ATLANTIC EPIPHYTES: a data set of vascular and non-vascular epiphyte plants and lichens from the Atlantic Forest

Epiphytes are hyper-diverse and one of the frequently undervalued life forms in plant surveys and biodiversity inventories. Epiphytes of the Atlantic Forest, one of the most endangered ecosystems in the world, have high endemism and radiated recently in the Pliocene. We aimed to (1) compile an extensive Atlantic Forest data set on vascular, non-vascular plants (including hemiepiphytes), and lichen epiphyte species occurrence and abundance; (2) describe the epiphyte distribution in the Atlantic Forest, in order to indicate future sampling efforts. Our work presents the first epiphyte data set with information on abundance and occurrence of epiphyte phorophyte species. All data compiled here come from three main sources provided by the authors: published sources (comprising peer-reviewed articles, books, and theses), unpublished data, and herbarium data. We compiled a data set composed of 2,095 species, from 89,270 holo/hemiepiphyte records, in the Atlantic Forest of Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay, recorded from 1824 to early 2018. Most of the records were from qualitative data (occurrence only, 88%), well distributed throughout the Atlantic Forest. For quantitative records, the most common sampling method was individual trees (71%), followed by plot sampling (19%), and transect sampling (10%). Angiosperms (81%) were the most frequently registered group, and Bromeliaceae and Orchidaceae were the families with the greatest number of records (27,272 and 21,945, respectively). Ferns and Lycophytes presented fewer records than Angiosperms, and Polypodiaceae were the most recorded family, and more concentrated in the Southern and Southeastern regions. Data on non-vascular plants and lichens were scarce, with a few disjunct records concentrated in the Northeastern region of the Atlantic Forest. For all non-vascular plant records, Lejeuneaceae, a family of liverworts, was the most recorded family. We hope that our effort to organize scattered epiphyte data help advance the knowledge of epiphyte ecology, as well as our understanding of macroecological and biogeographical patterns in the Atlantic Forest. No copyright restrictions are associated with the data set. Please cite this Ecology Data Paper if the data are used in publication and teaching events. © 2019 The Authors. Ecology © 2019 The Ecological Society of Americ

Reducing the environmental impact of surgery on a global scale: systematic review and co-prioritization with healthcare workers in 132 countries

Abstract Background Healthcare cannot achieve net-zero carbon without addressing operating theatres. The aim of this study was to prioritize feasible interventions to reduce the environmental impact of operating theatres. Methods This study adopted a four-phase Delphi consensus co-prioritization methodology. In phase 1, a systematic review of published interventions and global consultation of perioperative healthcare professionals were used to longlist interventions. In phase 2, iterative thematic analysis consolidated comparable interventions into a shortlist. In phase 3, the shortlist was co-prioritized based on patient and clinician views on acceptability, feasibility, and safety. In phase 4, ranked lists of interventions were presented by their relevance to high-income countries and low–middle-income countries. Results In phase 1, 43 interventions were identified, which had low uptake in practice according to 3042 professionals globally. In phase 2, a shortlist of 15 intervention domains was generated. In phase 3, interventions were deemed acceptable for more than 90 per cent of patients except for reducing general anaesthesia (84 per cent) and re-sterilization of ‘single-use’ consumables (86 per cent). In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for high-income countries were: introducing recycling; reducing use of anaesthetic gases; and appropriate clinical waste processing. In phase 4, the top three shortlisted interventions for low–middle-income countries were: introducing reusable surgical devices; reducing use of consumables; and reducing the use of general anaesthesia. Conclusion This is a step toward environmentally sustainable operating environments with actionable interventions applicable to both high– and low–middle–income countries

