Mosaic of submerged habitats in the Venice lagoon shows signs of marinization

The relationships between habitat patterns and ecosystem functioning have been widely explored in terrestrial ecosystems, but less in marine and coastal ecosystems, calling for further research in this direction. This work focuses on the mosaic of submerged habitats in the Venice lagoon, Italy. It aims to describe the habitats’ spatial patterns at multiple spatial scales, and to explore their linkages with the ecological status defined according to the EU Water Framework Directive (WFD, 2000/60/EC). The submerged habitats’ mosaic has been analysed by calculating a set of seascape metrics at different spatial scales. These metrics have been linked with the biological quality elements (BQEs) that are monitored in the lagoon in compliance to the WFD. The results show that the habitats’ spatial patterns differ between the areas of the lagoon with marine-like features and the areas which still retain more lagoon characteristics. The similarity between the pattern found in the whole lagoon and those found in marine-like areas suggests a general loss of lagoon characteristics at the lagoon scale. Regarding the ecological status, every BQE seems to be associated with a different habitat configuration at the water body scale. This does not facilitate the joint improvement of the BQEs, as required by the Directive. If we cannot achieve that, at some point we will probably have to choose what to prioritize. On a broader perspective, this calls for a reflection on what lagoon we want for the future, a vision that should be shared and account for the lagoon’s complexity, current trends and challenges

Piscicultura familiar: primeiros olhares e oportunidades de ação no Tocantins.

Nos últimos anos a piscicultura vem se consolidando como atividade de destaque no sistema de produção da agricultura familiar. A visão dos produtores sobre a atividade vem se modificando, deixando de ser uma atividade marginalizada na propriedade e se tornando uma alternativa de diversificação da produção. Contudo, o acesso dos produtores à extensão aquícola ainda é deficiente. O acesso às tecnologias ainda é considerado um elemento fraco na cadeia produtiva da aquicultura, sobretudo na piscicultura familiar. Apesar destes gargalos, a produção piscícola oriunda da agricultura familiar tem aumentado significativamente nos últimos anos, em especial no estado de Tocantins. O crescimento da piscicultura familiar neste estado levou a Embrapa Pesca e Aquicultura a desenvolver uma ação denominada Projeto Divinópolis, que visa identificar demandas e propor ações relacionadas à geração de tecnologias para a piscicultura familiar, além de fornecer subsídios para políticas públicas e ações de fomento. Tais ações vislumbram o fortalecimento da cadeia produtiva da piscicultura nos municípios de Divinópolis e Abreulândia, área de abrangência do projeto.Organizado por: Sílvio Ricardo Maurano; AQUACIÊNCIA 2012

Biomassa microbiana do solo em cultivo de milho precedido por diferentes espécies de cobertura vegetal, com suprimento de nitrogênio mineral.

FERTBIO 2010

3d printing and testing of rose thorns or limpet teeth inspired anchor device for tendon tissue repair

Purposes. Advancements in medical technology have enabled medical specialists to resolve significant problems concerning tendon injuries. However, despite the latest improvements, surgical tendon repair remains challenging. This study aims to explore the capabilities of the current state-of-the-art technologies for implantable devices. Methods. After performing extensive patent landscaping and literature review, an anchored tissue fixation device was deemed the most suitable candidate. This design was firstly investigated numerically, realizing a Finite Element Model of the device anchored to two swine tendons stumps, to simulate its application on a severed tendon. Two different hook designs, both bio-inspired, were tested while retaining the same device geometry and anchoring strategy. Then, the applicability of a 3D-printed prototype was tested on swine tendons. Finally, the device-tendon stumps ensemble was subjected to uniaxial tensile tests. Results. The results show that the investigated device enables a better load distribution during the immobilized limb period in comparison to standard suture-based approaches, yet it still presents several design flaws. Conclusions. The current implantable solutions do not ensure an optimal result in terms of strength recovery. This and other weak points of the currently available proposals will serve as a starting point for future works on bio-inspired implantable devices for tendon repair

O vírus da queima do broto da soja no Brasil: etiologia, epidemiologia e controle.

Caracteristicas do virus; Modo de transmissao; Sintomas; Epidemiologia e controle; Distribuicao no Brasil e plantas hospedeiras; Danos e controle.bitstream/item/60659/1/Documentos-85.pd

Exercise prescription to improve clinical practice on cancer patients suffering chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy undergoing treatment: a systematic review

This document aims to summarize and analyze systematically the current body of evidence about the effects of specific exercise proto- cols on physical function, balance control and quality of life in patients with peripheral neuropathy (PNP) induced by chemotherapy. Methods: Systematic Review, Literature survey Specific terms were identified for the literature research in MEDLINE, Scopus, Bandolier, PEDro, and Web of Science. Only studies pub- lished in peer-reviewed journals written in English language were considered. Four manuscripts were classified as eligible with 88 total participants, with an average of 57.1 years old. Quality appraisal classified two studies as high quality investigations while two with low quality. Results were summarized in the following domains: \u201cCIPN symptoms\u201d, \u201cStatic balance control\u201d, \u201cDynamic balance control\u201d, \u201cQuali- ty of life and Physical function\u201d. Results Specific exercise protocols were able to counteract common symptoms of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) during chemotherapy treatments. Significant improvements were detected on postural control. Additionally, patients\u2019 quality of life and inde- pendence were found ameliorated after exercise sessions, together with reductions on altered sensations and in other peripheral neu- ropathy symptoms. Combined exercise protocols including endurance, strength and sensorimotor training showed larger improvements. Conclusions Exercise prescriptions for cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with CIPN symptoms should be recommended since these exercise interventions appeared as feasible and have been demonstrated as useful tools to counteract some common side effects of chemother- apeutic agents