Environment and harvest time affects the combustion qualities of Miscanthus genotypes

Miscanthus spp. are high-yielding perennial C4 grasses, native to Asia, that are being investigated in Europe as potential biofuels. Production of economically viable solid biofuel must combine high biomass yields with good combustion qualities. Good biomass combustion quality depends on minimizing moisture, ash, K, chloride, N, and S. To this end, field trials at five sites in Europe from Sweden to Portugal were planted with 15 different genotypes including M. x giganteus, M. sacchariflorus, M. sinensis, and newly bred M. sinensis hybrids. Yield and combustion quality at an autumn and a late winter/ early spring harvest were determined in the third year after planting when the stands had reached maturity. As expected, delaying the harvest by three to four months improved the combustion quality of all genotypes by reducing ash (from 40 to 25 g kg-1 dry matter), K (from 9 to 4 g kg-1 dry matter), chloride (from 4 to 1 g kg-1 dry matter), N (from 5 to 4 g kg-1 dry matter), and moisture (from 564 to 291 g kg-1 fresh matter). However, the delayed harvest also decreased mean biomass yields from 17 to 14 t ha-1. There is a strong interaction among yield, quality, and site growing conditions. Results show that in northern regions of Europe, M. sinensis hybrids can be recommended for high yields (yielding up to 25 t ha-1), but M. sinensis (nonhybrid) genotypes have higher combustion qualities. In mid- and south Europe, M. giganteus (yielding up to 38 t ha-1) or specific high-yielding M. sinensis hybrids (yielding up to 41 t ha-1) are more suitable for biofuel production

Heavy metals and micronutrients in soils under dairy grazing right on top of the river Paranaíba basin in the state of Goiás, Brazil

