Are metals of antifouling paints transferred to marine biota?

Devido sua alta toxicidade, o TBT está banido desde 2003, o que resultou na re-utilização de tintas a base de cobre. O objetivo deste trabalho é determinar se os metais provenientes das tintas anti-incrustantes (AFP) são transferidos para organismos bentônicos da Baía de Guanabara (BG) (Rio de janeiro, Brasil). Concentrações de metais foram analisadas em duas espécies de algas Ulva flexuosa e U. fasciata e no isópoda, Sphaeroma serratum, em duas áreas de marinas em locais de substrato artificial coberto com tintas AFP e em locais de substrato natural. Também foram coletadas amostras em uma área oceânica (controle). Concentrações de Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb e Zn foram determinadas por Espectrofotometria de Absorção Atômica. Concentrações mais elevadas de Cu, Pb e Zn foram detectadas na BG em ambas espécies de algas em relação a área controle. Dentre as espécies de algas e do isópoda da BG, as populações coletadas sobre as superfícies cobertas com AFP apresentaram concentrações significativamente mais elevadas do que as populações do substrato natural. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que a liberação de metais presentes nas AFP dos decks e embarcações, estão sendo acumulados pelas algas e isópodas. Esses resultados indicam que o revestimento com AFP é a principal fonte de metais para a biota de marinas em áreas da BG.Because of its high toxicity, TBT (trybutiltin) was banned since 2003, which resulted in a greater re-use of Cu as based-biocide in antifouling paints (AFP). The aim of this work is to determine if metals form of AFP are transferred to benthic organisms from Guanabara Bay (GB) (Rio de Janeiro, Brazil). Metal concentrations were measured in two main fouling algae species Ulva flexuosa and U. fasciata and one isopod species, Sphaeroma serratum, in two GB marinas areas from sites with artificial substrate covered by AFP and natural substrate.In addition, control samples were collected in an adjacent open ocean area. Concentrations of Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb and Zn were determined by Atomic Absortion Spectrophotometry. Higher concentrations of Cu, Pb and Zn were detected in both algal species from GB in relation to control areas. Among samples of algae and isopod species from GB, populations collected over artificial surfaces covered by AFP presented significantly higher metal concentration than population of rocky natural substrate. Our data showed that the leaching of metals by antifouling paints present on decks and boats are being taken up by algae and isopods. These results indicate that antifouling coatings are the main source of heavy metal to biota of GB marina area

Software Traceability for Multi-Agent Systems Implemented Using BDI Architecture

The development of multi-agent software systems is considered a complex task due to (a) the large number and heterogeneity of documents generated during the development of these systems, (b) the lack of support for the whole development life-cycle by existing agent-oriented methodologies requiring the use of different methodologies, and (c) the possible incompleteness of the documents and models generated during the development of the systems. In order to alleviate the above problems, in this thesis, a traceability framework is described to support the development of multi-agent systems. The framework supports automatic generation of traceability relations and identification of missing elements (i.e., completeness checking) in the models created during the development life-cycle of multi-agent systems using the Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) architecture. Traceability has been recognized as an important activity in the software development process. Traceability relations can guarantee and improve software quality and can help with several tasks such as the evolution of software systems, reuse of parts of the system, validation that a system meets its requirements, understanding of the rationale for certain design decisions, identification of common aspects of the system, and analysis of implications of changes in the system. The traceability framework presented in this thesis concentrates on multi-agent software systems developed using i* framework, Prometheus methodology, and JACK language. Here, a traceability reference model is presented for software artefacts generated when using i* framework, Prometheus methodology, and JACK language. Different types of relations between the artefacts are identified. The framework is based on a rule-based approach to support automatic identification of traceability relations and missing elements between the generated artefacts. Software models represented in XML were used to support the heterogeneity of models and tools used during the software development life-cycle. In the framework, the rules are specified in an extension of XQuery to support (i) representation of the consequence part of the rules, i.e. the actions to be taken when the conditions are satisfied, and (ii) extra functions to cover some of the traceability relations being proposed and completeness checking of the models. A prototype tool has been developed to illustrate and evaluate the work. The work has been evaluated in terms of recall and precision measurements in three different case studies. One small case study of an Automatic Teller Machine application, one medium case study of an Air Traffic Control Environment application, and one large case study of an Electronic Bookstore application

Rhodoliths and rhodolith beds

Rhodolith (maërl) beds, communities dominated by free living coralline algae, are a common feature of subtidal environments worldwide. Well preserved as fossils, they have long been recognized as important carbonate producers and paleoenvironmental indicators. Coralline algae produce growth bands with a morphology and chemistry that record environmental variation. Rhodoliths are hard but often fragile, and growth rates are only on the order of mm/yr. The hard, complex structure of living beds provides habitats for numerous associated species not found on otherwise entirely sedimentary bottoms. Beds are degraded locally by dredging and other anthropogenic disturbances, and recovery is slow. They will likely suffer severe impacts worldwide from the increasing acidity of the ocean. Investigations of rhodolith beds with scuba have enabled precise stratified sampling that has shown the importance of individual rhodoliths as hot spots of diversity. Observations, collections, and experiments by divers have revolutionized taxonomic studies by allowing comprehensive, detailed collection and by showing the large effects of the environment on rhodolith morphology. Facilitated by in situ collection and calibrations, corallines are now contributing to paleoclimatic reconstructions over a broad range of temporal and spatial scales. Beds are particularly abundant in the mesophotic zone of the Brazilian shelf where technical diving has revealed new associations and species. This paper reviews selected past and present research on rhodoliths and rhodolith beds that has been greatly facilitated by the use of scuba

First report of Sporolithon ptychoides (Sporolithales, Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) for the Atlantic Ocean

Samples corresponding to Sporolithon ptychoides Heydrich were collected in the mesophotic zone (50 m depth) south of Espírito Santo State, Brazil. The collected material presented features characteristic of the species namely: tetrasporangia of 75-105 x 40-55 μm grouped into sori that are raised above the surrounding vegetative thallus surface; presence of a basal layer of elongate cells in areas where the tetrasporangia develop; presence of buried tetrasporangial compartments deep in the thallus; and 3-5 cells in the tetrasporangial paraphyses. These same features said to collectively characterise S. ptychoides, were all observed in a representative specimen and the type specimen of Sporolithon dimotum (Foslie & Howe) Yamaguishi-Tomita ex M.J Wynne. 2 This latter species is thus conspecific with S. ptychoides and is therefore considered a heterotypic synonym thereof as S. ptychoides has nomenclatural priority. This study expands the known geographical distribution of the species and may give insight into the origin of the species into other geographical regions.Web of Scienc

Software traceability for multi-agent systems implemented using BDI architecture

The development of multi-agent software systems is considered a complex task due to (a) the large number and heterogeneity of documents generated during the development of these systems, (b) the lack of support for the whole development life-cycle by existing agent-oriented methodologies requiring the use of different methodologies, and (c) the possible incompleteness of the documents and models generated during the development of the systems. In order to alleviate the above problems, in this thesis, a traceability framework is described to support the development of multi-agent systems. The framework supports automatic generation of traceability relations and identification of missing elements (i.e., completeness checking) in the models created during the development life-cycle of multi-agent systems using the Belief-Desire-Intention (BDI) architecture. Traceability has been recognized as an important activity in the software development process. Traceability relations can guarantee and improve software quality and can help with several tasks such as the evolution of software systems, reuse of parts of the system, validation that a system meets its requirements, understanding of the rationale for certain design decisions, identification of common aspects of the system, and analysis of implications of changes in the system. The traceability framework presented in this thesis concentrates on multi-agent software systems developed using i* framework, Prometheus methodology, and JACK language. Here, a traceability reference model is presented for software artefacts generated when using i* framework, Prometheus methodology, and JACK language. Different types of relations between the artefacts are identified. The framework is based on a rule-based approach to support automatic identification of traceability relations and missing elements between the generated artefacts. Software models represented in XML were used to support the heterogeneity of models and tools used during the software development life-cycle. In the framework, the rules are specified in an extension of XQuery to support (i) representation of the consequence part of the rules, i.e. the actions to be taken when the conditions are satisfied, and (ii) extra functions to cover some of the traceability relations being proposed and completeness checking of the models. A prototype tool has been developed to illustrate and evaluate the work. The work has been evaluated in terms of recall and precision measurements in three different case studies. One small case study of an Automatic Teller Machine application, one medium case study of an Air Traffic Control Environment application, and one large case study of an Electronic Bookstore application.EThOS - Electronic Theses Online ServiceGBUnited Kingdo

