The role of the seagrass leaf microbiome in assisting nitrogen uptake by the Western Australian seagrass, Posidonia sinuosa

Microorganisms play a key role in facilitating the cycling of several elements in coastal environments, including nitrogen (N). N is a key component for maintaining high seagrass productivity and is often the limiting nutrient in marine environments. Seagrasses harbour an abundant and diverse microbial community (the ‘microbiome’), however their ecological and functional roles related to the seagrass host are still poorly understood, in particular regarding N cycling. Microorganisms capable of mineralising dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) may play a pivotal role in enhancing N availability in coastal environments such as seagrass meadows. Thus, the overall aim of my thesis was to enhance current understanding of abundance and diversity of the microbial community associated with seagrass meadows and their ecological role, with specific focus on N cycling. This was achieved by using molecular techniques together with 15N-enrichment experiments and nanoscale imaging techniques. Firstly, I reviewed the literature on the potential effects that microorganisms associated with both the above- and belowground seagrass tissue may have on plant fitness and the relevance of the seagrass microbiome and I have highlighted literature gaps. For my second chapter, I determined the abundance and community composition of bacteria and archaea associated with seagrass Posidonia sinuosa meadows in Marmion Marine Park, southwestern Australia. Data were collected from different seagrass meadows and meadow ‘microenvironments’, i.e. seagrass leaf surface, sediment and water column. I performed the quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR) targeting a series of bacterial and archaeal genes: 16S rRNA, ammonia oxidation genes (amoA) and genes involved in mineralisation of DON, via the urease enzyme (ureC). High-throughput sequencing was applied to 16S rRNA and amoA genes, to explore the diversity of these microbial assemblages related to P. sinuosa meadow microenvironments. Results from this chapter show that the P. sinuosa leaf biofilm represents a favourable habitat for microorganisms, as it hosts a significantly higher microbial abundance compared to the sediment and water. Moreover, 16S rRNA and amoA sequencing data indicate a high degree of compartmentalisation of functional microbial communities between the microenvironments of the seagrass meadow (leaf, sediment and water column), pointing towards the existence of a core seagrass leaf microbiome that could have specific interactions with the plant. For my third chapter I determined the role that microorganisms inhabiting P. sinuosa seagrass leaves may play in the recycling of DON, and subsequent transfer of inorganic N (DIN) into plant tissues. To achieve this, I performed an experiment whereby seagrass leaves with and without microorganisms were incubated with DO15N, and I traced the fine-scale uptake and assimilation of microbially processed N into seagrass cells, using nanoscale secondary ion mass spectrometry (NanoSIMS). Results from this chapter show for the first time that seagrass leaf epiphytic microorganisms facilitated the uptake of 15N from DON, which was unavailable to the plant in the absence of epiphytes. This indicates that seagrass leaves have limited to no ability to take up DON, and the seagrass leaf microbiome could therefore play a much more significant role than previously thought in enhancing plant health and productivity. Finally, I determined the net nitrification rates associated with ammoniaoxidising microorganisms (AOM) inhabiting P. sinuosa leaf surfaces, and explored whether AOM facilitated, or competed for, the plant’s N uptake. My findings show that AOM may compete with seagrasses for NH4 + uptake, but that their potential to outcompete seagrass epiphytic algae for DIN uptake indicates that AOM on seagrass leaves may serve as a ‘biocontrol’ over excess epiphytic algal growth. In summary, the present thesis represents a significant advance in our understanding of the seagrass leaf-microbiome relationship and transformations of N within seagrass meadows. Moreover, it opens up new questions for future research not only on seagrass-microbiome interactions but other macrophytes in aquatic systems that may benefit from the presence of specific N-cycling microorganisms

An overview of New England's economic performance in 2010

In the first calendar year following the Great Recession, signs of an economic recovery began to take shape across New England. An improving labor market picture, growth in income, indications of a stabilizing housing market, and booming exports spurred economic growth in the region in 2010. As a result, New England’s overall performance surpassed that of the nation as a whole.Economic conditions - New England

Méditation de pleine conscience et psychothérapie dans la prise en charge de la santé et de la maladie

