Lithology and pollen record of 4 profiles from the Bavaria, southern Germany

Palynological investigations of sediments from northern Bavaria (Rhön, Grabfeld, Lange Berge) reveal the Late Glacial and Postglacial history of the regional vegetation. The older sedirnents were found in the Rhön (Schwarzes Moor) and date back into the Bölling Period. At the end of that period pine spread into the Grabfeld. In both areas Lacher Tuff has been found. A radiocarbon date of 10,300 BP was found for the Late Glacial - Postglacial transition and one of 9300 BP for the Preboreal - Boreal transition. Hazel reached its highest values in the Rhön around 7,400 BP. During the Atlanticum a deciduous mixed oak forest covered the Rhön and Grabfeld regions. Beech dominated since the Subatlanticum. In the Lange Berge region, however, a mixed forest with Fagus, Picea, Pinus and Abies developed. In the Rhön first anthropogenic influence was found during the Latene Period. The boundary between zone IX and X has been dated at 820 A.D., and the start of extensive forest clearances at 1000 A. D. A culmination of landuse was found for the Medieval Period. At the end of that period however the Rhön was deserted. New forest clearances started around 1500 A.D., but were interrupted by the 'Thirty Years War'. Afterwards the Rhön got its present appearance.

Pollen analysis of soil samples from the A.D. 79 level. Boscoreale, Oplontis, and Pompeii

Fifty samples of Roman time soil preserved under the thick ash layer of the A.D.79 eruption of Mt Vesuvius were studied by pollen analysis: 33 samples from a former vineyard surrounding a Villa Rustica at Boscoreale (excavation site 40 x 50 m), 13 samples taken along the 60 m long swimming pool in the sculpture garden of the Villa of Poppaea at Oplontis, and four samples from the formal garden (12.4 x 17.5 m) of the House of the Gold Bracelet in Pompeii. To avoid contamination with modern pollen all samples were taken immediately after uncovering a new portion of the A.D. 79 soil. For comparison also samples of modern Italian soils were studied. Using standard methods for pollen preparation the pollen content of 15 of the archaeological samples proved to be too little to reach a pollen sum of more than 100 grains. The pollen spectra of these samples are not shown in the pollen tables. (Flotation with a sodium tungstate solution, Na2WO4, D = 2.05, following treatment with HCl and NaOH would probably have given a somewhat better result. This method was, however, not available as too expensive at that time.) Although the archaeological samples were taken a few meters apart their pollen values differ very much from one sample to the other. E.g., at Boscoreale (SW quarter). the pollen values of Pinus range from 1.5 to 54.5% resp. from 1 to 244 pine pollen grains per 1 gram of soil, the extremes even found under pine trees. Vitis pollen was present in 7 of the 11 vineyard samples from Boscoreale (NE quarter) only. Although a maximum of 21.7% is reached, the values of Vitis are mostly below 1.5%. Even the values of common weeds differ very much, not only at Boscoreale, but also at the other two sites. The pollen concentration values show similar variations: 3 to 3053 grains and spores were found in 1 g of soil. The mean value (290) is much less than the number of pollen grains, which would fall on 1 cm2 of soil surface during one year. In contrast, the pollen and spore concentrations of the recent soil samples, treated in exactly the same manner, range from 9313 to almost 80000 grains per 1 g of soil. Evidently most of the Roman time pollen has disappeared since its deposition, the reasons not being clear. Not even species which are known to have been cultivated in the garden of Oplontis, like Citrus and Nerium, plant species with easily distinguishable pollen grains, could be traced by pollen analysis. The loss of most of the pollen grains originally contained in the soil prohibits any detailed interpretation of the Pompeian pollen data. The pollen counts merely name plant species which grew in the region, but not necessarily on the excavated plots.

Perfect imaging of point sources with positive refraction

The capability of a device called the Spherical Geodesic Waveguide (SGW) to produce images with details below the classic Abbe diffraction limit (super-resolution) is analyzed here. The SGW is an optical system equivalent (by means of Transformation Optics) to the Maxwell Fish Eye (MFE) refractive index distribution. Recently, it has been claimed that the necessary condition to get super-resolution in the MFE and the SGW is the use of a Perfect Point Drain (PPD). The PPD is a punctual receptor placed in the focal point that absorbs the incident wave, without reflection or scattering. A microwave circuit comprising three elements, the SGW, the source and the drain (two coaxial lines loaded with specific impedances) is designed and simulated in COMSOL. The super-resolution properties have been analyzed for different position of the source and drain and for two different load impedances: the PPD and the characteristic line impedance. The results show that in both cases super-resolution occurs only for discrete number of frequencies. Out of these frequencies, the SGW does not show SR in the analysis carried out.

Metodología para la evaluación de productos innovadores de construcción : (preassessment-preevaluación DIT)

The specific research described in this dissertation is based on the author’s work over the years as head of the Eduardo Torroja Institute for Construction Science’s4 Technical Unit for the Assessment of Innovative Construction Products. The hypothesis proposed is the feasibility of developing methodology able to deliver a preliminary estimate (in just 1‐3 months’ time) of the technical suitability of certain innovative construction products for their intended use. The product families studied are the object of technical assessment guides or guidelines authored by two European organisations, the Union Européenne pour l'agrément technique dans la construction (UEAtc) and the European Organization for Technical Assessment (EOTA). Such families are eligible for or have been awarded technical approvals (TAs, also referred to in English under the French term “agréments”) or European Technical Approvals (ETAs), which is presently an 11‐month process. The proposed methodology would consist of a pre‐assessment procedure referred to hereunder as DIT PREASSESSMENT/PREEVALUACIÓN (Spanish initials, PPD). Based on the experience obtained from trials, calculations and studies undertaken in the framework of this research, the proposed procedure would identify the performance factors (primarily identification and fitness for use, although also durability where ascertainable via shortterm testing) that predict construction product or system suitability in a more immediate time frame.

A QUALIFICAÇÃO E A INSERÇÃO NO MUNDO DO TRABALHO DA PESSOA PORTADORA DE DEFICIÊNCIA: UM ESTUDO SOBRE O IMPACTO DA EXTINÇÃO DA LEI 6.297/75

O presente estudo tem como objetivo, analisar sobre as dificuldades enfrentadas tanto pelas Empresas em cumprir a Legislação de Cotas, como também da Pessoa Portadora de Deficiência (PPDs) em ser inserida no mercado de trabalho, devido a falta de qualificação dos candidatos. Através da pesquisa literária ficou claro que nossa Legislação demonstra de forma evidente que o legislador pretendeu assegurar aos PPDs, as condições mínimas de participação influente na vida ativa da sociedade brasileira e num avanço sem precedentes, criaram-se as linhas básicas do processo de integração do deficiente à sociedade e ao mercado produtivo nacional. Verificou-se também que as empresas estão em busca de profissionais dentre o universo dos PPDs, já qualificados, o que normalmente não encontram. As Organizações do Direito Privado também já desenvolveram alguns projetos para a qualificação desses PPDs. A Lei 6.297/75 que garantia às empresas o desconto em dobro no IR dos gastos com treinamento, foi extinta em 12 de Dezembro de 1990. As empresas precisam de um incentivo financeiro para que possam tratar da qualificação desses profissionais, não mais como um peso, mas sim como um projeto social. Caso as empresas fossem beneficiadas por incentivos fiscais, assim como eram na vigência dessa Lei, teriam as empresas uma visão diferenciada por ocasião da contratação dos PPDs? A metodologia de pesquisa prevê um levantamento bibliográfico e uma pesquisa exploratória que será feita em empresas privadas, instituições que visam ajudar na inserção dos PPDs e nas Organizações do Direito Privado tais como Senai, Sesi, Força Sindical, Fiesp. Verificou-se, mediante a pesquisa, que há uma preocupação por parte de todos os envolvidos, em encontrar meios eficazes para garantir a inserção dos PPDs no mercado de trabalho, embora a falta de qualificação ainda seja o maior problema. A criação de Leis similares à Lei 6.297/75 foi apontada como uma grande ajuda às empresas, já que a elas foi imposta essa responsabilidade.(AU)

A QUALIFICAÇÃO E A INSERÇÃO NO MUNDO DO TRABALHO DA PESSOA PORTADORA DE DEFICIÊNCIA: UM ESTUDO SOBRE O IMPACTO DA EXTINÇÃO DA LEI 6.297/75

