Thermal impact evaluation of an open loop heat pump system: integrated approach with project data, numerical modeling and groundwater monitoring

Open loop, geotermal system, low enthalpy, numerical simulation, FEFLOW-DHI

Simultaneous yeast–bacteria inoculum. A feasible solution for the management of oenological fermentation in red must with low nitrogen content

The simultaneous inoculum of yeasts and bacteria is a feasible solution for improving fermentation in wines with a harsh chemical composition, capable of inhibiting microbial activity. Considering the risk of wine spoilage due to lactic bacteria, co-inoculum is suggested in white wines with a low pH. However, climate change has also caused problems in achieving malolactic fermentation in red wines, due to the high concentration of ethanol and the low nutrient content. In this work, 5 pairs of commercial oenological starters were tested in simultaneous fermentation, using 4 red musts with a low nitrogen content, and compared with a traditional winemaking process. The simultaneous inoculum caused a slowdown in the activity of yeasts, although no problems in the accomplishment of alcoholic fermentations were observed. More reliable malolactic fermentation was performed in the co-inoculum trials, while, in traditional winemaking, some failures in the degradation of malic acid were observed. Microbiological analyses agreed with these observations. No differences were found in yeast density during alcoholic fermentation, demonstrating the absence of negative interaction between the yeast and the bacteria. However, simultaneous fermentation is not without risks; the highest increases of acetic acid were noted in the co-inoculum trials. The addition of yeast and bacteria to must with a serious lack of nutrients would appear to be a promising alternative to traditional fermentation; however, careful control of the chemical composition of must is mandatory to obtain reliable microbiological activity in the first stages of winemaking

Ammonium thiosulphate assisted phytoextraction of mercury and arsenic in multi-polluted industrial soil

The possibility of using ammonium thiosulphate in assisted phytoextraction was evaluated on a greenhouse scale (mesocosm) for the simultaneous removal of mercury and arsenic from multi-polluted industrial soil. The addition of thiosulphate to the soil greatly promoted the uptake and translocation of both contaminants in the aerial parts of Brassica juncea and Lupinus albus. Thiosulphate showed great potential since it is a common fertilizer used to promote plant growth and is able to promote plant uptake of both Hg and As. Hg concentration in the aerial part of the plants reached 867 mg kg-1 in B. juncea and 114 mg kg-1 in L. albus. In the aerial parts, As concentration was about 9 mg kg-1 in B. juncea and 20 mg kg-1 in L. albus. This thus increases the applicability of phytoextraction in terms of cost and time especially if the remedial targets are based on bioavailable metal concentrations

The effects of low enthalpy geothermal system on groundwater of the Cesine wetland

Cesine Wetland, Salento, low-enthalpy geothermal power plant, heat transport numerical model

The Compatibility of Geothermal Power Plants with Groundwater Dependent Ecosystems: The Case of the Cesine Wetland (Southern Italy)

The Cesine Wetland, located along the Adriatic coast, was recognized as a Wetland of International Interest and a National Natural Park. Managed by the "World Wide Fund for nature" (WWF), it is considered a groundwater dependent ecosystem which is affected by seawater intrusion. The site was selected to test the environmental compatibility of a low-enthalpy geothermal power plant (closed loop) operating in the aquifer saturated portion with purpose to improving the visitor centre. For this purpose, the long-lasting thermal impact on groundwater was assessed using a multi-methodological approach. The complex aquifer system was carefully studied with geological, hydrogeological and geochemical surveys, including chemical and isotopic laboratory analyses of surface water, groundwater and seawater. The isotopes δ18O, δD, δ11B, and 3H were useful to clarify the recharge contribution, the water mixing and the water age. All information was used to improve the conceptualization of the water system, including aquifers and the boundary conditions for a density driven numerical groundwater model. The purpose was to forecast anthropogenic thermal groundwater variations up to 10 years of plant working before the plant realization and to validate the solution after some working years. All results show the environmental compatibility notwithstanding the peculiar ecological environment