In Brazil, the agricultural activity is among the most competitive sectors of national economy, in which milk production has a very significant contribution. Concern about environmental contamination by this activity is related to the fact that dairy cattle manure heavy metals present in the constitution; the creation of such animals in the grazing system directly questions the possibility of any contamination by these metals in the watery, area where these animals congregate at certain times of day for drinking water and where they defecate. This study aimed to evaluate the content of copper, iron, manganese, zinc, cadmium, lead and chromium in watery areas and in conservation areas (control) of 28 properties, grouped into six “otto-basins” forming the upper basin of the Paranaíba River in the State of Goiás. The simple soil samples were collected at three depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) obtained from such a composite sample for each depth in the areas watered and preserved. The analysis of PCA metals pollutants in soils watery areas analyzed did not indicate the occurrence of contamination in these environments when compared to the preserved area. Observed random distribution of average levels of metals in the three studied depths in all treatments, which complicates the definition of the potential for soil contamination by feces of dairy farming originated in watery areas, under rotational grazing.A preocupação quanto à contaminação do ambiente por meio da atividade leiteira está relacionada ao fato dos dejetos destes bovinos apresentarem metais poluentes em sua constituição; na criação desses animais no sistema de pastejo direto questiona-se a possibilidade da ocorrência de contaminação por estes metais nas aguadas, área onde esses animais se aglomeram em determinados períodos do dia para beberem água e onde defecam. O presente estudo objetivou avaliar os teores dos metais cobre, ferro, manganês, zinco, cádmio, chumbo e cromo em áreas de aguadas e em áreas preservadas (testemunha) de 28 propriedades, agrupadas em seis Ottobacias hidrográficas formadoras do alto da bacia do Rio Paranaíba, no Estado de Goiás. As amostras simples de solos foram coletadas em três profundidades (0-10, 10-20 e 20-30 cm), a partir destas foram obtidas uma amostra composta para cada profundidade nas áreas de aguadas e preservadas. Pela análise de PCA os metais poluentes analisados nos solos de aguada não indicou a ocorrência de contaminação nestes ambientes quando comparados à área preservada. A distribuição aleatória dos teores médios dos metais nas três profundidades estudadas em todos os tratamentos dificulta a definição do potencial de contaminação do solo pelos dejetos originados da atividade leiteira em áreas de aguadas, sob pastejo direto3052582590Alvarenga, M.I.N., Davide, A.C., Características físicas e químicas de um Latossolo Vermelho-Escuro e a sustentabilidade de agroecossistemas (1999) Revista Brasileira de Ciência do Solo, 23 (4), pp. 933-942. , ViçosaByers, H.L., Cabrera, M.L., Matthews, M., Franklin, D.H., Andrae, J.G., Radcliffe, D.E., McCann, M.A., Calvert Jr, V.H., Phosphorus, sediment and Escherichia coli loads in unfenced streams of the Georgia Piedmont, USA (2005) Journal of Environmental Quality, 34 (11), pp. 2293-2300. , MadisonCorreia, P.R.M., Ferreira, M.M.C., Reconhecimento de padrões por métodos não supervisionados: Explorando procedimentos quimiométricos para o tratamento de dados analíticos (2007) Revista Química Nova, 30 (2), pp. 48-487. , São PauloEMBRAPA-Embrapa Informação Tecnológica, (2003) Pesquisa, desenvolvimento e inovação para o agronegócio brasileiro: Cenários 2002-2012, 92p. , Embrapa/Secretaria de Gestão e Estratégia. Brasília: Embrapa Informação TecnológicaIBGE-Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Indicadores: Produção pecuária, , http://www.ibge.gov.br/home/mapa_site/mapa_site.php, Disponível em, Acesso em: 02 abr. 2012McGechan, M.B., Topp, C.F.E., Modelling environmental impacts of deposition of excreted nitrogen by grazing dairy cows (2004) Agriculture, Ecossystems e Environment, 103 (1), pp. 149-164. , AmsterdamMoura, M.C.S., Lopes, A.N.C., Moita, G.C., Moita Neto, J.M., Estudo multivariado de solos urbanos da cidade de Teresina (2006) Revista Química Nova, 29 (3), pp. 429-435. , São PauloOliver, M.A., Soil and human health: A review (1997) Journal Science Soil, 48 (4), pp. 573-592. , OxfordPereira, A.A., Borges, J.D., Leandro, W.M., Metais poluentes e micronutrientes no solo e em folhas de brachiaria decumbens às margens de rodovias (2010) Bioscience Journal, 26 (3), pp. 347-357. , UberlândiaPfafstetter, O., (1989) Classificação de bacias hidrográficas: Metodologia de codificação, 19p. , Rio de Janeiro, RJ: Departamento Nacional de Obras de Saneamento (DNOS), Trabalho não publicadoQuaggio, J.A., van Raij, B., Comparação de métodos rápidos para determinação da matéria orgânica em solo (1979) Revista Brasileira de. Ciência do Solo, 3 (3), pp. 184-187. , CampinasSEPIN-Superintendência de Pesquisa e Informação, (2012) Anuário Estatístico do Estado de Goiás-2005, , http://www.segplan.go.gov.br/, Disponível em: Acesso em: 22 junWijewardena, J.D.H., Gunaratne, S.P., Heavy metal in commonly used animal manure (2004) Annals of the Sri Lanka Dapartment of agriculture, 6 (2), pp. 245-253. , BombuwelaIn Brazil, the agricultural activity is among the most competitive sectors of national economy, in which milk production has a very significant contribution. Concern about environmental contamination by this activity is related to the fact that dairy cattle manure heavy metals present in the constitution; the creation of such animals in the grazing system directly questions the possibility of any contamination by these metals in the watery, area where these animals congregate at certain times of day for drinking water and where they defecate. This study aimed to evaluate the content of copper, iron, manganese, zinc, cadmium, lead and chromium in watery areas and in conservation areas (control) of 28 properties, grouped into six “otto-basins” forming the upper basin of the Paranaíba River in the State of Goiás. The simple soil samples were collected at three depths (0-10, 10-20 and 20-30 cm) obtained from such a composite sample for each depth in the areas watered and preserved. The analysis of PCA metals pollutants in soils watery areas analyzed did not indicate the occurrence of contamination in these environments when compared to the preserved area. Observed random distribution of average levels of metals in the three studied depths in all treatments, which complicates the definition of the potential for soil contamination by feces of dairy farming originated in watery areas, under rotational grazin

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Prevalence of Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis in certified reproduction swine farms of Paraná State from 2002 to 2004

