Recent changes in macroalgae distribution patterns in the Orbetello lagoon (Italy)

This study related recent distribution changes in seven macroalgae taxa (Acetabularia acetabulum, Chaetomorpha linum, Cladophora sp., Gracilariopsis longissima, Spyridia sp., Ulva laetevirens, Valonia aegagrophyla) to spatial (basin) and temporal (time) trophic differences in a meso-eutrophic Mediterranean coastal lagoon (Orbetello, Italy). In July 2003 and July 2009, the coverage percentage (CP) of each considered taxon was measured in 38 stations equally distributed in the Western and Eastern lagoon basins. All data were analysed using SURFER v8.0 software along with ANOVA, ANOSIM and multivariate analyses to produce geostatistical spatial distribution maps and to estimate statistical probabilities for "basin" and "time" factors. Data from this study were integrated with data on phanerogams reported by Giovani et al. (2010)to evaluate changes occurring at a functional group level from 2003-2009 using the Ecological Evaluation Index (EEI). Observed macroalgae changes may have been due to lagoon management activities performed during the study period. The removal of direct nitrate inputs seems to have forced specie-specific shifts that were highly significant only in the Western basin. Statistically significant differences at the taxon level have been indicated for Spyridia sp. (basin and time) and Cladophora sp. (time) taxa. Other non-significant changes included a rarefaction of Chaetomorpha linumin the Western basin and Spyridia sp. in the Eastern basin, and an increase of Gracilariopsis longissima, C. linum and Valonia aegagrophyla in the Eastern basin. EEI application indicated a general improvement in water quality due to management measures applied in Western basin, whereas the Eastern basin evidences stability/slight degradation from 2003-2009

COMPAIXÃO, JUSTIÇA E DIREITOS HUMANOS: A TEORIA DAS CAPACIDADES EM NUSSBAUM

O objetivo é examinar a partir de Martha Nussbaum, a compaixão, a justiça e os direitos humanos, que aborda o desenvolvimento das teorias das capacidades, como pressuposto de reconhecimento de determinado indivíduo em uma comunidade moral ou jurídica. Pensa os direitos e a igualdade para os seres humanos no dever de cuidado, e aponta a proteção do agir humano, que cada pessoa possa levar adiante, com autonomia, seu próprio projeto de vida. O método utilizado é o dialético, e o procedimento técnico é bibliográfico. Como conclusão, a verificação das “capacidades”, que são classificadas em três categorias, básicas, internas e combinadas. O objetivo é examinar a partir de Martha Nussbaum, a compaixão, a justiça e os direitos humanos, que aborda o desenvolvimento das teorias das capacidades, como pressuposto de reconhecimento de determinado indivíduo em uma comunidade moral ou jurídica. Pensa os direitos e a igualdade para os seres humanos no dever de cuidado, e aponta a proteção do agir humano, que cada pessoa possa levar adiante, com autonomia, seu próprio projeto de vida. O método utilizado é o dialético, e o procedimento técnico é bibliográfico. Como conclusão, a verificação das “capacidades”, que são classificadas em três categorias, básicas, internas e combinadas.

TOWARDS MODELS OF REALISTIC COMPUTING MACHINES IN COMPUTER SCIENCE

The paper presents an approach to system modelling in design of both hardware and software systems. It is based on the definition of models of machines that can be directly implemented. The paper shows how to render less abstract and more realistic the abstract machines defined by theoreticians, so that they can capture implementation and technological-oriented aspects, such as testability, and allow an easy transition to final implementations. A realistic abstract machine for lambda-calculus is then presented and the design of system for lambda-expressions evaluation is illustrated. The architecture chosen for the system is based on a collection of finite state automata, evolving concurrently and communicating via a broadcast system. Some conclusive remarks about the use of realistic models arc finally drawn

Occurrence of POPs in sediments and tissues of European eels (Anguilla anguilla L.) from two Italian lagoons: Varano and Orbetello