O presente estudo tem como objetivo, analisar sobre as dificuldades enfrentadas tanto pelas Empresas em cumprir a Legislação de Cotas, como também da Pessoa Portadora de Deficiência (PPDs) em ser inserida no mercado de trabalho, devido a falta de qualificação dos candidatos. Através da pesquisa literária ficou claro que nossa Legislação demonstra de forma evidente que o legislador pretendeu assegurar aos PPDs, as condições mínimas de participação influente na vida ativa da sociedade brasileira e num avanço sem precedentes, criaram-se as linhas básicas do processo de integração do deficiente à sociedade e ao mercado produtivo nacional. Verificou-se também que as empresas estão em busca de profissionais dentre o universo dos PPDs, já qualificados, o que normalmente não encontram. As Organizações do Direito Privado também já desenvolveram alguns projetos para a qualificação desses PPDs. A Lei 6.297/75 que garantia às empresas o desconto em dobro no IR dos gastos com treinamento, foi extinta em 12 de Dezembro de 1990. As empresas precisam de um incentivo financeiro para que possam tratar da qualificação desses profissionais, não mais como um peso, mas sim como um projeto social. Caso as empresas fossem beneficiadas por incentivos fiscais, assim como eram na vigência dessa Lei, teriam as empresas uma visão diferenciada por ocasião da contratação dos PPDs? A metodologia de pesquisa prevê um levantamento bibliográfico e uma pesquisa exploratória que será feita em empresas privadas, instituições que visam ajudar na inserção dos PPDs e nas Organizações do Direito Privado tais como Senai, Sesi, Força Sindical, Fiesp. Verificou-se, mediante a pesquisa, que há uma preocupação por parte de todos os envolvidos, em encontrar meios eficazes para garantir a inserção dos PPDs no mercado de trabalho, embora a falta de qualificação ainda seja o maior problema. A criação de Leis similares à Lei 6.297/75 foi apontada como uma grande ajuda às empresas, já que a elas foi imposta essa responsabilidade.(AU)

Cross-modulation by transforming growth factor beta in human tuberculosis: suppression of antigen-driven blastogenesis and interferon gamma production.

In tuberculosis, Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB)-stimulated T-cell responses are depressed transiently, whereas antibody levels are increased. Lymphoproliferative responses of peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) from Pakistani tuberculosis (TB) patients to both mycobacterial and candidal antigens were suppressed by approximately 50% when compared to healthy purified protein derivative (PPD)-positive household contacts. Production of interferon gamma (IFN-gamma) in response to PPD also was depressed by 78%. Stimulation with PPD and the 30-kDa alpha antigen of MTB (30-kDa antigen) induced greater secretion of transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), but not interleukin 10 (IL-10) or tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), by PBMCs from TB patients compared to healthy contacts. The degree of suppression correlated with the duration of treatment; patients treated for <1 month had significantly lower T-cell blastogenesis and IFN-gamma production and higher levels of TGF-beta than did patients treated for >1 month. Neutralizing antibody to TGF-beta normalized lymphocyte proliferation in response to PPD, partially restored blastogenesis to candidal antigen, and significantly increased PPD-stimulated production of IFN-gamma in TB patients but not in contacts. Neutralizing antibody to IL-10 augmented, but did not normalize, T-cell responses to both PPD and candida in TB patients and candidal antigen in contacts. TGF-beta, produced in response to MTB antigens, therefore plays a prominent role in down-regulating potentially protective host effector mechanisms and looms as an important mediator of immunosuppression in TB.

Avaliação do efeito de diferentes concentrações de fotoiniciadores em propriedades mecânicas e na cor de um adesivo dental experimental