Sistema de control patrimonial contable y su incidencia en la formulación de los estados financieros en el Hospital General Jaén

La presente investigación planteó como objetivo central evaluar el sistema de control patrimonial contable y su incidencia en la formulación de los estados financieros en el Hospital General Jaén, para lo cual se formuló el siguiente problema ¿De qué manera el sistema de control patrimonial contable incide en la formulación de los estados financieros en el Hospital General Jaén? La metodología se basó en un estudio de diseño no experimental, de tipo descriptivo analítico, considerando como muestra a los jefes de las unidades de control patrimonial y contabilidad del Hospital General de Jaén, las técnicas utilizadas fueron la entrevista y el análisis documental. Los resultados evidenciaron que al analizar la cuenta Propiedad, Planta y Equipo en sus subcuentas contables de los periodos 2015 y 2016 respecto a los bienes patrimoniales que posee el Hospital General de Jaén, se evidenció que en periodo 2015 existe una diferencia entre lo que reporta el área contable y lo que reflejan los inventarios físicos de S/. 13,879.67, mientras que en 2016 la diferencia ascendió a S/. 28,987.99. Se concluye que no existe coherencia entre lo que se contabiliza y registra en los inventarios físicos del patrimonio, esto genera que los estados financieros no sean formulados de acuerdo a la realidad del Hospital General Jaén, por lo cual el sistema de control patrimonial incide en la formulación de los estados financieros

Seaweed diversity associated with a Brazilian tropical rhodolith bed

This study describes the predominantly tropical, subtidal seaweed populations growing on rhodoliths between 4 and 18 m depth in the southern part of Espírito Santo State (Brazil). Qualitative and quantitative sampling revealed species-rich algal communities, comprising 167 species. Three species of rhodophytes represent new records for the Brazilian marine flora (Lithothamnion muelleri, Scinaia aborealis, and Mesophyllum engelhartii). Marked seasonal differences in fleshy algal species composition and abundance were related to seasonal instabilities caused by winter-storm disturbance over the rhodolith beds. In relation to depth, rhodolith density appears to be an important factor for the variation in the abundance of fleshy algae. The rhodolith community is composed of at least seven nongeniculate crustose coralline algal species. Rhodolith beds in southern Espírito Santo State, in an area of 150 km2, provide an important habitat for epibenthic communities, supporting 25% of the known macroalgal species richness along the Brazilian coast.Web of Scienc

The influence of brown algae alginates on phenolic compounds capability of ultraviolet radiation absorption in vitro

Os compostos fenólicos (PC) de algas pardas são metabólitos secundários que participam de diversos processos biológicos, como proteção contra radiação ultravioleta (UV), bloqueio de poliespermia e ligação de metais. Recentemente, os PC têm sido estudados devido a possíveis interações com polissacarídeos da parede celular. Entretanto, existem poucas evidências sobre estas interações e sua influência em processos fisiológicos. Neste trabalho, foram investigadas as interações entre os PC de Padina gymnospora e os alginatos e a influência destas interações na capacidade de absorção de UV pelos PC. Foram utilizadas técnicas cromatográficas e espectrofotométricas para o isolamento, a caracterização e a determinação da capacidade de absorção de UV dos compostos estudados. Mesmo após a extração dos polissacarídeos de P. gymnospora e a utilização dos métodos de isolamento, os PC permaneceram ligados ao alginato. A interação de alginato com PC não causou modificações no padrão de absorção do espectro eletromagnético (UV-VIS-IR). A capacidade de absorção de UV dos PC ligados aos alginatos foi mantida por um tempo mais longo do que a do extrato de PC puros. Os resultados obtidos demonstram que há uma forte ligação entre PC e alginatos e que estas ligações preservam a capacidade de absorção de UV dos PC ao longo do tempo.Brown algae phenolic compounds (PC) are secondary metabolites that participate in many biological processes, such as ultraviolet radiation (UV) protection, polyspermy blocking and trace metals bounding. Recently, PC has also been studied due to possible interactions with cell wall polysaccharides. However, there are few evidences of these interactions and their influence in physiological processes. The interactions between PC from the brown alga Padina gymnospora and alginates and the influence of these interactions on the UV absorption properties of PC were investigated in this work. Chromatography and spectrophotometry techniques were used to isolate, characterize and determine UV absorption capacity of studied compounds. Even after the P. gymnospora polysaccharide extraction and isolating methods, the PC was maintained linked to the alginate. The interaction of alginates with PC did not cause modifications on absorbance pattern of electromagnetic spectrum (UV-VIS-IR). The UV absorbance capability of PC linked to alginate was maintained for a longer period of time if compared with the purified PC. The obtained results reveal the strong linkage between PC and alginates and that these linkages preserve the UV absorption capability of PC along time

