Spatially explicit methane inventory for Switzerland with 500 m x 500 m resolution for 2011 (NetCDF 25 MB)

We present the first high-resolution (500 m × 500 m) gridded methane (CH4) emission inventory for Switzerland, which integrates the national emission totals reported to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and recent CH4 flux studies conducted by research groups across Switzerland. In addition to anthropogenic emissions, we also include natural and semi-natural CH4 fluxes, i.e., emissions from lakes and reservoirs, wetlands, wild animals as well as uptake by forest soils. National CH4 emissions were disaggregated using detailed geostatistical information on source locations and their spatial extent and process- or area-specific emission factors. In Switzerland, the highest CH4 emissions in 2011 originated from the agricultural sector (150 Gg CH4/yr), mainly produced by ruminants and manure management, followed by emissions from waste management (15 Gg CH4/yr) mainly from landfills and the energy sector (12 Gg CH4/yr), which was dominated by emissions from natural gas distribution. Compared to the anthropogenic sources, emissions from natural and semi-natural sources were relatively small (6 Gg CH4/yr), making up only 3 % of the total emissions in Switzerland. CH4 fluxes from agricultural soils were estimated to be not significantly different from zero (between -1.5 and 0 Gg CH4/yr), while forest soils are a CH4 sink (approx. -2.8 Gg CH4/yr), partially offsetting other natural emissions. Estimates of uncertainties are provided for the different sources, including an estimate of spatial disaggregation errors deduced from a comparison with a global (EDGAR v4.2) and a European CH4 inventory (TNO/MACC). This new spatially-explicit emission inventory for Switzerland will provide valuable input for regional scale atmospheric modeling and inverse source estimation.

Estimativa de atributos do solo por meio de espectrorradiometria difusa

Diversos avanços têm sido conquistados no campo da espectrorradiometria difusa, nas últimas décadas. Na área agrícola, a busca por métodos de quantificação de atributos físicos e químicos do ambiente de produção, com base na reflectância do solo, tem sido pesquisada constantemente. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a possibilidade de estimar os teores de silte, areia, argila, soma de bases, matéria orgânica e ferro total em amostras de solo, a partir de sua energia refletida. As amostras foram coletadas em uma área de 2.500 ha, localizada na região noroeste paranaense, composta por solos das classes Latossolo Vermelho, Nitossolo Vermelho, Argissolo Vermelho, Cambissolo Háplico e Neossolo Quartzarênico. As profundidades de amostragem foram de 0-0,2 e 0,2-0,8 m. Os pontos amostrados foram escolhidos com base em um grid: de 500 x 500 m, que recobriu toda a área de trabalho, totalizando, dessa forma, 100 pontos para o horizonte superficial e 100 pontos para o subsuperficial. As leituras espectrais foram obtidas em laboratório pelo sensor FieldSpec 3 JR. na faixa de 350 a 2.500 nm. As curvas espectrais das amostras foram separadas em bandas e alturas, que se relacionaram com cada atributo por meio de regressão linear múltipla. A espectrorradiometria difusa evidenciou-se mais eficiente na estimação de areia, argila, soma de bases e ferro total e menos eficiente na estimação da matéria orgânica e do silte, em ambos os horizontes. Os resultados após a validação dos modelos indicam que a espectrorradiometria difusa é ferramenta promissora, que pode ser utilizada na determinação de atributos do solo.

LDAP-pohjainen yrityshakemisto WWW-ympäristöön

Diplomityössä perehdytään nykyisiin hakemistotekniikoihin ja niiden hyödyntä-miseen. World Wide Web on tuonut hakemistomaailmaankin aivan uusia ulottuvuuksia ja tästä on osoituksena LDAP-hakemistoprotokollan suosion merkittävä kasvu. LDAP soveltuu Internet-maailmaan erinomaisesti keveytensä, helppokäyttöisyytensä ja nopeutensa ansiosta. Käytännön osuudessa toteutettiin LDAP-tekniikkaa hyödyntävä yrityshakemisto, jolla voitiin WWW-käyttöliittymällä etsiä ja muokata yrityksen henkilö- ja yksikkötietoja. Työn tarkoitus oli selvittää LDAP:n soveltuvuutta kaupalliseen sovellukseen ja kerätä kokemuksia siihen liittyvistä asioista ja tekniikoista.

