Influence of the brood rearing temperature on honey bee development and susceptibility to intoxication by pesticides

contribution to session IV Test methodolog

BeeNet and BEST: the Italian 'beekeeping and environment' projects

Tese de doutoramento em Engenharia Civil, no ramo de Geotecnia, apresentada ao Departamento de Engenharia Civil da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de CoimbraO estudo e a caracterização de solos incoerentes, nomeadamente areias saturadas, foram impulsionados pela ocorrência de diversos incidentes, entre os quais se destacam os sismos de 1964 no Alasca (Estados Unidos da América) e em Niigata (Japão). Os severos danos registados durante estes sismos alertaram a comunidade científica para os efeitos associados aos fenómenos de liquefação, impulsionando o desenvolvimento da disciplina de engenharia sísmica geotécnica. No final do século XX, o início do estudo sistemático do comportamento de solos no domínio das pequenas deformações vem complementar o conhecimento da resposta não drenada de areias, fornecendo ferramentas adequadas para o dimensionamento tanto aos estados limites de utilização como aos estados limites últimos. Apesar dos avanços científicos no estudo do comportamento de areias saturadas, abalos sísmicos mais recentes, como os sismos de Kobe (1995, Japão) e Kocaeli (1999, Turquia), demonstraram que a previsão de fenómenos de liquefação e seus efeitos não estão totalmente compreendidos. Atendendo à história sísmica de Portugal bem como ao facto de as principais cidades portuguesas se situarem no litoral ou nas margens de rios, o Departamento de Engenharia Civil da Universidade de Coimbra, com a colaboração de outras duas instituições de ensino superior nacionais, encetou, em 2008, um vasto programa de investigação sobre ferramentas para o dimensionamento baseado no desempenho em maciços suscetíveis à liquefação. Para esta investigação, foi escolhida uma areia local recolhida nas margens do Rio Mondego que, após o seu tratamento, origina uma fração uniforme designada de areia de Coimbra, material que se propõe caracterizar, dando seguimento a vários estudos já elaborados. Os dados da extensa investigação laboratorial concretizada resultam de ensaios realizados sobre amostras cilíndricas de secção cheia mas, essencialmente, de ensaios executados num HCA Mark II sobre provetes cilíndricos ocos cujas dimensões são 60Di:100Do:200H (mm). A conclusão da instalação deste equipamento, o desenvolvimento de procedimentos de calibração dos seus instrumentos de medição bem como o estabelecimento de técnicas de preparação de provetes e de execução de ensaios constituem a primeira parte desta dissertação. Estas informações técnicas, que incluem a descrição detalhada de todos os componentes do HCA da Universidade de Coimbra, é complementada com uma exposição dos pressupostos e conceitos teóricos que permitem a definição dos estados de tensão e deformação em amostras cilíndricas ocas. A caracterização avançada do comportamento mecânico da areia de Coimbra, que sucede estudos microscópicos e de identificação que complementam informações anteriormente publicadas, perfaz a segunda parte desta dissertação. Os ensaios laboratoriais incidem sobre amostras de areia reconstituídas e saturadas, incluindo ensaios monotónicos e cíclicos em condições não drenadas para diferentes modos de carregamento e estados iniciais. A versatilidade do HCA, além da caracterização no domínio das pequenas deformações do solo analisado, permite a imposição de condições de restrição de deformação pouco convencionais no estudo de liquefação de areias. Por fim, descreve-se o comportamento pós-liquefação da areia de Coimbra, com especial enfoque nas deformações volumétricas e na variação do estado de tensão.The characterisation of cohesionless soils, namely saturated sands, was encouraged by several seismic events such as the 1964 earthquakes in Alaska (USA) and Niigata (Japan). The severe damages observed during and after these earthquakes drew the attention of the scientific community to liquefaction-related phenomena. It is also accepted that these two earthquakes are at the origin of the geotechnical earthquake engineering. By the end of the 20th century, extensive research programmes on the small strain behaviour of soils improved considerably the knowledge of the stress- strain response of sands, providing the appropriate tools for the design of both serviceability and ultimate limit states. Despite all the scientific advances in the study of the behaviour of saturated sand, recent earthquakes, such as Kobe’s earthquake in 1995 (Japan) and the Kocaeli’s earthquake in 1999 (Turkey), sowed that the prediction of liquefaction-related phenomena and their effects were not fully understood. Given Portugal’s seismic history, as well as the fact that its major cities are located on the coast or in proximity to rivers, the Department of Civil Engineering of the University of Coimbra, Portugal, began in 2008, in collaboration with two other Portuguese Universities, a comprehensive research programme with the objective of developing performance- based design tools for liquefiable deposits. A local sand, named Coimbra sand, obtained from sand collected on the banks of the Mondego River, has been used for this investigation. The