The level of infestation with the vector of cattle babesiosis in Argentina

Studies were carried out to determine the differential aptitude to sustain the only vector of cattle babesiosis in Argentina, the tick Boophilus microplus, throughout the infested region of this country. Tick counts on Bos taurus cattle were used as the main criterion to classify favourable (F), intermediate (I) and unfavourable (U) areas for its development. The geographical limits of each area set up using data of non-parasitic tick stages, temperature, water balance and map recognition of flooded and unflooded zones. The F area contained 16.5 x 10 (elevado a sexta potência) ha with a cattle population of 6 x 10 (elevado a sexta potência); the I and U areas had 25 x 10 (elevado a sexta potência ha with 2.7 x 10 (elevado a sexta potência) cattle and 198 x 10 (elevado a sexta potência) with population of 2.4 x 10(elevado a sexta potência) cattle, respectively. Research on the relationship amongst Babesia-Boophilus-cattle is needed in the F area for tick development which coincides with the best region for cattle breeding.

A comprehensive analysis of gene expression profiles in distal parts of the mouse renal tubule.

The distal parts of the renal tubule play a critical role in maintaining homeostasis of extracellular fluids. In this review, we present an in-depth analysis of microarray-based gene expression profiles available for microdissected mouse distal nephron segments, i.e., the distal convoluted tubule (DCT) and the connecting tubule (CNT), and for the cortical portion of the collecting duct (CCD; Zuber et al., Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 106:16523-16528, 2009). Classification of expressed transcripts in 14 major functional gene categories demonstrated that all principal proteins involved in maintaining the salt and water balance are represented by highly abundant transcripts. However, a significant number of transcripts belonging, for instance, to categories of G-protein-coupled receptors or serine/threonine kinases exhibit high expression levels but remain unassigned to a specific renal function. We also established a list of genes differentially expressed between the DCT/CNT and the CCD. This list is enriched by genes related to segment-specific transport functions and by transcription factors directing the development of the distal nephron or collecting ducts. Collectively, this in silico analysis provides comprehensive information about relative abundance and tissue specificity of the DCT/CNT and the CCD expressed transcripts and identifies new candidate genes for renal homeostasis.

Transgenic mice and their impact on kidney research.

The kidney is a key organ in the maintenance of ion and fluid homeostasis and specific transport systems localized along the nephron guarantee this function. Due to its large functional heterogeneity, experiments on the whole organ level cannot be easily performed, and thus more refined tools are needed, like for example the development of specific recombination systems to gain knowledge on the physiological role of single proteins implicated in ion transport. This review introduces the transgenic technology developed over the past decades, and then focuses on recent strategies for generating kidney-specific gene targeting, over-expression, and gene ablation in mice, that will help to understand the physiological role of proteins implicated in salt and water balance in the kidney.

Pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic profile of angiotensin II receptor antagonists.

The pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties of nonpeptide angiotensin antagonists in humans are reviewed in this paper. Representatives of this new therapeutic class share common features: lipophilia, intermediate bioavailability, high affinity for plasma proteins and liver metabolism; some have active metabolites. Angiotensin II antagonists block the blood pressure response to exogenous angiotensin II in healthy volunteers, decrease baseline blood pressure in both normal and hypertensive patients, produce a marked rise in plasma renin activity and endogenous angiotensin II and increase renal blood flow without altering glomerular filtration rate. These effects are dose-dependent, but their time course varies between the drugs owing to pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic differences. Additionally, the extent of blood pressure reduction is dependent on physiological factors such as sodium and water balance. The characterisation of their pharmacokinetic-pharmacodynamic relationships deserves further refinement for designing optimal therapeutic regimens and proposing dosage adaptations in specific conditions.

Importance of ENaC-mediated sodium transport in alveolar fluid clearance using genetically-engineered mice.