Structure of rhodolith beds from 4 to 55 meters deep along the southern coast of Espírito Santo State, Brazil

Rhodoliths are one of the most extensive benthic communities of the Brazilian continental shelf, but their structure is poorly known. The richest marine flora of Brazil’s coastal zone is found in Espírito Santo State and its diversity has been partly associated with the presence of extensive areas of rhodoliths, extending from the intertidal zone to 120 m across the continental shelf. One species of kelp, Laminaria abyssalis, is endemic to this area and occurs between 45 and 120 m depth. Our objective was to determine the density and physical dimensions of the superficial rhodoliths between 4 and 55 m depth in the southern region of Espírito Santo State. The study area was 3 to 45 km offshore. Samples were obtained in 2004 and 2005 by Scuba diving in three depth zones: 4–18 m, 25–30 m and 50–55 m. Transect lines and video images were used to determine rhodolith density. The diameter and sphericity of at least 60 individuals from each zone were measured. Rhodolith size increased and density decreased from the shallow to the deeper zones. Spheroidal was the typical shape throughout the depth zones. Five rhodolith-forming genera were identified: Lithothamnion, Lithophyllum, Hydrolithon, Neogoniolithon and Sporolithon. Epibenthic biomass and species richness over the rhodolith bed in the shallow zone was lowest in winter, likely the result of disturbance caused by typical winter storms. Changes in light and temperature are probably the most important factors in the changes observed in the rhodolith beds from the deepest zones.Web of Scienc

MACROFORAMINÍFEROS EM RODOLITOS NA CADEIA VITÓRIA-TRINDADE, ATLÂNTICO SUL, MARGEM LESTE BRASILEIRA

A Cadeia Vitória-Trindade tem 1150 km de extensão contendo 11 montes submarinos, no sentido L-W, na margem leste brasileira, entre as coordenadas de 20-21º S e 29-38º W. No topo destes montes se desenvolvem bancos de rodolitos, formados por algas coralíneas (Rhodophyta). O Brasil possui uma grande área de rodolitos, pouco explorada, sendo pioneiro o estudo dos foraminíferos. Existem em abundância, com grandes exemplares e ótima preservação. Os rodolitos foram coletados em 2011 por mergulhadores, em pontos localizados nos cumes dos montes da cadeia a aproximadamente 60m de profundidade, nas ilhas Vitória e Almirante Saldanha. Após a preparação das amostras, foram triadas aleatoriamente 300 tecas de foraminíferos da fração maior que 500µm, da epifauna e da criptofauna, respectivamente. Foi realizada a classificação e a sistemática das espécies com algumas descrições, considerando-se o ineditismo do material. Análises quantitativas incluíram apenas a abundância absoluta e relativa. Espécies típicas de ambientes recifais, tais como Amphistegina gibbosa, Archaias angulatus e Discogypsina vesicularis foram abundantes. Os indivíduos possuem em geral grande tamanho, paredes grossas e ótimo estado de preservação. Sua classificação taxonômica leva à identificação de possíveis novas espécies ainda não encontradas nos recifes brasileiros e, provavelmente, ainda não descritas