present investigation aims at characterising the mechanical response of this sand, highlighting some features of its behaviour that have not been studied yet. The comprehensive experimental research carried out comprises data from tests performed on both conventional cylindrical samples and hollow cylindrical samples with dimensions 60Di:100Do:200H (mm) tested in a Hollow Cylinder Apparatus Mark II. The set up of this apparatus, the development of the calibration procedures for the measurement instruments, as well as the proposal of sample preparation techniques, compose the first part of this thesis. This technical information, which comprises a fully detailed description of all of the University of Coimbra’s HCA components, is accompanied by a discussion of all the assumptions and theoretical principles needed for the definition of the stress and strain states in a hollow cylindrical sample. Microscopic and fundamentals studies, which complete the data published in previous works, precede the advanced characterisation of the mechanical behaviour of Coimbra sand, constituting the second part of this thesis. All the laboratory tests are carried on remoulded and saturated sand samples, and comprise monotonic and cyclic undrained shear tests for both different loading modes and initial states. The versatility of the HCA enables not only the characterization of the small strain stiffness behaviour of Coimbra sand but also the use of unconventional deformation-restricted conditions in the study of sand liquefaction. Lastly, the post-liquefaction behaviour of Coimbra sand is described, with particular emphasis on the development of volumetric strains and evolution of stress state.L’étude et la caractérisation des sols incohérents, notamment des sables saturés, ont été encoutagées par de tragiques évènements sismiques, parmi lesquels se trouvent les tremblements de terre de 1964 en Alaska (Etats-Unis d’Amérique) et à Niigata (Japon). Les importants dégâts enregistrés au cours de ces violents tremblements de terre ont alerté la communauté scientifique et face aux effets de ces phénomènes liés à la liquéfaction des sables, une discipline du domaine du Génie Civil a été créée: Parasismique et Géotechnique. Vers la fin du XXe siècle, le début des études du comportement des sols sous l’hypothèse des petites perturbations vient compléter la connaissance du comportement non drainé des sables et fournir les outils nécessaires pour le dimensionnement aux états limites ultimes et en service. Malgré tous les progrès scientifiques, des tremblements de terre récents, comme ceux que ont eut lieu à Kobe en 1995 (Japon) et à Kocaeli en 1999 (Turquie), ont démontré que la prédiction bien comme les effets des phénomènes liés à la liquéfaction n’étaient pas intégralement assimilés. Étant donné l’histoire sismologique du Portugal aussi bien comme le fait que les villes portugaises les plus importantes sont établies sur la côte ou sur les berges de fleuves, le Département de Génie Civil de l’Université de Coimbra au Portugal, en collaboration avec deux autres établissements de génie civil nationaux, a entamé, en 2008, un ample programme de recherche sur les outils pour le dimensionnement basé sur la performance des sols susceptibles à la liquéfaction. Les recherches sont menées sur le sable de Coimbra, qui est le résultat du traitement d’un sable locale recueilli sur les rives du fleuve Mondego. La présente étude vise caractériser ce sol en apportant des renseignements encore jamais étudiés auparavant. Les résultats de cette ample recherche réalisée en laboratoire proviennent d’essais triaxiaux sur des échantillons conventionnels de sable et sur des échantillons cylindriques creux. Ces derniers ont été effectués avec une cellule triaxiale à cylindre creux du type HCA Mark II, qui permet, entre autres, d’essayer des éprouvettes cylindriques creuses dont les dimensions sont de 60Di:100De:200H (mm). L’achèvement de l’installation de cet équipement, le développement de procédures d’étalonnage de ses instruments de mesure bien comme de techniques de préparation d’éprouvettes creuses composent la première partie de cette thèse. Cet exposé inclut une description très détaillée du HCA de l’Université de Coimbra ainsi que l’exposition des hypothèses et des notions théoriques qui permettent de définir les états de contrainte et de déformation dans des essaies de cylindres creux. La deuxième partie de cette thèse rassemble les résultats de la caractérisation du comportement mécanique du sable de Coimbra, qui succède à des études microscopiques et d’identification. Les études en laboratoire comprennent uniquement des échantillons de sable remaniés et saturés, lesquels sont soumis à des essais de cisaillement non drainés sous différents modes de chargements monotones et cycliques pour différentes conditions initiales. La polyvalence de la cellule triaxiale à cylindre creux permet aussi d’imposer des restrictions de déformations non conventionnelles dans l’étude de la liquéfaction des sables e ains que leur caractérisation sous l’hypothèse des petites perturbations. En dernier lieu, ce travail présente des données sur le comportement post liquéfaction du sable de Coimbra, en mettant l’accent sur les déformations volumétriques et la variation de l’état de contrainte