The lung possesses specific transport systems that intra- and extracellularly maintain salt and fluid balance necessary for its function. At birth, the lungs rapidly transform into a fluid (Na(+))-absorbing organ to enable efficient gas exchange. Alveolar fluid clearance, which mainly depends on sodium transport in alveolar epithelial cells, is an important mechanism by which excess water in the alveoli is reabsorbed during the resolution of pulmonary edema. In this review, we will focus and summarize on the role of ENaC in alveolar lung liquid clearance and discuss recent data from mouse models with altered activity of epithelial sodium channel function in the lung, and more specifically in alveolar fluid clearance. Recent data studying mice with hyperactivity of ENaC or mice with reduced ENaC activity clearly illustrate the impaired lung fluid clearance in these adult mice. Further understanding of the physiological role of ENaC and its regulatory proteins implicated in salt and water balance in the alveolar cells may therefore help to develop new therapeutic strategies to improve gas exchange in pulmonary edema.

Small access (30F) clinical central venous smart cannulation: is it adequate?

OBJECTIVES: To assess the performance of 45F vs. 36F smartcanula in CPB with gravity drainage alone. METHODS: Twenty patients were randomly assigned to two groups receiving for venous drainage a smartcanula which is collapsed over a mandrel for trans-atrial insertion into the inferior vena cava and expanded in situ to either 45F or 36F. RESULTS: Valve replacement/repair was realized in 7/10 and/or CABG in 6/10 for 36F (69+/-13 years) vs. 5/10 and 5/10, respectively, for 45F (63+/-11 years: NS). Body weight and surface area (BSA) were 83+/-9 kg (1.9+/-0.2 m2, max 2.2 m2) for 36F vs. 79+/-6 kg: NS (1.9+/-0.1 m2 (NS), max 2.1 m2) for 45F. Insertion and access orifice diameter (area) was 6 mm and 10 mm (78.5 mm2) for the 36F vs. 6 mm and 13 mm (132 mm2) for the 45F (+69%). Calculated target pump flow (2.4 l/min/m2) was 4.7+/-0.4 l/min for 36F vs. 4.5+/-0.3 l/min for 45F. Achieved pump flow accounted for 5.0+/-0.3 l/min for 36F (8% above target) vs. 4.8+/-0.3 l/min for 45F (8% above target): NS. The water balance during the pump run (clear volume added minus hemofilter and urine output) was 2.2+/-0.3 l for 36F vs. 2.0 l for 45F: NS. CONCLUSION: Due to its 'open' wall (the vena cava provides the seal), its reduced wall thickness (range: 0.0-0.4 mm), and its self-expanding design, the 36F smartcanula requiring a 30F access orifice has sufficient drainage capacity by gravity alone for full CPB in adults with a BSA up to 2.2 mm2.

Circadian glomerular function: from physiology to molecular and therapeutical aspects.

Life on earth is rhythmic by essence due to day/night alternation, and many biological processes are also cyclic. The kidney has a special role in the organism, controlling electrolytes and water balance, blood pressure, elimination of metabolic waste and xenobiotics and the production of several hormones. The kidney is submitted to changes throughout 24 h with periods of intense activity followed by calmer periods. Filtration, reabsorption and secretion are the three components determining renal function. Here, we review circadian changes related to glomerular function and proteinuria and emphasize the role of the clock in these processes.

Leaf miner incidence in coffee plants under different drip irrigation regimes and planting densities

The objective of this work was to evaluate the effect of different drip irrigation regimes and planting densities on the incidence of the leaf miner, Leucoptera coffeella, in arabica coffee plants for one year. The experiment was carried out in 2008, in a complete randomized block design, in a split-plot in time arrangement, with four replicates. The treatments consisted of four drip irrigation regimes - soil water balance, irrigations at 20 and 60 kPa soil tensions, and a nonirrigated treatment -, which were distributed at three plant densities: 2, 500, 5, 000, and 10, 000 plants per hectare. The evaluations were made on a monthly basis between January and December 2008. The highest pest occurrence period was from August to November, a season with low-air relative humidity preceded by a drought period. Irrigated coffee plants showed an incidence of intact mines 2.2 times lower than that of nonirrigated plants. Irrigation and increasing of plant density contribute to the reduction of coffee leaf miner occurrence.