L’objet de cette recherche est de délimiter le domaine de la méditation en tant que prise en charge thérapeutique dans le champ de la psychologie de la santé. Les auteurs portent leur intérêt sur le courant le plus prolifique de ces dernières années en termes de recherche : la méditation en pleine conscience. L’objectif est de définir le concept de méditation et de pleine conscience, pour ensuite porter l’attention sur les psychothérapies qui en découlent, et les études cliniques effectuées dans ce domaine. La méditation en pleine conscience constitue un champ de recherche très prometteur pour la psychologie de la santé dans le cadre des prises en charge thérapeutique. Au regard des nombreuses études cliniques, les auteurs constatent que les techniques MBSR, MBCT appliquées à la pleine conscience s’avèrent pertinentes et apportent un résultat en terme d’amélioration de la santé en général. Toutefois, les recherches sur la pleine conscience n’en sont encore qu’à leur début. Des approches plus rigoureuses sur le plan méthodologique et des développements conceptuels plus affinés s’avèrent nécessaires.This research aims at delimitating the realm of meditation as therapeutic care in the field of the health psychology. The authors concentrate on the most prolific current of these last years in research terms : the meditation in full consciousness. The objective is to define the concept of meditation and full consciousness, to then pay attention on the relevant psychotherapies and clinical studies in this domain. Meditation in full consciousness constitutes a very promising field of research for health psychology within the framework of care. Techniques such as MBSR, MBCT applied to the full consciousness turns out relevant and result in improvement of general health. However, studies on full consciousness are still at very early stage and more rigorous approaches on a methodological level and refined conceptual developments are necessary.El objetivo de esta investigación es delimitar el ámbito de la meditación en tanto que cuidado terapéutico en el campo de la psicología de la salud. Los autores se interesan en la corriente más prolífica de los últimos años en términos de investigación: la meditación plenamente consciente. El objetivo es definir el concepto de meditación y de plena consciencia para enseguida dirigir la atención a las psicoterapias que se derivan de ello y los estudios clínicos efectuados en este campo. La meditación plenamente consciente constituye un campo de investigación muy prometedor para la psicología de la salud en el marco de los cuidados terapéuticos. Respecto a los numerosos estudios clínicos, los autores constatan que las técnicas MBSR, MBCT aplicadas a la consciencia plena son pertinentes y aportan un resultado en términos de mejora de la salud en general. Sin embargo, las investigaciones acerca de la consciencia plena no están más que en sus inicios. Se necesitan enfoques más rigurosos en el plano metodológico y desarrollos conceptuales más precisos.O tema desta pesquisa é delimitar a área da meditação como assistência terapêutica no campo da psicologia da saúde. Os autores se interessam sobre a corrente mais prolífica destes últimos anos em termos de pesquisa: a meditação de consciência plena. O objetivo é definir o conceito de meditação e de consciência plena, para, em seguida, concentrar-se nas psicoterapias resultantes e nos estudos clínicos realizados nesta área. A meditação de consciência plena constitui um campo de pesquisa muito promissor para a psicologia da saúde em assistências terapêuticas. Segundo vários estudos clínicos, os autores constatam que as técnicas MBSR, MBCT aplicadas em consciência plena são pertinentes e trazem um resultado em termos de melhoria da saúde em geral. Entretanto, as pesquisas sobre a consciência plena ainda estão apenas no início. Seriam necessárias abordagens mais rigorosas no plano metodológico e desenvolvimentos conceituais mais refinados

Three essays in development economics and political economy

This dissertation consists of three chapters studying topics in development economics and political economy. The first two chapters explore the political economy of drought relief in India and potential consequences for local economies. The third chapter focuses on the effect of the residential segregation of the South Asian community on the political views of natives in England and Wales. In the first chapter, I study the allocation of drought relief in three states of southern India between 2008 and 2019. I compare the observed allocation against the national government’s guidelines for drought relief and show that state governments systematically deviate from these guidelines. To assess the potential role of political motives in this mistargeting, I develop a dynamic probabilistic voting model. The model provides testable implications relating electoral incentives to the allocation of relief, which I show hold empirically. In the second chapter, I consider the potential impacts of receiving drought relief on agricultural output at the local level. Using a satellite-based vegetation index as a proxy for agricultural production, I find that drought relief is associated with increased agricultural output. However, I also show that this positive correlation is strongest when relief is appropriately allocated to drought-affected areas. I consider a number of alternative explanations for these results, but conclude that the results are consistent with drought relief being more effective in drought-affected areas. In the third chapter (joint with Sergio Villar Vallenas), we study how the size and spatial distribution of South Asians influences the sentiments of natives towards the group in England and Wales. We use voting for the British National Party (BNP), an extreme right political party, to measure natives’ sentiment. One obstacle to causally identifying the effect of segregation on the voting for the BNP is that the antipathy for South Asians reflected in BNP support might lead to segregation. To address this concern, we isolate variation in the settlement patterns of South Asians using historical immigration patterns. We find that a rise in the residential segregation of South Asians increases voting for the BNP in both a European Parliament and UK general election

Activity of tobramycin and polymyxin-E against Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilm coated medical grade endotracheal tubes.

