DESIGN AND PROTOTYPING OF A FLEXIBLE PREFABRICATED MODULE FOR LOFT CONVERSIONS. THE “MADE IN ITALY” NATIONAL RESEARCH PROGRAMME.

In order to cope with the modern environmental, economic and social issues, urban densification appears as one of the possible solutions to limit land consumption, infrastructure and transport costs, to increase quality of life and to promote a more efficient use of energy in metropolitan areas. Since ancient times the addition of new volumes to the existing building has been adopted as an ordinary practice to respond to the changing needs of the inhabitants. Today rooftop architecture can be used to intensify the existing metropolitan areas, inject them with new vitality and diversify the mono-functionality of a neighbourhood. Besides, it represents an opportunity for the energy upgrading of the built environment since the exploitation of rooftop space as open available area where to erect new structures not only allows for land consumption control but also it often entails the requalification of the roofing construction. Moreover the addition of new inhabitable spaces can be part of a governmental or municipal energy incentive policy to trigger private initiatives towards refurbishment and requalification projects aimed at improving the overall energy efficiency of the ‘supporting’ existing buildings. This paper describes the results of an ongoing multidisciplinary government funded research project focusing on the development and prototyping of an energy efficient flexible and adaptable modular prefabricated system for residential rooftop additions exploiting Xlam laminated timber panels. In particular this work presents the meta-design concept of the prefabricated system as the final outcome of a specific methodological process which through preliminary targets definition, users requirements assessment and the exploration and evaluation of different techno-typological solutions has been conceived in order to provide the maximum adaptability and spatial and combination flexibility as well as the highest energy efficiency (passive and active systems) to the modules

Microbial biomass carbon in soil cultivated with soybean, under different management systems in Cerrado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi quantificar o carbono da biomassa microbina de solo, cultivado com soja em diferentes sistemas de manejo. Os sistemas de manejo foram semeadura direta, uma gradagem, subsolagem e duas gradagens, realizadas num Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo argiloso. As amostras de solo foram coletadas em cinco profundidades (0–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30 e 30–40 cm) e em quatro épocas (antes do preparo do solo, 30 dias após a germinação, floração e após a colheita da soja). Foram coletadas, também, amostras de solo na mesma profundidade e na mesma época, em uma área de vegetação nativa (Cerrado sensu strictu), adjacente ao experimento. A subsolagem apresentou os maiores valores de carbono aos 30 dias após a germinação (865,7 mg kg-1 de solo). Este valor foi reduzido para 80,3 mg kg-1 de solo na floração. Os valores de carbono na semeadura direta mantiveram-se mais estáveis, principalmente na camada de 0–20 cm. As camadas de 0–5 e 5–10 cm apresentaram diferença na maioria das épocas estudadas e das demais camadas. A subsolagem mostrou o menor valor do carbono orgânico do solo, após a colheita da soja. Não houve correlação entre a relação carbono da biomassa microbiana/carbono orgânico e os nutrientes do solo na subsolagem.The aim of this study was to quantify soil microbial biomass carbon in a soybean crop under different soil management systems no-tillage, single harrowing, subsoiling and two harrowing, on a clay Red-Yellow Latossol in the Cerrado region. Soils were studied at five depths 0–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–30 and 30–40 cm. Four periods were observed before soil preparation; 30 days after germination; flowering stage and after harvesting soybean plants. The same measurements were taken under the same conditions in an area of native cerrado vegetation, adjacent to the experiment (Cerrado sensu strictu). Subsoiling showed highest carbon values 30 days after germination (865.7 mg kg-1 of soil). This was reduced to less than 10% (80.3 mg kg-1) at flowering. The carbon values were more stable in the no-tillage system, mainly in the 0–20 cm layer. The layers 0–5 cm and 5–10 cm showed significantly higher carbon values compared with other layers in most of the studied periods and depths. Subsoiling showed the lowest soil organic carbon level after soybean harvesting. Only in the system with subsoiling there was no significant correlation between the microbial carbon organic carbon index and soil nutrients

Nanopatterned acellular valve conduits drive the commitment of blood-derived multipotent cells