Gas exchange rates, plant height, yield components, and productivity of upland rice as affected by plant regulators

The objective of this work was to evaluate gas exchange rates, plant height, yield components, and productivity of upland rice, as affected by type and application time of plant growth regulators. A randomized block design, in a 4x2 factorial arrangement, with four replicates was used. Treatments consisted of three growth regulators (mepiquat chloride, trinexapac-ethyl, and paclobutrazol), besides a control treatment applied at two different phenological stages: early tillering or panicle primordial differentiation. The experiment was performed under sprinkler-irrigated field conditions. Net CO2 assimilation, stomatal conductance, plant transpiration, and water-use efficiency were measured four times in Primavera upland rice cultivar, between booting and milky grain phenophases. Gas exchange rates were neither influenced by growth regulators nor by application time. There was, however, interaction between these factors on the other variables. Application of trinexapac-ethyl at both tillering and differentiation stages reduced plant height and negatively affected yield components and rice productivity. However, paclobutrazol and mepiquat chloride applied at tillering, reduced plant height without affecting rice yield. Mepiquat chloride acted as a growth stimulator when applied at the differentiation stage, and significantly increased plant height, panicle number, and grain yield of upland rice.

Paperikoneen vesi- ja energiatehokkuuden parantaminen

Työn tavoitteena oli laatia reaaliaikaiset vesi- ja energiatasenäytöt Stora Enso PublicationPaper Veitsiluodon tehtaalle, paperikone 5:lle. Tavoitteena oli myös simuloida kyseisen paperikonelinjan vesitase. Aluksi työssä piirrettiin lohkokaaviot taseita varten paperikoneen kaikista vettä tai energiaa sisältävistä jakeista. Näitä yksinkertaistettuja lohkokaavioita hyväksi käyttäen laadittiin taseidenlaskentakaavat, jotka testattiin tarkastuslaskelmien avulla. Vesi- ja energiataseista tehtiin myös suunnitelmat prosessinohjausjärjestelmän tasenäytöiksi. FlowMac-simulointiohjelmalla rakennetun paperikone 5 vesitaseen simulointimallin tulosten oikeellisuutta arvioitiin herkkyysanalyysin avulla. Tehdyn herkkyysanalyysin tuloksien perusteella voidaan olettaa, että simulointimalli toimii luotettavasti. Tämän vesitaseen simulointimallin avulla tarkasteltiin kiekkosuotimien uudistamisen vaikutuksia paperikonelinjan vesitaseeseen. Tarkastelussa huomattiin, että vaihtamalla kiekkosuotimien syöttöventtiilit kolmea jaetta tuottaviksi, voitaisiin flotaatioallas ja suihkuveden kaarisihti poistaa käytöstä. Tulevaisuudessa simulointimallia voidaan käyttää myös monilla muilla eri tavoin hyödyksi kyseisellä paperikoneella. Työssä laaditut vesi- ja energiataseet saatiin niin tarkoiksi kuin se nykyisiä mittauksia hyödyntäen on mahdollista. Jostaseita haluttaisiin tarkentaa, olisi paperikonelinjalle syytä lisätä joitakin mittauksia. Myös työssä tehty vesitaseen simulointi FlowMac:lla onnistui hyvin mutta kyseisessä ohjelmassa havaittiin silti joitakin kehittämistarpeita. Työn tuloksien perusteella vettä ja energiaa voitaisiin mahdollisesti säästää paperikone 5:llä esimerkiksi laimennussäätöisen perälaatikon avulla, kiekkosuotimien uusimisella sekä kenkäpuristimen käyttöönotolla. Jatkotutkimuskohteita voisivat olla esimerkiksi paperikone 5:n lämpötase, kemiallisesti puhdistetun veden tulolämpötilan nostaminen, hiomon suodosveden ylimääräisen lämmön hyödyntäminen paperikone 5 kirkassuodoksen lämmittämisen jälkeen, lämmön talteenotossa lämmitysvesikennon ja prosessivesikennon järjestyksen vaihtaminen sekä vastaavien vesi- ja energiataseiden laatiminen paperikone 1:lle ja hiomolle.

