A new combination in Peristethium (Loranthaceae) expands the genus' range into the Amazon-Cerrado ecotone

The genus Peristethium, characterized by determinate inflorescences protected by deciduous bracts, occurs in the northwest of South America, as well as Costa Rica and Panama. The main objective of this paper was to transfer one species to what we believe is its correct generic placement in Peristethium, that likewise implies in a shift of the genus' distribution beyond the Amazon. A new combination, Peristethium reticulatum, is proposed, based on Struthanthus reticulatus, described from Tocantins in 1980. The sexual dimorphism of the inflorescences of P. reticulatum (sessile male flowers and pedicellate female flowers) associated with male inflorescences that are inserted at leafless nodes are unique within the genus. The male flowers have dimorphic stamens, well-developed anthers and a pistiloid, whilst female flowers have robust styles and stigmas, and much reduced staminodes. Peristethium reticulatum and P. polystachyum occurs in the Amazon regions of Brazil, with the former recorded also in the ecotone with the Central Brazilian savannas (Cerrados).

Range extension of Centronycetris maximiliani (Mammalia: Chiroptera) for southern Amazonia

Bat species of the genus Centronycteris are some of the rarest Neotropical Emballonuridae and fewer than 50 specimens have been deposited in scientific collections. The aim of this study is to extend the distribution of Centronycteris maximiliani. Three C. maximiliani specimens were recorded in the Brazilian Amazonia, providing the first record of the species for the state of Rondônia, the southernmost record of the species for the Amazon biome in Brazil, and an additional record for the state of Pará. Although these new records of C. maximiliani reinforce the idea that this species is widely distributed throughout the Amazon biome, its low capture rate reflects the rarity of this species, since only three specimens were collected during three to four year field effort.

Graphene-based nanostructures: Plasmonics in the THz range

The properties of surface plasmon-polaritons (SPPs) in graphene are discussed and several possible ways of coupling electromagnetic radiation in the terahertz (THz) spectral range to this type of surface waves are described: (i) the attenuated total reflection (ATR) method employing a prism, (ii) graphene-based gratings or graphene monolayers with modulated conductivity, (iii) a metal stripe on top of the graphene layer, and (iv) a nanoparticle located above it. Potentially interesting for applications SPP effects, such as switching, modulation and polarization of THz radiation, as well as its enhanced absorption in graphene, are considered. The discussion also concerns the impact of the nonlinear properties of graphene, such as optical bistability.

Desenvolvimento de um Posto de Carregamento Lento com BMS e Interface com o Cockpit para o CEPIUM

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Eletrónica Industrial e de Computadores

Desenvolvimento de um Range Extender para Veículo Elétrico

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Eletrónica Industrial e de Computadores

Tailored deposition of coloured coatings: on the widening of the available colour range

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia de Materiais

Desenvolvimento de um motor BMW para servir de Range Extender

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Mecânica

Subendocardial fibrosis in remote myocardium results from reduction of coronary driving pressure during acute infarction in rats

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role of hemodynamic changes occurring during acute MI in subsequent fibrosis deposition within non-MI. METHODS: By using the rat model of MI, 3 groups of 7 rats each [sham, SMI (MI <30%), and LMI (MI >30%)] were compared. Systemic and left ventricular (LV) hemodynamics were recorded 10 minutes before and after coronary artery ligature. Collagen volume fraction (CVF) was calculated in picrosirius red-stained heart tissue sections 4 weeks later. RESULTS: Before surgery, all hemodynamic variables were comparable among groups. After surgery, LV end-diastolic pressure increased and coronary driving pressure decreased significantly in the LMI compared with the sham group. LV dP/dt max and dP/dt min of both the SMI and LMI groups were statistically different from those of the sham group. CVF within non-MI interventricular septum and right ventricle did not differ between each MI group and the sham group. Otherwise, subendocardial (SE) CVF was statistically greater in the LMI group. SE CVF correlated negatively with post-MI systemic blood pressure and coronary driving pressure, and positively with post-MI LV dP/dt min. Stepwise regression analysis identified post-MI coronary driving pressure as an independent predictor of SE CVF. CONCLUSION: LV remodeling in rats with MI is characterized by predominant SE collagen deposition in non-MI and results from a reduction in myocardial perfusion pressure occurring early on in the setting of MI.

