Uptake of uranium by lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in natural uranium contaminated soils in order to assess chemical risk for consumers

Uranium mining activity in Cunha Baixa (Portugal) village has left a legacy of polluted soils and irrigation water. A controlled field experiment was conducted with lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) in an agricultural area nearby the abandoned mine in order to evaluate uranium uptake and distribution in roots and leaves as well as ascertain levels of uranium intake by the local inhabitants from plant consuming. Two soils with different average uranium content (38 and 106 mg/kg) were irrigated with non-contaminated and uranium contaminated water (100 μg/l). A non-contaminated soil irrigated with local tap water (<1 μg/l uranium) was also used as a control. Uranium in lettuce tissues was positively correlated with soil uranium content, but non-significant differences were obtained from contaminated soils irrigated with different water quality. Uranium in plants (dry weight) growing in contaminated soils ranged from 0.95 to 6 mg/kg in roots and 0.32 to 2.6 mg/kg in leaves. Lettuce bioconcentration is more related to available uranium species in water than to its uranium concentration. Translocated uranium to lettuce leaves corresponds to 30% of the uranium uptake whatever the soil or irrigation water quality. A maximum uranium daily intake of 0.06 to 0.12 μg/kg bodyweight day was estimated for an adult assuming 30 to 60 g/day of lettuce is consumed. Although this value accounts for only 10% to 20% of the recommended Tolerable Daily Intake for ingested uranium, it still provides an additional source of the element in the local inhabitants’ die

Gas exchange in the salt marsh species Atriplex portulacoides L. and Limoniastrum monopetalum L. in Southern Portugal

Salt marshes are ecosystems subjected to a variety of environmental stresses like high salinity, water deficit, intense radiation or high temperatures. Field measurements were conduced in two halophyte species, Atriplex portulacoides L. and Limoniastrum monopetalum L., in the Reserva Natural do Sapal de Castro Marim, to compare their physiological response, i.e., water potential (w), net photosynthetic rate (A), stomatal conductance (gs) under natural conditions. Both species demonstrated marked variations in w throughout the year, with very low values in the summer, the period of higher salinity, drought and temperature. Deficit water potential (Dw = wmidday wpredawn) was lower in the summer than in other seasons in A. portulacoides but not in L. monopetalum. The highest values for A and gs in L. monopetalum were observed in autumn and for A. portulacoides in winter, presenting both lowest values in spring and summer. Amax was particularly high for L. monopetalum than for A. portulacoides in summer and autumn, despite gsmax was similar in both species. Diurnal pattern ofAand gs were similar in both species, with higher values in the morning, decreasing throughout the day

Análise e reflexão em torno das obrigações de relato e respetivo grau de cumprimento das entidades do setor financeiro em São Tomé e Príncipe

O presente trabalho tem como objetivo discutir, com recurso a uma metodologia qualitativa e descritiva, as obrigações de relato das entidades do setor financeiro em São Tomé e Príncipe (STP), respetivo grau de cumprimento, quem as supervisiona e como o fazem. A recolha de informação foi feita a partir da análise aos relatórios e contas anuais (período de 2012 a 2014) dos sete bancos comerciais que operam no país, a totalidade da população, e com recurso a entrevistas semiestruturadas, efetuadas no mês de janeiro de 2016 a um profissional habilitado de cada uma dessas instituições. Os resultados mostram que a maioria não cumpre com todas as obrigações de relato, pelo que o grau de cumprimento fica aquém do expectável e, inclusive, do legalmente imposto. A supervisão é exercida, exclusivamente, pelo Banco Central de STP e apresenta um pendor eminentemente pedagógico com o objetivo de sensibilizar e melhorar o panorama atual.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Influence of inoculum activity on the bio-methanization of a kitchen waste under different waste/inoculum ratios

The use of a granular inoculum prevented acidification during the anaerobic batch biodegradation of a kitchen waste for waste/inoculum ratios in the range of 0.5–2.3 g VS/g VS, when the alkalinity/COD ratio was 37mg NaHCO3/g COD. In similar experiments but using a suspended sludge with a significantly lower activity, the methane production rates and the biodegradability were significantly lower and the pH decreased below 5.5 at the waste/inoculum ratio of 2.3 g VS/g VS. When the added alkalinity was decreased to 2mg NaHCO3/g COD, the ratio waste/inoculum was clearly more important than the inoculum activity, since, irrespective of the sludge used, acidification occurred at waste/inoculum ratios higher than 0.5 g VS/g VS. The advantage of using granular sludge was further investigated in order to define reasonable condition of waste/inoculum ratio and added alkalinity that could be applied in practice. For a waste/inoculum ratio of 1.35, there were no significant differences between the results obtained for the biodegradability and maximum methane production rate (MMPR), when the alkalinity decreased from 44 to 22 mg NaHCO3/g COD.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT) - Project POCTI/1999/CTA/36524

