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The aim of this study was to explain by molecular pathways the kinetic differences between reuse water disinfection processes using UV-C radiation and OH• radicals. The Fenton reaction (which produces OH radicals) was found to be significantly more effective at inactivating of thermotolerant coliforms (TTC) than either H2O2/UV-C or direct UV-C, with constants of inactivation that were some 6- to 14-fold higher. The superiority of Fenton was attributed to the powerful action of OH• in disassembling the molecular structure of E. coli cell wall and inducing the collapse of the entire cell structure, as demonstrated via molecular mechanisms. Under optimized conditions, treatment of wastewater in a plant comprising an anaerobic hybrid reactor with intermittent sand filter followed by a Fenton process led to the removal of 97.2% TOC, 99.9% turbidity and 100% of TTC and the quality of the final effluent was appropriate for direct potable reuse. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work focuses on the study of water–sediment interaction around abandoned uranium mines with open-pit lakes and mine dumps. Nineteen water and eleven stream sediment samples were collected in the abandoned Barrôco D. Frango mine, central Portugal. The trace element distribution was compared with other abandoned uranium mines in Portugal and worldwide. Generally, U, Th, and As contents in the open-pit water are high and similar to those of downstream water, suggesting its influence on aquatic systems. In abandoned mines with small to medium U exploitation, the stream sediments are moderately to heavily contaminated with U, Th and As, being U and As the most important contaminants, confirmed by their partition coefficients. A moderate to considerable potential ecological risk (34–79) was found around the abandoned Barrôco D. Frango mine area, mainly due to As contents in stream sediments. Water and stream sediments from abandoned U mines worldwide have U levels of up to 436 µg/L and 5024 mg/kg, respectively, while those from Barrôco D. Frango have 37.3 µg/L and 189 mg/kg, respectively. However, the longer the distance from the Barrôco D. Frango open-pit lake and mine dump, the higher U, Th and As contents in stream sediments, which is a warning indicator. Cluster heat maps of the water composition from four abandoned uranium mine areas show that Mondego Sul and Barrôco D. Frango mines are the most geochemically similar. Results show that stream sediments should be included in water quality management and future remediation plans of abandoned uranium mines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil screening levels (SSLs) are reference threshold values required by environmental laws, established based on soil geochemical background data from often-extensive sampling areas. Such areas are often inappropriate for interpreting the true risk of pollution in small areas, since they overlook local factors (e.g., geology, industry, and traffic), which are unfeasible to encompass in large-scale samplings. To solve this issue, the calculation of local SSLs is proposed herein, performed on a major scale closer to the area of interest. To exemplify this proposal, a soil sampling campaign was performed in the Municipality of Langreo, one of the most industrialized areas in the Principality of Asturias (northwestern Spain). Sampling allowed the measurement of local soil screening levels for several inorganic contaminants. Afterwards, a soil pollution index was calculated, referred to both regional and local thresholds, to assess the degree of contamination. Both pollution indicators were subjected to a methodology based on a Bayesian network analysis, followed by a stochastic sequential Gaussian simulation approach. The methodologies used showed differences in the identification of potentially polluted areas depending on the soil screening levels (regional or local) used. It was concluded that, in urban/industrial cores, local soil screening levels facilitate the identification of polluted areas and also reduce the uncertainty associated with sampling density and diffuse contamination. