Effect of composting and vermicomposting on potentially toxic element contents and bioavailability in sewage sludge digestate

Vermicomposts and composts prepared from sewage sludge digestate and additives (spent mushroom compost, straw, biochar) after 43 days pre-composting followed by 90 days vermicomposting with Eisenia fetida or by compost maturing were investigated regarding the potentially toxic element (PTE) As, Co, Cr, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pb and Zn contents. The average increment in the total PTE concentration for the entire process was ten times higher (104 %) compared to the increment solely in the composting or vermicomposting (9.3 and 9.5 %, respectively) after pretreatment. Compared to the untreated digestate the As and Co concentrations in the final mixtures were 26 and 51 % higher, respectively while for the other PTEs 26 ± 9 % average decrease was observed. Total PTE content was the same in composts and vermicomposts. Average PTE bioavailability (water soluble/total concentration) was statistically the same in vermicomposts (2.5) and composts (2.7), but lower in mixtures with biochar (2.5) than without it (2.8).publishedVersio

Reproduction in the protogynous black grouper Mexico (Mycteroperca bonaci (Poey)) from the southern Gulf of Mexico

An analysis was made of sexual pattern, spawning season, sizes at sexual maturation, and sex change in black grouper (Mycteroperca bonaci) from the southern Gulf of Mexico. Samples were taken between 1996 and 2000, from industrial and small-craft commercial fi sheries, in offshore and inshore waters of the continental shelf of the Yucatan Peninsula (Campeche Bank), including the shallow waters of National Marine Park Alacranes Reef. For all collected specimens (n=1229), sex and maturation condition were determined by histological analysis of the gonads. The offshore sample consisted of 75.1% females, 24.3% males, and 0.6% transitional-stage fish. All individuals collected from inshore waters were females. Gonadal structure and population structure characteristics for Campeche Bank black grouper were consistent with the characteristics of monandric protogynous hermaphrodism for a serranid fish. Sexually active males and females were observed year-round, although ripening females, with stage-III, -IV, and -V vitellogenic oocytes in the ovaries, dominated in samples taken between December and March. In addition, peak occurrence of ripe-running females with hyaline oocytes or postovulatory follicles (or both) in the ovaries was recorded in January and February. A few precocious females began spawning in October and November, and others were still in spawning condition in May and June. Fifty percent maturity of females was attained at 72.1 cm fork length (FL). Median size at sexual inversion was 103.3 cm FL, and 50% of the females measuring 111.4 cm FL had transformed into males. The southern Gulf of Mexico grouper fishery was considered deteriorated and lacked a well-defined management strategy. Results of the present study provide helpful information on black grouper reproduction in this area and could help Mexican authorities choose appropriate management strategies for this fishery, such as minimum size limit, closed fishing season, and protection of spawning aggregations

TFG 2012/2013

Amb aquesta publicació, EINA, Centre universitari de Disseny i Art adscrit a la Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, dóna a conèixer el recull dels Treballs de Fi de Grau presentats durant el curs 2012-2013. Voldríem que un recull com aquest donés una idea més precisa de la tasca que es realitza a EINA per tal de formar nous dissenyadors amb capacitat de respondre professionalment i intel·lectualment a les necessitats i exigències de la nostra societat. El treball formatiu s’orienta a oferir resultats que responguin tant a paràmetres de rigor acadèmic i capacitat d’anàlisi del context com a l’experimentació i la creació de nous llenguatges, tot fomentant el potencial innovador del disseny.Con esta publicación, EINA, Centro universitario de diseño y arte adscrito a la Universidad Autónoma de Barcelona, da a conocer la recopilación de los Trabajos de Fin de Grado presentados durante el curso 2012-2013. Querríamos que una recopilación como ésta diera una idea más precisa del trabajo que se realiza en EINA para formar nuevos diseñadores con capacidad de responder profesional e intelectualmente a las necesidades y exigencias de nuestra sociedad. El trabajo formativo se orienta a ofrecer resultados que respondan tanto a parámetros de rigor académico y capacidad de análisis, como a la experimentación y la creación de nuevos lenguajes, al tiempo que se fomenta el potencial innovador del diseño.With this publication, EINA, University School of Design and Art, ascribed to the Autonomous University of Barcelona, brings to the public eye the Final Degree Projects presented during the 2012-2013 academic year. Our hope is that this volume might offer a more precise idea of the task performed by EINA in training new designers, able to speak both professionally and intellectually to the needs and demands of our society. The educational task is oriented towards results that might respond to the parameters of academic rigour and the capacity for contextual analysis, as well as to considerations of experimentation and the creation of new languages, all the while reinforcing design’s innovative potential