ENDOCRINOLOGIA REPRODUTIVA E CONTROLE DA FERTILIDADE DA CADELA - REVISÃO

O aparelho reprodutor da cadela está sujeito a alterações periódicas que estão diretamente relacionadas ao ciclo estral. Estabelecer critérios para a identificação desses estádios, e do período de maior fertilidade da fêmea, é essencial para se determinar o momento ideal para cobertura natural ou inseminação artificial. Nos últimos anos métodos de prevenção ou interrupção da gestação têm sido descritos visando o controle populacional de cães e gatos. As medidas de controle incluem cirurgia, terapia hormonal e, mais recentemente, controle imunológico. A ovariohisterectomia é provavelmente o método de contracepção mais adequado para animais não destinados à reprodução. Nos casos que envolvem a terapia hormonal como método contraceptivo, a precaução na utilização do medicamento no período mais adequado do ciclo é importante para a diminuição do surgimento de afecções uterinas e da glândula mamária. Diante destas observações essa revisão tem como objetivo abordar aspectos relacionados à fisiologia e endocrinologia reprodutiva na cadela, enfatizando o controle reprodutivo e seus efeitos colaterais. Reproductive endocrinology and fertility control in bitches a review Abstract Bitch reproductive organs of undergo periodical changes during the stages of the estrous cycle. The establishment of features of each stage of the estrous cycle, and the period of female higher fertility, is important for the determination of the optimal days for mating or artificial insemination. In the last decade methods of prevention or termination of pregnancy have been proposed for population growth control of dogs and cats This includes surgery, hormonal therapy and, more recently, immunological control. Ovaryhysterectomy is probably the best method of contraception for bitches not intended for breeding. In cases where hormones are used as a method for contraception, it is important to know the precise stages of the cycle to avoid possible side effects, like uterine or mammary gland diseases. The main concerns of the present review are the reproductive physiology and endocrinology of the bitch and the methods for contraception and possible side effects induced by such procedure

Soil gas radon potential in two urban areas of central Portugal

Radon concentrations were measured (in quite similar conditions) in two regions of central Portugal with different geological settings. General conclusions are: the soil radon potential is mainly dependent on geological factors, specially lithology, uranium content and structure; in order to have a Comprehensive understanding of radon distribution in soils, small-scale studies are needed

PRIMER REGISTRO DE METACERCARIAS (DIGENEA) INFECTANDO ASTRONOTUS OCELLATUS (PERCIFORMES: CICHLIDAE) DE LA REGIÓN AMAZÓNICA, BRASIL

This study aimed to report infection by metacercariae ofthe genera Posthodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 (Diplostomidae) and Herpetodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 (Proterodiplostomidae) in the gills of Oscar Astronotus ocellatus Agassiz, 1831 (Cichlidae) from Lake Pracuúba, in the municipality of Pracuúba, State of Amapá (eastern Amazonia), Brazil. Out of 202 A. ocellatus examined, 142 had gills infected by metacercariae of Herpetodiplostomum sp. (prevalence= 70.3%) and Posthodiplostomum sp. (prevalence= 59.4%). However, 97 hosts were infected by both metacercariae species (prevalence= 48.0%). A total of 1123 specimens of Herpetodiplostomum sp. and 463 specimens of Posthodiplostomum sp. were collected and the mean intensity of infection was 7.8 ± 11.6 and 3.9 ± 4.4, respectively. This is the first report of Digenea in A. ocellatus.Este estudio tiene como objetivo el registro de la infestación por metacercarias de los géneros Posthodiplostomum Dubois, 1936 (Diplostomidae) y Dubois Herpetodiplostomum, 1936 (Proterodiplostomidae) en las branquias del Astronotus ocellatus Agassiz, 1831 (Cichlidae) del lago Pracuúba, en el Municipio de Pracuúba, Estado de Amapá, Brasil. De doscientos ejemplares de A. ocellatus examinados, 142 tenian las branquias infestadas por Herpetodiplostomum sp. (prevalencia = 70,3%) y por Posthodiplostomum sp. (prevalencia = 59,4%). Sin embargo 97 hospederos fueron infestados por estas dos especies de metacercarias (prevalencia = 48,0%). Del total de ejemplares de A. ocellatus examinados fueron extraidos 1.123 parasitos de Herpetodiplostomum sp. y 463 parasitos de Posthodiplostomum sp., y la media de intensidad de la infestación fue de 7,8 ± 3,9 y 11,6 ± 4,4, respectivamente. Este es el primer registro de Digenea en A. ocellatus