Indwelling medical devices have become a major source of nosocomial infections; especially Pseudomonas aeruginosa (P. aeruginosa) infection, which remain the most common cause of ventilator associated pneumonia (VAP) in neonates and children. Using medical grade polyvinyl chloride endotracheal tubes (ETTs), the activity of tobramycin and polymyxin-E was quantified in a simulated prevention and treatment static time kill model using biofilm forming P. aeruginosa. The model simulated three clinical conditions: 1) planktonic bacteria in the presence of antibiotics, tobramycin and polymyxin-E, without ETTs, 2) planktonic bacteria grown in the presence of P. aeruginosa, antibiotic and ETTs (simulating prevention) and 3) a 24h formed P. aeruginosa biofilm on ETTs prior to antibiotic exposure (simulating treatment). In the model simulating prevention (conditions 1 and 2 above), tobramycin alone or in combination with polymyxin-E was more bactericidal than polymyxin-E alone at 24 hours using a concentration greater than 2 times the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC). However, after a 24h old biofilm was allowed to form on the ETTs, neither monotherapy nor combination therapy over 24 hours exhibited bactericidal or bacteriostatic effects. Against the same pathogens, tobramycin and polymyxin-E, both alone or in combination exhibited bactericidal activity prior to biofilm attachment to the ETTs, however no activity was observed once biofilm formed on ETTs. These findings support surveillance culturing to identify pathogens for a rapid and targeted approach to therapy, especially when P. aeruginosa is a potential pathogen

A inexigibilidade de licitação na contratação de serviços advocatícios

Trabalho de conclusão de curso (graduação)—Universidade de Brasília, Faculdade de Direito, 2017.O presente trabalho versa sobre a inexigibilidade de licitação na contratação de serviços advocatícios. O tema foi escolhido diante da ampla controvérsia doutrinária e jurisprudencial, na medida em que pode culminar em processos judiciais em face de agentes públicos e advogados, que ficam à mercê da insegurança jurídica. O objetivo central é analisar a possibilidade jurídica desta modalidade de contratação direta, bem como os seus limites e condições de validade. Para tanto foi utilizada a revisão bibliográfica e pesquisa jurisprudencial. Ao final, se conclui pela viabilidade da contratação direta de serviços advocatícios, por inexigibilidade de licitação, quando houver demonstração motivada, em processo administrativo regular, do preenchimento dos seguintes requisitos: a) necessidade de serviço técnico profissional; b) demonstração da natureza singular; c) notória especialização do advogado, observadas ainda as condições de validade.This study deals with the non-requirement for holding a bidding process in the hiring of legal services. The theme was chosen in the face of the broad doctrinal and jurisprudential controversy, as it can lead to legal proceedings against public officials and lawyers, which are exposed to legal uncertainty. The main goal is to analyse the legal possibility of this kind of direct hiring, as well as its limits and approval conditions. Therefore, this work is based in bibliographical review and jurisprudential research. At the end, one can conclude by the viability of the direct hiring of legal services, with the non-requirement of a bidding process, when there is justified demonstration, in a regular administrative process, of the fulfilling of the following requirements: a) necessity of professional technical service; b) demonstration of unique nature; c) notorious expertise of the lawyer

The Villa-Lobos’ Cirandas for piano: from the children’s cultural universe to important works of the piano repertoire

Neste trabalho busca-se entender o tratamento dado por Villa-Lobos às melodias do cancioneiro infantil utilizadas nas Cirandas Terezinha de Jesus, Xô xô passarinho e Fui no Tororó, através análises entonacionais das melodias homônimas arranjadas no Guia Prático e também das próprias Cirandas. Essas análises são fundamentadas nos conceitos do musicólogo russo B. Asafiev e permitiram entender o universo cultural e histórico relacionado a essas três peças, que integram o conjunto de 16 Cirandas, obra importante no repertório para piano do século XXThis work  investigates the Villa-Lobos’ treatment to the melodies used in Cirandas Terezinha de Jesus, Xô xô passarinho and Fui no Tororó, through intonational analyzes of the homonymous melodies arranged in the Guia Prático and also by the analyzes of the Cirandas themselves. These analyzes are based on the concepts of Russian musicologist B. Asafiev and allowed to understand the cultural and historical universe related to these three pieces, which are part of the 16 Cirandas, important work for piano of the twentieth century. &nbsp

1º Caderno de Ponteios para piano de Camargo Guarnieri: uma concepção da totalidade da obra

Neste artigo, busca-se demonstrar que o 1º Caderno de Ponteios de Camargo Guarnieri, pode ser percebido como uma totalidade e não somente como dez peças avulsas. Para tal utiliza-se a contextualização histórica, a análise musical, a descrição da imagem artística ( segundo H. Neuhaus) de cada Ponteio e um suporte epistemológico que abarca as noções de totalidade, sistema, unidade complexa, partes, interação, organização, emergências presentes no trabalho de Edgar Morin O Metodo 1

Evaristo da Veiga

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