Floral features, pollination biology and breeding system of Chloraea membranacea Lindl. (Orchidaceae: Chloraeinae)

Background and Aims: The pollination biology of very few Chloraeinae orchids has been studied to date, and most of these studies have focused on breeding systems and fruiting success. Chloraea membranacea Lindl. is one of the few non-Andean species in this group, and the aim of the present contribution is to elucidate the pollination biology, functional floral morphology and breeding system in native populations of this species from Argentina (Buenos Aires) and Brazil (Rio Grande do Sul State). Methods:Floral features were examined using light microscopy, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy. The breeding system was studied by means of controlled pollinations applied to plants, either bagged in the field or cultivated in a glasshouse. Pollination observations were made on natural populations, and pollinator behaviour was recorded by means of photography and video.Key ResultsBoth Argentinean and Brazilian plants were very consistent regarding all studied features. Flowers are nectarless but scented and anatomical analysis indicates that the dark, clavate projections on the adaxial labellar surface are osmophores (scent-producing glands). The plants are self-compatible but pollinator-dependent. The fruit-set obtained through cross-pollination and manual self-pollination was almost identical. The main pollinators are male and female Halictidae bees that withdraw the pollinarium when leaving the flower. Remarkably, the bees tend to visit more than one flower per inflorescence, thus promoting self-pollination (geitonogamy). Fruiting success in Brazilian plants reached 60·78 in 2010 and 46 in 2011. Some pollinarium-laden female bees were observed transferring pollen from the carried pollinarium to their hind legs. The use of pollen by pollinators is a rare record for Orchidaceae in general.ConclusionsChloraea membrancea is pollinated by deceit. Together, self-compatibility, pollinarium texture, pollinator abundance and behaviour may account for the observed high fruiting success. It is suggested that a reappraisal and re-analysis of important flower features in Chloraeinae orchids is necessary.Fil: Sanguinetti, Agustin. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; Argentina. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; ArgentinaFil: Buzatto, Cristiano Roberto. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Pedron, Marcelo. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Davies, Kevin L.. Cardiff University; Reino UnidoFil: Ferreira, Pedro Maria De Abreu. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; BrasilFil: Maldonado, Sara Beatriz. Universidad de Buenos Aires. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales. Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Oficina de Coordinación Administrativa Ciudad Universitaria; ArgentinaFil: Singer, Rodrigo Bustos. Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul; Brasi

