Relative impacts of morphological alteration to shorelines and eutrophication on littoral macroinvertebrates in Mediterranean lakes

Development of effective methods for assessing the ecological status of lakes based on littoral benthic fauna has been hampered by the lack of quantitative data on the relative impacts of key pressures on the benthic community. We used variance partitioning at 126 sites belonging to 14 natural Mediterranean lakes to analyze the pure and shared effects of eutrophication, morphological alterations, microhabitat type, lake morphometry and geographic position on the littoral macroinvertebrate community. The spatial arrangement of the sampling sites was responsible for 9.1% of the total variance in littoral benthic community composition, lake morphometry accounted for 4.3% of variation, and microhabitat type accounted for 3.9%. Communities appeared to be affected primarily by morphological alterations to lake shorelines, and their impact was 2.5 times as important as that of eutrophication. The structure of littoral benthic communities was governed by processes acting at several spatial scales from region to lake scale. Thus, several pressures and the various spatial scales at which these act should be taken into account when implementing methods of assessing lake ecological condition based on littoral benthic invertebrates. Region-specific methods for subalpine and volcanic lakes might enhance the validity of assessment of results of morphological alterations and improve management of those water resources

Polymyxins and quinazolines are LSD1/KDM1A inhibitors with unusual structural features

Because of its involvement in the progression of several malignant tumors, the histone lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) has become a prominent drug target in modern medicinal chemistry research. We report on the discovery of two classes of noncovalent inhibitors displaying unique structural features. The antibiotics polymyxins bind at the entrance of the substrate cleft, where their highly charged cyclic moiety interacts with a cluster of positively charged amino acids. The same site is occupied by quinazoline-based compounds, which were found to inhibit the enzyme through a most peculiar mode because they form a pile of five to seven molecules that obstruct access to the active center. These data significantly indicate unpredictable strategies for the development of epigenetic inhibitors

Efficient sampling methodologies for lake littoral invertebrates in compliance with the European Water Framework Directive

Lake shores are characterised by a high natural variability, which is increasingly threatened by a multitude of anthropogenic disturbances including morphological alterations to the littoral zone. The European Water Framework Directive (EU WFD) calls for the assessment of lake ecological status by monitoring biological quality elements including benthic macroinvertebrates. To identify cost- and time-efficient sampling strategies for routine lake monitoring, we sampled littoral invertebrates in 32 lakes located in different geographical regions in Europe. We compared the efficiency of two sampling methodologies, defined as habitat-specific and pooled composite sampling protocols. Benthic samples were collected from unmodified and morphologically altered shorelines. Variability within macroinvertebrate communities did not differ significantly between sampling protocols across alteration types, lake types and geographical regions. Community composition showed no significant differences between field composite samples and artificially generated composite samples, and correlation coefficients between macroinvertebrate metrics calculated with both methods and a predefined morphological stressor index were similar. We conclude that proportional composite sampling represents a time- and cost-efficient method for routine lake monitoring as requested under the EU WFD, and may be applied across various European geographical regions

Diagnosing and monitoring diabetic macular edema: structural and functional tests.

Diabetic macular edema remains a major cause of visual impairment in adults despite the use of intensive glycemic control, photocoagulation therapy and new intravitreal drugs in the treatment of this disease. Although early diagnosis and treatment lead to better results, we still have patients who become legally blind. Therefore, better structural and functional characterization of this disease is necessary in order to customize treatment