No presente estudo foi estabelecida a prevalência do ácaro causador da sarna sarcóptica, Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis, nas 49 Granjas de Reprodutores Suínos Certificadas – GRSC, do Estado do Paraná no período de 2002 a 2004. No período estudado, a população suína das granjas era de 24.697 animais, incluindo 19.697 reprodutores e 5.000 em engorda. As amostras foram obtidas trimestralmente e enviadas para diagnóstico e identificação conforme legislação do Ministério da Agricultura, Pecuária e Abastecimento - MAPA, Instrução Normativa nº 19, que determina a colheita de cinco amostras de reprodutores e cinco de terminação a cada três meses, totalizando 4.342 exames de raspados de pele de suínos no período estudado. No ano de 2002 o Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis foi diagnosticado em um suíno, com uma prevalência 0,12%; em 2003 foi diagnosticado em dois animais, com uma prevalência 0,11%; e em 2004 em um suíno, com uma prevalência de 0,06%. Entre as 49 granjas pesquisadas, constatou-se a presença do Sarcoptes em quatro granjas (8,16%) durante o período. Os municípios de origem das granjas acometidas não apresentaram tendência por uma região específica e incluíram Castro, Guarapuava, Toledo e Entre Rios do Oeste. Em conclusão, embora a prevalência tenha sido baixa no presente estudo, Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis pode ser detectada mesmo em granjas de alto padrão do Estado do Paraná.  Outras técnicas mais sensíveis, como o ELISA e o PCR, poderiam ser associadas ao raspado de pele, de modo a melhor detectar o Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis em granjas de reprodutores suínos certificadas.In the present study we have established the prevalence of the causative acarus of Sarcoptic mange, Sarcoptes scabiei variety suis, in the 49 certified reproduction swine farms of Paraná State from 2002 to 2004. In the evaluated period the certified farm swine population was of 24,697 pigs, including 19.697 at reproduction and 5,000 at termination stage. The samples were quarterly obtained and sent for diagnosis and identification following Normative Instruction number 19, of January 15th 2002, from the Ministry of Agriculture -  MAPA, which determines quarterly sampling of five pigs in reproduction and five from termination stage, performing a total of 4,342 swine skin scrapping exams in the period. In 2002, Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis was diagnosed in one pig, with a prevalence of 0.12%; in 2003, it was diagnosed in two animals with a prevalence of 0.11%; and in 2004 it was diagnosed in one pig, with a prevalence of 0.06%. Among the 49 farms searched, presence of Sarcoptes was observed in four farms (8.16%) during the period.  The cities where the farms were located did not present any local tendency and included Castro, Guarapuava, Toledo, and Entre Rios do Oeste. In conclusion, although the found prevalence was very low, Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis can be detected even in high standard farms of Paraná State. Other more sensitive diagnostic techniques, such as ELISA and PCR, should be used in order to better detect Sarcoptes scabiei var. suis in certified reproduction swine farms.

Baseline Characteristics from UNITE: An Observational, International, Multicentre Registry to Evaluate Hidradenitis Suppurativa (Acne Inversa) in Clinical Practice

Background: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS), also known as acne inversa, is a recurring, painful, chronic, and sometimes disfiguring inflammatory skin disease. Objectives: Our objective was to report the baseline clinical characteristics, natural history, and associated outcomes of patients with HS from the ongoing, prospective, non-interventional UNITE registry that is collecting data regarding the natural history and associated outcomes of HS. Methods: Patients with inflammatory HS lesions were enrolled, including adolescents (aged 12 to < 18 years) and adults (aged ≥ 18 years). None had participated in previous or current originator-adalimumab studies/registries. Patients received treatment consistent with site-specific, routine clinical practice. HS disease status was assessed by HS lesions and disease flare; treatment and outcomes data were collected at e

Search for direct production of charginos and neutralinos in events with three leptons and missing transverse momentum in √s = 7 TeV pp collisions with the ATLAS detector

A search for the direct production of charginos and neutralinos in final states with three electrons or muons and missing transverse momentum is presented. The analysis is based on 4.7 fb−1 of proton–proton collision data delivered by the Large Hadron Collider and recorded with the ATLAS detector. Observations are consistent with Standard Model expectations in three signal regions that are either depleted or enriched in Z-boson decays. Upper limits at 95% confidence level are set in R-parity conserving phenomenological minimal supersymmetric models and in simplified models, significantly extending previous results