Arcellacea (Testate Amoebae) as Bio-indicators of Road Salt Contamination in Lakes

Winter deicing operations occur extensively in mid- to high-latitude metropolitan regions around the world and result in a significant reduction in road accidents. Deicing salts can, however, pose a major threat to water quality and aquatic organisms. In this paper we examine the utility of Arcellacea (testate amoebae) for monitoring lakes that have become contaminated by winter deicing salts, particularly sodium chloride. We analysed 50 sediment samples and salt-related water-property variables (chloride concentrations; conductivity) from 15 lakes in the Greater Toronto Area and adjacent areas of southern Ontario, Canada. The sampled lakes included lakes in proximity to major highways and suburban roads, and control lakes in forested settings away from road influences. Samples from the most contaminated lakes, with chloride concentrations in excess of 400 mg/l and conductivities of >800 μS/cm, were dominated by species typically found in brackish and/or inhospitable lake environments and by lower faunal diversities (lowest Shannon Diversity Index values) than samples with lower readings. Q-R-mode cluster analysis and Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) resulted in the recognition of four assemblage groupings. These reflect varying levels of salt contamination in the study lakes, along with other local influences, including nutrient loading. The response to nutrients can, however, be isolated if the planktic eutrophic indicator species Cucurbitella tricuspis is removed from the counts. The findings show that the group have considerable potential for biomonitoring in salt-contaminated lakes, and through application to lake sediment cores, may provide significant insights into long-term benthic community health, which is integral for remedial efforts.

Regional integration of biogas – developing an intersectoral research action plan for Northern Ireland

Bioenergy is a key component of the European Union long term energy strategy across all sectors, with a target contribution of up to 14% of the energy mix by 2020. It is estimated that there is the potential for 1TWh of primary energy from biogas per million persons in Europe, derived from agricultural by-products and waste. With an agricultural sector that accounts for 75% of land area and a large number of advanced engineering firms, Northern Ireland is a region with considerable potential for an integrated biogas industry. Northern Ireland is also heavily reliant on imported fossil fuels. Despite this, the industry is underdeveloped and there is a need for a collaborative approach from research, business and policy-makers across all sectors to optimise Northern Ireland’s abundant natural resources. ‘Developing Opportunities in Bio-Energy’ (i.e. Do Bioenergy) is a recently completed project that involved both academic and specialist industrial partners. The aim was to develop a biogas research action plan for 2020 to define priorities for intersectoral regional development, co-operation and knowledge transfer in the field of production and use of biogas. Consultations were held with regional stakeholders and working groups were established to compile supporting data, decide key objectives and implementation activities. Within the context of this study it was found that biogas from feedstocks including grass, agricultural slurry, household and industrial waste have the potential to contribute from 2.5% to 11% of Northern Ireland’s total energy consumption. The economics of on-farm production were assessed, along with potential markets and alternative uses for biogas in sectors such as transport, heat and electricity. Arising from this baseline data, a Do Bioenergy was developed. The plan sets out a strategic research agenda, and details priorities and targets for 2020. The challenge for Northern Ireland is how best to utilise the biogas – as electricity, heat or vehicle fuel and in what proportions. The research areas identified were: development of small scale solutions for biogas production and use; solutions for improved nutrient management; knowledge supporting and developing the integration of biogas into the rural economy; and future crops and bio-based products. The human resources and costs for the implementation were estimated as 80 person-years and £25 million respectively. It is also clear that the development of a robust bio-gas sector requires some reform of the regulatory regime, including a planning policy framework and a need to address social acceptance issues. The Action Plan was developed from a regional perspective but the results may be applicable to other regions in Europe and elsewhere. This paper presents the methodology, results and analysis, and discussion and key findings of the Do Bioenergy report for Northern Ireland.

Development of a PtSn bimetallic catalyst for direct fuel cells using bio-butanol fuel

Pt and PtSn catalysts were studied for n-butanol electro-oxidation at various temperatures. PtSn showed a higher activity towards butanol electro-oxidation compared to Pt in acidic media. The onset potential for n-butanol oxidation on PtSn is ~520 mV lower than that found on Pt, and significantly lower activation energy was found for PtSn compared with that for Pt.

Combining Bio- and Chemo-catalysis for the Conversion of Bio-Renewable Alcohols

The use of biomass as a source of fuel is on the sharp increase. In parallel with this expansion, new chemical processes and technologies are required to improve efficiency, sustainability, and profitability.
Biocatalytic and chemocatalytic methods can be combined to affect the conversion of bio-alcohols, and convert them to valuable chemical targets in an atom efficient and environmentally benign manor. Fermentation offers a useful first step in biomass conversion, as whole cell biocatalysts can provide sustained activity when fed with crude biomass. Coupling this with homogeneous and/or heterogeneous catalysis enables the preparation of a diverse product range. The transition between biocatalytic and chemocatalytic steps can be assisted by utilising ionic liquids.
Ionic liquids have potential roles in biorefineries that generate alcohols; as an extractant, reaction medium, and catalytic reagent. Underpinning the potential of ionic liquids in this area is: 1. the ability of ionic liquids to solubilize polyols and alcohols; 2. the facility to functionalise ionic liquids and tune properties; 3. the low volatility of ionic liquids.
The FP7 project GRAIL will be highlighted; this project focusses on the utilisation of glycerol formed as a by-product in biodiesel synthesis.

Combining Bio- and Chemo-catalysis for the Sustainable Production of Chemicals

The combination of bio- and chemo-catalysis to form a single synthetic route is a powerful methodology for the improvement of chemical synthesis. The extreme methods of biocatalysis (whole cell and isolated enzyme) fulfill very different roles. Biocatalysis by isolated enzymes enables highly efficient chemical transformations of extremely high selectivity and low contamination; however, conditions and substrates are limited to a narrow range. Whole cell biocatalysis enables the conversion of crude substrates, such as those derived from biomass; however, the products tend to be impure and delivered in dilute aqueous solution. Chemocatalysis is a well-established technique, and the addition of chemical catalysis and chemocatalytic methods to biocatalysis enables synthetic chemists to avoid the shortcomings of a biocatalytic step. For example, in enzymatic catalysis the addition of a chemical catalyst can allow the conversion of a racemic alcohol to an enantiopure, instead of racemic, product. In whole cell biocatalysis chemical reagents can assist the separation, transformation, and further isolation of the functionality of interest. The cooperation of bio- and chemocatalysts enables sustainable production of chemicals that would be impossible using biocatalysis alone, while achieving selectivities and using substrates not currently possible with chemocatalysis alone.

Mild temperature palladium-catalyzed ammoxidation of ethanol to acetonitrile

The ammoxidation of ethanol is investigated as a renewable process for the production of acetonitrile from a bio-feedstock. Palladium catalysts are shown to be active and very selective (>99%) to this reaction at moderate to low temperatures (150-240 °C), with acetonitrile yields considered a function of Pd morphology. Further investigations reveal that the stability of these catalysts is influenced by an unselective product, and that any deactivation observed is reversible. Interpretation of this deactivation allows operating conditions to be defined for the stable, high yielding production of acetonitrile from ethanol.

A experiência no NAE à luz da classificação internacional da funcionalidade, incapacidade e saúde - uma análise crítica

A Classificação Internacional da Funcionalidade, Incapacidade e Saúde é uma classificação que utiliza uma abordagem biopsicossocial para se compreender e explicar a incapacidade e a funcionalidade. A utilização desta nova abordagem poderá contribuir para se perceber quais os fatores que intervêm na promoção da participação e da realização de tarefas pelas pessoas com necessidades especiais. Este relatório tem como objetivo descrever e analisar críticamente o trabalho realizado no âmbito do apoio aos estudantes com necessidades educativas especiais na Universidade de Évora até 2008. A análise crítica é perspetivada à luz da CIF, procurando identificar os contextos académicos que se constituem como barreiras à participação e atividade destes estudantes, identificando também as estratégias que foram desenvolvidas para as ultrapassar. É ainda abordada a inclusão como única forma para se alcançar uma sociedade mais equitativa que promova o respeito da cidadania e da qualidade de vida de todos. A aposta na formação, como agente de mudança das forma de estar, pensar, sentir e agir e na procura incessante pelo desenvolvimento de uma universidade mais justa e mais humana, parece ser o caminho para alcançar o desiderato duma universidade inclusiva; ABSTRACT: The International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health is a classification that uses a bio psychosocial approach to understand and explain disability and functioning. Using this new approach could help to understand the factors involved in promoting participation and perform tasks for people with special needs. This report aims to describe and crítically analyze the work done in support of students with special needs at the University of Évora until 2008. The review is taken using of CIF, trying to identify the academic contexts which constitute barriers to participation and activity of these students, also by identifying the strategies that have been developed to overcome them. It also discusses the inclusion as the only way to achieve a more equitable society that promotes respect of citizenship and quality of life for all. A focus on training as an agent of change in the form of being, thinking, feeling and acting and the relentless pursuit by the development of a university fairer and more humane, seems to be the way to achieve the desideratum of an inclusive university.