the CPP and control groups, respectively, and the prevalence of depression was 40% and 30% respectively Significant differences between groups were observed in the physical, psychological and social domains Patients with higher anxiety and depression scores present lower quality of life scores Discussion: The fact that DPC is a syndromic complex, many patients enter a chronic cycle of search for improvement of medical symptoms The constant presence of pain may be responsible for affective changes in dynamics, family, social and sexual Initially the person is facing the loss of a healthy body and active, to a state of dependence and limitations In this study, patients with higher scores of anxiety and depression scores had lower quality of life and patients with lower scores of anxiety and depression had scores of quality of life These results show that perhaps the depression and anxiety may be related to the negative impact on quality of life of these patients Conclusion: In view of this association, we emphasise the importance of a specific approach to the treatment of anxiety and depression together with clinical treatment to improve the quality of life of these patients What’s known Chronic pelvic pain is a common and complex syndrome of often unidentified cause, a fact that makes diagnosis and treatment more difficult Furthermore, the condition is frequently refractory to drug or surgical therapy CPP is an important topic with impact on the well-being of the patients, affecting their marital, social, professional and sexual life What’s new Chronic pelvic pain is directly related to depression and anxiety, altering the quality of life of affected patients However, no studies were found that would establish a correlation between the impact of anxiety and depression and the quality of life of patients with CPP On this basis, this study evaluated the prevalence of anxiety and depression and its impact on the quality of life of women with CPP