Serological and virological surveys of the influenza A viruses in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic penguins

To evaluate the avian influenza virus (AIV) circulation in Antarctic and sub-Antarctic penguins we carried out a serosurvey on six species from Livingston, Marion and Gough islands. Seropositivity against AIV was performed on serum samples using a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and haemagglutination and neuraminidase inhibition assays. Some oropharyngeal and cloacal swabs were also assayed to detect influenza virus genomes by real time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Overall, 12.1% (n = 140) penguins were seropositive to AIV. By species, we detected 5% (n = 19) and 11% (n = 18) seroprevalence in sub-Antarctic rockhopper penguins (Eudyptes spp.) from Gough and Marion islands, respectively, 42% (n = 33) seroprevalence in macaroni penguins (Eudyptes chysolophus Brandt), but no positives in the three other species, gentoo (Pygoscelis papua Forster; n = 25) and chinstrap penguins (P. antarctica Forster; n = 16), from Livingston Island and king penguins (Aptenodytes patagonicus Miller; n = 27) from Marion Island. While seropositivity reflected previous exposure to the AIV, the influenza genome was not detected. Our results indicate that AIV strains have circulated in penguin species in the sub-Antarctic region, but further studies are necessary to determine the precise role that such penguin species play in AIV epidemiology and if this circulation is species (or genus) specific.

Capillary thermal desorption unit for near real-time analysis of VOCs at sub-trace levels. Application to the analysis of environmental air contamination and breath samples

A capillary microtrap thermal desorption module is developed for near real-time analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) at sub-ppbv levels in air samples. The device allows the direct injection of the thermally desorbed VOCs into a chromatographic column. It does not use a second cryotrap to focalize the adsorbed compounds before entering the separation column so reducing the formation of artifacts. The connection of the microtrap to a GC–MS allows the quantitative determination of VOCs in less than 40 min with detection limits of between 5 and 10 pptv (25 °C and 760 mmHg), which correspond to 19–43 ng m−3, using sampling volumes of 775 cm3. The microtrap is applied to the analysis of environmental air contamination in different laboratories of our faculty. The results obtained indicate that most volatile compounds are easily diffused through the air and that they also may contaminate the surrounding areas when the habitual safety precautions (e.g., working under fume hoods) are used during the manipulation of solvents. The application of the microtrap to the analysis of VOCs in breath samples suggest that 2,5-dimethylfuran may be a strong indicator of a person's smoking status

Indicadores químicos de qualidade da matéria orgânica de solo da sub-bacia do Rio das Mortes sob manejos diferenciais de cafeeiro

This work evaluated the chemical quality of organic matter (OM) of a Brazilian Oxisol cultivated with coffee plants, under organic and conventional managements. Total organic C (TOC), light fraction C (LF-C) and C in humic (HA-C) and fulvic (FA-C) acids fractions was measured. Amongst the evaluated indexes, TOC and LF-C discriminated better OM attributes as a function of management. The stratification ratio (TOC5-10cm/TOC10-20cm) did not show differences between the systems studied. The organic system can contribute to the sustainability of coffee plantations in Brazil, because it maintains the chemical attributes of OM closer to the indexes verified under forest conditions.

De fatis scientiae chemicae sub epocha patrum

Invocatio: D.D.

De candela sub aquis ardente

Invocatio: Q.F.F.Q.S.

Avaliação da qualidade de sedimentos - estudo de caso: sub-bacia do Ribeirão Espírito Santo, afluente do Rio São Francisco

This study evaluated the environmental impact resulting from surface water and sediment contamination by metals in a watershed affected by a tailing basin that controls effluents coming from a zinc-ore beneficiation plant. The studies combined assessments of sediment chemistry (exceedances of sediment quality guidelines), benthic assemblage structure and acute and chronic ecotoxicity. The results showed that the levels of metal contamination in sediments are not yet enough to cause deleterious effects to the biota. However, the ecotoxicity tests indicated the occurrence of chronic effects, demonstrating that other factors, as the use of fertilizers, could also be a source of contamination.

Indicia mineralogiae in Fennia sub gentilismo

Invocatio: I.N.D.

An mysterium S.S. Trinitatis veteribus Scandianis sub gentilismo fuerit cognitum?

Invocatio: I.N.D.O.M.