AVALIAÇÃO DAS PROPRIEDADES DE PAINÉIS COMPENSADOS DE Melia azedarach L. PRODUZIDOS COM DIFERENTES GRAMATURAS E TEMPOS DE PRENSAGEM

RESUMOO Brasil é um grande produtor de painéis compensados, suas florestas de Pinus são as mais utilizadas nesse processo e grande parte dessa produção é destinada à indústria moveleira. Muitas espécies têm sido introduzidas no país para essa e outras finalidades, entre elas a Melia azedarach, que ainda requer diversos estudos tecnológicos para a melhor utilização de sua madeira. Nesse contexto, o objetivo desta pesquisa foi avaliar a viabilidade de utilização da Melia azedarach para a produção de painéis compensados e o efeito da gramatura de adesivo e do tempo de prensagem sobre as propriedades dos painéis. Foram utilizadas cinco árvores provenientes de um plantio experimental localizado em Corupá, SC, das quais foram obtidas amostras para determinação da densidade básica (COPANT 461/1972) e das propriedades químicas (TAPPI 204, 1997; 207, 1999; 280, 1999; 212, 2002; 252, 2002), bem como para a obtenção das lâminas. Os painéis foram produzidos com dimensões de 500 mm x 500 mm x 10 mm (cinco lâminas), segundo um delineamento em arranjo fatorial (3x2) com três gramaturas (320 g/m2,360g/m2 e 400 g/m2) e dois tempos de prensagem (8 e 10 min), adesivo ureia-formaldeído, pressão específica de 1 MPa e temperatura de 110 °C. As propriedades dos painéis foram avaliadas a partir do ensaio de flexão estática (EN:310:2002) e resistência da linha de cola ao cisalhamento (EN 3141:2004 e EN 314-2:2002). Os resultados indicaram diferença estatística significativa dos efeitos principais: a gramatura e tempo de prensagem apenas no módulo de elasticidade no sentido perpendicular e a inexistência de diferença estatística significativa entre as médias a partir da interação dessas duas variáveis de resposta. Concluiu-se que a espécie apresenta viabilidade técnica para a produção de painéis compensados, podendo maximizar a produtividade e minimizar os custos de produção, por meio da utilização da menor gramatura de adesivo e do menor tempo de prensagem.

Determinantes locais da decomposição foliar e de raízes finais em um ecossistema semiárido do nordeste brasileiro

The decomposition process exercises an extensive control over the carbon cycle, affecting its availability and nutrient cycling in terrestrial ecosystems. The understanding of leaf decomposition patterns above the soil and fine roots decomposition below the soil is necessary and essential to identify and quantify more accurately the flow of energy and matter in forest systems. There is still a lack of studies and a large gap in the knowledge about what environmental variables act as local determinants over decomposition drivers. The knowledge about the decomposition process is still immature for Brazilian semiarid region. The aim of this study was to analyze the decomposition process (on leaves and fine roots) of a mixture of three native species for 12 months in a semiarid ecosystem in Northeast Brazil. We also examined whether the rate of decomposition can be explained by local environmental factors, specifically plant species richness, plant density and biomass, soil macro-arthropods species richness and abundance, amount of litterfall and fine root stock. Thirty sampling points were randomly distributed within an area of 2000 m x 500 m. To determine the decomposition rate, the litterbag technique was used and the data analysis were made with multiple regressions. There was a high degradation of dead organic matter along the experiment. Above ground plant biomass was the only environmental local factor significantly related to leaf decomposition. The density of vegetation and litter production were positively and negatively related to decay rates of fine roots, respectively. The results suggest that Caatinga spatial heterogeneity may exert strong influences over the decomposition process, taking into account the action of environmental factors related to organic matter exposure of and the consequent action of solar radiation as the decomposition process main controller in this region

