Extractability and mobility of mercury from agricultural soils surrounding industrial and mining contaminated areas

This study focussed on a comparison of the extractability of mercury in soils with two different contamination sources (a chlor-alkali plant and mining activities) and on the evaluation of the influence of specific soil properties on the behaviour of the contaminant. The method applied here did not target the identification of individual species, but instead provided information concerning the mobility of mercury species in soil. Mercury fractions were classified as mobile, semi-mobile and non-mobile. The fractionation study revealed that in all samples mercury was mainly present in the semi-mobile phase (between 63 and 97%). The highest mercury mobility (2.7 mg kg-1) was found in soils from the industrial area. Mining soils exhibited higher percentage of non-mobile mercury, up to 35%, due to their elevated sulfur content. Results of factor analysis indicate that the presence of mercury in the mobile phase could be related to manganese and aluminum soil contents. A positive relation between mercury in the semi-mobile fraction and the aluminium content was also observed. By contrary, organic matter and sulfur contents contributed to mercury retention in the soil matrix reducing the mobility of the metal. Despite known limitations of sequential extraction procedures, the methodology applied in this study for the fractionation of mercury in contaminated soil samples provided relevant information on mercury's relative mobility

Digital postcompensation using volterra series transfer function

We propose a noniterative digital backward propagation technique, based on an inverse modified Volterra series transfer function to postcompensate transmission linear and nonlinear impairments in the presence of optical noise. Using a single-channel 40-Gb/s nonreturn-to-zero quadrature phase-shift-keying optical signal propagated over 20 x 80 km of standard single-mode fiber, and performing digital postcompensation around the Nyquist rate, our compensation algorithm is able to surpass the maximum accuracy obtained with a symmetric split-step Fourier method, enabling us to increase the nonlinear tolerance by approximately 2 dB

Avaliação dos Impactos Econômicos e Sociais do Programa de Erradicação da Doença de Aujeszky no Estado de Santa Catarina

Os recursos limitados para a pesquisa agropecuária e a necessidade de conhecer de que forma as tecnologias alteram a competitividade das cadeias produtivas, seu entorno social e o meio ambiente exigem que sejam implementados processos de avaliação de impacto. O presente estudo teve por objetivo avaliar o impacto econômico, social e organizacional do Programa de Erradicação da Doença de Aujeszky no Estado de Santa Catarina, desenvolvido pela Embrapa e instituições parceiras. Este programa foi implementado em 2001 e atingiu sua meta em 2004. Os benefícios gerados representam um retorno positivo para os investimentos.--------------------The limited resources for agricultural research and the need for a better knowledge about the ways that technologies change agribusiness competitiveness and its social and natural environment, demand its impact assessment process. The aim of this study was to realize economic, social and organizational impact assessment of the Aujeszky Disease Eradication Project in Santa Catarina, south Brazil, developed by the Brazilian Agricultural Research Company and other institutions. This project started on 2001 and achieved its goals on 2004. The benefits represent a positive return for the investments.Doença de Aujeszky, erradicação, impacto econômico, impacto social, Aujeszky Disease, economic impact, eradication, social impact, Agribusiness, Research and Development/Tech Change/Emerging Technologies,

ADOÇÃO DE NOVOS PARADIGMAS NA ORGANIZAÇÃO E GESTÃO DE EMPREENDIMENTOS SOLIDÁRIOS: UM ESTUDO SOBRE O PROCESSO PRODUTIVO DO AÇAÍ ATRAVÉS DAS ASSOCIAÇÕES E COOPERATIVAS NO TERRITÓRIO RURAL DO BAIXO TOCANTINS – PARÁ – BRASIL

