Espécies tropicais de pteridófitas em associação com fungos micorrízicos arbusculares em solo contaminado com arsênio

The symbiosis of plants with mycorrhizal fungi represents an alternative to be considered during the processes of revegetation and rehabilitation of arsenic-contaminated soil. The aim of this study was to evaluate under greenhouse conditions the effect of arsenic on the mycorrhizal association of two species of tropical fern (Thelypteris salzmannii and Dicranopteris flexuosa). T. salzmannii had higher rates of colonization and higher density of spores while D. flexuosa showed greater sensitivity to smaller concentrations of arsenic and association with mycorrhizal fungi. Our results indicate that screening and selection of mycorrhizal fungal isolates/species is possible and effective for phytoremediation of arsenic-contaminated soils

Impact of COVID-19 on cardiovascular testing in the United States versus the rest of the world

Objectives: This study sought to quantify and compare the decline in volumes of cardiovascular procedures between the United States and non-US institutions during the early phase of the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Background: The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the care of many non-COVID-19 illnesses. Reductions in diagnostic cardiovascular testing around the world have led to concerns over the implications of reduced testing for cardiovascular disease (CVD) morbidity and mortality. Methods: Data were submitted to the INCAPS-COVID (International Atomic Energy Agency Non-Invasive Cardiology Protocols Study of COVID-19), a multinational registry comprising 909 institutions in 108 countries (including 155 facilities in 40 U.S. states), assessing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on volumes of diagnostic cardiovascular procedures. Data were obtained for April 2020 and compared with volumes of baseline procedures from March 2019. We compared laboratory characteristics, practices, and procedure volumes between U.S. and non-U.S. facilities and between U.S. geographic regions and identified factors associated with volume reduction in the United States. Results: Reductions in the volumes of procedures in the United States were similar to those in non-U.S. facilities (68% vs. 63%, respectively; p = 0.237), although U.S. facilities reported greater reductions in invasive coronary angiography (69% vs. 53%, respectively; p < 0.001). Significantly more U.S. facilities reported increased use of telehealth and patient screening measures than non-U.S. facilities, such as temperature checks, symptom screenings, and COVID-19 testing. Reductions in volumes of procedures differed between U.S. regions, with larger declines observed in the Northeast (76%) and Midwest (74%) than in the South (62%) and West (44%). Prevalence of COVID-19, staff redeployments, outpatient centers, and urban centers were associated with greater reductions in volume in U.S. facilities in a multivariable analysis. Conclusions: We observed marked reductions in U.S. cardiovascular testing in the early phase of the pandemic and significant variability between U.S. regions. The association between reductions of volumes and COVID-19 prevalence in the United States highlighted the need for proactive efforts to maintain access to cardiovascular testing in areas most affected by outbreaks of COVID-19 infection

ARE THERE SIGNIFICANT DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DIRECT AND REVERSE GRINDING CIRCUITS?

The mining industry is famous for many paradigms regarding different flowsheet designs and the use of new technologies and equipment. In this context, a question often performed to process engineers is: what grinding circuit is more efficient, the direct or the reverse? A precise answer could only be given by experimental data and simulations. Simulations were performed using ModSimTM software considering parameters obtained by batch mill tests of an iron ore sample. The simulations, preliminarily, indicated no significant differences between the two circuit configurations for the sample tested. Subsequently, tests were conducted on a pilot scale with detailed measurement of all the variables necessary for a correct interpretation of the differences between the direct and reverse circuits. The test results confirmed the prediction obtained by simulation. This work provides the basis to test other ores and to understanding better the real differences between grinding circuit configurations. Thus, it is expected that some myths of the mineral industry, with respect to flowsheet choices, are overcome

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA DEGRADAÇÃO DE UMA ROCHA UTILIZANDO O DWT

Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma análise de um modelo para a caracterização do ensaio DWT completo, para a amostra de rejeito de jigagem de carvão de Criciúma, onde os valores de tn possam ser completamente substituídos por um parâmetro, gama, que descreve a distribuição granulométrica gerada nos ensaios para todos os tamanhos, além dos parâmetros A e b. Além disso, foram realizados dois ensaios padrões, um em Março e outro em Outubro de 2012, a fim de verificar a ocorrência de degradação com o tempo das amostras. O ensaio DWT mede a distribuição granulométrica gerada pelo impacto, em vários níveis de energia, de amostras de partículas com tamanhos definidos. Os resultados são subsequentemente reduzidos a dois parâmetros, A e b, característicos do material. O valor do produto A×b tem sido muito utilizado como um índice de tenacidade de rochas. Verificou-se que a amostra utilizada apresenta valor de A×b entre 80 e 90, sendo caracterizada como uma rocha friável, e que ocorreu degradação da amostra com o tempo, em virtude da variação do valor de A×b para o período estudado. O modelo proposto interpolou satisfatoriamente todas as distribuições geradas nos ensaios com um único valor do parâmetro gama para todos os tamanhos testados

CARACTERIZAÇÃO DA DEGRADAÇÃO DE UMA ROCHA UTILIZANDO O DWT

Neste trabalho apresenta-se uma análise de um modelo para a caracterização do ensaio DWT completo, para a amostra de rejeito de jigagem de carvão de Criciúma, onde os valores de tn possam ser completamente substituídos por um parâmetro, gama, que descreve a distribuição granulométrica gerada nos ensaios para todos os tamanhos, além dos parâmetros A e b. Além disso, foram realizados dois ensaios padrões, um em Março e outro em Outubro de 2012, a fim de verificar a ocorrência de degradação com o tempo das amostras. O ensaio DWT mede a distribuição granulométrica gerada pelo impacto, em vários níveis de energia, de amostras de partículas com tamanhos definidos. Os resultados são subsequentemente reduzidos a dois parâmetros, A e b, característicos do material. O valor do produto A×b tem sido muito utilizado como um índice de tenacidade de rochas. Verificou-se que a amostra utilizada apresenta valor de A×b entre 80 e 90, sendo caracterizada como uma rocha friável, e que ocorreu degradação da amostra com o tempo, em virtude da variação do valor de A×b para o período estudado. O modelo proposto interpolou satisfatoriamente todas as distribuições geradas nos ensaios com um único valor do parâmetro gama para todos os tamanhos testados

DEFORESTATION IN MIXED OMBROPHILOUS FOREST IN THE SERRANA REGION OF SANTA CATARINA

ABSTRACT Since the enactment of Law No. 11,428/06, an expectation was created as to whether more restricted rules on the use and conservation of the Atlantic Forest Biome would be sufficient to reduce deforestation. In the same sense, the inspection bodies stood out due to their responsibility in the application of this important legal instrument. In this context, the objectives of this study were: 1) to analyze the history of deforestation in the Planalto Serrano of the State of Santa Catarina, whose forest covered area is characterized by the Mixed Ombrophilous Forest, after the validity of Law 11,428/06; 2) to verify the application of the Law in the occurrence of deforestation, and 3) to identify the reasons for deforestation. A documentary research was carried out on 543 criminal procedures instituted by the Environmental Military Police for deforestation between December 2006 and December 2015. From each criminal case the following data were extracted: date, number of occurrences per year and municipality, size, successional stage of the deforested area, motive and land use of deforested areas. The results indicated that there was an accentuated reduction of 58% in the number of deforestation between 2007 and 2015. However, the selective cutting of Araucaria angustifolia (Bertol.) Kuntze was predominant with a percentage of 62.07% of the total number of occurrences. It was also verified that 71.46% of deforestation reached the middle stage of forest regeneration. In most case (33%), the reason for deforestation was for commercial purposes. The law for the protection of the Atlantic Forest Biome, conjunctly with the inspection, contributed to reduce deforestation and the cut of araucarias. Nevertheless, advancements are still needed, especially in the recovery of deforested areas, since only 28% of deforested areas were effectively restored