Persistence of resinous cement residues in dentin treated with different chemical removal protocols

The aim of this study was to evaluate the persistence of resin cement residues after dentin surface cleaning with different alcohol-based solutions or an essential oil (eucalyptol). Forty bovine teeth were sectioned in order to expose pulp chamber dentin to be washed with 1.0 mL of 2.5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), followed by 0.1 mL of 17% EDTA application for 3 min, and final irrigation with 2.5% NaOCl. The specimens were air dried and resin-based cement was rubbed onto the dentine surface with a microbrush applicator. After 15 min, the surface was scrubbed with a cotton pellet and moistened with different dentin cleaning solutions, compounding the following groups: G195% ethanol, G270% ethanol, G370% isopropyl alcohol, or G4eucalyptol. The dentin was scrubbed until the cement residues could not be visually detected. Sections were then processed for SEM and evaluated at x 500 magnification. Scores were attributed to each image according to the area covered by residual sealer, and data were subjected to KruskalWallis at 5% significance. Eucalyptol promoted the most adequate dentin cleaning, although no statistical difference was detected amongst the groups (P > 0.05), except between the eucalyptol and 70% ethanol groups (P < 0.05). All the evaluated dentin cleaning solutions were unable to completely remove the cement residues from the dentin surface. Microsc. Res. Tech., 2012. (C) 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Estrutura e influência da sazonalidade na comunidade de borboletas da subfamília Ithomiinae (Lepidoptera: Nymphalidae) na Estação Científica Ferreira Penna, Melgaço, Pará

As borboletas do grupo Ithomiinae são caracterizadas por espécies estritamente neotropicais, consideradas modelos de anéis miméticos e apresentam uma taxonomia relativamente bem conhecida. Por estas razões são frequentemente utilizadas como indicadores biológicos. O presente estudo teve como intuito caracterizar a comunidade de Ithomiinae em uma área de Floresta Ombrófila Densa (terra firme), localizada na Estação Científica Ferreira Penna (Floresta Nacional de Caxiuanã), município de Melgaço, estado do Pará, além de testar a eficiência do protocolo de captura deste grupo. Para isto foram realizadas coletas em uma área de 500 x 500 m, utilizando dois métodos. O primeiro foi o de armadilhas contendo isca de folhas e inflorescências de Heliotropium indicum dentro de cinco parcelas amostrais de 100 x 100 m, sendo que cada uma continha cinco pares de armadilhas (uma sub-bosque e outra no dossel da floresta). O outro método foi o de coletas com redes entorno lógicas entre as parcelas. O período da amostragem foi nos meses de julho, outubro de 2004 e janeiro a novembro de 2005 (cinco dias de coleta mensais). Com um esforço total de 2000 armadilha horas por mês e 40 redes horas por mês foram registrados 1844 indivíduos de Ithomiinae, pertencentes a 14 espécies. As espécies Hypothyris ninonia (Hübner, [1806]) e Napeogenes rhezia (Geyer, [1834]) foram as espécies mais abundantes. Foi encontrada uma diversidade homogênea tanto no sentido horizontal quanto vertical, apesar de ser observada uma preferência da maioria das espécies pelo ambiente de sub-bosque. Foi registrada uma predominância de machos na comunidade da área. Como o grupo apresenta diferenças comportamentais entre indivíduos machos e fêmeas, essa predominância de machos nos registros pode ser resultado de uma seleção dos métodos na captura dos espécimes. Não foi encontrada uma diferença significativa entre a riqueza de espécies registrada pelos diferentes métodos, apesar de três espécies serem obtidas exclusivamente pelas redes, e outras duas pelas armadilhas de isca. Houve uma predominância nos registros de Methona sp. pelas redes entomológicas, sugerindo uma atração diferenciada da espécie pela isca utilizada. Verificou-se uma correlação negativa entre o número de indivíduos coletados e o aumento dos índices de pluviosidade. O estudo apresentou uma baixa riqueza de espécies com amostragem intensiva, a comunidade é representada por espécies abundantes e raras; e apresenta oscilações na abundância conforme a precipitação pluviométrica. As armadilhas de sub-bosque foram mais eficiente. Sugere-se para Ithomiinae a utilização de somente armadilhas no subbosque com isca de Heliotropium indicum.