Peach (Prunus Persica) Fruit Response to Anoxia: Reversible Ripening Delay and Biochemical Changes

The use of modified atmospheres has been successfully applied in different fruits to delay the ripening process and to prevent physiological disorders. In addition, during normal ripening, hypoxic areas are generated inside the fruit; moreover, anaerobic conditions may also arise during fruit post-harvest storage and handling. In consequence, the fruit is an interesting model to analyze the metabolic modifications due to changes in oxygen levels. In this work, a 72 h anoxic treatment by using an N2 storage atmosphere was applied to peaches (Prunus persica L. Batsch) after harvest. Ripening was effectively delayed in treated fruits, preventing fruit softening, color changes and ethylene production. Metabolic changes induced by anoxia included induction of fermentative pathways, glycolysis and enzymes involved in both sucrose synthesis and degradation. Sucrose, fructose and glucose contents remained unchanged in treated fruit, probably due to sucrose cycling. Sorbitol was not consumed and citrate was increased, correlating with citric acid cycle impairment due to O2 deprivation. Malate content was not affected, indicating compensation in the reactions producing and consuming malate. Changes in malic enzymes and pyruvate orthophosphate dikinase may provide pyruvate for fermentation or even act to regenerate NADP. After fruit transfer to aerobic conditions, no signs of post-anoxia injury were observed and metabolic changes were reversed, with the exception of acetaldehyde levels. The results obtained indicate that peach fruit is an organ with a high capacity for anoxic tolerance, which is in accord with the presence of hypoxic areas inside fruits and the fact that hypoxic pre-treatment improves tolerance to subsequent anoxia.EEA San PedroFil: Lara, María Valeria. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Tecnológico de Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Budde, Claudio Olaf. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Porrini, Lucía. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Tecnológico de Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Bosani, Julia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Tecnológico de Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Murray, Ricardo Ernesto. Instituto Nacional de Tecnología Agropecuaria (INTA). Estación Experimental Agropecuaria San Pedro; ArgentinaFil: Andreo, Carlos Santiago. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Tecnológico de Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; ArgentinaFil: Drincovich, María Fabiana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Tecnológico de Rosario. Centro de Estudios Fotosintéticos y Bioquímicos; Argentina. Universidad Nacional de Rosario. Facultad de Ciencias Bioquímicas y Farmacéuticas; Argentin

Spring honey bee losses in Italy

Honey bee poisoning incidents and monitoring schemes Background: During last years several cases of bee losses have been reported during the period of corn sowing in different European countries. In Italy an institutional system for bee losses survey does not exist and therefore some Italian regions decided to organise an official network to collect data and analyse dead bee samples. Results: Collected data indicate that the higher number of bee losses events occurred in intensively cultivated flat areas, located in the North of Italy, mainly during or after corn sowing. The chemical analyses of dead bees revealed the presence of three neonicotinoid residues: imidacloprid was found in 25.7% of the sample, thiamethoxam in 2.8%, clothianidin in 25.7%, both imidacloprid and thiamethoxam in 4.7%. The visual examination and the virological analyses excluded pathological causes. Conclusion: The spatial and temporal correlation between hive damages and corn sowing and the presence of residues of active ingredients used for seed dressing (imidacloprid, thiamethoxam and clothianidin) in almost half of the samples confirms the connection between spring mortality and the sowing of corn seed dressed with neonicotinoids. Keywords: honeybee mortality, neonicotinoids, seed dressing, corn sowing, dust dispersion.      

Api e tossicità da agrofarmaci

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Api ed altri impollinatori

Nessun abstrac

Bee emergency service team (BEST): Bee losses and mortality reports in italy (2012-2014)

The Bee Emergency Service Team (BEST) was established in 2009, in the framework of the ApeNet project (2009-2011) and the BeeNet project (since 2012), in order to improve the national survey of bee mortality and colony losses in Italy. Before BEST, local surveys were carried out through spontaneous reporting with questionnaires and, only rarely, by direct inspection of the affected hives. The BEST activity is carried out by DipSA, in collaboration with CRA-API, IZSVe and SIN