O presente trabalho teve por foco prover uma revisão de conceitos relacionados às resinas dentais fotopolimeráveis e, também, analisar como diferentes concentrações de fotoiniciadores de uso comum em odontologia podem influenciar no desempenho mecânico e na cor de resinas dentais. Concentrações de 0,01%, 0,10%, 0,25% 0,50%, 0,75%, 1,00% e 10% em massa de fotoiniciador foram adicionadas em uma matriz polimérica composta por TEGDMA/BisGMA 50%/50% em massa de forma que, fixando variáveis externas referentes à fonte de luz e à preparação das amostras, foi possível avaliar o efeito da concentração de fotoiniciador nas propriedades mecânicas de resistência à fratura por compressão, resistência à fratura pela aplicação de tensão diametral e dureza Barcol. Por fim, o efeito da concentração na cor aferida através do método CIELab foi investigada. Os fotoiniciadores utilizados foram o Irgacure® 819, a 1-fenil-1,2-propanodiona (PPD) e a Canforoquinona a qual foi utilizada juntamente com ocoiniciador Etil-4 dimetilaminobenzoato (EDB) na concentração constante de 1% em massa. Os resultados mecânicos e de cor foram comparados entre as diferentes amostras através de análises estatísticas (ANOVA) e, especificamente para cor, o parâmetro de diferença de cor (ΔE) foi interpretado verificar se as alterações observadas são perceptíveis ao olho humano. Para fundamentar os estudos, análises do espectro de absorção das amostras, do espectro de irradiação da fonte de luz e do grau de conversão das amostras foram realizadas. Os resultados revelaram que, independentemente do fotoiniciador, graus de conversão da mesma ordem de grandeza de um adesivo comercial foram obtidos, porém as velocidades de reação foram diferentes (maior velocidade para as amostras de CQ e menor para PPD). Curvas características foram obtidas para os espectros de absorção e de irradiação confirmando, pela sobreposição das curvas, que a fonte de luz é efetiva para iniciação da polimerização das amostras. As análises de resistência à fratura revelaram que a quebra catastrófica do material ocorrerá preferencialmente quando a força é aplicada ao longo do diâmetro para os corpos de prova preparados. Quanto à dureza, verificou-se que que para a CQ houve um máximo, para Irgacure um comportamento assintótico com aumento da concentração e, para a PPD, não foi possível a obtenção de amostras (verificado que a PPD necessita de tempo de irradiação superior ao convencionalmente utilizado na prática odontológica). Os testes de ANOVA permitiram verificar que o Irgacure é capaz de fornecer resultados mecânicos semelhante em relação à CQ ocasionando, em contrapartida, um menor escurecimento e amarelamento. Analisando o parâmetro ΔE, confirmou-se que a alteração na cor se torna evidente à medida que ocorre o aumento da concentração de fotoiniciador independentemente do fotoiniciador utilizado, porém a alteração é maior para a CQ.

Influenza dei fattori di vista nel calcolo delle condizioni di comfort termico in ambienti con impianti radianti

L’obiettivo di questa tesi di Laurea è stato di analizzare gli scambi termici radiativi che si verificano all’interno di una stanza; per eseguire questa analisi si sono calcolati i fattori di vista Fij tra diversi punti (i) definiti tramite una griglia regolare posta all’interno della stanza e le superfici che vi si affacciano (j); tale griglia prevede 25 punti posti a 3 altezze diverse, per un totale di 75 punti. Dalla conoscenza delle temperature superficiali si sono ottenuti i valori di temperatura media radiante nei punti della griglia, e successivamente i valori degli indici di benessere PMV (voto medio previsto) e PPD (percentuale prevista di insoddisfatti), fissando i parametri necessari. Il calcolo dei fattori di vista è stato eseguito tramite il software TRISCO®, dopo averne confrontato i risultati forniti con COMSOL® e dopo aver valutato la correttezza di alcune approssimazioni. Il modello utilizzato nelle simulazioni è costituito da una stanza di 5x5x2,8 m, in cui sono stati fatti variare il numero e la posizione di alcuni elementi caratterizzanti, come finestre e radiatori, oltre a tipologia di elementi scaldanti e posizione e numero di pareti esterne, tramite la variazione delle temperature. In seguito si è analizzata la potenza scambiata per irraggiamento dagli elementi scaldanti, per poter riconoscere gli elementi responsabili dei maggiori contributi; nel caso di pavimento o soffitto radiante si è divisa tale superficie in diverse porzioni per riconoscere le zone della superficie radiante più influenti. I risultati ottenuti mostrano che la presenza di radiatori, finestre o pareti esterne, introducendo elementi di disturbo asimmetrici, forniscono andamenti disuniformi di temperatura e PMV, con l’omogeneità che migliora allontanandosi da tali elementi; impianti a pavimento o soffitto radiante producono risultati decisamente migliori, sia per quanto riguarda i valori assoluti di temperatura e PMV, che nell’omogeneità della relativa distribuzione.