Considerable progress has been made in recent years toward elucidating the correlation among nanoscale topography, mechanical properties, and biological behavior of cardiac valve substitutes. Porcine TriCol scaffolds are promising valve tissue engineering matrices with demonstrated self-repopulation potentiality. In order to define an in vitro model for investigating the influence of extracellular matrix signaling on the growth pattern of colonizing blood-derived cells, we cultured circulating multipotent cells (CMC) on acellular aortic (AVL) and pulmonary (PVL) valve conduits prepared with TriCol method and under no-flow condition. Isolated by our group from Vietnamese pigs before heart valve prosthetic implantation, porcine CMC revealed high proliferative abilities, three-lineage differentiative potential, and distinct hematopoietic/endothelial and mesenchymal properties. Their interaction with valve extracellular matrix nanostructures boosted differential messenger RNA expression pattern and morphologic features on AVL compared to PVL, while promoting on both matrices the commitment to valvular and endothelial cell-like phenotypes. Based on their origin from peripheral blood, porcine CMC are hypothesized in vivo to exert a pivotal role to homeostatically replenish valve cells and contribute to hetero- or allograft colonization. Furthermore, due to their high responsivity to extracellular matrix nanostructure signaling, porcine CMC could be useful for a preliminary evaluation of heart valve prosthetic functionality

Seasonal variation of plant mineral nutrition in fruit trees

This research evaluated the monthly variation of plant mineral nutrition in six species of fruit trees over a year. Leaf samples were taken from the fruit trees and nutritional status (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, Fe, Zn, Cu, Mn, and Mo) was determined in the leaves in a month basis from April until November for apple, persimmon and peach. Mandarin mineral nutrition was monitored for one year, and grape and fig from May to November. Using this data, the Diagnosis Recommendation Integrated System (DRIS) was also calculated to evaluate the nutrient balance in the plants. The concentration of N and P had seasonal differences, especially in apple and peach, which reached the peak during the summer. Apple, fig, and grape trees had large ranging on their mineral contents over the year, especially with the P and K levels reaching the minimum during the harvesting season. However, the seasonal changes in leaf micronutrient concentrations were not uniform and not affected by phenological stage. The DRIS data demonstrated that mandarin had the best nutrient balance compared to others and that K was the most limiting element among the fruit trees. In summary, the current data suggest the occurrence of a significant seasonality in mineral nutrition in these six fruit trees, especially in temperate ones

Reaction of passion fruit genotypes to root knot nematodes (Meloidogyne incognita e Meloidogyne javanica)

O nematóide das galhas é apontado como uma das causas da baixa produtividade de inúmeras lavouras de maracujá-azedo. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar a reação de genótipos de maracujazeiro-azedo aos nematóides das galhas, formado pela mistura de Meloidogyne incognita e Meloidogyne javanica. O ensaio foi conduzido em casa-de-vegetação utilizando o delineamento de blocos casualizados, com quatro repetições e 6 plantas úteis por unidade experimental, em esquema de parcela subdividida com quatro níveis de inóculo: 0; 25; 50 e 75 ovos/ml de substrato, correspondendo as populações iniciais de 0; 3.000; 6.000 e 9.000 ovos por muda, respectivamente, distribuídos nas parcelas e quatro genótipos: Redondão, Yelow Máster FB-100, F1 (Marília x Roxo Australiano) e MAR 20#41, nas subparcelas, totalizando 16 tratamentos. Mudas produzidas em bandejas de poliestireno, contendo substrato artificial à base de vermiculita mais casca de Pinus spp. foram inoculadas aos 40 dias após a semeadura. Avaliações no crescimento vegetativo das plantas e número de galhas foram realizadas noventa dias após a inoculação. Não foram observadas diferenças significativas no crescimento das plantas em função do nível de inóculo. O uso de 3.000 e 6.000 ovos do nematóide por planta resultou em diferença significativa no número de galhas. O genótipo Redondão foi superior às demais cultivares quanto às variáveis relacionadas ao crescimento vegetativo, exceto quanto à massa da matéria fresca de raiz. O genótipo Redondão apresentou moderada resistência quando inoculado com 3.000 ovos por planta do nematóide e moderada suscetibilidade com 6.000 e 9.000 ovos por planta, enquanto o híbrido F1 (Marília x Roxo Australiano) mostrou moderada suscetibilidade com 3.000 ovos por planta e suscetibilidade com 6.000 e 9.000 ovos por planta. Os demais genótipos mostraram moderada suscetibilidade nas três diferentes concentrações de inóculo de Meloidogyne spp (Meloidogyne incognita e Meloidogyne javanica). _____________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe root knot nematode has been the main reasons for low productivity of several passionfruit plantations in Brazil. The aim of this study was to evaluate the reaction of passionfruit genotypes to knot root nematode Meloidogyne incognita e Meloidogyne javanica. The experiment was carried out in greenhouse with four randomized blocks and six plants per experimental unit, with a split plot design and four levels of inoculum (0; 25; 50 e 75 eggs/ml of substrate, corresponding to initial population of 0; 3.000; 6.000 e 9.000 eggs per seedling, respectively), as the main plot four genotypes (Redondão, Yelow Máster FB-100, F1 (Marília x Roxo Australiano) and MAR 20#41), were the sub plots, with a total of sixteen treatments. Seedlings were grown in polystyrene trays, with an artificial substrate of vermiculite plus Pinus spp bark inculated 40 days after planting. Evaluations of plant growth and number of root knot were carried out ninety days after inoculation. There were no significant differences on plant growth in relation to level of inoculum. The use of 3.000 and 6.000 eggs of nematodes/plant led to a significant difference in number of root knot. The genotype Redondão was superior for all parameters related to vegetative growth, with exception of root fresh weight. The genotype Redondão showed moderated resistance, when inoculated with 3000 eggs of nematode per plant, while the hybrid F1 (Marília x Roxo Australiano) showed moderated susceptibility with 3.000 eggs per plant and susceptibility with 6.000 and 9.000 eggs per plant. The other genotypes showed moderated susceptibility at all different inoculum concentration of Meloidogyne spp (Meloidogyne incognita and Meloidogyne javanica)

