Efficiency of somatic cell count and california mastitis test in the diagnosis of subclinical mastitis in terrincha ewes

This study aimed to compare the efficiency of microbiological test with Californian Mastitis Test and somatic cell count in the diagnosis of Subclinical Mastitis (SM) in Terrincha sheep. Twenty-seven of a flock of about 200 Terrincha ewes (local breed) were studied for a period of 9 weeks (n > 497 samples). Milk samples were aseptically collected from each half udder once a week. At the same time, another sampled was collected from the bulk tank. After being transported to Lab under refrigeration all samples were immediately processed. The tests performed were the total microbial count (PCA), the Californian Mastitis Test (CMT) and the somatic cell count (SCC). After PCA testing, all samples exceeding 500 cfu/ml of milk (10-1 dilution) were considered positive to mastitis. The SCC was performed by a Fossmatic equipment at the Lactogal Lab. CMT was more accurate to predict Negative (87.1%) than Positive (43.1%) samples (Chi-square = 42.5; P≤0.001), meaning that 12.9% half udders were classified as negative being positive and 47.7% half udders were classified as positive being negative. PCA Negative and Positive samples were related to different SCC values (Negative: 277,048.9 ± 571,249.7 vs. Positive: 800,329.5 ± 1,444.970 somatic cells; P≤0.001), allowing to identify the real Positive (infected) half udders in complement to CMT

Synthesis and characterization of novel diazenes bearing pyrrole, thiophene and thiazole heterocycles as efficient photochromic and nonlinear optical (NLO) materials

Two series of novel thermally stable second-order nonlinear optical (NLO) and photochromic chromophores have been designed and synthesized. The two series of compounds were based on different combinations of donor groups (pyrrole or thienylpyrrole) which act simultaneously as Π-conjugated bridges, together with diazoaryl or diazothiazolyl as acceptor moieties. Their photochromic and electrochemical behavior were characterized, while hyper-Rayleigh scattering (HRS) was employed to evaluate their second-order nonlinear optical properties. The results of these studies have been critically analyzed together with two other related compounds reported earlier from our laboratories in which the thienylpyrrole system was used as the donor group keeping the functionalized diazoaryl as acceptor moiety. The measured molecular first hyperpolarizabilities and the observed photochromic behavior showed strong variations for the different donor systems used (pyrrole or thienylpyrrole) and were also sensitive to the acceptor strength of the diazenehetero(aryl) moiety. The thienylpyrrole based compounds endowed with extended Π-conjugated bridges and stronger donor auxiliary effects in comparison to the pyrrole compounds, when coupled to the stronger acceptor diazo(hetero)aryl groups gave rise to significantly larger hyperpolarizabilities (β= 274 - 415 x 10-30 esu) for an incident wavelength of 1064nm). These compounds also displayed improved photochromic behavior with very fast response to the visible light stimulus (1.5 s) and fast thermal return to the original forms (2-3 s).Thanks are due to the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia (Portugal) and FEDER for financial support through the Centro de Quimica and Centro de Fisica- Universidade do Minho, Project PTDC/QUI/66251/2006 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007429), Project PTDC/CTM/105597/2008 with funding from COMPETE/FEDER and research grants to M. C. R. Castro (UMINHO/BI/142/2009) and M. F. S. Cardoso (UMINHO/BII/249/2009). The NMR spectrometer Bruker Avance III 400 is part of the National NMR Network and was purchased within the framework of the National Program for Scientific Re-equipment, contract REDE/1517/RMN/2005 with funds from POCI 2010 (FEDER) and FCT

Study of the Potential of Water Treatment Sludges in the Removal of Emerging Pollutants

This research was funded by CENSE through the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT; UIDB/04085/2020) and through a PhD grant for Rita Dias (SFRH/BD/148793/2019). The authors are also indebted to EPAL AdVT for their financial support to this project. This work was also supported by the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry-LAQV, which is financed by national funds from FCT/MCTES (UIDB/50006/2020). Maria Bernardo acknowledges Norma Transitoria DL57/2016 Contract (FCT/MCTES).Presently, water quantity and quality problems persist both in developed and developing countries, and concerns have been raised about the presence of emerging pollutants (EPs) in water. The circular economy provides ways of achieving sustainable resource management that can be implemented in the water sector, such as the reuse of drinking water treatment sludges (WTSs). This study evaluated the potential of WTS containing a high concentration of activated carbon for the removal of two EPs: the steroid hormones 17β-estradiol (E2) and 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2). To this end, WTSs from two Portuguese water treatment plants (WTPs) were characterised and tested for their hormone adsorbance potential. Both WTSs showed a promising adsorption potential for the two hormones studied due to their textural and chemical properties. For WTS1, the final concentration for both hormones was lower than the limit of quantification (LOQ). As for WTS2, the results for E2 removal were similar to WTS1, although for EE2, the removal efficiency was lower (around 50%). The overall results indicate that this method may lead to new ways of using this erstwhile residue as a possible adsorbent material for the removal of several EPs present in wastewaters or other matrixes, and as such contributing to the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) targets.publishersversionpublishe