TOWARDS THE USE OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES FOR NUTRITIONAL SAFETY

In this thesis five experimental studies were reported with the objective to improve the knowledge and provide new solutions for different and important aspects of dairy cow nutrition. The first trial was performed to examine the relationships between blood concentrations of fatty acids (NEFA), \u3b2-hydroxybutyrate (BHB) and \u3b1-tocopherol during the periparturient period in dairy cows. For the study 131 cows from 4 different farms, 2 in Italy and 2 in Greece were used. We determined blood concentrations of NEFA, BHB, and \u3b1- tocopherol at dry-off, at calving, and 30d postpartum. We found a weak correlation between NEFA and BHB throughout the periparturient period. Negative correlations between NEFA and \u3b1-tocopherol were highly significant at 30d postpartum and approached the level of significance at dry-off. However, both correlations became nonsignificant following the adjustment of \u3b1-tocopherol with cholesterol, indicating that the correlations were a reflection of changes in lipid transport. We found significant negative correlations between BHB and \u3b1- tocopherol after adjustment with cholesterol. The aims of the second research presented was to understand the effects of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) inoculation on fermentation products and quality of alfalfa and ryegrass silage and the use of thermal camera and electronic nose to evaluate the silage quality. Wilted ryegrass and alfalfa silage were inoculated with a commercial product containing Lactobacillus Rhamnosus and Lactobacillus Farciminis and stored in triplicate micro fermenters for each treatment. The silos were opened after 2, 5, 30, 60, 90 and 120 days and silages were collected and analyzed. The results obtained showed better acidification of treated silages with pH value lower in both alfalfa and ryegrass silages (P 640.01). Alfalfa silage has had higher content of lactic acid (P 640.01) with unexpected higher values of NH4 (P 640.01). In ryegrass silage the LAB concentration was lower in treated compared to control silage (P 640.01). Instead no significant difference of LAB concentration was observed between control and treated alfalfa silages. Strong negative correlation between pH and lactic acid 97% (P 640.01) and positive correlation between pH and LAB concentration 93% (P 640.01) were observed in alfalfa silage. The LAB concentration was positive correlated with pH value 94% (P 640.01). Significant but not strong negative correlation was observed between pH and NH4 33% (P 640.05). Probably due to the good quality of both treated and control silages no differences of temperature were observed. Although, different results were obtained between ryegrass and silage analysis the electronic nose showed promising ability to evaluate the silage quality but further studies will be needed to understand his ability to evaluate the silage quality. In the third experimental trial the combined use of thermal camera and electronic nose was evaluated for rapid assessment of unfavorable fermentations that can occur in a corn silage mass. From April to September, five sampling times were performed to collect silage samples. The thermal camera was used to detect the temperature. For all samples chemical analysis were performed to evaluate the silage quality and was used electronic nose to perform the off-flavors analysis. The silage quality remained constant and no differences were observed throughout the trial. Significant statistical differences were observed between samples with normal temperature and that with higher temperature for pH value (P<0.01), lactic acid (P<0.05). The off-flavors analysis showed the ability of electronic nose to distinguish the strong wrong fermentation. The results obtained showed that the use thermal camera and electronic nose can provide an indication of silage quality in short time and with low cost. Further studies aimed to study the accuracy of both instruments are necessary. The aim of the fourth experimental study was to investigate the physical quality of a selected lot of twenty animal feed samples collected in Italy and Serbia. The samples belonged to different categories and analyzed to assess the flowability, particle size distribution, hardness and durability. Granulation of cattle and pig feed was finer in Italian than in Serbian samples. Flowability of samples from both countries in mash form were rated from fair to good (angle of repose >30\ub0) while granulated samples (pellets and extrudates) had improved flowability (angle of repose 10 kg) than pelleted products (<8 kg). Durability of most of the extruded and pelleted products was higher tha 95%. Most of the physical characteristics of the samples responded to recommendations, which showed that the similar practices are in use in both countries. The last research reported in this thesis had the aim to determine the influence of filling level, cutting and mixing time on homogeneity and particle size distribution of a dairy cow total mixed ration (TMR). The mixing wagon was loaded to 40%, 70% and 100% of maximum nominal load (21m3). The cutting time and mixing time were 4, 5 and 6 minutes. Samples of TMR were collected at the beginning, in the middle and at the end of the feeding alley and analysed to evaluate the dry matter (DM), ether extract (EE), crude protein (CP), neutral detergent fibre (NDF), and ash content. At the same time TMR particle size distribution was determined in triplicate for each sampling point by Penn State Particle Separator. The coefficient of variation (CV %) of DM, CP, NDF and EE was used to evaluate the multiple effect of filling level, cutting and mixing time on ration uniformity and differences between the theoretical ration formulated and that provided to dairy cattle. The filling level was the main factor affecting uniformity and differences from theoretical ration, the best results were obtained to 70%. The mixing time had less and different effects uniformity and ration composition. The cutting time showed no effects

A new tool for the evaluation of the rehabilitation outcomes in older persons. a machine learning model to predict functional status 1 year ahead