Total levels of persistent organic pollutants (polychlorinated biphenyls, organochlorine pesticides,and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) in sediments and edible tissues (muscle and liver) from a fish species of great local commercial interest (Anguilla anguilla L., yellow phase) were determined in Varano and Orbetello lagoons, Italy. The aim of this study was to improve knowledge on relationships occurring among levels of chemicals in sediments and fish tissues relating them reciprocally and to different intensities of human pressure. Studied ecosystems were selected due to the notable scientific knowledge acquired by previous detailed research on meteorology, geomorphology, hydrodynamics, types and distribution of local factors linked to different sources of human-made pollution. Samplings were performed in July 2009 according to a logic model based on a priori defined factors of interest and obtained results were statistically analysed in order to evaluate the significance of observed data segregation related to the selected factors. Concerning levels measured in sediments, significant differences were observed between lagoons in terms of ƩPAHs and ƩOCPs. According to National and international recognised sediment quality guidelines, results evidenced the occurrence of non-critical POPs values in sediments. Results on sediments are associated to very high levels in eel\u27s tissues. Concerning eels, Orbetello lagoon is characterized by significant higher values of ƩOCPs than Varano, evidencing the presence of an important OCPs local source. Different human pressure levels produce significant differences in both sediments and eel\u27s tissues in Varano and Orbetello lagoons

The use of thymol, carvacrol and sorbic acid in microencapsules to control Salmonella Heidelberg, S. Minnesota and S. Typhimurium in broilers

Introduction: The control of Salmonella spp. in poultry involves different biosecurity actions and lately has been complicated by the emergence of multidrug resistant serovars. The application of organic acids and essential oils has been used with different approaches due to the antibacterial properties as food preservatives. The use of these molecules in animal feed to control enteric pathogens is a major interest within the poultry industry. Methods: The use of a blend containing nature-identical compounds of sorbic acid (25%), thymol (9.5%) and carvacrol (2.5%) microencapsulated in a lipid matrix, was investigated in the present work, for the control of three Salmonella serovars (S. ser. Typhimurium, S. ser. Heidelberg and S. ser. Minnesota). Commercial broilers were challenged at 3 or at 33 days of age. Groups SH-1, SM-1 and ST-1, received treatment in the feed, at 2 kg/ton from 1–21 days of age and at 1 kg/ton from 35–42 days of age (last week), while groups SH-2, SM-2 and ST-2, were treated only during the last week receiving 2 kg/ton. Each treated group had an untreated control group, that was challenged at the same moment with the respective serovar (groups PCH, PCM and PCT). The challenge strains were enumerated in liver and cecal contents, weekly after challenge, at 7, 14, 21, 28, 35 and 42 days-of-age. Results and discussion: Significant reduction was noticed at 7 and 14 days of age in all groups that received treatment during the initial phase (p < 0.05). Moreover, the body weight was significantly higher at the last experimental day (p < 0.05) in chickens that received treatment at the initial and at the final growth stages

Desempenho de frangos de corte suplementados com diferentes fontes e níveis de colina na dieta

