Building wood debris piles benefits avian seed dispersers in burned and logged Mediterranean pine forests

Salvage logging is a common practice carried out in burned forests worldwide, and intended to mitigate the economic losses caused by wildfires. Logging implies an additional disturbance occurring shortly after fire, although its ecological effects can be somewhat mitigated by leaving wood debris on site. The composition of the bird community and its capacity to provide ecosystem services such as seed dispersal offleshy-fruited plants have been shown to be affected by postfire logging. We assessedthe effects of the habitat structure resulting from different postfire management practices on the bird community, in three burned pine forests in Catalonia (western Mediterranean). For this purpose, we focused on the group of species that is responsible for seed dispersal, a process which takes place primarily during the winter in theMediterranean basin. In addition, we assessed microhabitat selection by seed disperser birds in such environments in relation to management practices. Our results showed a significant, positive relationship between the density of wood debris piles and the abundance of seed disperser birds. Furthermore, such piles were the preferredmicrohabitat of these species. This reveals an important effect of forest management on seed disperser birds, which is likely to affect the dynamics of bird-dependent seed dispersal. Thus, building wood debris piles can be a useful practice for the conservation of both the species and their ecosystem services, while also being compatible with timber harvesting

Análise de fármacos em material biológico: acoplamento microextração em fase sólida "no tubo" e cromatografia líquida de alta eficiência

A new solid phase microextraction (SPME) system, known as in-tube SPME, was recently developed using an open tubular fused-silica capilary column, instead of an SPME fiber, as the SPME device. On-line in-tube SPME is usually used in combination with high performance liquid chromatography. Drugs in biological samples are directly extracted and concentrated in the stationary phase of capillary columns by repeated draw/eject cycles of sample solution, and then directly transferred to the liquid chromatographic column. In-tube SPME is suitable for automation. Automated sample handling procedures not only shorten the total analysis time, but also usually provide better accuracy and precision relative to manual techniques. In-tube SPME has been demonstrated to be a very effective and highly sensitive technique to determine drugs in biological samples for various purposes such as therapeutic drug monitoring, clinical toxicology, bioavailability and pharmacokinetics.

Determinação de manganês em material particulado atmosférico de ambientes de trabalho utilizando eletrodo de diamante dopado com boro e voltametria de onda quadrada com redissolução catódica

A boron-doped diamond electrode is used for determination of Mn(II) in atmospheric particulate matter by square wave cathodic stripping voltammetry. The analytical curve was linear for Mn(II) concentrations between 5.0 and 37.5 µg L-1, with quantification limit of 3.6 µg L-1. The precision was evaluated by the relative standard deviation, with values between 5.1% and 9.3%. The electrode is free of adsorption, minimizing memory effects. Samples collected in the workplace atmosphere of a foundry had Mn(II) concentrations between 0.4 and 4 µg m-3. No significant differences were observed between the proposed method and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectroscopy.

Bio-based composites from stone groundwood applied to new product development

This paper deals with the product design, engineering, and material selection intended for the manufacturing of an eco-friendly chair. The final product is expected to combine design attributes with technical and legal feasibility with the implementation of new bio-based materials. Considering the industrial design, a range of objectives and trends were determined after setting the market requirements, and the final concept was proposed and modeled. The product geometry, production technology, and legal specifications were the input data for product engineering. The material selection was based on the technical requirements. Polypropylene (PP) composite materials based on coupled-fiberglass, sized-fiberglass, and coupled-stone ground wood reinforcements were prepared and characterized. Final formulations based on these PP composites are proposed and justified

The effect of microfibrillated cellulose addition on drying shrinkage and dimensional stability of wood-free paper

Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) is known to enhance strength properties of paper. Improved strength usually means increased bonding which is strongly connected to dimensional instability of paper. Dimensional instability is due to changes in moisture content of paper; when paper is moistened it expands and when dried, it shrinks. Hygroexpansion is linked to end-use problems and excessive drying shrinkage consumes strength potential. Effective use of materials requires controlling of these phenomena. There isn’t yet data concerning dimensional stability of papers containing MFC which restricts wider use of MFC. Main objective of the work was to evaluate dimensional stability of wood-free paper containing different amounts of MFC. Sheets were dried with different methods to see how drying strains effected on drying shrinkage and hygroexpansion. Also tensile strength was measured to find out the effect of MFC. Results were compared to sheets containing kraft fines and in some test points cationic starch was used alongside with MFC. MFC increased the dimensional instability of freely dried sheets. As the amounts of MFC increased the effects on dimensional stability became more severe. However the fineness of MFC didn’t play any important role. Both hygroexpansion and drying shrinkage were decreased with cationic starch addition. Prevention of drying shrinkage over powered the effects of additives on hygroexpansion. Tensile strength improved up till 7 % addition amount which could be set as the upper limit of MFC addition when paper preparation and tensile strength are concerned.