COMPARISON BETWEEN ASPHALTENES (SUB)FRACTIONS EXTRACTED FROM TWO DIFFERENT ASPHALTIC RESIDUES: CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION AND PHASE BEHAVIOR

Asphaltenes are blamed for various problems in the petroleum industry, especially formation of solid deposits and stabilization of water-in-oil emulsions. Many studies have been conducted to characterize chemical structures of asphaltenes and assess their phase behavior in crude oil or in model-systems of asphaltenes extracted from oil or asphaltic residues from refineries. However, due to the diversity and complexity of these structures, there is still much to be investigated. In this study, asphaltene (sub)fractions were extracted from an asphaltic residue (AR02), characterized by NMR, elemental analysis, X-ray fluorescence and MS-TOF, and compared to asphaltene subfractions obtained from another asphaltic residue (AR01) described in a previous article. The (sub)fractions obtained from the two residues were used to prepare model-systems containing 1 wt% of asphaltenes in toluene and their phase behavior was evaluated by measuring asphaltene precipitation onset using optical microscopy. The results obtained indicated minor differences between the asphaltene fractions obtained from the asphaltic residues of distinct origins, with respect to aromaticity, elemental composition (CHN), presence and content of heteroelements and average molar mass. Regarding stability, minor differences in molecule polarity appear to promote major differences in the phase behavior of each of the asphaltene fractions isolated.

Discursus chorographicus de terris Hyperboreis seu polo arctico vicinis, quem, ex C. Julii Solini polyhist. cap. XXI, verbis: Fabula erat de Hyperboreis ... sub moderamine ... Caroli Lithman, ... nec non venerandi consistorij approbatione, in florente Gymnasio Stregnesiano, die 26. Maij anni 1680, aequo bonorum examini ventilandum obtulit Jonas Grimsteen, respondente Andrea Bolino

Dedicated to: Petro Wreman, Leonhardo Gadd, Olao J. Hidingio, Samueli Jonson.

Dissertatio gradvalis de vrbe Torna, eique adjacentibvs paroeciis, : qvam ... sub praesidio ... Erici Alstrin ... placidae bonorum sistit disquisitioni Ericvs Brvnnivs, Er. fil. westro-botniensis. In audit. Gustav. majori ad diem 12. Junii anni MDCCXXXI. Horis ante meridiem solitis.

Dedicated to: Johannes Steuchius, Nicolaus Sternel.

Estrutura do sub-bosque herbáceo-arbustivo da mata da silvicultura, uma floresta estacional semidecidual no município de Viçosa-MG

Nos trabalhos em comunidades florestais, tradicionalmente são estudadas apenas a composição e a estrutura do componente arbóreo, relegando o estrato herbáceo-arbustivo ao esquecimento ou ao segundo plano. Os objetivos deste trabalho foram descrever a estrutura fitossociológica desse estrato para entender suas relações sinecológicas e, por fim, estudar a distribuição dos indivíduos pelas classes de tamanho para inferir sobre fatores e processos determinantes da organização florestal da Mata da Silvicultura. Para o estudo da fitossociologia da área foram utilizados os parâmetros de abundância obtidos a partir de 100 m² de amostra subdividida em parcelas de 1 m². A estrutura fitossociológica horizontal considerou todos os indivíduos com CAP menor que 10 cm ou com altura maior que 20 cm. Os aspectos dinâmicos foram avaliados por meio da distribuição de tamanhos individuais expressos pelos diâmetros à altura do solo em cada população amostrada. Foram amostrados 1.193 indivíduos de 109 espécies, pertencentes a 41 famílias botânicas, resultando em um índice de diversidade de Shannon (H') de 3,38 e equabilidade (J') de 0,72, valores considerados altos para a heterogeneidade do estrato herbáceo-arbustivo. As espécies mais importantes (VI) foram Piper lucaeanum, Psychotria conjugens, Olyra micrantha, Psychotria sessilis, Siparuna guianensis, Bambusa tuldoides, Ottonia leptostachya, Aparisthmium cordatum e Psychotria hastisepala. As famílias mais importantes (VI) foram Rubiaceae, Piperaceae, Poaceae, Monimiaceae, Leguminosae (Mimosoideae), Myrtaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Meliaceae, Lauraceae e Flacourtiaceae. Pela análise de distribuição de tamanhos foi levantada a hipótese de existirem dois grupos de espécies, segundo a estratégia que possuem de habitar o estrato herbáceo-arbustivo da Mata da Silvicultura. Um dos grupos seria formado pelas espécies que investem preferencialmente recursos energéticos no sistema caulinar e o outro, pelas espécies que investem recursos energéticos preferencialmente no sistema fotossintético.