Chapitre 14: Phytopathogènes et stratégies de contrôle en aquaponie

peer reviewedAmong the diversity of plant diseases occurring in aquaponics, soil-borne pathogens, such as Fusarium spp., Phytophthora spp. and Pythium spp., are the most problematic due to their preference for humid/aquatic environment conditions. Phytophthora spp. and Pythium spp. which belong to the Oomycetes pseudo-fungi require special attention because of their mobile form of dispersion, the so-called zoospores that can move freely and actively in liquid water. In coupled aquaponics, curative methods are still limited because of the possible toxicity of pesticides and chemical agents for fish and beneficial bacteria (e.g. nitrifying bacteria of the biofilter). Furthermore, the development of biocontrol agents for aquaponic use is still at its beginning. Consequently, ways to control the initial infection and the progression of a disease are mainly based on preventive actions and water physical treatments. However, suppressive action (suppression) could happen in aquaponic environment considering recent papers and the suppressive activity already highlighted in hydroponics. In addition, aquaponic water contains organic matter that could promote establishment and growth of heterotrophic bacteria in the system or even improve plant growth and viability directly. With regards to organic hydroponics (i.e. use of organic fertilisation and organic plant media), these bacteria could act as antagonist agents or as plant defence elicitors to protect plants from diseases. In the future, research on the disease suppressive ability of the aquaponic biotope must be increased, as well as isolation, characterisation and formulation of microbial plant pathogen antagonists. Finally, a good knowledge in the rapid identification of pathogens, combined with control methods and diseases monitoring, as recommended in integrated plant pest management, is the key to an efficient control of plant diseases in aquaponics.Cos

Chimiothérapies orales et toxicités : élaboration d’ateliers individuels d’éducation thérapeutique

Oral chemotherapy (OCT) currently involves 25% of cancer management. This percentage could rise to 50% by 5 years. This therapeutic choice improves patient quality of life. They can spend more time at home. However the responsibility of taking this drug with significant side effects can be heavy to bear. This can have some effects on patient adherence to oral antineoplastic agents, maybe triggering to cancer relapse. Offering an educational support adapted to patients’ needs is therefore necessary. Aunay-Bayeux hospital is part of a regional therapeutic education program about OCT toxicities. However the available animation tools are not adapted to individual workshops. In fact, the active file of patients taking oral antineoplastic agents does not permit collective workshops organization. Thus, Aunay-Bayeux hospital oncology and pharmacy units created tools for individual workshops about main OCT toxicities (digestive, hematological, cutaneous, mucosal, cardiac) plus one about feelings and emotions. Overall 10 patients took part in therapeutic education sessions over a period of 15 months. We have been able to test 3 of our workshops (digestive, hematologic and mucosal toxicities) for a total of 13 organized sessions. Patients who took part to these 3 individual workshops were very pleased with it. Their suggestions allowed our workshops to evolve to meet their needs. It encourages us to continue the project. We eventually plan to share our tools in the region.Les chimiothérapies orales (CTC)) concernent actuellement environ 25 % des prises en charge des cancers et cette proportion pourrait passer à 50 % d'ici 5 ans. Ce choix de thérapeutique permet notamment d'améliorer la qualité de vie des patients, qui peuvent passer plus de temps à domicile. Cependant, la responsabilité de la prise de ces traitements à risque d'effets secondaires importants peut être lourde à porter pour les patients. Cela peut avoir des conséquences sur l'observance et peut-être engendrer une rechute. La proposition d'un accompagnement éducatif adapté aux besoins du patient est donc nécessaire. Il existe un programme régional d'éducation thérapeutique du patient sur les toxicités des CTO, dont fait partie le Centre Hospitalier Aunay-Bayeux. Cependant, les outils proposés ne sont pas adaptés à l'organisation d'ateliers individuels. En effet, la file active des patients sous CTO ne permet pas l'organisation d'ateliers collectifs. Ainsi, les services d'oncologie et de pharmacie de l'hôpital d'Aunay-Bayeux ont créé des outils pour ateliers individuels sur les toxicités principales des CTO (digestives, hématologiques, cutanées, muqueuses, cardiaques) et sur les émotions et ressentis. Au total, 10 patients ont participé sur une période de 15 mois. Nous avons pu tester 3 de nos ateliers (toxicité digestive, hématologique et sur les muqueuses) pour un total de 13 entretiens organisés. Les participants étaient très satisfaits de ces 3 ateliers. Leurs suggestions ont permis l'évolution de nos outils pour répondre au mieux à leurs besoins. Cela nous encourage à poursuivre le projet. Nous envisageons à terme une diffusion régionale de nos outils