As transformações no mundo do trabalho vividas, desde o final da década de 60, pelos países capitalistas e os impactos daí resultantes sobre a reestruturação do sistema produtivo têm definido novas práticas produtivas, que precarizam as relações de trabalho, favorecem o desemprego, baixos salários e exigem novas e melhores qualificações dos trabalhadores. Nesse contexto, estes se vêem diante de um novo padrão de acumulação capitalista, no qual valores como a competitividade e o individualismo são reivindicados. Isto leva à necessidade de uma organização dos trabalhadores em outras bases produtivas e gestão pautada na cooperação e no desenvolvimento de ações que gerem alternativas de trabalho e renda. É neste cenário que surge a Economia Solidária, baseada na autogestão e na democracia participativa. Objetiva-se, a partir das relações sociais coletivas, vincular as diversas concepções e saberes da sociedade, por meio do mecanismo de apoio mútuo e princípios da solidariedade, no que se refere tanto aos aspectos econômicos como sociais e ambientais. Assim, buscou-se uma reflexão da organização e gestão de empreendimentos solidários nos municípios de Abaetetuba, Barcarena, Cametá e Igarapé-Miri, no Território Rural do Baixo Tocantins - Pará, nos quais se desenvolvem formas coletivas de produção do açaí (Euterpe olaracea Mart), procurando alternativas de comercialização da produção, no intuito de contribuir para a melhoria da qualidade de vida da população local, disseminando o pretendido Desenvolvimento Sustentável.------------------------------------------The transformations in the world of the work lived then from the end of the years 1960 by the capitalist countries and the impacts resultants about the restructuring of the productive system have been defining new productive practices, that deteriorated the work relationships, favor the unemployment, low wages and they demand the workers new and better qualifications. In that context, these they see each other before a new pattern of capitalist accumulation, in which you value as the competitiveness and the individualism are demanded. This takes to the need of an organization of the workers in other productive bases and administration ruled in the cooperation and in the development of actions that you/they generate work alternatives and income. It is in this scenery that the solidary economy appears, based on the self-management and in the democracy participative, it seeks, starting from the collective social relationships, to link the several conceptions and you know about the society, implementing mechanisms of mutual support and beginnings of the solidarity, in what refers so much to the economical aspects as social and environmental. Like this, it was looked for to study the organization and administration of solidary enterprises in the municipal districts of Abaetetuba, Barcarena, Cametá and Igarapé-Miri, in the Area of Baixo Tocantins - Pará, us which your develop collective forms of production of the açaí, seeking alternatives of commercialization of the production, in the intention of contributing for the improvement of the quality of life of the local population, disseminating what would be the Maintainable Development.Trabalho, cooperativismo, economia solidária, capital social, empreendimentos solidários, Work, cooperativismo, solidary economy, social capital, enterprises solidary, Labor and Human Capital,

A new model of laryngitis: neuropeptide, cyclooxygenase, and cytokine profile

Objectives/Hypothesis: To develop and characterize a new model of laryngeal inflammation by analyzing the presence of neurogenic peptides and expression of cyclooxygenases (COX) and cytokines in the mucosa.Study Design: Laryngitis induced by nasogastric intubation (NGI) was evaluated by histopathologic changes of the mucosa, alterations in calcitonin gene related peptide (CGRP) and substance P (SP) neuropeptides in sensory fibers, and COX-1,2, and cytokine (interleukin [IL]-1, IL-6, IL-10, tumor necrosis factor [TNF]-alpha) expression in the laryngeal mucosa.Methods: Rats submitted to NGI for 1 to 5 weeks were compared with controls. Laryngeal sections were immunostained for stereologic analysis of SP and CGRP fiber density and number of mucosal cells expressing COX-2. Alterations in inflammatory mediators were evaluated by quantitative reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction.Results: NGI induced metaplasia of the epithelium and narrowing of the laryngeal lumen because of hypertrophy of laryngeal glandules and edema. An initial decrease in CGRP- and SP-immunoreactive fibers in the laryngeal mucosa (1-3 wk) was reverted with time (5 wk). COX-2 expression in mucosal cells increased progressively, reaching a maximum level at 5 weeks, and was observed in mononuclear immune cells, which is indicative of a chronic inflammatory process. In regard to mRNA expression levels of inflammatory mediators, TNF-alpha was increased during the 5 week NGI, and IL-10 decreased during the 5 weeks,whereas IL-beta, IL-6, and COX-2 increased in the first 1 to 2 weeks and returned to baseline at 5 weeks.Conclusions: This NGI model results in laryngeal chronic inflammation without direct mechanical aggression of the mucosa and may contribute to the study of future therapeutic approaches to this pathology.FEDERFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - POCTI/NSE/46399/2002Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian - projecto nº 7455