Pollen content and radiocarbon ages of profile Delorett, Austria

A pollen profile from the highest known peatbog in the Alps is presented. The peatbog started to grow about 8000 years ago and over the last 5000 years. The influence of man on the vegetation is documented. Before the beginning of the bronze age pasturing started.

Results of a sediment profile and water analyses from Lake Hancza in northeastern Poland

We investigated the sedimentary record of Lake Hancza (northeastern Poland) using a multi-proxy approach, focusing on early to mid-Holocene climatic and environmental changes. AMS 14C dating of terrestrial macrofossils and sedimentation rate estimates from occasional varve thickness measurements were used to establish a chronology. The onset of the Holocene at c. 11600 cal. a BP is marked by the decline of Lateglacial shrub vegetation and a shift from clastic-detrital deposition to an autochthonous sedimentation dominated by biochemical calcite precipitation. Between 10000 and 9000 cal. a BP, a further environmental and climatic improvement is indicated by the spread of deciduous forests, an increase in lake organic matter and a 1.7% rise in the oxygen isotope ratios of both endogenic calcite and ostracod valves. Rising d18O values were probably caused by a combination of hydrological and climatic factors. The persistence of relatively cold and dry climate conditions in northeastern Poland during the first one and a half millennia of the Holocene could be related to a regional eastern European atmospheric circulation pattern. Prevailing anticyclonic circulation linked to a high-pressure cell above the retreating Scandinavian Ice Sheet might have blocked the influence of warm and moist Westerlies and attenuated the early Holocene climatic amelioration in the Lake Hancza region until the final decay of the ice sheet.

Palynology on lake sediments from the Pyrenees

A multi-proxy palaeoecological investigation including pollen, plant macrofossil, radiocarbon and sedimentological analyses, was performed on a small mountain lake in the Eastern Pyrenees. This has allowed the reconstruction of: (1) the vegetation history of the area based on five pollen diagrams and eight AMS14C dates and (2) the past lake-level changes, based on plant macrofossil, lithological and pollen analysis of two stratigraphical transects correlated by pollen analysis. The palaeolake may have appeared before the Younger Dryas; the lake-level was low and the vegetation dominated by cold steppic grasslands. The lake-level rose to its highest level during the Holocene in the Middle Atlantic (at ca. 5060±45 b.p.). Postglacial forests (Quercetum mixtum and Abieto-Fagetum) developed progressively in the lower part of the valley, while dense Pinus uncinata forests rapidly invaded the surroundings of the mire and remained the dominant local vegetation until present. The observed lowering of the lake levels during the Late Atlantic and the Subboreal (from 5060 ± B.P. to 3590±40 b.p.) was related to the overgrowth of the mire. The first obvious indications of anthropogenic disturbances of the vegetation are recorded at the Atlantic/Subboreal boundary as a reduction in the forest component, which has accelerated during the last two millennia.