BWI EM FUNÇÃO DA MALHA DE TESTE

O Índice de Trabalho de Bond para moagem em moinhos de bolas (BWI) é medido de acordo com uma metodologia padrão, utilizando equipamentos igualmente padronizados. O ensaio é um ensaio cíclico fechado, e resulta em um único número, o BWI, característico do minério, e que é amplamente utilizado para o escalonamento de moinhos de bolas industriais. A medição do BWI geralmente é feita por profissionais treinados, com a ajuda de uma planilha eletrônica tipo Excel para os cálculos necessários antes, durante e após a conclusão do ensaio. A norma para determinação do BWI registrada no INMETRO é a NBR 11376. Embora completamente padronizada, a metodologia para medição do BWI pode ser melhorada, otimizada, e escrutinada. A demanda por medições do BWI tem aumentado significativamente pelo simples fato de um único número conter todas as informações necessárias para o escalonamento de moinhos de bolas, que é a etapa mais energeticamente intensiva em uma planta de processamento de minérios. Esta característica faz do BWI um parâmetro central em campanhas de variabilidade e geometalurgia. Neste trabalho são apresentadas duas importantes propriedades do BWI, sua dependência com a malha de teste e sua relação com a fração inicial passante na amostra do ensaio

Outbreaks of Mycoplasmosis and Histomoniasis in a Southern Brazilian Flock of Ornamental Birds

Background: Infectious diseases have expanded their host and geographic ranges, increasing impacts on both human and animal health. Mycoplasma gallisepticum usually causes avian chronic respiratory conditions and Histomonas meleagridis infects the cecum and the liver of poultry. Although these diseases have been reported in several bird species, information associated with their prevalence and impact in local flocks of ornamental birds is scarce. This communication describes severe outbreaks of mycoplasmosis and histomoniasis that affected a southern Brazilian commercial flock of ornamental birds.Case: The outbreaks occurred in an ornamental bird flock that contained 2,340 birds from 39 different species, distributed mostly in the orders Galliformes, Anseriformes, and Psittaciformes. Mycoplasma gallisepticum affected 12 chukar partridges, 12 Indian peacocks, 19 ornamental chickens and 46 individuals of 4 species of pheasant. The disease cases were distributed between April and July 2015. A total of 36 birds died due to the disease’ complications and most surviving birds suffered from severe ocular sequels, which determined their subsequent culling, despite attempts of different treatment protocols. The main signs included coughing, sneezing, infraorbital swelling, wasting, and death which were mostly associated with caseous sinusitis. Affected birds had positive samples when stained with anti-Mycoplasma gallisepticum immunohistochemistry and tested by Mycoplasma gallisepticum-Polymerase Chain Reaction. The application of 2 doses of a Mycoplasma gallisepticum vaccine in early 2016 to all the Galliformes in the flock reduced the annual prevalence to 4 clinical cases. Histomoniasis affected and killed 19 out of 27 chukar partridges that were being kept with ring-necked pheasants in the same enclosure. The disease occurred between September and December 2016 and a high prevalence of Heterakis gallinarum was detected in the flock. The main findings included apathy and death linked to hepatic and cecal necrosis. Admixed in the necrotic areas, there were numerous round to oval, eosinophilic, protozoal trophozoites of 15-20 µm in diameter, occasionally containing a 3-5 µm centrally located basophilic nucleus (histomonads) surrounded by a clear halo. Anthelmintic dosing, exchanging and liming the bedding material of the enclosures, and keeping the remaining partridges in an aerial aviary with a wire mesh floor prevented additional cases of histomoniasis.Discussion: In Brazil, as in other countries, the sanitary management practices applied in commercial chicken production reached high levels of technification. However, this is not the case in ornamental bird breeding systems, which may still suffer the impacts of diseases that are practically extinct in industrial chicken flocks. For both diseases, diagnosis was based on typical clinical signs and detection of the pathogens in association with characteristic pathological findings. The occurrence of mycoplasmosis and histomoniasis was associated with improper management practices at the farm; the main risk factors observed were a high turnover of birds, the absence of quarantine, the absence of basic health care, overcrowding and poor hygiene. The prevention of further cases of both diseases was mostly established with the application of basic sanitary measures, including vaccination and anthelmintic dosing, for mycoplasmosis and histomoniasis respectively. This report alerts bird keepers and avian veterinarians of the importance of establishing proper sanitary management in local ornamental bird flocks. Because some of the ornamental bird species that have been commercially propagated worldwide may be included in the list of threatened species, the findings described here also show that simple health care may promote the fight against extinctions