Long-term application of the organic and inorganic pesticides in vineyards: Environmental record of past use

Areas such as Douro Demarcated Region (Portugal), where vineyards are frequently located on steep slopes of narrow valleys, can be particularly sensitive to runoff and erosion processes. These particular conditions are expected to enhance the transport of pollutants, acting as a potential source of contamination to freshwater systems. The intense vine cultivation in this region includes decades of pesticides application, that have resulted in the accumulation of these chemicals and its degradation products in the vineyards soils and sediments. Residues of several pesticides related to agricultural activities were found in soils, with older vineyards showing higher levels of Cu and banned insecticides (such as DDT). The metabolite 4,4-DDE was the compound found at higher levels in soils and in sediments. The relatively high levels in more recent sediments suggest that soils are still a source of contamination. Levels of currently used pesticides were low, which is related with their physicochemical properties, the application period, and climacteric conditions

The selective COX-2 inhibitor etoricoxib reduces acute inflammatory markers in a model of neurogenic laryngitis but loses its efficacy with prolonged treatment

The selective COX-2 inhibitor Etoricoxib reduces acute inflammatory markers in a model of neurogenic laryngitis but loses its efficacy with prolonged treatment.OBJECTIVE: A randomised experimental study was used to evaluate the therapeutic effect of a selective cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) inhibitor in neurogenic laryngitis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Male Wistar Han rats were subjected to the nasogastric intubation model (NGI) of laryngitis for 1 and 2 weeks. The NGI animals were divided into three groups: (1) treated with COX-2 inhibitor Etoricoxib, (2) vehicle and (3) non-intubated animals. A fourth group of animals was submitted to NGI only. Laryngeal sections were immunostained for substance P (SP) and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) fibre-immunoreactivity (IR) and quantification of COX-2 positive cells through stereological analysis. The expression of COX-2, interleukins IL-1beta, IL-6, IL-10 and tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) was determined by quantitative real time QRT-PCR. TREATMENT: Etoricoxib (6 mg/kg/day) was prepared in 0.9% sterile saline with 5% glucose (vehicle) and administered daily during 1 or 2 weeks. RESULTS: Treatment for 1 week with Etoricoxib attenuated the CGRP-IR fibre depletion, the COX-2-IR increased cell number and the TNF-alpha and COX-2 mRNA increased levels induced by NGI. Two weeks of treatment had no beneficial effect. CONCLUSIONS: Etoricoxib is effective in neurogenic laryngitis for limited periods of administration, indicating that selective COX-2 inhibitors should be evaluated in the future.This study was supported by Fundacao Calouste Gulbenkian Project No 74551 and Fundacao Grunenthal (Portugal)

Varicocoelectomy in adolescents: laparoscopic versus open high ligation technique

Background: Treatment of varicocoele is aimed at eliminating the retrograde reflux of venous blood through the internal spermatic veins. The purpose of this investigation was to compare laparoscopic varicocoelectomy (LV) with open high ligation technique in the adolescent population. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 33 adolescents who underwent varicocoelectomy at our paediatric hospital, between May 2004 and September 2008. Patients were divided into two groups depending on the technique: those who had an LV and those submitted to an open varicocoelectomy (OV). We analysed side, age of surgery, follow-up period and the incidence of recurrence/persistence, hydrocoele formation and wound complication. Results: There were 24 patients in the LV group and 9 in the OV group. All varicocoeles were in the left side. Mean age was 12 years in both groups. Mean follow-up time was 32 months for the LV group and 38 months for the OV group (P = 0.49). There was no significant difference in the incidence of hydrocoele in both the groups (25% versus 22%, P = 0.626). There was no recurrence/persistence on the LV group, while in the OV group there were three cases (P = 0.015). Conclusion: LV seems more efficient than open high ligation technique in the treatment of adolescents«SQ» varicocoeles. Larger series are necessary to draw more reliable conclusions