AS CATEGORIAS DA FORMAÇÃO EMPREENDEDORA E A MOBILIZAÇÃO DE COMPETÊNCIAS NO AMBIENTE DE ENSINO SUPERIOR

This study aims to identify and analyze categories of entrepreneurial formation, based on the opinions of teachers and coordinators in Higher Education Institutions in Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina. During the research, we identified the relationship between these categories and the mobilization of entrepreneurial skills. This is a qualitative exploratory study with theoretical and practical characteristics. The main analytical step was performed using the software program Iramuteq (i), with the addition of the analysis of Descending Hierarchical Classification and Similitude (ii), seeking to obtain a deeper understanding of the texts. And the software program MAXQDA (iii) was used for the coding and formation of the networks associated with the entrepreneurial skills developed. The results showed four main categories, which, according to the interviewees, make up the Entrepreneurial Training processes: intention to undertake, processes/techniques of entrepreneurial training, entrepreneurial learning, and the teaching structure used in this training. Another relevant result was the identification, by the trainers, of seventeen competencies to be developed among the students. Finally, the article relates these seventeen competencies to the Entrepreneurial Training categories.El objetivo de este estudio es identificar y analizar categorías de formación para emprendedor a partir de la opinión de docentes y coordinadores en Instituciones de Educación Superior (IES) ubicadas en Brasil, Paraguay y Argentina. En el desarrollo de la investigación, identificamos la relación de estas categorías con la movilización de habilidades empresariales. Este es un estudio exploratorio cualitativo de características teóricas y prácticas, cuyo paso analítico principal se realiza utilizando el software Iramuteq (i), al cual se agrega el análisis de Clasificación Jerárquica Descendente y Similitud (ii), con el propósito de avanzar en la comprensión más profunda de los textos y, desde el software MAXQDA (iii), para la codificación y formación de las redes asociadas con las habilidades empresariales desarrolladas allí. Los resultados mostraron cuatro categorías principales que, según los entrevistados, conforman los procesos de Formación para Emprendedor: la intención de emprender, los procesos/técnicas de formación para emprendedor, el aprendizaje empresarial y la estructura de enseñanza empleada en esta capacitación. También como resultados relevantes fueron identificados por los entrenadores diecisiete habilidades que se desarrollarán entre los estudiantes. Finalmente, el artículo relaciona estas diecisiete competencias con las categorías de Formación para Emprendedor.O objetivo deste estudo é identificar e analisar categorias de formação empreendedora a partir da percepção/opinião de professores e coordenadores em Instituições de Ensino Superior (IES) localizadas no Brasil, Paraguai e Argentina. No desdobramento da pesquisa, identificou-se a relação dessas categorias com a mobilização de competências empreendedoras. Trata-se de um estudo exploratório qualitativo de característica teórico-prática, cuja etapa analítica principal é realizada por meio do software Iramuteq (i), ao qual se acrescenta a análise de Classificação Hierárquica Descendente e de Similitude (ii), com a finalidade de avançar na compreensão mais profunda dos textos; e do software MAXQDA (iii), para codificação e formação das redes associadas às competências empreendedoras desenvolvidas. Os resultados evidenciaram quatro categorias principais, as quais, segundo os entrevistados, compõem os processos de Formação Empreendedora: intenção de empreender, processos/técnicas da formação empreendedora, aprendizagem empreendedora e estrutura de ensino empregada nessa formação. Ainda como resultados relevantes foram identificadas pelos formadores dezessete competências a serem desenvolvidas entre os alunos. Finalmente, o artigo relaciona essas dezessete competências às categorias da Formação Empreendedora

LC3B and ph-S6K are both expressed in epithelioid and classic renal angiomyolipoma: a rationale tissue-based evidence for combining use of autophagic and mTOR targeted drugs

Background: Targeted drugs to the autophagy processes are emerging in clinical trials. The aim of this work is to assess the magnitude of autophagic expression in renal angiomyolipoma. Methods: Fourteen cases of renal angiomyolipoma were recruited. Anti-LC3B-II and anti-phospho-S6K were detected by Western blot analysis. For immunohistochemical staining, sections were stained with the antibodies LC3B-II and cathepsin-K. LC3B-II was also analyzed by immunofluorescence. We have also carried out electron microscopy analysis on tumor cells. Results: 13 classic and 1 epithelioid renal angiomyolipoma were recruited. The Western-blot LC3B-II analysis shows increasing in protein expression in all cases, however quantitative protein expression ranged from 1 to 15 (mean 5). The autophagosome protein LC3B-I also significantly increased in all tumor extraction. The expression of LC3B-II protein was confirmed in tumoral samples by immunofluorescence. The lysosomal marker cathepsin-K was observed by immunohistochemistry on all tumours. The Western-blot ph-S6K analysis showed significant protein overexpression along all cases after evaluation of the quantitative S6K/Ponceaus ratio. In 6/14 (52%) the expression was high, with a quantitative increase of 653 fold induction in 4 angiomyolipoma compared to normal tissue. At electron microscopy, cancer cells evidenced round or oval electron-dense granules associated with membranes and granules with double membrane. Conclusion: Both autophagic LC3B-II and ph-S6K molecules are over-represented in both epithelioid and classic renal angiomyolipoma and a combined use of inhibitors to the autophagic and mTOR processes may be designed in clinical trials, when enrolling patients affected by tumours in tuberous sclerosis or angiomyolipoma at risk of bledding