Purpose To date, the assessment of disability in older people is obtained utilizing a Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA). However, it is often difficult to understand which areas of CGA are most predictive of the disability. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility to early predict—1year ahead—the disability level of a patient using machine leaning models. Methods Community-dwelling older people were enrolled in this study. CGA was made at baseline and at 1year follow-up. After collecting input/independent variables (i.e., age, gender, schooling followed, body mass index, information on smoking, polypharmacy, functional status, cognitive performance, depression, nutritional status), we performed two distinct Support Vector Machine models (SVMs) able to predict functional status 1year ahead. To validate the choice of the model, the results achieved with the SVMs were compared with the output produced by simple linear regression models. Results 218 patients (mean age = 78.01; SD = 7.85; male = 39%) were recruited. The combination of the two SVMs is able to achieve a higher prediction accuracy (exceeding 80% instances correctly classified vs 67% instances correctly classified by the combination of the two linear regression models). Furthermore, SVMs are able to classify both the three categories, self sufficiently, disability risk and disability, while linear regression model separates the population only in two groups (self-sufficiency and disability) without identifying the intermediate category (disability risk) which turns out to be the most critical one. Conclusions The development of such a model can contribute to the early detection of patients at risk of self-sufficiency loss

Uma escola atraente é um convite para estudar: Erasmo Pilotto e a educação paranaense na década de 1950

Neste artigo abordamos aspectos da história da Educação do Paraná a partir de Erasmo Pilotto, que protagonizou mudanças na educação e formação de professores na década de 1950. Sua vida se entretece ao processo de transformações socioeducacionais, no contexto de implantação da Escola Nova. Objetivamos compreender aspectos de seu pensamento e ação pedagógica a partir do capital sociocultural acumulado.  Tendo por base escritos de Erasmo Pilotto, Bourdieu (1998, 2007); Le Goff (2003); Silva (2009, 2014) e Miceli (2007), entre outros. A pesquisa possibilitou conhecer particularidades do pensamento de Erasmo Pilotto, a inserção de suas ideias na educação paranaense e a relevância do capital sociocultural em sua trajetória profissional e pessoal. DOI: https://doi.org/10.33871/23594381.2020.18.2.64-7

Diabetic Macular Edema With and Without Subfoveal Neuroretinal Detachment: Two Different Morphologic and Functional Entities

To assess specific morphologic and functional characteristics in eyes with diabetic macular edema (DME) with subfoveal neuroretinal detachment (SND+) vs DME without SND (SND-)

Uma escola atraente é um convite para estudar: Erasmo Pilotto e a educação paranaense na década de 1950

Neste artigo abordamos aspectos da história da Educação do Paraná a partir de Erasmo Pilotto, que protagonizou mudanças na educação e formação de professores na década de 1950. Sua vida se entretece ao processo de transformações socioeducacionais, no contexto de implantação da Escola Nova. Objetivamos compreender aspectos de seu pensamento e ação pedagógica a partir do capital sociocultural acumulado. Tendo por base escritos de Erasmo Pilotto, Bourdieu (1998, 2007); Le Goff (2003); Silva (2009, 2014) e Miceli (2007), entre outros. A pesquisa possibilitou conhecer particularidades do pensamento de Erasmo Pilotto, a inserção de suas ideias na educação paranaense e a relevância do capital sociocultural em sua trajetória profissional e pessoal.DOI:https://doi.org/10.33871/23594381.2020.18.2.64-7

HISTÓRIA DE VIDA DE ERASMO PILOTTO: PAPEL DO EDUCADOR NO CONTEXTO DA EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA NO ESTADO DO PARANÁ-BRASIL

As discussões históricas nos permitem observar como se deu a construção de um ideal ou pensamento em um determinado momento da sociedade. Nesse enfoque o presente estudo tem por objetivo compreender como a educação física se contextualiza nas obras de Erasmo Pilotto e como suas propostas ideológicas influenciaram para a efetivação das aulas deste componente curricular na educação primária paranaense. Adotou-se a pesquisa do tipo bibliográfica, analisando a partir do recorte temporal dos anos de 1950 a 1970, obras que auxiliaram na compreensão da interlocução de Erasmo Pilotto com a Educação Física escolar nas aulas dos anos iniciais. Identificou-se a defesa do educador pela educação física na escola primária, como forma de corroborar para a formação humana, destacando que ao se trabalhar o corpo proporciona-se o desenvolvimento social do homem, uma vez que Erasmo Pilotto defendia que, a criança precisava ter conhecimento de seu corpo para a sua transformação total