Pollen profile from Schonen, Sweden

Two new Standard pollen diagrams from the raised bog Ageröds mosse in central Scania are presented and discussed. They have been made giving extensive consideration to the NAP and spores also. The new diagrams comprise in the main only the Post-glacial and can easily be compared with the earlier published Standard diagram from the bog (T. NILSSON 1935). The development of the Post-glacial Vegetation in the surroundings is also discussed and compared with the conditions in the southernmost part of the province (Bjärsjöholmssjön, T. Nilsson 1961). One of the new diagrams has been prepared in connection with the study of a core brought up by means of a special borer in order to bring about C14 datings. The core was almost ömlong and had a diameter of 6 cm. It was divided into pieces of 2-6 cm, which were preserved. After the preparation of the pollen diagram, suitable samples were selected for C14 dating. In all 33 samples, comprising the whole Post-glacial inclusive of the youngest part of the Late-glacial, were C14-dated. With the aid of the C14 dates the growth conditions of the bog are discussed. After very slow Sedimentation of predominantly minerogenous deposits in the last part of the Late-glacial, and still slow Sedimentation of gyttjas in the oldest part of the Post-glacial, the rate of growth (primarily of the gyttja) distinctly increased in the first part of the Late Boreal. A temporary retardation of the growth of the sphagnum peat at the end of the Sub-boreal is probably entirely local. The average rate of growth of the really highly humified parts of the old sphagnum peat amounts to 42 mm per Century, that of the slightly humified young sphagnum peat 81 mm per Century or somewhat more. Based on the C14-determinations, the pollen zone boundaries have been given the following approximate dates: boundary Late-glacial/Post-glacial (DR/PB) 8300 B.C., boundary Pre-boreal/Boreal (PB/BO) 7900 B.C., boundary Early Boreal/Late Boreal (BO 1/2) 6800 B.C., boundary Boreal/Atlantic (BO/AT) 6200 B.C., boundary Early Atlantic/Late Atlantic (AT 1/2) 4600 B.C. (?), boundary Atlantic/Sub-boreal (AT/SB) 3300 B.C., boundary Early Sub-boreal/Late Sub-boreal (SB 1/2) 1700-1800 B.C., boundary Sub-boreal/Sub-atlantic (SB/ SA) 300 B.C., boundary Early Sub-atlantic/Late Sub-atlantic (SA 1/2) 650 A.D.

Pollen profiles from a Late Palaeolithic site in the community of Bad Buchau-Kappel, Baden-Wuerttemberg, Germany

Excavations were carried out in a Late Palaeolithic site in the community of Bad Buchau-Kappel between 2003 and 2007. Archaeological investigations covered a total of more than 200 m**2. This site is the product of what likely were multiple occupations that occurred during the Late Glacial on the Federsee shore in this location. The site is situated on a mineral ridge that projected into the former Late Glacial lake Federsee. This beach ridge consists of deposits of fine to coarse gravel and sand and was surrounded by open water, except for a connection to the solid shore on the south. A lagoon lay between the hook-shaped ridge and the shore of the Federsee. This exposed location provided optimal access to the water of the lake. In addition, the small lagoon may have served as a natural harbor for landing boats or canoes. Sedimentological and palynological investigations document the dynamic history of the location between 14,500 and 11,600 years before present (cal BP). Evidence of the deposition of sands, gravels and muds since the Bølling Interstadial is provided by stratigraphic and palynological analyses. The major occupation occurred in the second half of the Younger Dryas period. Most of the finds were located on or in the sediments of the ridge; fewer finds occurred in the surrounding mud, which was also deposited during the Younger Dryas. Direct dates on some bone fragments, however, demonstrate that intermittent sporadic occupations also took place during the two millennia of the Meiendorf, Bølling, and Allerød Interstadials. These bones were reworked during the Younger Dryas and redeposited in the mud. A 14C date from one bone of 11,600 years ago (cal BP) places the Late Palaeolithic occupation of the ridge at the very end of the Younger Dryas, which is in agreement with stratigraphic observations. Stone artifacts, numbering 3,281, comprise the majority of finds from the site. These include typical artifacts of the Late Palaeolithic, such as backed points, short scrapers, and small burins. There are no bipointes or Malaurie-Points, which is in accord with the absolute date of the occupation. A majority of the artifacts are made from a brown chert that is obtainable a few kilometers north of the site in sediments of the Graupensandrinne. Other raw materials include red and green radiolarite that occur in the fluvioglacial gravels of Oberschwaben, as well as quartzite and lydite. The only non-local material present is a few artifacts of tabular chert from the region near Kelheim in Bavaria. A unique find consists of two fragments of a double-barbed harpoon made of red deer antler, which was found in the Younger Dryas mud. It is likely, but not certain, that this find belongs to the same assemblage as the numerous stone artifacts. Although not numerous, animal bones were also found in the excavations. Most of them lay in sediments of the Younger Dryas, but several 14C dates place some of these bones in earlier periods, including the Meiendorf, Bølling, and Allerød Interstadials. These bones were reworked by water and redeposited in mud sediments during the Younger Dryas. As a result, it is difficult to attribute individual bones to particular chronological positions without exact dates. Species that could be identified include wild horse (Equus spec.), moose or elk (Alces alces), red deer (Cervus elaphus), roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), aurochs or bison (Bos spec.), wild boar (Sus scrofa), as well as birds and fish, including pike (Esox Lucius).