Characterization of soils in an area of prescribed fire

The prescribed fire is a technique that is often used, it has several advantages. Pedological and hydropedological techniques were tested to assess the prescribed fire changes may cause in soils. This work was performed in Tresminas area (Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Northern Portugal), during February and March 2011. In the present study we applied several techniques. For the field sampling was followed the ISO 10381-1[1], ISO 10381-2[2], and FAO rules [3], as well as were used a grid with 17 points for measuring the soil parameters. During the fire, we have tried to check, with the assistance of the Portuguese Forestry Authority, some important parameters such as, the propagation speed, the size of the flame front and the intensity of energy emitted per unit area. Before the fire, was collected carefully soil disturbed and undisturbed samples for laboratory analysis, and measured soil water content; we also have placed four sets of thermocouples for measuring soil temperature. After the fire, were collected the thermocouples and new soil samples; the water content were measured in the soil and collected ashes. In the laboratory, after preparing and sieving the samples, were determined the soil particle size. The soil pH and electrical conductivity in water was also determined. The total carbon (TC) and inorganic carbon (IC)[4] was measured by a Shimadzu TOC-Vcsn. The water content in soil has not varied significantly before and after the fire, as well as soil pH and soil electrical conductivity. The TC and IC did not change, which was expected, since the fire not overcome the 200° C. Through the various parameters, we determined that the prescribed fire didn’t affect the soil. The low temperature of the fire and its rapid implementation that lead to the possible adverse effects caused by the wild fire didn’t occurred

Core-shell Fe@Fex_xOy_y nanoring system: A versatile platform for biomedical applications

Iron oxide (maghemite and magnetite) nanoparticles are the most commonly used magnetic materials in nanomedicine because of their high biocompatibility. However, their low saturation magnetization (60–90 emu/g) limits their applicability. Here, we report a new core–shell (Fe@Fe$_x$O$_y$) nanoring system, which combines the high magnetic saturation of a metallic iron core (220 emu/g) and the biocompatibility of an iron oxide shell. To produce these nanostructures, hematite (α-Fe$_2$O$_3$) nanorings were annealed in a H$_2$ gas atmosphere for different periods to optimize the amount of metallic iron percentage (δ) in the system. Thus, nanostructures with different magnetic saturation (97 to 178 emu/g) could be obtained; based on their metallic iron content, these particles are labeled as Vortex Iron oxide Particle δ (VIPδ). Micromagnetic simulations confirmed that the VIPδ nanorings exhibit a vortex configuration, guaranteeing low remanence and coercitivity. Moreover, the system shows good biocompatibility in various assays as determined through cell viability measurements performed using two different human cell lines, which were exposed to VIP78% for 24 h. Therefore, VIPδ nanorings combine a magnetic vortex state and biocompatibility with their high magnetic saturation and can thus serve as a platform that can be tuned during the synthesis based on desired biomedical application

Selecting elephant grass families and progenies to produce bioenergy through mixed models (REML/BLUP).

Abstract Brazil has great potential to produce bioenergy since it is located in a tropical region that receives high incidence of solar energy and presents favorable climatic conditions for such purpose. However, the use of bioenergy in the country is below its productivity potential. The aim of the current study was to select full-sib progenies and families of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum S.) to optimize phenotypes relevant to bioenergy production through mixed models (REML/BLUP). The circulating diallel-based crossing of ten elephant grass genotypes was performed. An experimental design using the randomized block methodology, with three repetitions, was set to assess both the hybrids and the parents. Each plot comprised 14-m rows, 1.40 m spacing between rows, and 1.40 m spacing between plants. The number of tillers, plant height, culm diameter, fresh biomass production, dry biomass rate, and the dry biomass production were assessed. Genetic-statistical analyses were performed through mixed models (REML/BLUP). The genetic variance in the assessed families was explained through additive genetic effects and dominance genetic effects; the dominance variance was prevalent. Families such as Capim Cana D'África x Guaçu/I.Z.2, Cameroon x Cuba-115, CPAC x Cuba-115, Cameroon x Guaçu/I.Z.2, and IAC-Campinas x CPAC showed the highest dry biomass production. The family derived from the crossing between Cana D'África and Guaçu/I.Z.2 showed the largest number of potential individuals for traits such as plant height, culm diameter, fresh biomass production, dry biomass production, and dry biomass rate. The individual 5 in the family Cana D'África x Guaçu/I.Z.2, planted in blocks 1 and 2, showed the highest dry biomass production