Crescimento e desenvolvimento de amaranto, quinoa e milheto sob diferentes regimes hídricos no Cerrado

O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a dinâmica do crescimento das plantas de cobertura amaranto (Amaranthus cruentus), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa) e milheto (Pennisetum glaucum) em Latossolo Vermelho, sob diferentes regimes hídricos no Cerrado. O cultivo foi realizado no inverno, com pluviosidade reduzida, o que facilitou a aplicação de lâminas de irrigação nas diferentes culturas. No experimento foram avaliados regimes hídricos intitulados de inferior, médio inferior, médio superior e superior, correspondentes à aplicação respectiva de 217, 386, 563 e 647 mm de lâminas de água, por meio de uma barra irrigadora composta por aspersores de diferentes vazões. O crescimento das plantas foi quantificado mediante coletas com periodicidade semanal. O amaranto foi a planta mais responsiva à água. A quinoa apresentou o melhor desempenho no tratamento com nível de água médio superior entre as espécies avaliadas. O milheto apresentou sensibilidade térmica ao cultivo no inverno, o que inviabilizou a produção de grãos; porém, mostrou excepcional aptidão quanto à produção de biomassa, inclusive no tratamento com maior deficit hídrico.The objective of this work was to evaluate the growth dynamics of the cover plants amaranth (Amaranthus cruentus), quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa), and millet (Pennisetum glaucum) in a Typic Acrustox, under different water regimes in the Brazilian Cerrado. The cultivation was carried out in the winter, with reduced rainfall, which facilitated the application of varying irrigation depths to the different crops. Water regimes denominated lower, lower middle, upper middle, and upper - corresponding to 217, 386, 563, and 647 mm water depths, respectively - were tested by means of an irrigation bar composed of sprinklers with different flow rates. Plant growth was quantified by weekly collections. Amaranth was the most responsive plant to water. Quinoa showed the best performance in the treatment with the upper-middle water level among the other evaluated species. Millet showed thermal sensitivity for cultivation in the winter, making grain production unfeasible; however, it showed exceptional ability to produce biomass even in the treatment with higher water deficit

Reaction of ten passionfruit genotypes (Passiflora edulis Sims f. flavicarpa Deneger) and Passiflora alata dryand to the race 1 of Meloidogyne incognita

O nematóide das galhas causa perdas econômicas para a cultura do maracujazeiro. Esse experimento apresenta a reação de dez progênies de maracujazeiro azedo (Havaiano, Marília Seleção Cerrado, Redondão, Roxo Fiji x Marília, MAR 20#19, MAR 20#32, MAR 20#42, MAR 20#43, MAR 20#45, MAR 20#58) e do maracujazeiro doce, à raça 1 de Meloidogyne incognita. O experimento foi conduzido sob condição de casa de vegetação. Mudas de 30 dias foram inoculadas com 1.200 ovos/planta de M. incognita (raça 1). Noventa dias após a inoculação, foram avaliados o crescimento vegetativo e o número de galhas por planta. As progênies MAR 20#19, MAR 20#32, MAR 20#42, MAR 20#43, MAR 20#45, Marília Seleção Cerrado (MSC), Redondão e híbrido F1 (Roxo Fiji x Marília) foram moderadamente resistentes à raça 1 de M. incognita. Por outro lado, as progênies Havaiano e MAR 20#58 foram moderadamente susceptíveis, apresentando 65,48% e 43,83% de galhas/planta, respectivamente, em relação à testemunha. Aparentemente, as progênies mais vigorosas mostraram-se mais resistentes, enquanto as progênies menos vigorosas mostraram-se mais susceptíveis ao nematóide. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe knot root nematode causes economic losses to passionfruit. The objective of this work wat to study the reaction of ten progenies of yellow passionfruit (Havaiano, Marília Seleção Cerrado, Redondão, F1 (Roxo Fiji x Marília), MAR 20#19, MAR 20#32, MAR 20#42, MAR 20#43, MAR 20#45, MAR 20#58) and the sweet passionfruit to race 1 of Meloidogyne incognita. The experiment was carried out under greenhouse conditions. Thirty-day-old seedlings were inoculated with the M. incognita (1.200 eggs/plant). Ninety days after inoculation, plant growth parameters and number of galls were observed. The progenies MAR 20#19, MAR 20#32, MAR 20#42, MAR 20#43, MAR 20#45, Marília Seleção Cerrado (MSC), Redondão and hybrid F1 (Roxo Fiji x Marília) were moderately resistant to race 1 of M. incognita. On the other hand, the progenies Havaiano and MAR20#58 were moderately susceptible, showing 65,48% and 43,83% of galls/plant, respectively, in relation to control. Aparently, the progenies more vigorous were more resistant, while the progenies less vigorously were more susceptibles to nematodes