Génération d'une souris dépourvue du gène VIT32 de manière conditionnelle: étude du phénotype rénal chez les souris dépourvues de RGS2

Résumé Dans le rein, la vasopressine possède un rôle essentiel dans la régulation fine du transport d'eau et participe au contrôle de la réabsorption du sodium. Cette action est conduite par l'activation du récepteur à la vasopressine V2R situé dans l'anse de Henle, dans le tubule connecteur et dans le canal collecteur du néphron des rongeurs et conduit à la formation d'AMPc entraînant un mécanisme d'action caractérisé par deux phases distinctes. Le premier effet de la vasopressine est non génomique et a lieu rapidement après l'activation du récepteur, la deuxième phase est plus tardive et possède la caractéristique de moduler la transcription d'un réseau de gènes. Parmi ces gènes, plusieurs sont directement impliqués dans le transport d'eau et de sodium, comme l'Aqp2 et 3, ENaC et la Na,K-ATPase. L'identification des effets de la voie de signalisation de la vasopressine représente un point crucial pour la compréhension des mécanismes moléculaires de la réabsorption de l'eau et du sodium dans le néphron. L'analyse en série de l'expression de gènes (SAGE) réalisée en 2001 dans notre laboratoire a permis de caractériser le transcriptome dépendant de la vasopressine dans la lignée cellulaire mpkCCDc14,a dérivée du canal collecteur cortical (CCD) de souris. Deux des transcrits induits par la vasopressine (VIT) ont fait l'objet des études de ce travail de thèse. Le premier est VIT32 (Vasopressin induced transcript 32) qui code pour une protéine ne possédant aucune homologie avec des domaines protéiques dont la fonction est connue. Dans le système d'expression de l'ovocyte de Xenopus laevis, VIT32 induit la maturation des ovocytes et diminue le courant sensible à l'amiloride de manière dépendante de la voie des MAPK. Dans les mpkCCDc14, l'inhibition de la voie des MAPK diminue le courant sodique en diminuant l'activité de la Na,K-ATPase, mais sans modifier le courant d'ENaC. Ainsi la voie de signalisation des MAPK peut avoir des cibles différentes suivant le système dans lequel elle est étudiée. C'est pourquoi nous avons décidé de poursuivre l'étude de VIT32 dans un contexte physiologique en créant une souris dépourvue du gène codant pour VIT32 de manière conditionnelle (conditional knockout). La première partie de cette thèse a donc consisté à générer cette souris. Le deuxième transcrit induit par la vasopressine qui a été étudié dans cette thèse est RGS2 (Regulator of G protein Signaling 2). In vitro, il a été montré que RGS2 inhibe des voies de signalisation dépendantes de récepteurs couplés à des protéines Gq et Gs. Dans notre étude, nous avons montré que dans le néphron de rein de souris, RGS2 est colocalisé avec V2R. In vivo, la vasopressine sécrétée lors d'une restriction en eau imposée à des souris augmente l'expression de RGS2. De plus, l'accumulation d'AMPc engendrée par l'action de la vasopressine sur les canaux collecteurs est significativement plus grande chez les souris dépourvues de RGS2 (rgs2 -/-). Cette induction de la signalisation de la vasopressine est corrélée à une augmentation de la réabsorption d'eau chez les souris rgs2 -/-. Ainsi RGS2 serait impliqué dans le rétrocontrôle négatif de la voie de signalisation de la vasopressine. Abstract In the kidney, vasopressin plays a key role in the control of water balance and participates in salt reabsorption. These actions are induced by the activation of V2 vasopressin receptor (V2R) located in the loop of Henle, in the connecting tubule and in the collecting duct leading to an increase in intracellular cAMP levels. The V2R-mediated vasopressin action elicits a rapid, non-genomic effect, during which water and salt reabsorption is rapidly increased and a late or genomic effect characterised by the long-term regulation of water and salt reabsorption through the transcriptional activation of a gene network that includes Aqp2, Aqp3, ENaC and Na,K-ATPase. Serial analysis of gene expression (SAGE) performed in 2001 in our laboratory characterised the vasopressin induced transcripts (VIT) in the mpkCCDc14 cell line. Two of them are studied in this thesis. The first one is VIT32 (Vasopressin induced transcript 32) that encodes a protein that has no homology with any protein domain of known function. In the Xenopus laevis oocyte, VIT32 induces oocyte maturation and downregulates the ENaC amiloride sensitive current via the activation of the MAPK pathway. In mpkCCDc14 cell line, the MAPK pathway inhibition leads to a decrease of Na,K-ATPase activity without affecting ENaC current. Therefore, the MAPK pathway can act on different targets depending on the cellular context. Thus, we decided to investigate the function of VIT32 in its physiological environment by performing a conditional knockout mouse of VIT32. The first part of this thesis consisted in generating this mouse. The second studied vasopressin induced transcript is RGS2 (Regulator of G protein Signaling 2). In vitro, RGS2 has been shown to inhibit Gq and Gs protein-coupled receptor pathway. In our study we show that RGS2 is co-localized with V2R in the mouse nephron. In vivo, vasopressin secreted during water restriction up-regulates RGS2 expression. Moreover, vasopressin-dependant accumulation of CAMP is significantly increased in the cortical collecting duct of RGS2 knockout mice. This increase is correlated with an increase in water reabsorption. RGS2 could be involved in the negative feedback regulation of V2R signalling. Résumé tout public Le corps humain est composé d'environ 60% d'eau répartie à l'intérieur et à l'extérieur des cellules de notre organisme. Les cellules, unités fondamentales du vivant, puisent l'oxygène et les nutriments indispensables à leur fonctionnement dans le liquide extracellulaire. La composition du milieu doit être constante, car les variations peuvent perturber considérablement et parfois fatalement la fonction des cellules. Ainsi les organismes pluricellulaires ont développé des mécanismes permettant de contrôler la constance du milieu extracellulaire afin de maintenir l'état d'équilibre nommé homéostasie. Le rein joue un rôle majeur dans cette homéostasie grâce à sa capacité de réabsorber l'eau et les solutés en fonction des besoins de l'organisme. Cette fonction du rein est régulée par différentes hormones comme la vasopressine, qui permet de contrôler la réabsorption fine de l'eau et des solutés. Dans leurs membranes, les cellules possèdent des récepteurs leur permettant de répondre aux signaux extracellulaires comme le sont entre autres les hormones. Ainsi les cellules sensibles à la vasopressine possèdent un récepteur nommé V2R qui permet d'intégrer les signaux de la vasopressine en déclenchant tout une cascade d'événements conduisant à une modification de l'expression de certaines protéines impliquées directement ou non dans la réabsorption de l'eau et des solutés. Une étude précédente élaborée au sein de notre laboratoire a permis de répertorier les protéines dont l'expression est augmentée par de la vasopressine. Deux de ces protéines ont fait l'objet des études de cette thèse. La première protéine induite par la vasopressine est VIT32 (Vasopressin induced transcript 32). Cette protéine est entre autres impliquée dans la réabsorption du sodium, mais la fonction précise de VIT32 dans ce transport n'a pas pu être déterminée. Une des approches possibles pour l'étude de la fonction d'une protéine est de supprimer son expression chez la souris et d'étudier les conséquences de son absence. Ces souris sont appelées des souris knockout, puisque la protéine en question ne peut plus agir. La première partie de cette thèse a donc consisté à générer une souris dépourvue du gène de VIT32. La deuxième protéine étudiée est RGS2 (Regulator of G protein Signaling 2). Cette protéine inhibe certaines voies de signalisation activées par différentes hormones. Dans cette partie du travail de thèse, nous avons pu mettre en évidence que RGS2 agit comme un inhibiteur de la voie de signalisation de la vasopressine. En modifiant cette signalisation, RGS2 serait donc un médiateur du contrôle de la réabsorption d'eau dans les cellules du rein sensibles à la vasopressine.