Smart homes as service platforms. Research report of ÄLYKOP sub-project “Competitive advantage from customer value”

In this report, we summarize results of our part of the ÄLYKOP-project on customer value creation in the intersection of the health care, ICT, forest and energy industries. The research directs to describe how industry transformation and convergence create new possibilities, business opportunities and even new industries.The report consists of findings which are presented former in academic publications. The publication discusses on customer value, service provision and resource basis of the novel concepts through multiple theorethical frameworks. The report is divided into three maim sections which are theoretical background, discussion on health care industry and evaluations regarding novel smart home concepts. Transaction cost economics and Resource- Based view on the firm provides the theoretical basis to analyze the prescribed phenomena. The health care industry analysis describes the most important changes in the demand conditions of health care services, and explores the features that are likely to open new business opportunities for a solution provider. The third part of the report on the smart home business provides illustrations few potential concepts that can be considered to provide solutions to economical problems which arise from aging of population. The results provide several recommendations for the smart home platform developers in public and private sectors. By the analysis, public organizations dominate service provision and private markets are emergent state at present. We argue that public-private partnerships are nececssary for creating key suppliers. Indeed, paying attion on appropriate regulation, service specifications and technology standards would foster diffusion of new services. The dynamics of the service provision networks is driven by need for new capabiltities which are required for adapting business concepts to new competitive situation. Finally, the smart home framework revealed links between conventionally distant business areas such as health care and energy distribution. The platform integrates functionalities different for purposes which however apply same resource basis.

Fitossociologia de sub-bosque de cerrado em talhão de Eucalyptus grandis W. Hill ex Maiden no município de Bom Despacho-MG

O Cerrado, o segundo maior bioma brasileiro, apresenta uma crescente área sujeita a impactos variados, o que desperta a necessidade de conservá-lo e desenvolver métodos para seu uso sustentável. Os objetivos do presente trabalho foram realizar um levantamento florístico e fitossociológico de regeneração em um Cerrado no município de Bom Despacho - MG e embasar tomadas de decisões para conservação da biodiversidade. Para o estudo foram instaladas 15 parcelas de 200 m² (10 x 20 m) em uma área originalmente de Cerrado, que atualmente encontra-se ocupada por um plantio de Eucalyptus grandis. A distribuição das parcelas foi feita sistematicamente. Foram amostradas todas as plantas lenhosas eretas com CAB - ao nível do solo - maior ou igual a 10 cm. A composição florística apresentou 39 espécies, distribuídas em 24 famílias. As famílias com maior número de espécies foram Leguminosae Caesalpinioideae, com cinco espécies, Myrtaceae, com quatro, e Melastomataceae, com três, seguidas de Annonaceae, Leguminosae Papilionoideae, Nyctaginaceae, Rubiaceae e Vochysiaceae, com duas. A espécie que apresentou o maior VI foi Eucalyptus grandis (42,03%), seguida das Miconia albicans (7,69%), Brosimum gaudichaudii (6,9%), Eugenia dysenterica (4,99%), Qualea grandiflora (3,11%) e Xylopia aromatica (3,01%). Das 39 espécies lenhosas nativas encontradas no sub-bosque de Eucalyptus grandis, 27 são peculiares do Cerrado e as demais são acessórias, vindas de florestas da região. Esses dados mostram que o Cerrado está em regeneração.

Impacto das capinas mecânica e química do sub-bosque de Eucalyptus grandis sobre a comunidade de formigas (Hymenoptera: Formicidae)

O efeito das capinas mecânica e química do sub-bosque em plantações de eucaliptos e as conseqüências desses tratamentos sobre a comunidade de formigas foram avaliados no município de Bom Despacho, Minas Gerais, Brasil. As formigas foram coletadas com o extrator de Winkler. Coletou-se um total de 86 espécies, pertencentes a seis subfamílias. Oito dias após as capinas, o número de espécies reduziu-se de um quarto para os dois tipos de capina. Sessenta dias após, o número de espécies tendeu a retornar ao estágio inicial, verificando-se que a eliminação do sub-bosque causa efeito deletério imediato, de igual intensidade e de pouca duração sobre a comunidade de formigas. As razões das variações observadas serão discutidas.