Physical properties and organic carbon of a savannah redyellow latossol under different plant covers

Os Latossolos têm sido largamente utilizados para a produção agrícola no Brasil. Nestes solos, cada vez mais a vegetação nativa vem sendo substituída por culturas agrícolas, pastagens e, nos últimos anos, grandes áreas têm sido plantadas com essências florestais. Este trabalho teve objetivo de avaliar o efeito de diferentes usos: cerrado, pastagem, pinus e eucalipto, nas propriedades físicas de um Latossolo Vermelho Amarelo. Foram avaliadas a estabilidade de agregados, teor de carbono orgânico, densidade do solo e de partículas e porosidade do solo. Os resultados mostraram que houve influência do uso do solo em algumas propriedades. O diâmetro médio ponderado (DMP), em geral, foi menor na camada de 20-30 cm, com exceção da área sob pinus, que apresentou resultado maior. O DMP no cerrado apresentou menor valor, a partir da camada de 10-20 cm. O teor de carbono orgânico foi maior na camada de 0-5 cm e semelhante nas outras camadas em todos os sistemas de uso. A densidade do solo (Ds) foi maior e a densidade de partículas (Dp) foi menor na área sob pastagem. Para todas as coberturas avaliadas, a Dp foi menor na camada de 0-5 cm. A porosidade do solo diminuiu a partir da camada de 10-20 cm, com exceção na pastagem que apresentou porosidade semelhante em todas as camadas estudadas. _________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThe oxisol has been widely used for agricultural productivity in Brazil. On these soils, native vegetation has been substituted for crops, grasses and in the last years a huge area has been planted with forest plants. The aim of this paper was to evaluate the effect of different uses: savannah, grasses, pinus and eucalyptus, in different depth on soil properties of a red-yellow Latossol. The soil properties evaluated were: aggregate stability, soil organic carbon, bulk and particle density and porosity. The results showed that there was effect of the different plant covers in the depth on all soil properties studied. The mean weight diameter (DMP), in general, was lower at layer of 20-30 cm, with exception of pinus area which showed similar results in all layers. The DMP at savannah area showed lower values from layer of 10-20 cm. Soil organic carbon was higher at layer 0-5 cm and similar in the other soil layers for all plant covers. The bulk density (Ds) was higher and the particle density (Dp) was lower on soil under grasses. In layer of 0-5 cm the Dp was lower in the all plant covers. Soil porosity decreased from layer of 10-20 cm for all plant covers, with exception of grasses which had similar soil porosity at all studied soil layers

REMOÇÃO DE SAIS EM WETLANDS CONSTRUÍDOS NO TRATAMENTO DE ESGOTOS DOMÉSTICOS PRIMÁRIO

Os wetlands construídos, geralmente, utilizam como meio suporte os seguintes materiais: brita, areia grossa, pedregulho e cascalho. Nesta pesquisa, foi utilizado o solo (Latossolo Vermelho-Amarelo) misturado com areia média, no qual se plantou arroz irrigado (Oryza sativa L.). Os sistemas foram operados por fluxo vertical com três diferentes taxas hidráulicas de esgotos aplicadas de forma intermitente alternada, para tratamento de esgoto primário, durante dois ciclos da cultura do arroz. Coletaram-se amostras dos afluentes e efluentes quinzenalmente, para análise da Condutividade Elétrica (CE), e amostras dos solos antes da aplicação dos esgotos primário e no final de cada ciclo da cultura do arroz, para análise da Capacidade de Troca Catiônica (CTC), CE, pH, Ca+2, Mg+2, Na+ e K+, a fim de observar se houve salinização e sodificação dos solos. Os resultados mostraram que o aporte de sais via aplicação dos esgotos não promoveu a salinização e nem a sodificação das camadas de 0-5cm dos solos