I'll be right back:senior exchange program

Modern society presents an unprecedented ageing process and an increasing number of elderly people. In tourism industry, the increase of active ageing practices, as well as the importance of improvement of the quality of life of elderly, increase their interest and readiness to participate in various touristic activities. It encourage, as well, one market segment–the senior tourism–that enhances the creation of employment and can help to fight the seasonal nature of the tourism sector.Considering the characteristics of this age group, some limitations relative to the autonomy, and alower purchasing power, touristic packages have to be adapted to take into account the specific profile of elderly. The public that this project addresses is the institutionalized elderly in the Sector of Social Economy organisations.Considering the characteristics of this age group, some limitations relative to the autonomy, and a lower purchasing power, touristic packages have to be adapted to take into account the specific profile of elderly. The public that this project addresses is the institutionalized elderly in the Sector of Social Economy organisations.In Portugal, this public has a lack of economic and financial resources, and is growing in number, as well as in economic and social difficulties. This project focuses in Social Tourism for low-income groups, particularly institutionalized seniors, who would not otherwise go on holiday. Special focus will be put on the elderly population motivations to experiment new cultural expressions and on the impact that this process may have on their cognitive abilities and culture.N/

Volto Já - Programa de Intercâmbio Sénior:Projeto na Área do Turismo Social Sénior

O Volto Já pretende operacionalizar um programa de cooperação entre organizações de Economia Social que promova o intercâmbio de seniores institucionalizados, proporcionando lhes experiências culturais, turísticas e artísticas. Os seus principais objetivos são: (i) fomentar o envelhecimento ativo e melhorar a qualidade de vida (bem estar, satisfação com a vida, felicidade, etc.) dos seniores institucionalizados; (ii) desenvolver um modelo de negócio de turismo social dirigido aos seniores institucionalizados em lares ou centros de dia, na região do Alentejo; (iii) desenvolver uma plataforma informática que permita às instituições de Economia Social aderir ao programa de intercâmbio sénior, divulgar as experiências socioculturais oferecidas e estabelecer parcerias que efetivem o intercâmbio. A participação no Volto Já permite aos seniores: (a) terem acesso a experiências turísticas e culturais de elevada qualidade, demasiado dispendiosas se adquiridas individualmente; (b) expandirem o seu círculo social; (c) combaterem o isolamento social; (d) contactarem com a cultura e as tradições de outras regiões do país; (e) promoverem a estimulação cognitiva; (f) melhorarem a sua qualidade de vida; (g) contribuírem para práticas de consumo sustentáveis. Para as instituições de Economia Social, participar no projeto permite-lhes: (a) acederem a uma oferta de serviços diferenciada a baixo custo; (b) expandirem a sua rede de parceiros; (c) melhorarem o reconhecimento social; (d) fortalecerem a ligação à academia; (e) inovarem socialmente; (f) aumentarem o seu capital reputacional. O projeto é suportado por uma equipa multidisciplinar do Instituto Politécnico de Santarém e do Instituto Politécnico de Beja, com a colaboração da Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Santarém. Os outputs previstos são: (a) diversas parcerias entre a academia e as instituições de Economia Social; (b) um modelo de negócio de turismo social sénior; (c) realizar uma prova de conceito/teste piloto; (d) uma plataforma informática para dinamização do modelo de negócio; (e) uma conferência internacional.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Selecting elephant grass families and progenies to produce bioenergy through mixed models (REML/BLUP)

ABSTRACT. Brazil has great potential to produce bioenergy since it is located in a tropical region that receives high incidence of solar energy and presents favorable climatic conditions for such purpose. However, the use of bioenergy in the country is below its productivity potential. The aim of the current study was to select full-sib progenies and families of elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum S.) to optimize phenotypes relevant to bioenergy production through mixed model

Search for RR lyrae stars in DES ultrafaint systems: grus I, kim 2, phoenix II, and grus