Effect of chemical agents on anaerobic wastewater treatment

A digestão anaeróbia representa uma alternativa viável para tratamento de efluentes de alta carga orgânica, como os gerados pelas indústrias de alimentos. Contudo, sua aplicação ainda é limitada devido ao conceito errôneo de que processos anaeróbios não são capazes de tolerar a toxicidade de produtos químicos que possam estar presentes em efluentes industriais. No caso da indústria de alimentos, a maioria das substâncias tóxicas origina-se dos sistemas de limpeza e sanificação como detergentes e sanificantes. Neste estudo avaliou-se o efeito de agentes químicos na eficiência de remoção de Demanda Química de Oxigênio (DQO), utilizando-se reatores anaeróbios em batelada tratando um meio sintético. Representantes de cada classe de agentes detergentes como alcalinos, ácidos, tensoativos e complexantes, foram avaliados isoladamente e na forma combinada, por meio de duas formulações: detergente básico e detergente ácido. Além disso, foram avaliados dois sanificantes químicos e combinações desses sanificantes com as formulações de detergente. As concentrações testadas foram definidas com base nas concentrações recomendadas em procedimentos de higienização e em fatores de diluição resultantes dos procedimentos de enxágüe. O acompanhamento da performance dos reatores foi realizado avaliando-se o pH e a DQO solúvel. Os sistemas contendo EDTA, hexametafosfato de sódio e hipoclorito de sódio não apresentaram efeito inibitório em nenhuma das concentrações avaliadas, enquanto 60 mg.L-1 de ácido peracético reduziu a eficiência do processo. Os surfactantes apresentaram efeitos diferenciados: a digestão anaeróbia foi inibida por concentrações acima de 150 mg.L-1 de dodecil sulfato de sódio (surfactante aniônico), enquanto Tween 80 (surfactante não iônico) estimulou o processo em concentrações de 15 mg.L-1. Os efeitos inibitórios mais relevantes foram atribuídos ao agente alcalino (hidróxido de sódio) e ao agente ácido (ácido nítrico) devido à grande influência do pH na performance do sistema. Não foi observado sinergismo entre os componentes das formulações de detergente, predominando o comportamento do agente principal de cada formulação, em todas as concentrações testadas. A avaliação das associações entre detergentes e sanificantes confirma a relevância do efeito do pH sobre os microrganismos anaeróbios e sobre a atividade antimicrobiana dos sanificantes químicos avaliados.Anaerobic digestion represents a feasible option for the treatment of high strength organic effluents such as food-processing industries wastewater. However, its application is still limited due to a common misconception that anaerobic process cannot tolerate toxicity of chemical products that may be contained in industrial wastewaters. In the food industry, most toxic substances come from cleaning and sanitizing systems like detergents and disinfectants. This study evaluated the effect of chemical agents on efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in batch anaerobic reactors treating a synthetic media. Groups of each detergent class as alkaline, acid, surfactants and chelating agents, were evaluated separately and mixed using two formulations: alkaline detergent and acid detergent. Moreover, two chemical sanitizers and mixtures of these sanitizers with the detergent formulations were evaluated. The evaluated concentrations were defined based on concentration recommended in sanitation procedures and dilution factors by rinse procedures. The performance of the reactors was evaluated by pH and soluble COD. Systems containing EDTA, sodium hexametaphosphate and sodium hypochlorite did not manifest inhibition at any concentration evaluated while peracetic acid at 60 mg.L-1 reduced the performance of the process. Surfactants showed different effects: anaerobic digestion was inhibited by sodium dodecylsulfate (anionic surfactant) at concentrations above 150 mg.L-1 while Tween 80 (non-ionic surfactant) stimulated the process at 15 mg.L-1. The greatest inhibitions were attributed to alkaline agent (sodium hydroxide) and acid agent (nitric acid) due to intense influence of pH on system performance. There was no synergism among components of detergent formulations with the behavior of the main agent of each formulation predominating, at all evaluated concentrations. The assessment of detergents and sanitizer mixtures confirms magnitude of effect of pH on anaerobic microorganisms and antimicrobial activities of evaluated chemical sanitizers.Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superio

Caracterização e processamento de cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum)

O cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum) é um fruto bastante nutritivo, de sabor e aroma agradáveis, originário da Amazônia. Nessa região, é utilizado com diferentes propósitos – medicamento, alimento e cosmético. Por suas propriedades agronômicas, nutricionais, medicinais e tecnológicas, revela-se um produto regional com elevado potencial mercadológico, principalmente considerando-se a crescente preocupação da população com alimentação saudável. Porém, mesmo considerando suas potencialidades e a ampla utilização em sua região de origem, aplicações tecnológicas do fruto ainda são muito pouco estudadas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo caracterizar a polpa do fruto cultivado na região da Zona da Mata mineira, além de propor novas alternativas de processamento para sua aplicação na indústria de alimentos. Foram determinados os teores de umidade (91,51%), proteínas (0,82%), lipídeos (2,23%), cinzas (0,77%), carboidratos (4,66%), o valor calórico total (41,99 Kcal/100g), a concentração de minerais como cálcio (13,68 mg/100g), ferro (1,98 mg/100g), fósforo (21,27 mg/100g), magnésio (17,49 mg/100g), potássio (359,75 mg/100g) e zinco (0,36 mg/100g), pH (4,12), teor de sólidos solúveis (6,20oBrix), de pectina (1,61%) e de vitamina C (1,97 mg/100g). A maioria dos valores encontrados na determinação da composição da polpa apresenta-se dentro da faixa observada nas literaturas consultadas, normalmente referentes aos frutos produzidos na região Amazônica. Como alternativa de processamento, avaliou-se a associação da polpa de cubiu à de outras frutas na forma de néctares mistos, explorando a propriedade geleificante da fruta de modo a se obter um produto mais encorpado, melhorando as características sensoriais individuais do fruto e agregando valor comercial ao produto. Os produtos propostos obtiveram boa aceitação pelo consumidor, principalmente o néctar misto de caju (Anacardium occidentale) e cubiu comparado ao de acerola (Malpighia punicifolia) e cubiu.Cubiu (Solanum sessiliflorum) is a nutritious Amazonian fruit used for different purposes - food, medicine and cosmetic. Due to its agronomical, nutritional, medicinal and technological properties, it is considered as a regional product with a high marketing potential, specially in view of the increasing concern of the population with a healthy lifestyle. However, even though it is widely consumed in its original region, technological applications of the fruit are poorly studied. The present study was carried out in order to determine the chemical composition of the pulp from cubiu fruit grown in the “Zona da Mata” region of Minas Gerais state, and to suggest new processing options for application in the food industry. The water (91.51%), protein (0.82%), fat (2.23%), ash (0.77%), carbohydrate (4.66%), caloric value (41.99 Kcal/100g), concentration of calcium (13.68 mg/100g), iron (1.98 mg/100g), phosphorus (21.27 mg/ 100g), magnesium (17.49 mg/100g), potassium (359.75 mg/100g) and zinc (0.36 mg/100g), pH (4.12), content of soluble solids (6.20oBrix), pectin (1.61%) and vitamin C (1.97 mg/100g) were determined. Most values were in accordance with literature reports based on fruit grown in the Amazon region. The processing method evaluated was based on the association of cubiu pulp with other fruit pulps in mixed juices, exploring the jellyfying property of cubiu in order to"Níveis de uréia em suplementos múltiplos para terminação de novilhos em pastagem de capim-braquiária durante o período de transição águas-seca" improve the individual sensory characteristics and to aggregate commercial value to the product. The suggested products were well accepted by the consumer, with better acceptance of the mixed juice of cashew (Anacardium occidentale) and cubiu compared to the mixed juice of acerola (Malpighia punicifolia) and cubiu

The Crosslinking Degree Controls The Mechanical, Rheological, And Swelling Properties Of Hyaluronic Acid Microparticles.

Viscosupplements, used for treating joint and cartilage diseases, restore the rheological properties of synovial fluid, regulate joint homeostasis and act as scaffolds for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Most viscosupplements are hydrogels composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) microparticles suspended in fluid HA. These microparticles are crosslinked with chemicals to assure their stability against enzyme degradation and to prolong the action of the viscosupplement. However, the crosslinking also modifies the mechanical, swelling and rheological properties of the HA microparticle hydrogels, with consequences on the effectiveness of the application. The aim of this study is to correlate the crosslinking degree (CD) with these properties to achieve modulation of HA/DVS microparticles through CD control. Because divinyl sulfone (DVS) is the usual crosslinker of HA in viscosupplements, we examined the effects of CD by preparing HA microparticles at 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1 HA/DVS mass ratios. The CD was calculated from inductively coupled plasma spectrometry data. HA microparticles were previously sized to a mean diameter of 87.5 µm. Higher CD increased the viscoelasticity and the extrusion force and reduced the swelling of the HA microparticle hydrogels, which also showed Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior and were classified as covalent weak. The hydrogels were not cytotoxic to fibroblasts according to an MTT (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Biomed Mater Res Part A, 2014

The crosslinking degree controls the mechanical, rheological, and swelling properties of hyaluronic acid microparticles

Viscosupplements, used for treating joint and cartilage diseases, restore the rheological properties of synovial fluid, regulate joint homeostasis and act as scaffolds for cell growth and tissue regeneration. Most viscosupplements are hydrogels composed of hyaluronic acid (HA) microparticles suspended in fluid HA. These microparticles are crosslinked with chemicals to assure their stability against enzyme degradation and to prolong the action of the viscosupplement. However, the crosslinking also modifies the mechanical, swelling and rheological properties of the HA microparticle hydrogels, with consequences on the effectiveness of the application. The aim of this study is to correlate the crosslinking degree (CD) with these properties to achieve modulation of HA/DVS microparticles through CD control. Because divinyl sulfone (DVS) is the usual crosslinker of HA in viscosupplements, we examined the effects of CD by preparing HA microparticles at 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, and 5:1 HA/DVS mass ratios. The CD was calculated from inductively coupled plasma spectrometry data. HA microparticles were previously sized to a mean diameter of 87.5 µm. Higher CD increased the viscoelasticity and the extrusion force and reduced the swelling of the HA microparticle hydrogels, which also showed Newtonian pseudoplastic behavior and were classified as covalent weak. The hydrogels were not cytotoxic to fibroblasts according to an MTT (3‐[4,5‐dimethylthiazol‐2‐yl]‐2,5‐diphenyltetrazolium bromide) assay1032730737sem informaçãosem informaçã

Avaliação do comportamento de um substrato sintético e de um efluente de suinocultura no tratamento anaeróbio de reatores uasb

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo avaliar o desempenho de reatores UASB alimentados com efluente natural de suinocultura (controle) e substrato sintético, empregando-se dois níveis de cargas biológicas para cada substrato (0,2 e 0,4 ngQO.KgS VT'1.d'1), com a finalidade de avaliar o uso de substrato sintético como substituto ao efluente natural de suinocultura, em experimentos onde seja difícil sua utilização. Os resultados mostraram que o substrato sintético apresentou um comportamento bastante similar ao controle, observando-se que os reatores alcançaram o regime permanente após aproximadamente 40-45 dias de operação. Para ambos os substratos, quanto maior a carga orgânica volumétrica aplicada, menor a eficiência de remoção de DQO alcançada. A similaridade no comportamento, tanto em relação a remoção de matéria orgânica, quanto a estabilidade do sistema, aponta para a possibilidade da utilização de substrato sintético em experimentos de avaliação de sistemas de tratamento de efluente de suinocultura.The present work aimed to evaluate the performance of UASB reactors fed with natural swine wastewater (control) and a synthetic media, useing two levels of biological loading rate for each media (0,2 and 0,4 kgCOD.kg VTS'1.d'1), with the purpose of evaluating the use of the synthetic media as a substitute to swine wastewater in experiments where its use in not viable. The results showed that the synthetic media presented a similar behavior to the control. The reactors reached the steady state after approximately 40-45 days of operation. For both medias, the larger the organic loading rate applied, the smaller the efficiency of COD removal reached. The similarity in the behavior, in relation to the removal of organic matter and the stability of the system, justifies the use of the synthetic media as a model for the evaluation of swine wastewater treatment systems

Núcleos de Ensino da Unesp: artigos 2010: volume 4: as disciplinas escolares, os temas transversais e o processo de educação

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP