Fungal Contamination of Sandpits from Recreational Parks and Schools: a Potential Risk for Human Health

Sandpits used by children are frequently visited by wild life which constitutes a source of fungal pathogens and allergenic fungi. This study aimed to take an unannounced snapshot of the urban levels of fungal contaminants in sands, using for this purpose two public recreational parks, three elementary schools and two kindergartens. All samples were from Lisbon and neighboring municipalities and were tested for fungi of clinical interest. Potentially pathogenic fungi were isolated from all samples besides one. Fusarium dimerum (32.4%) was found to be the dominant species in one park and Chrysonilia spp. in the other (46.6%). Fourteen different species and genera were detected and no dermatophytes were found. Of a total of 14 species and genera, the fungi most isolated from the samples of the elementary schools were Penicillium spp. (74%), Cladophialophora spp. (38%) and Cladosporium spp. (90%). Five dominant species and genera were isolated from the kindergartens. Penicillium spp. was the only genus isolated in one, though with remarkably high counts (32500 colony forming units per gram). In the other kindergarten Penicillium spp. were also the most abundant species, occupying 69% of all the fungi found. All of the samples exceeded the Maximum Recommended Value (MRV) for beach sand defined by Brandão et al. 2011, which are currently the only quantitative guidelines available for the same matrix. The fungi found confirm the potential risk of exposure of children to keratinophilic fungi and demonstrates that regular cleaning or replacing of sand needs to be implemented in order to minimize contamination.

Elemental and stable isotopic composition of fine fraction samples of ODP Site 115-709 (Table 1)

Stable isotopic and minor element compositions were measured on the fine fraction of pelagic carbonate sediments from Ocean Drilling Program Site 709 in the central Indian Ocean. This section ranges in age from 47 Ma to the present. The observed compositional variations are the result of either paleoceanographic changes (past oceanic chemical or temperature variations) or diagenetic changes. The CaCO3 record is little affected by diagenesis. From previous work, carbonate content is known to be determined by the interplay of biological productivity, water column dissolution, and dilution. The carbon isotopic record is generally similar to previously published curves. A good correlation was observed between sea-level high stands and high 13C/12C ratios. This supports Shackleton's hypothesis that as the proportion of organic carbon buried in marine sediments becomes larger, oceanic-dissolved inorganic carbon becomes isotopically heavier. This proportion appears to be higher when sea level is higher and organic carbon is buried in more extensive shallow-shelf sediments. The strontium content and oxygen isotopic composition of carbonate sediments are much more affected by burial diagenesis. Low strontium concentrations are invariably associated with high values of d18O, probably indicating zones of greater carbonate recrystallization. Nevertheless, there is an inverse correlation between strontium concentration and sea level that is thought to be a result of high-strontium aragonitic sedimentation on shallow banks and shelves during high stands. Iron and manganese concentrations and, to a lesser extent, magnesium and strontium concentrations and carbon isotopic ratios are affected by early diagenetic reactions. These reactions are best observed in a slumped interval of sediments that occurs between 13.0 and 17.5 Ma. As a result of microbial reduction of manganese and iron oxides and dissolved sulfate, it is hypothesized that small amounts of mixed-metal carbonate cements are precipitated. These have low carbon isotopic ratios and high concentrations of metals.

Statesmen of the old South; or, From radicalism to conservative revolt,

Thomas Jefferson.--John C. Calhoun.--Jefferson Davis.

On the rim of the abyss,

Neutrality and nationalism.- The new order and the old.- Trial and error.- The changing League.

The collected works of Henrik Ibsen.

Title vignette.

The collected works of Henrik Ibsen.

"Entirely revised and edited by William Archer."

The life of General Ely S. Parker, last grand sachem of the Iroquois and General Grant's military secretary,

The Measure of the Man -- The Valley of the Rapid Water -- How the Senecas Made War Upon Great Britain -- The Grand-Daughter of the Prophet -- Boyhood Days on the Reservatio -- The Way the Twig Was Bent -- Lewis H. Morgan and the "New League of the Iroquois" -- Early Experience as an Engineer and Masonic Career -- How Parker's Enlistment was Refused by Secretary Seward -- A Sachem Becomes a Warrior -- The Fall of the Confederacy -- The Indian in the Drama at Appomattox -- The Warrior After the War -- An Indian Commissioner of Indian Affairs -- A Sachem's Letters to a Poetess -- The Gettysburg Speech of Grant's Military Secretary -- The House of Brother Nicholson -- The Bones of Red Jacket -- The Last Grand Sachem.

The universal library of music : graded masterpieces in pianoforte compositions /

v. 1-6. Instrumental -- v.7. Vocal.

Documents présentés au comité et relatifs a des projets déjà existants pour l'établissement d'une Cour permanente de justice internationale ... Documents presented to the committee relating to existing plans for the establishment of a permanent court of international justice.

Mode of access: Internet.

An account of government document bibliography in the United States and elsewhere,

Bibliography: p. 31-56.

Problemes monetaires. (1) Introduction et declaration collective d'experts en matiere economique ... Monetary problems. (1) Introduction and joint statement of economic experts ....

Text in French and English.

Seven amazing days in the life of Eze A. Ogueri II /

Mode of access: Internet.

In the fourth year; anticipations of a world peace,

The way to concrete realization.--The league must be representative.--The necessary powers of the league.--The labour view of middle Africa.--Getting the league idea clear in relation to imperialism.--The war aims of the western allies.--The future of monarchy.--The plain necessity for a league.--Democracy.--The recent struggle for proportional representation in Great Britain.--The study and propaganda of democracy.

Directory of social and health agencies of New York City.

No volumes were issued in 1884-86? 1889, 1891, 1893-94, 1897, 1908; 1927/28 issued in 1 vol.