Non-resorbable glass fibre-reinforced composite with porous surface as bone substitute material: Experimental studies in vitro and in vivo focused on bone-implant interface

The development of load-bearing osseous implant with desired mechanical and surface properties in order to promote incorporation with bone and to eliminate risk of bone resorption and implant failure is a very challenging task. Bone formation and resoption processes depend on the mechanical environment. Certain stress/strain conditions are required to promote new bone growth and to prevent bone mass loss. Conventional metallic implants with high stiffness carry most of the load and the surrounding bone becomes virtually unloaded and inactive. Fibre-reinforced composites offer an interesting alternative to metallic implants, because their mechanical properties can be tailored to be equal to those of bone, by the careful selection of matrix polymer, type of fibres, fibre volume fraction, orientation and length. Successful load transfer at bone-implant interface requires proper fixation between the bone and implant. One promising method to promote fixation is to prepare implants with porous surface. Bone ingrowth into porous surface structure stabilises the system and improves clinical success of the implant. The experimental part of this work was focused on polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) -based composites with dense load-bearing core and porous surface. Three-dimensionally randomly orientated chopped glass fibres were used to reinforce the composite. A method to fabricate those composites was developed by a solvent treatment technique and some characterisations concerning the functionality of the surface structure were made in vitro and in vivo. Scanning electron microscope observations revealed that the pore size and interconnective porous architecture of the surface layer of the fibre-reinforced composite (FRC) could be optimal for bone ingrowth. Microhardness measurements showed that the solvent treatment did not have an effect on the mechanical properties of the load-bearing core. A push-out test, using dental stone as a bone model material, revealed that short glass fibre-reinforced porous surface layer is strong enough to carry load. Unreacted monomers can cause the chemical necrosis of the tissue, but the levels of leachable resisidual monomers were considerably lower than those found in chemically cured fibre-reinforced dentures and in modified acrylic bone cements. Animal experiments proved that surface porous FRC implant can enhance fixation between bone and FRC. New bone ingrowth into the pores was detected and strong interlocking between bone and the implant was achieved.

Composição elementar do material particulado presente no aerossol atmosférico do município de Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais

The main objective of this study was the identification of sources generating particulate matter in the atmospheric aerosols of Sete Lagoas, Minas Gerais. The measurement of the mineral composition was accomplished by X-ray diffractometry and the elemental concentration by neutron activation analysis. The results showed that Al, Cl, Cu, Fe, K, Mg and Na are the predominant chemical elements in the total suspended particles (TPS). The presence of Na, Ba, Cl, Cu, Eu, Fe and Sm in those particles with aerodynamic diameter smaller than 10 µm (PM10), indicates that soil dust and ceramic and pig iron industries are the main sources of air quality degradation in the region.

Factors affecting the usability of aspen (Populus tremula) wood dried at different temperature levels

In this dissertation the main aim was to study the usability of aspen wood in the mechanical wood processes, especially the factors that affect the usability of aspen wood, which is dried at different temperature levels. The problematic of varying temperatures from level to another seem to have significant effects on distortions. According to the studies conducted, many practical solutions for drying of aspen timber can be made. European aspen sawn timber should be dried in relatively narrow widths, short lengths, edged and sawn pith free. The results achieved give an interesting view for the distortions of aspen wood between HT drying and heat treatment. The most significant result is that cupping seems to decrease when increasing temperature level from HT drying to heat treatment phase. The difference is significant. Other very obvious result is that bow and crook are increasing between these two temperature levels, bow significantly. Also the modelling gives a good background for this result since cupping is reduced by higher temperatures. It can also be assumed that these distortions can be affected for example by sorting out the timber used to different moisture levels before drying. This could be a very simple solution for practical purposes. From practical point of view, it was also noted during the drying tests performed that the discoloration seem to be no problem for aspen boards dried in temperatures under 150 °C. Altogether, this dissertation covers many interesting points of view of factors affecting distortions of wood in different temperature stages. Aspen as species in use of mechanical wood industries seems to be a species suitable for component production. According to the results, the best yield from aspen timber can be achieved in industry that can utilize relatively short components of sawn wood. Results achieved give a significant indication about the factors affecting distortions of wood at different temperature stages of drying, especially considering European aspen.

