Photosynthetic quantum efficiency in south-eastern Amazonian trees may be already affected by climate change.

Tropical forests are experiencing unprecedented high-temperature conditions due to climate change that could limit their photosynthetic functions. We studied the high-temperature sensitivity of photosynthesis in a rainforest site in southern Amazonia, where some of the highest temperatures and most rapid warming in the Tropics have been recorded. The quantum yield (Fv /Fm ) of photosystem II was measured in seven dominant tree species using leaf discs exposed to varying levels of heat stress. T50 was calculated as the temperature at which Fv /Fm was half the maximum value. T5 is defined as the breakpoint temperature, at which Fv /Fm decline was initiated. Leaf thermotolerance in the rapidly warming southern Amazonia was the highest recorded for forest tree species globally. T50 and T5 varied between species, with one mid-storey species, Amaioua guianensis, exhibiting particularly high T50 and T5 values. While the T50 values of the species sampled were several degrees above the maximum air temperatures experienced in southern Amazonia, the T5 values of several species are now exceeded under present-day maximum air temperatures.

Foliar Elemental Analysis of Brazilian Crops via Portable X-ray Fluorescence Spectrometry.

Foliar analysis is very important for the nutritional management of crops and as a supplemental parameter for soil fertilizer recommendation. The elemental composition of plants is traditionally obtained by laboratory-based methods after acid digestion of ground and sieved leaf samples. This analysis is time-consuming and generates toxic waste. By comparison, portable X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) spectrometry is a promising technology for rapid characterization of plants, eliminating such constraints. This worked aimed to assess the pXRF performance for elemental quantification of leaf samples from important Brazilian crops. For that, 614 samples from 28 plant species were collected across different regions of Brazil. Ground and sieved samples were analyzed after acid digestion (AD), followed by quantification via inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy (ICP-OES) to determine the concentration of macronutrients (P, K, Ca, Mg, and S) and micronutrients (Fe, Zn, Mn, and Cu). The same plant nutrients were directly analyzed on ground leaf samples via pXRF. Four certified reference materials (CRMs) for plants were used for quality assurance control. Except for Mg, a very strong correlation was observed between pXRF and AD for all plant-nutrients and crops. The relationship between methods was nutrient- and crop-dependent. In particular, eucalyptus displayed optimal correlations for all elements, except for Mg. Opposite to eucalyptus, sugarcane showed the worst correlations for all the evaluated elements, except for S, which had a very strong correlation coefficient. Results demonstrate that for many crops, pXRF can reasonably quantify the concentration of macro- and micronutrients on ground and sieved leaf samples. Undoubtedly, this will contribute to enhance crop management strategies concomitant with increasing food quality and food security.

Intervenção cognitivo-comportamental em estresse e dor crônica / Behavioral-cognitive intervention on stress disorder and chronic pain

Sintomas de depressão, ansiedade, estresse e dor crônica, na maioria das vezes, têm efeitos negativos, o que afeta de forma adversa o processo de recuperação e reduz a qualidade de vida do indivíduo. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar a intervenção para manejo de estresse, nível de ansiedade, depressão e dor e comparar os resultados pré e pós-intervenção. Foi participante uma cliente do sexo feminino, 28 anos, submetida a 35sessões. Utilizaram-se Entrevistas, Inventário de Sintomas de Stress para Adultos de Lipp, Inventário Beckde Depressão e Inventário Beck de Ansiedade. Na intervenção foram realizadas estratégias e técnicas cognitivo comportamentais. Os principais resultados demonstraram redução significativa das queixas de estresse, ansiedade, depressão e dor, e aquisição de repertório comportamental e cognitivo. Os dados obtidos são compatíveis com a literatura referente ao manejo do estresse e dor crônica.

Most of the time, depression symptoms, anxiety, stress and chronic pain have negative effects. These can affect adversely the recovery process and reduce the quality of life. The objective of this study was to assessthe intervention in coping the stress, anxiety level, depression and pain and to compare the results pre- andpost-intervention. A 28-year old female client participated in the program; she was submitted to 35 sessions. The treatment comprised interviews, Lipp´s Stress Symptom for Adults Inventory, Beck´s Depression and Anxiety Inventory. In the intervention, strategies and Cognitive-Behavior Techniques were performed. Themain results showed significant reduction of stress complaint, anxiety, depression and pain, and the acquisition of behavioral and cognitive repertoire . Data were according to the literature related to the management of thestress and chronic pain.