Histoire des plantes de la Guiane Françoise : rangées suivant la méthode sexuelle, avec plusieurs mémoires sur différens objects intéressans, relatifs à la culture & au commerce de la Guiane Françoise, & une notice des plantes de l'Isle-de-France ... /

v.1

Histoire des plantes de la Guiane Françoise : rangées suivant la méthode sexuelle, avec plusieurs mémoires sur différens objects intéressans, relatifs à la culture & au commerce de la Guiane Françoise, & une notice des plantes de l'Isle-de-France ... /

v.2

Histoire des plantes de la Guiane Françoise : rangées suivant la méthode sexuelle, avec plusieurs mémoires sur différens objects intéressans, relatifs à la culture & au commerce de la Guiane Françoise, & une notice des plantes de l'Isle-de-France ... /

v.3

Histoire des plantes de la Guiane Françoise : rangées suivant la méthode sexuelle, avec plusieurs mémoires sur différens objects intéressans, relatifs à la culture & au commerce de la Guiane Françoise, & une notice des plantes de l'Isle-de-France ... /

v.4

Situación poblacional del cóndor andino (Vultur gryphus) en las sierras de Córdoba. Population status of the Andean Condor (Vultur gryphus) in Sierras de Córdoba mountain range.

Existe una clara necesidad de obtener información científica y comprensible sobre la distribución actual, abundancia y el estado de conservación del cóndor andino (Vultur gryphus) en Córdoba. Las justificaciones de ello incluyen: 1) la información disponible es muy limitada y fragmentada, y es insuficiente para las decisiones de manejo, 2) el aparente aislamiento de la población de cóndor andino de Córdoba respecto a la principal distribución de la especie a lo largo de los Andes sudamericanos, hecho que merece especial consideración, 3) indicaciones de que la especie muestra signos de declinación a lo largo de su rango de distribución, y 4) el valor de la especie como ave carismática y componente clave de atracción turística en la provincia de Córdoba. Esta propuesta pretende llenar el vacío de información existente mediante los siguientes objetivos específicos: 1) relevar la distribución del cóndor andino en Córdoba, 2) evaluar el tamaño poblacional de la especie a través de relevamientos en sus colonias no reproductivas, y 3) obtener la información disponible de la literatura publicada, material arqueológico y de informantes calificados. Los métodos incluyen: a) relevamientos sistemáticos a campo, b) conteos poblacionales en aquellos sitios identificados como colonias no reproductivas de la especie, c) revisión bibliográfica, y d) entrevistas a informantes selectos como ornitólogos, guías turísticos, pobladores rurales locales clave, etc. La información obtenida proveerá una línea de base de la situación actual del cóndor andino en Córdoba, como así también los criterios necesarios y la metodología para un monitoreo continuado de la especie en el territorio provincial.

The challenges of establishing the electric vehicle in Ireland

This thesis investigates the challenges of establishing the electric vehicle (EV) in Ireland and how the Irish government and industry are trying to meet them. It further seeks to provide information on Irish consumers’ attitudes towards the electric vehicle and their willingness to purchase it. The review of the literature showed that the Irish government is investing significant funds in trying to establish the market for the electric vehicle and position itself as a world leader in adopting the electric vehicle. The EV will also have an important role to play in how Ireland meets its targets for CO2 reductions towards 2020. Climate change and use of fossil fuels are driving the need for increased use of renewable energy and increased energy independence while reducing the greenhouse gas emissions that are the leading cause of climate change. The transport sector is almost completely dependent on the use of fossil fuel and resultantly is one of the largest sources of these GHG emissions. These issues are leading to the design and production of more energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicles. The ultimate goal is to achieve a zero emissions vehicle. The electric vehicle is presently the only vehicle being mass produced that has the potential to be zero emissions. There are however issues that customers may not be willing to overlook such as the lower range of the vehicle and the length of time it takes to recharge. Vehicle cost is also an important issue that customers may not overlook. Knowing what the consumer’s attitudes are towards the EV and their willingness to purchase them is important as these new vehicles begin to appear in the showrooms. The consumers will be vital to how successful this market becomes. Using an online questionnaire methodology, in a sample of 118 consumers, the major conclusion to be drawn from the research is that the vehicle price, the convenience to recharge and vehicle range were the three most essential issues for the consumers if they were purchasing an EV. The success of the electric vehicle market may depend on what measures are taken to overcome them.

Management and evaluation of a range of forest species for use as cut foliage

This project explored the possibility of harvesting marketable foliage stems in addition to producing timber from plantations of Larix leptolepis, Cupressus macrocarpa ‘Goldcrest’ and Tsuga heterophylla. Data recorded from trial sites included both growth parameters, in the form of height and diameter increments, and production parameters in the form of foliage stem yields. Results varied with species and site type. In many cases, results achieved appear to have been influenced more by the biology of the trees than by the treatments alone. Trials were also established to investigate methods of managing old or over grown Abies procera Christmas tree plantations for forest foliage production. Shelf life testing and market research into the domestic trade of forest foliage were also conducted over the course of the project. Recommendations for managing forest plantations for foliage production as well as a general discussion on the industry are presented in this report.