Kierrätyspolttoaineiden käyttö leijukerrospoltossa vetykaasun kanssa

Tämä diplomityö on tehty Leppäkosken Energia Oy:n ja Kemira Chemicals Oy:n yhteisyritys FC Energia Oy:lle. FC Energia Oy suunnittelee rakentaa uutta bio-vetyvoimalaitosta Sastamalaan. Voimalaitoksella tuotettaisiin Kemira Chemicals Oy:n ylijäämävedystä ja biopolttoaineista sähköä, kaukolämpöä ja prosessihöyryä. Ympäristölupaa on haettu hakkeen, turpeen ja kierrätyspuun poltolle vetykaasun kanssa. Voimalaitoksen kattilan toiminta perustuu kuplivaan leijukerrostekniikkaan. Diplomityössä selvitettiin, mitä muutoksia kierrätyspolttoaineiden käyttö vaatii leijukerrospoltossa verrattuna hakkeen ja turpeen polttoon. Kierrätyspolttoaineena käytetään hyvälaatuista kierrätyspuuta. Kierrätyspuun käytössä sovelletaan jätteenpoltto-asetusta. Jätteenpolttoasetus määrää tiukemmat päästöjen raja-arvot rinnakkaispoltolle kuin hakkeen ja turpeen poltolle sekä jatkuvatoimiset savukaasujen mittauslaitteet. Rinnakkaispolton hiukkasmaisten päästöjen tiukempi raja-arvo vaatii tehokkaamman sähkösuodattimen. Lisäksi kierrätyspuuta käytettäessä tulistimen materiaaliin tulee olla kestävämpää, mikä aiheuttaa huomattavan lisäinvestoinnin. Työn päätavoitteena oli selvittää, onko kierrätyspuun käyttö taloudellisesti kannattavaa. Oletetulla kierrätyspuun hinnalla 10 €/MWh kierrätyspuuta polttavan voimalaitoksen takaisinmaksuaika on sama kuin haketta polttavan laitoksen ja vuoden lyhyempi kuin turvetta polttavan laitoksen. Tulokseksi saatiin, että rinnakkaispoltto käyttö on taloudellisesti kannattavaa hakkeenpolttoon nähden jos kierrätyspuun hinta on alle 11,2 €/MWh. Kierrätyspuun polttoon liittyy toiminnallinen riski, koska vastaavanlaisia rinnakkaispolttolaitoksia ei ole aiemmin rakennettu.

A espectrometria atômica e a determinação de elementos metálicos em material polimérico

Polymeric materials are widely used in the chemical industry and are part of our daily lives. Inorganic species may be added to them as additives, anti-oxidizing agents, stabilizers, plasticizers, colorants and catalysts and may be present in a wide range of concentrations. Their determination demands the development of analytical methods considering different kinds of polymeric materials, their composition and the final use of the material. Although many different analytical techniques may be used, this review emphasizes those based on atomic absorption and emission spectrometry. Solid sampling techniques and digestion methods are described and discussed and compared considering published results.

Material per a l'alumnat: Activitats competencials per aprendre a usar les matemàtiques al cicle inicial

Propostes de treball i activitats competencials per aprendre a usar les matemàtiques al CI

Material per a l'alumnat: Aprenem a jugar a escacs (primera part)

Presentació de diferent propostes de treball per a l'alumnat de primària per aprendre a jugar als escacs

Constituintes químicos do caule de Senna reticulata Willd. (Leguminoseae): Chemical constituents isolated from the wood of Senna reticulata Willd.

The phytochemical investigation of the wood extracts of Senna reticulata (Leguminoseae) yielded six anthraquinones: chrysophanol, physcion, aloe-emodin, 1,3,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone, 3-methoxy-1,6,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone, emodin and the chrysophanol-10,10' bianthrone. The triterpenes a and b-amirin, the steroids b-sitosterol and stigmasterol as well as the flavonoid kaempferol were also identified. The structures were established by spectral analysis, including two-dimensional NMR techniques. It is the first report of 1,3,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone and 3-methoxy-1,6,8-trihydroxyanthraquinone in higher plants.

Amostragem do material particulado e fração orgânica volátil das emissões em motor ciclo diesel sem a utilização de túnel de diluição

Using a sampling method of particulate matter (PM) without the use of a dilution tunnel allows for evaluations of the volatile hydrocarbons (HC) in the emissions of diesel cycle engines. The procedure in this work applied a heated filter with temperature controlled. The volatile compounds are condensed at low temperature, allowing for evaluation of the HC by thermal desorption of the PM and for analysis of the condensed compounds of the exhaust gases.

Propriedades redox da matéria orgânica isolada de material ultrafiltrado das águas do rio Paraíba do Sul

Previous studies indicated that free radicals control organic matter redox activities. In the present study, organic matter of an ultra-filtrated material collected from seven samples taken seasonally from the Paraiba do Sul River for two years were titrated with an oxidizer (I2) in an inert atmosphere. Standard formal potential values for the electrode MO Ox, MO Red ranged from 0.754 to 0.786 V at a 25 ºC temperature. Organic matter oxidation capacity (COx) per carbon mass varied according to pH values, and changes in COx were related to rainfall and river flow intensities.