FINEP - FINANCIADORA DE ESTUDOS E PROJETOSFAPERJ - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIROCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOMCTIC - MINISTÉRIO DA CIÊNCIA, TECNOLOGIA, INOVAÇÕES E COMUNICAÇÕESThis work presents the first search for RR Lyrae stars (RRLs) in four he ultrafaint systems imaged by the Dark Energy Survey using SOAR/Goodman and Blanco/DECam imagers, We have detected two RRLs in the field of Grus I, none in Kim 2, one in Phoenix II, and four in Grus II. With the detection of these stars, we accurately determine the distance moduli for these ultrafaint dwarf satellite galaxies; mu(0) = 20.51 +/- 0.10 mag (D-circle dot = 127 +/- 6 kpc) for Grus I and mu(0) = 20.01 +/- 0.10 mag (D-circle dot = 100 +/- 5 kpc) for Phoenix IL These measurements are larger than previous estimations by Koposov et al. and Bechtol et al., implying larger physical sizes; S per cent for Grus I and 33 per cent for Phoenix II. For Grus II, of the four RRLs detected, one is consistent with being a member of the galactic halo (D-circle dot = 24 +/- 1 kpc, mu(0) = 16.86 +/- 0.10 mag), another is at D-circle dot = 55 +/- 2 kpc (mu(0) = 18.71 +/- 0.10 mag), which we associate with Grus II, and the two remaining at D-circle dot = 43 +/- 2 kpc (mu(0) = 18.17 +/- 0.10 mag). Moreover, the appearance of a subtle red horizontal branch in the colour magnitude diagram of Grus II at the same brightness level of the latter two RRLs, which are at the same distance and in the same region, suggests that a more metal-rich system may be located in front of Grus II. The most plausible scenario is the association of these stars with the Chenab/Orphan Stream. Finally, we performed a comprehensive and updated analysis of the number of RRLs in dwarf galaxies. This allows us to predict that the method of finding new ultrafaint dwarf galaxies using two or more clumped RRLs will work only for systems brighter than M-V similar to 6 mag.490221832199FINEP - FINANCIADORA DE ESTUDOS E PROJETOSFAPERJ - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIROCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOMCTIC - MINISTÉRIO DA CIÊNCIA, TECNOLOGIA, INOVAÇÕES E COMUNICAÇÕESFINEP - FINANCIADORA DE ESTUDOS E PROJETOSFAPERJ - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIROCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOMCTIC - MINISTÉRIO DA CIÊNCIA, TECNOLOGIA, INOVAÇÕES E COMUNICAÇÕESSem informaçãoSem informação465376/2014-2Sem informaçãoWe thank the anonymous referee for the useful comments that helped to improve the manuscript. CEMV thanks M. Monelli for photometry advices and helpful conversations. RH is partially supported by NASA grant NNH15ZDA001N-WFIRST. Based on observations obtained at the Southern Astrophysical Research (SOAR) telescope (NOAO Prop. ID 2016A-0196; PI: Vivas), which is a joint project of the Ministerio da Ciencia, Tecnologia, Inovacoes e Comunicacoes (MCTIC) do Brasil, the U.S. National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO), the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC), and Michigan State University (MSU). Based on observations at CTIO, National Optical Astronomy Observatory (NOAO Prop. ID: 2016A-0196, PI: Vivas; NOAO Prop. ID 2012B-0001; PI: J. Frieman), which is operated by the Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA) under a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF). Funding for the DES Projects has been provided by the U.S. Department of Energy, the U.S. National Science Foundation, the Ministry of Science and Education of Spain, the Science and Technology Facilities Council of the United Kingdom, the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the National Center for Supercomputing Applications at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Kavli Institute of Cosmological Physics at the University of Chicago, the Center for Cosmology and Astro-Particle Physics at the Ohio State University, the Mitchell Institute for Fundamental Physics and Astronomy at Texas A&M University, FINEP - FINANCIADORA DE ESTUDOS E PROJETOS, Fundacao Carlos Chagas Filho de Amparo a Pesquisa do Estado do Rio de Janeiro, Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico and the Ministerio da Ciencia, Tecnologia e Inovacao, the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft and the Collaborating Institutions in the DES. The Collaborating Institutions are Argonne National Laboratory, the University of California at Santa Cruz, the University of Cambridge, Centro de Investigaciones Energeticas, Medioambientales y Tecnologicas-Madrid, the University of Chicago, University College London, the DES-Brazil Consortium, the University of Edinburgh, the Eidgenossische Technische Hochschule (ETH) Zurich, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, the Institut de Ciencies de l'Espai (IEEC/CSIC), the Institut de Fisica d'Altes Energies, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the Ludwig-Maximilians Universitat Munchen and the associated Excellence Cluster Universe, the University of Michigan, the National Optical Astronomy Observatory, the University of Nottingham, The Ohio State University, the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Portsmouth, SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, Stanford University, the University of Sussex, Texas A&M University, and the OzDES Membership Consortium. The DES data management system is supported by the National Science Foundation under grants AST-1138766 and AST-1536171. The DES participants from Spanish institutions are partially supported by MINECO under grants AYA2015-71825, ESP2015-66861, FPA2015-68048, SEV-2016-0588, SEV-2016-0597, and MDM-2015-0509, some of which include ERDF funds from the European Union. Institut de Fisica d'Altes Energies (IFAE) is partially funded by the CERCA program of the Generalitat de Catalunya. Research leading to these results has received funding from the European Research Council under the European Union's Seventh Framework Program (FP7/2007-2013) including ERC grants 240672, 291329, and 306478. We acknowledge support from the Australian Research Council Centre of Excellence for All-sky Astrophysics (CAASTRO), through project number CE110001020, and the Brazilian Instituto Nacional de Ciencia e Tecnologia (INCT) e-Universe (CNPq grant 465376/2014-2). This manuscript has been authored by Fermi Research Alliance, LLC under Contract No. DE-AC02-07CH11359 with the U.S. Department of Energy, Office of Science, Office of High Energy Physics. The United States Government retains and the publisher, by accepting the article for publication, acknowledges that the United States Government retains a non-exclusive, paid-up, irrevocable, worldwide license to publish or reproduce the published form of this manuscript, or allow others to do so, for United States Government purposes