Optimization of corticosteroid induced osteoporosis in ovariectomized sheep. A bone histomorphometric study

During osteoporosis induction in sheep, side effects of the steroids were observed in previous studies. The aim of this study was to improve the induction regimen consisting of ovariectomy, calcium/vitamin D- restricted diet and methylprednisolone (-MP)- medication with respect to the bone metabolism and to reduce the adverse side effects. Thirty-six ewes (age 6.5 +/- 0.6 years) were divided into four MP-administration groups (n = 9) with a total dose of 1800 mg MP: group 1: 20 mg/day, group 2: 60 mg/every third day, group 3: 3 x 500 mg and 1 x 300 mg at intervals of three weeks, group 4: weekly administration, starting at 70 mg and weekly reduction by 10 mg. After double-labelling with Calcein Green and Xylenol Orange, bone biopsy specimens were taken from the iliac crest (IC) at the beginning and four weeks after the last MP injection, and additionally from the vertebral body (VB) at the end of the experiment. Bone samples were processed into stained and fluorescent sections, static and dynamic measurements were performed. There were no significant differences for static parameters between the groups initially. The bone perimeter and the bone area values were significantly higher in the VB than in the IC (Pm: 26%, p < 0.0001, Ar: 11%, p < 0.0166). A significant decrease (20%) of the bone area was observed after corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis (p < 0.0004). For the dynamic parameters, no significant difference between the groups was found. Presence of Calcein Green and Xylenol Orange labels were noted in 50% of the biopsies in the IC, 100% in the VB. Group 3 showed the lowest prevalence of adverse side effects. The bone metabolism changes were observed in all four groups, and the VB bone metabolism was higher when compared to the IC. In conclusion, when using equal amounts of steroids adverse side effects can be reduced by decreasing the number of administrations without reducing the effect regarding corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis. This information is useful to reduce the discomfort of the animals in this sheep model of corticosteroid-induced osteoporosis.

The impact of early postoperative cyclosporine serum levels on the incidence of cardiac allograft rejection

The introduction of cyclosporine A (CyA) into the immunosuppressive therapy has significantly improved the results of heart transplantation (HTX). Its nephrotoxicity and hepatotoxicity, however, often limit the perioperative and postoperative use of this drug. The purpose of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effect of early postoperative CyA blood levels on the incidence of early as well as late cardiac rejection and patients' survival. Between October 1985 and June 1991, HTX was performed in 311 patients. Standard immunosuppression consisted of azathioprine (1-2 mg/kg), prednisolone (0.5 to 0.1 mg/kg) and CyA. Rabbit-antithymocyte-globulin (RATG - 1.5 mg/kg) was administered for the first 4 days postoperatively. Moderate rejection was treated with 3 x 500 mg methylprednisolone, severe rejection with RATG (1.5 mg/kg three times a day). Patients were excluded from this study because of a positive cross-matching, early death unrelated to rejection or alternate forms of immunosuppression (n = 111). Follow-up was complete in 200 patients (mean age 44 +/- 11; 18 female, 182 male; 204,233 patient days) with a total of 5380 biopsies. The cohort was divided into group I (no CyA for day 0 to 2; n = 108) and group II (CyA during day 0 to 2; n = 92) according to the onset of CyA therapy. In 101 patients (group A) the mean CyA blood level was less than 150 ng/ml from day 0 to 14 and in 99 patients more than 150 ng/ml (group B).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Speciating Campylobacter jejuni and Campylobacter coli isolates from poultry and humans using six PCR-based assays

Six previously published polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays each targeting different genes were used to speciate 116 isolates previously identified as Campylobacter jejuni using routine microbiological techniques. Of the 116 isolates, 84 were of poultry origin and 32 of human origin. The six PCR assays confirmed the species identities of 31 of 32 (97%) human isolates and 56 of 84 (67%) poultry isolates as C. jejuni. Twenty eight of 84 (33%) poultry isolates were identified as Campylobacter coli and the remaining human isolate was tentatively identified as Campylobacter upsaliensis based on the degree of similarity of 16S rRNA gene sequences. Four of six published PCR assays showed 100% concordance in their ability to speciate 113 of the 116 (97.4%) isolates; two assays failed to generate a PCR product with four to 10 isolates. A C. coli-specific PCR identified all 28 hippuricase gene (hipO)-negative poultry isolates as C. coli although three isolates confirmed to be C. jejuni by the remaining five assays were also positive in this assay. A PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism assay based on the 16S rRNA gene was developed, which contrary to the results of the six PCR-based assays, identified 28 of 29 hipO-negative isolates as C. jejuni. DNA sequence analysis of 16S rRNA genes from four hipO-negative poultry isolates showed they were almost identical to the C. jejuni type strain 16S rRNA sequences ATCC43431 and ATCC33560 indicating that assays reliant on 16S rRNA sequence may not be suitable for the differentiation of these two species.

Detection of the ADP-ribosyltransferase toxin gene (cdtA) and its activity in Clostridium difficile isolates from Equidae

Clostridium difficile is an antibiotic-associated emerging pathogen of humans and animals. Thus far three toxins of C. difficile have been described: an enterotoxin (ToxA), a cytotoxin (ToxB) and an ADP-ribosyltransferase (CDT). In the present work we describe the first isolation of CDT producing C. difficile from Equidae with gastro-intestinal disease. Out of 17 C. difficile strains isolated from Equidae, 11 were positive for the genes tcdA and tcdB encoding ToxA and ToxB. In addition four of these 11 isolates were positive for the cdtA gene encoding the catalytic subunit of the ADP-ribosyltransferase CDT. Interestingly none of the isolates derived from canines (41 isolates) and felines (4 isolates) harboured the cdtA gene. In C. difficile field isolates which contained the cdtA gene, ADP-ribosyltransferase activity could also be detected in culture supernatants indicating expression and secretion of CDT. All strains were associated with intestinal disorders, but no association was found for the occurrence of toxins with a specific clinical diagnosis.

Target genes for virulence assessment of Escherichia coli isolates from water, food and the environment

The widespread species Escherichia coli includes a broad variety of different types, ranging from highly pathogenic strains causing worldwide outbreaks of severe disease to avirulent isolates which are part of the normal intestinal flora or which are well characterized and safe laboratory strains. The pathogenicity of a given E. coli strain is mainly determined by specific virulence factors which include adhesins, invasins, toxins and capsule. They are often organized in large genetic blocks either on the chromosome ('pathogenicity islands'), on large plasmids or on phages and can be transmitted horizontally between strains. In this review we summarize the current knowledge of the virulence attributes which determine the pathogenic potential of E. coli strains and the methodology available to assess the virulence of E. coli isolates. We also focus on a recently developed procedure based on a broad-range detection system for E. coli-specific virulence genes that makes it possible to determine the potential pathogenicity and its nature in E. coli strains from various sources. This makes it possible to determine the pathotype of E. coli strains in medical diagnostics, to assess the virulence and health risks of E. coli contaminating water, food and the environment and to study potential reservoirs of virulence genes which might contribute to the emergence of new forms of pathogenic E. coli.

Standard and higher doses of atropine in a canine model of pulseless electrical activity

OBJECTIVE To determine whether standard or increased doses of atropine improve the return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC) rate in a canine model of pulseless electrical activity (PEA). METHODS A prospective, controlled, blinded laboratory investigation was performed using an asphyxial canine cardiac arrest model. After the production of asphyxial PEA, 75 dogs remained in untreated PEA for 10 minutes and then were randomized to receive placebo (group 1) or one of four doses of atropine (group 2, 0.04 mg/kg; group 3, 0.1 mg/kg; group 4, 0.2 mg/kg; group 5, 0.4 mg/kg). All the animals received mechanical external CPR and epinephrine (0.02 mg/kg every 3 minutes) throughout resuscitation. RESULTS The ROSC rates were not significantly different between the groups (group 1, 73%; group 2, 67%; group 3, 40%; group 4, 47%; group 5, 27%; p = 0.06). The heart rates and hemodynamics during resuscitation were not significantly different between the groups. CONCLUSION In this canine model of asphyxial PEA cardiac arrest, standard-dose atropine did not improve ROSC rates, compared with placebo. Increasing doses of atropine tended to decrease ROSC rates, compared with placebo and standard-dose atropine.