A priori parameterisation of the CERES soil-crop models and tests against several European data sets

Mechanistic soil-crop models have become indispensable tools to investigate the effect of management practices on the productivity or environmental impacts of arable crops. Ideally these models may claim to be universally applicable because they simulate the major processes governing the fate of inputs such as fertiliser nitrogen or pesticides. However, because they deal with complex systems and uncertain phenomena, site-specific calibration is usually a prerequisite to ensure their predictions are realistic. This statement implies that some experimental knowledge on the system to be simulated should be available prior to any modelling attempt, and raises a tremendous limitation to practical applications of models. Because the demand for more general simulation results is high, modellers have nevertheless taken the bold step of extrapolating a model tested within a limited sample of real conditions to a much larger domain. While methodological questions are often disregarded in this extrapolation process, they are specifically addressed in this paper, and in particular the issue of models a priori parameterisation. We thus implemented and tested a standard procedure to parameterize the soil components of a modified version of the CERES models. The procedure converts routinely-available soil properties into functional characteristics by means of pedo-transfer functions. The resulting predictions of soil water and nitrogen dynamics, as well as crop biomass, nitrogen content and leaf area index were compared to observations from trials conducted in five locations across Europe (southern Italy, northern Spain, northern France and northern Germany). In three cases, the model’s performance was judged acceptable when compared to experimental errors on the measurements, based on a test of the model’s root mean squared error (RMSE). Significant deviations between observations and model outputs were however noted in all sites, and could be ascribed to various model routines. In decreasing importance, these were: water balance, the turnover of soil organic matter, and crop N uptake. A better match to field observations could therefore be achieved by visually adjusting related parameters, such as field-capacity water content or the size of soil microbial biomass. As a result, model predictions fell within the measurement errors in all sites for most variables, and the model’s RMSE was within the range of published values for similar tests. We conclude that the proposed a priori method yields acceptable simulations with only a 50% probability, a figure which may be greatly increased through a posteriori calibration. Modellers should thus exercise caution when extrapolating their models to a large sample of pedo-climatic conditions for which they have only limited information.

Jälkikäsitellyn jätevesikirkasteen uusiokäyttö Anjalan paperitehtailla

Työssä tarkasteltiin aktiivilietelaitoksen jätevesikirkasteen uusiokäyttöä Anjalan paperitehtailla. Tavoitteena oli löytää keino jätevesimäärän vähentämiseksi, kierrättämällä jatkokäsiteltyä jätevesikirkastetta. Työssä tehtiin prosessisuunnitelma kirkasteen kierrättämiseksi; suunnitelman vaikutuksia arvioitiin kirjallisuuden, simuloinnin ja arkkikokeiden avulla. Lisäksi arvioitiin kierrätyksen taloudellisia näkökohtia. Prosessisuunnittelussa päädyttiin vaihtoehtoon, jossa tehtaan nykyinen tehdasvesijae korvataan jälkikäsitellyllä jätevesikirkasteella. Esitetty prosessimuutos vähentäisi jokeen laskettavan kirkasteen määrää 20 %. Haitta-ainetason muutoksia selvitettiin simuloimalla prosessisuunnitelman mukainen suolatase. Simuloinnin kohteena oli haitta-ainetason muutokset PK3:lla. Tuloksista pääteltiin, että PK3:lla tapahtuu normaalissa ajotilanteessa suurempia muutoksia suolatasoissa kuin prosessimuutoksen aiheuttama suolatason muutos. Arkkikokeilla selvitettiin kirkasteen ja tehdasveden vaikutuksia PK3:n massan vaaleuteen ja vaaleuden pysyvyyteen. Kirkasteen vaikutus massan vaaleuteen oli suurempi kuin tehdasvedellä, kun kirkastetta oli käsitelty tehdasmittakaavan flotaatiolla ja hiekkasuodatuksella. Pilot-mittakaavan hiekkasuodatuksella ja laboratoriomittakaavassa laskeutetulla kirkasteella oli pienempi vaikutus arkkien vaaleuteen kuin tehdasvedellä. Vaaleuden pysyvyydessä ei havaittu eroa kirkasteen ja tehdasveden välillä. Kirkasteella oli voimakas vaikutus arkkien keltaisuuteen. Tehdasvesi ei vaikuttanut arkkien keltaisuuteen. Mikäli prosessisuunnitelman mukainen kirkastevirtaus jatkokäsiteltäisiin hiekkasuodatuksella, arvioitiin päälaitteista kerroinmenetelmällä tehdasinvestoinniksi 5.20 milj. euroa. Vuosittaisiksi kemikaalikustannuksiksi arvioitiin 0.21 milj. euroa ja teoreettiseksi energiasäästöksi 0.87 milj. euroa.