Two experiments were carried out to evaluate the bioequivalence of a commercial phosphatidylcholine source (Biocholine™) as an alternative to choline chloride and the choline requirements of broilers of a fast-growth strain. In Experiment I, 672 broilers were fed four Biocholine™ levels (0, 100, 200, or 300 mg/kg) and three choline levels (200, 400, or 600 mg/kg) supplied as choline chloride between 4 and 28 days (d) of age. In Experiment II, 462 broilers received diets supplemented with 0, 200, 400, 600 or 800 mg/kg choline as choline chloride. In both experiments, diets were based on white rice, soybean meal, and corn gluten. In Experiment I, birds fed choline chloride presented higher feed intake than those fed Biocholine™. Both choline supplements linearly improved feed conversion ratio (FCR) between 15 and 28 d, but the curves presented different slopes, showing that one unit (U) of Biocholine™ was equivalent to 2.52 U of choline supplied as choline chloride. In Experiment II, the supplementation of choline had a quadratic effect on weight gain (WG) but did not affect FCR. Choline requirements for WG were determined as 778, 632, and 645 mg/kg for 1-7, 1-35, and 1-42 d of age, respectively.Dois experimentos foram conduzidos para avaliar a bioequivalência de uma fonte comercial de fosfatidilcolina (Biocholine®) como alternativa ao cloreto de colina e as exigências de colina de frangos de rápido desempenho. No Experimento I, 672 frangos foram alimentados com quatro níveis de Biocholine® (0, 100, 200 ou 300 mg/kg) e três níveis de colina (200, 400 ou 600 mg/kg) supridas pelo cloreto de colina entre 4 e 28 dias de idade. No Experimento II, 462 frangos receberam dietas suplementadas com 0, 200, 400, 600 ou 800 mg/kg de colina através do cloreto de colina. Em ambos os experimentos, as dietas foram à base de arroz branco, farelo de soja e glúten de milho. No Experimento I, as aves alimentadas com cloreto de colina apresentaram maior consumo de ração em relação àquelas alimentadas com Biocholine®. Ambas as fontes de colina melhoraram linearmente a conversão alimentar entre 15 e 28 dias, mas as curvas apresentaram diferentes inclinações, mostrando que uma unidade de Biocholine® foi equivalente a 2,52 unidades de colina suprida na forma de cloreto de colina. No Experimento II, a suplementação de colina apresentou efeito quadrático sobre o ganho de peso sem afetar a conversão alimentar. As exigências de colina para ganho de peso foram 778, 632 e 645 mg/kg para as fases de 1-7, 1-35 e 1-42 dias de idade, respectivamente

A autonomia municipal na prestação regionalizada de saneamento básico

[Purpose]  This paper addresses the autonomy of municipalities within the context of regional provision of sanitation services established as a fundamental principle in the basic sanitation sector by federal law nº 14.026/2020. [Methodology/approach/design] It was briefly analyzed the evolution of the sector from the ruling on the ADI 1842/RJ to the enactment of the federal law no. 14,026/2020, focusing on the ownership and the regional provision of the service, with bibliographic, jurisprudential, and comparative law analysis. [Findings] The research noted that the recent legislative changes resulted in the mitigation of municipal autonomy. [Practical implications]  In this context, some ways were presented so that the municipalities could exercise their autonomy, in the different types of regionalization brought by federal law no. 14,026/2020, differentiating the municipal action in the contexts of federative coordination and cooperation.[Purpose]  This paper addresses the autonomy of municipalities within the context of regional provision of sanitation services established as a fundamental principle in the basic sanitation sector by federal law nº 14.026/2020. [Methodology/approach/design] It was briefly analyzed the evolution of the sector from the ruling on the ADI 1842/RJ to the enactment of the federal law no. 14,026/2020, focusing on the ownership and the regional provision of the service, with bibliographic, jurisprudential, and comparative law analysis. [Findings] The research noted that the recent legislative changes resulted in the mitigation of municipal autonomy. [Practical implications]  In this context, some ways were presented so that the municipalities could exercise their autonomy, in the different types of regionalization brought by federal law no. 14,026/2020, differentiating the municipal action in the contexts of federative coordination and cooperation.[Propósito] O presente artigo aborda a temática da autonomia municipal dentro do contexto da prestação regionalizada nos serviços de saneamento básico instituída como princípio fundamental setorial pela lei federal nº 14.026/2020. [Metodologia/abordagem/design] Para tanto, foi analisada, de maneira sucinta, a evolução do setor desde o julgamento da ADI 1842/RJ até a edição da lei federal 14.026/2020, com enfoque nas temáticas do exercício da titularidade e da regionalização da prestação dos serviços, trabalhando-se com análise bibliográfica, jurisprudencial e de direito comparado. [Resultados] A pesquisa observou que as recentes alterações legislativas culminaram na mitigação da autonomia municipal. [Implicações práticas] Neste contexto, foram apresentadas algumas formas para que os entes municipais exerçam sua autonomia nos diferentes cenários de regionalização trazidos pela lei federal nº 14.026/2021, diferenciando a atuação municipal nos contextos de coordenação e cooperação federativa

The stellar metallicities of massive quiescent galaxies at 1.0 < z < 1.3 from KMOS+VANDELS

We present a rest-frame UV-optical stacked spectrum representative of massive quiescent galaxies at $1.010.8$. The stack is constructed using VANDELS survey data, combined with new KMOS observations. We apply two independent full-spectral-fitting approaches, measuring a total metallicity, [Z/H]=$-0.13\pm0.08$ with Bagpipes, and [Z/H]=$0.04\pm0.14$ with Alf, a fall of $\sim0.2-0.3$ dex compared with the local Universe. We also measure an iron abundance, [Fe/H] =$-0.18\pm0.08$, a fall of $\sim0.15$ dex compared with the the local Universe. We measure the alpha enhancement via the magnesium abundance, obtaining [Mg/Fe]=$0.23\pm$0.12, consistent with similar-mass galaxies in the local Universe, indicating no evolution in the average alpha enhancement of log$(M_*/\rm{M_\odot})=11$ quiescent galaxies over the last $\sim8$ Gyr. This suggests the very high alpha enhancements recently reported for several bright $z\sim1-2$ quiescent galaxies are due to their extreme masses, log$(M_*/\rm{M_\odot})\gtrsim11.5$, rather than being typical of the $z\gtrsim1$ population. The metallicity evolution we observe with redshift (falling [Z/H], [Fe/H], constant [Mg/Fe]) is consistent with recent studies. We recover a mean stellar age of $2.5^{+0.6}_{-0.4}$ Gyr, corresponding to a formation redshift, z_\rm{form}=2.4^{+0.6}_{-0.3}. Recent studies have obtained varying average formation redshifts for $z\gtrsim1$ massive quiescent galaxies, and, as these studies report consistent metallicities, we identify different star-formation-history models as the most likely cause. Larger spectroscopic samples from upcoming ground-based instruments will provide precise constraints on ages and metallicities at $z\gtrsim1$. Combining these with precise JWST $z>2$ quiescent-galaxy stellar-mass functions will provide an independent test of formation redshifts derived from spectral fitting.Comment: 16 pages, 3 figures, accepted for publication in Ap

Natural Human Immunity Against Staphylococcal Protein A Relies on Effector Functions Triggered by IgG3

Staphylococcal protein A (SpA) is a multifunctional, highly conserved virulence factor of Staphylococcus aureus. By binding the Fc portion of all human IgG subclasses apart from IgG3, SpA interferes with antibody and complement deposition on the bacterial surface, impairing staphylococcal clearance by phagocytosis. Because of its anti-opsonic properties, SpA is not investigated as a surface antigen to mediate bacterial phagocytosis. Herein we investigate human sera for the presence of SpA-opsonizing antibodies. The screening revealed that sera containing IgG3 against SpA were able to correctly opsonize the target and drive Fcγ receptor-mediated interactions and phagocytosis. We demonstrated that IgG3 Fc is significantly more efficient in inducing phagocytosis of SpA-expressing S. aureus as compared to IgG1 Fc in an assay resembling physiological conditions. Furthermore, we show that the capacity of SpA antibodies to induce phagocytosis depends on the specific epitope recognized by the IgGs on SpA molecules. Overall, our results suggest that anti-SpA IgG3 antibodies could favor the anti-staphylococcal response in humans, paving the way towards the identification of a correlate of protection against staphylococcal infections

Massage application for occupational low back pain in nursing staff

This is a clinical trial which aims to evaluate the efficiency of massage in the reduction of occupational low back pain, and its influence on the performance of work and life activities for the nursing team. The sample consisted of 18 employees who received seven to eight sessions after their work period. From the Numerical Pain Rating Scale, significant improvements were found between the 3rd and 1st evaluations (p=0.000) and between the 3rd and 2nd (p=0.004), using the Wilcoxon test. Regarding the Oswestry Disability Index, the paired t test showed a statistical difference (p=0.02) between the baseline, with a mean of 21.33% and the second evaluation (18.78%), which was also seen between the second and third evaluation (16.67%). The score for the Handling and Transfer Risk Evaluation Scale was 18 points (medium risk). It is concluded that massage was effective in reducing occupational low back pain, and provided improvement in activities of work and life. Clinical Trials Identifier: NCT01315197