The effects of endothelin-1 on coronary perfusion pressure during cardiopulmonary resuscitation in a canine model

OBJECTIVE To study the hemodynamic effects of exogenously administered endothelin-1 (ET-1), a peptide produced by endothelial cells with potent non-adrenergically mediated vasoconstrictor properties. METHODS A prospective drug intervention study was carried out in a resuscitation research laboratory. Fifteen mixed-breed dogs were anesthetized and instrumented for hemodynamic monitoring. Asphyxia arrest was produced by clamping the endotracheal tube. Hemodynamic data were collected continuously. Following loss of aortic fluctuations monitored by thoracic aortic catheter, the animals remained in pulseless electrical activity (PEA) for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes of no-flow PEA, closed-chest CPR was begun and the animals were randomized to one of three treatment groups (EPI, 0.02 mg/kg epinephrine IV every 3 minutes; ENDO, 100 micrograms ET-1 IV at 0 minutes; and EPI/ENDO, a combination of the EPI and ENDO treatments). RESULTS ENDO and EPI alone produced similar coronary perfusion pressures (CPPs). The EPI/ENDO combination produced significantly improved CPP compared with that of either EPI or ENDO alone. In the EPI group, the best mean CPP was 16 +/- 14 mm Hg and occurred 7 minutes after drug administration. In the ENDO group, the best mean CPP was 28 +/- 7 mm Hg and occurred 13 minutes after drug administration. In the EPI/ENDO combination group, the best mean CPP was 61 +/- 37 mm Hg and occurred 7 minutes after drug administration (p < 0.05 compared with the EPI and ENDO groups alone). CONCLUSION ET-1 is a potent vasoconstrictor. The combination of EPI and ENDO significantly improved CPP compared with that for either agent alone. ET-1 should be investigated further as a vasoconstrictor in cardiac arrest.

Influence of intervertebral disc fenestration at the herniation site in association with hemilaminectomy on recurrence in chondrodystrophic dogs with thoracolumbar disc disease: a prospective MRI study

OBJECTIVE To describe the influence of fenestration at the disc herniation site on recurrence in thoracolumbar disc disease of chondrodystrophoid dogs. STUDY DESIGN Prospective clinical study. ANIMALS Chondrodystrophic dogs (n=19). METHODS Dogs were divided into 2 groups: group 1 (9 dogs) had thoracolumbar disc extrusion (Hansen type I) treated by hemilaminectomy and concomitant fenestration of the affected intervertebral disc and group 2 (10 dogs) had hemilaminectomy without fenestration. All dogs had 3 magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) examinations: preoperatively, immediately postoperatively to assess removal of herniated disc material, and again 6 weeks after surgery. RESULTS There were 13 male and 6 female dogs; mean age, 7.1 years. Thoracolumbar disc herniation was confirmed with MRI. Immediate post surgical MRI revealed that the herniated disc removal was complete in all but 1 dog and that fenestration did not lead to complete removal of nucleus pulposus within the intervertebral disc space. On the 3rd MRI examination, none of the group 1 dogs had further disc material herniation at the fenestrated site. Six of the 10 group 2 dogs had a recurrence of herniation leading to clinical signs in 3 dogs (pain in 2 dogs, paresis in 1 dog). CONCLUSION In thoracolumbar disc herniation, fenestration of the affected intervertebral disc space prevents further extrusion of disc material. CLINICAL RELEVANCE Fenestration reduces the risk of early recurrence of disc herniation and associated postoperative complications.