Validation of plant dynamic model by online and laboratory measurements – a tool to predict online COD loads out of production of mechanical printing papers

COD discharges out of processes have increased in line with elevating brightness demands for mechanical pulp and papers. The share of lignin-like substances in COD discharges is on average 75%. In this thesis, a plant dynamic model was created and validated as a means to predict COD loading and discharges out of a mill. The assays were carried out in one paper mill integrate producing mechanical printing papers. The objective in the modeling of plant dynamics was to predict day averages of COD load and discharges out of mills. This means that online data, like 1) the level of large storage towers of pulp and white water 2) pulp dosages, 3) production rates and 4) internal white water flows and discharges were used to create transients into the balances of solids and white water, referred to as “plant dynamics”. A conversion coefficient was verified between TOC and COD. The conversion coefficient was used for predicting the flows from TOC to COD to the waste water treatment plant. The COD load was modeled with similar uncertainty as in reference TOC sampling. The water balance of waste water treatment was validated by the reference concentration of COD. The difference of COD predictions against references was within the same deviation of TOC-predictions. The modeled yield losses and retention values of TOC in pulping and bleaching processes and the modeled fixing of colloidal TOC to solids between the pulping plant and the aeration basin in the waste water treatment plant were similar to references presented in literature. The valid water balances of the waste water treatment plant and the reduction model of lignin-like substances produced a valid prediction of COD discharges out of the mill. A 30% increase in the release of lignin-like substances in the form of production problems was observed in pulping and bleaching processes. The same increase was observed in COD discharges out of waste water treatment. In the prediction of annual COD discharge, it was noticed that the reduction of lignin has a wide deviation from year to year and from one mill to another. This made it difficult to compare the parameters of COD discharges validated in plant dynamic simulation with another mill producing mechanical printing papers. However, a trend of moving from unbleached towards high-brightness TMP in COD discharges was valid.

20 Myr of eccentricity paced lacustrine cycles in the Cenozoic Ebro Basin

Long-period orbital forcing is a crucial component of the major global climate shifts during the Cenozoic as revealed in marine pelagic records. A complementary regional perspective of climate change can be assessed from internally drained lake basins, which are directly affected by insolation and precipitation balance. The Ebro Basin in northeastern Iberia embraces a 20 Myr long continuous sedimentary record where recurrent expansions and retractions of the central lacustrine system suggest periodic shifts of water balance due to orbital oscillations. In order to test climatic (orbital) forcing a key-piece of the basin, the Los Monegros lacustrine system, has been analyzed in detail. The cyclostratigraphic analysis points to orbital eccentricity as pacemaker of short to long-term lacustrine sequences, and reveals a correlation of maxima of the 100-kyr, 400-kyr and 2.4-Myr eccentricity cycles with periods of lake expansion. A magnetostratigraphy-based chronostratigraphy of the complete continental record allows further assessing long-period orbital forcing at basin scale, a view that challenges alternate scenarios where the stratigraphic architecture in foreland systems is preferably associated to tectonic processes. We conclude that while the location of lacustrine depocenters reacted to the long-term tectonic-driven accommodation changes, shorter wavelenght oscillations of lake environments, still million-year scale, claims for a dominance of orbital forcing. We suggest a decoupling between (tectonic) supply-driven clastic sequences fed from basin margins and (climatic) base level-driven lacustrine sequences in active settings with medium to large sediment transfer systems.