Benefits of spine stabilization with biodegradable scaffolds in spinal cord injured rats

Spine stabilization upon spinal cord injury (SCI) is a standard procedure in clinical practice, but rarely employed in experimental models. Moreover, the application of biodegradable biomaterials for this would come as an advantage as it would eliminate the presence of a nondegradable prosthesis within the vertebral bone. Therefore, in the present work, we propose the use of a new biodegradable device specifically developed for spine stabilization in a rat model of SCI. A 3D scaffold based on a blend of starch with polycaprolactone was implanted, replacing delaminated vertebra, in male Wistar rats with a T8-T9 spinal hemisection. The impact of spinal stabilization on the locomotor behavior was then evaluated for a period of 12 weeks. Locomotor evaluation—assessed by Basso, Beatie, and Bresnahan test; rotarod; and open field analysis—revealed that injured rats subjected to spine stabilization significantly improved their motor performance, including higher coordination and rearing activity when compared with SCI rats without stabilization. Histological analysis further revealed that the presence of the scaffolds not only stabilized the area, but also simultaneously prevented the infiltration of the injury site by connective tissue. Overall, these results reveal that SCI stabilization using a biodegradable scaffold at the vertebral bone level leads to an improvement of the motor deficits and is a relevant element for the successful treatment of SCI.The authors would like to acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (Doctoral fellowship to Nuno Silva, SFRH/BD/40684/2007; Ciência 2007 Program to António Salgado; Grant N PTDC/SAU-BMA/114059/2009) and the Foundation Calouste de Gulbenkian to funds attributed to A.J. Salgado under the scope of the The Gulbenkian Programme to Support Cutting Edge Research in the Life Sciences

Development and characterization of PHB-HV based 3D scaffolds for a tissue engineering and cell-therapy combinatorial approach for spinal cord Injury regeneration

Spinal cord injury (SCI) leads to devastating neurological deficits. Several tissue engineering (TE)- based approaches have been investigated for repairing this condition. Poly (3-hydroxybutyrateco- 3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHB-HV) is found to be particularly attractive for TE applications due to its properties, such as biodegradability, biocompatibility, thermoplasticity and piezoelectricity. Hence, this report addresses the development and characterization of PHB-HV-based 3D scaffolds, produced by freeze-drying, aimed to SCI treatment. The obtained scaffolds reveal an anisotropic morphology with a fully interconnected network of pores. In vitro studies demonstrate a lack of cytotoxic effect of PHB-HV scaffolds. Direct contact assays also reveal their ability to support the culture of CNS-derived cells and mesenchymal-like stem cells from different sources. Finally, histocompatibility studies show that PHB-HV scaffolds are well tolerated by the host tissue, and do not negatively impact the left hindlimb locomotor function recovery. Therefore results herein presented suggest that PHB-HV scaffolds may be suitable for SCI treatment.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; Grant no PTDC/SAU-BMA/114059/2009; PEst-C/SAU/LA0001/2013-2014 and RNEM-REDE/1506/REM/2005) and Foundation Calouste Gulbenkian, under the scope of the Gulbenkian Program to Support Cutting Edge Research in Life Sciences (A.J.S.). This work was also partially supported by the European FP7 Project Find and Bind (NMP4-SL-2009-229292). The authors would like to thank Miguel Carvalho, Fabio Teixeira, and Filipa Campos for their collaboration in in vivo experiments