Perfil de aptidão cardiorrespiratória e metabólica em bailarinos profissionais

The main goal on this investigation was to analyze cardiorespiratory features and metabolic alterations caused by specific dance training in a group of sixteen professional classical ballet dancers, divided into 8 women and 8 men, average aged 18.2 ± 3.8 and 26.2 ± 4.5, respectively. All subjects were submitted to a maximum exercise test on tradmill, using Bruce’s protocol. The cardiorespiratory and metabolic responses were analyzed by a computerized system Metabolic Measurement Cart - MMC Beckman. The following results were found between the male ballet dancers group vs male control group:VO2max. (46 ± 4 vs 43 ± 6 mL.kg-1.min-1 of O2). HRmax.(194 ± 12 vs 202 ± 11 beats.min-1); VEmax. (112 ± 16 vs 123 ± 181.min-1); VO2 at AT (35 ± 4 vs 26 ± 4 ml.kg-1.min-1 of O2 [p < 0,01]); HR at AT (169 ± 18 vs 163 ± 15 beats.min-1). Female ballet dancers group vs female control group: VO2max. (39 ± 6 vs 35 ± 6 ml.kg-1. min-1 of O2); HRmax. (197 ± 10 vs 201 ± 6 beats.min-1); VE max. (72 ± 9 vs 81 ± 6 1.min-1); VO2 at AT (26 ± 4 vs 27 ± 4 m1.kg-1.min-1 of O2); HR at AT (164 ± 10 vs 176 ± 17 beats.min-1). Conclusion: 1) The specific ballet dance training routine does not seem to generate an adequate stimuli to improve the cardiorespiratory and metabolic ballet dancers aptitude and 2) We suggest an additional physical training program to improve ballet dancers physical conditioning.O principal objetivo deste estudo foi analisar aspectos cardiorrespiratórios e metabólicos e as alterações provocadas pelo treinamento específico de dança em umgrupo de 16 bailarinos de balé profissional, modalidade clássico, sendo 8 mulheres e 8 homens, com média de idade de 18,2 ± 3,8 anos e 26,2 ± 4,5 anos, respectivamente. Todos foram submetidos a teste máximo em esteira rolante, utilizando-se o protocolo de Bruce. Foi utilizado, na análise das respostas respiratórias e metabólicas, um sistema computadorizado Metabolic Measurement Cart da Beckman. Os seguintes resultados foram obtidos entre o grupo de balé vs o grupo-controle (masculino): VO2 max. (46 ± 4 vs 43 ± 6 mLO2. kg-1. min-1). FC máx.(194 ± 12 vs 202 ± 11 bpm); VE máx. (112 ± 16 vs 123 ± 181.min-1); VO2-LA (35 ± 4 vs 26 ± 4 mLO2.kg-1.min-1 [p < 0,01]); FC-LA (169 ± 18 vs 163 ± 15 bpm). Grupo de balé vs grupo-controle (feminino): VO2 máx. (39 ± 6 vs 35 ± 6 mLO2. kg-1-.min-1); FC máx. (197 ± 10 vs 201 ± 6 bpm); VE máx. (72 ± 9 vs 81 ± 61.min-1); VO2 -LA (26 ± 4 vs 27 ± 4 mLO2.kg-1.min-1); FC-LA (164 ± 10 vs 176 ± 17 bpm). Conclusões: 1) a rotina específica de dança parece não gerar estímulo suficiente para aprimorar a aptidão cardiorrespiratória e metabólica dos bailarinos, e 2) sugere-se condicionamento físico adicional ao treinamento de balé

Rotational superradiant scattering in a vortex flow

When an incident wave scatters off of an obstacle, it is partially reflected and partially transmitted. In theory, if the obstacle is rotating, waves can be amplified in the process, extracting energy from the scatterer. Here we describe in detail the first laboratory detection of this phenomenon, known as superradiance 1, 2, 3, 4. We observed that waves propagating on the surface of water can be amplified after being scattered by a draining vortex. The maximum amplification measured was 14% ± 8%, obtained for 3.70 Hz waves, in a 6.25-cm-deep fluid, consistent with the superradiant scattering caused by rapid rotation. We expect our experimental findings to be relevant to black-hole physics, since shallow water waves scattering on a draining fluid constitute an analogue of a black hole 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, as well as to hydrodynamics, due to the close relation to over-reflection instabilities 11, 12, 13

A Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) Evaluation of Brazilian Sugarcane Expansion on Soil Quality

The Soil Management Assessment Framework (SMAF) was developed to evaluate impacts of land use and management practices on soil quality (SQ), but its suitability for Brazilian tropical soils was unknown. We hypothesized that SMAF would be sensitive enough to detect SQ changes associated with sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) expansion for ethanol production. Field studies were performed at three sites across the south-central region of Brazil, aiming to quantify the impacts of a land use change sequence (i.e., native vegetation–pasture–sugarcane) on SQ. Eight soil indicators were individually scored using SMAF curves developed primarily for North American soils and integrated into an overall Soil Quality Index (SQI) and its chemical, physical, and biological sectors. The SMAF scores were correlated with two other approaches used to assess SQ changes, soil organic C (SOC) stocks and Visual Evaluation of Soil Structure (VESS) scores. Our findings showed that the SMAF was an efficient tool for assessing land use change effects on the SQ of Brazilian tropical soils. The SMAF scoring curves developed using robust algorithms allowed proper assignment of scores for the soil chemical, physical, and biological indicators assessed. The SQI scores were significantly correlated with SOC stocks and VESS scores. Long-term transition from native vegetation to extensive pasture promoted significant decreases in soil chemical, physical, and biological indicators. Overall SQI suggested that soils under native vegetation were functioning at 87% of their potential capacity, while pasture soils were functioning at 70%. Conversions of pasture to sugarcane induced slight improvements in SQ, primarily because of improved soil fertility. Sugarcane soils are functioning at 74% of their potential capacity. Based on this study, management strategies were developed to improve SQ and the sustainability of sugarcane production in Brazil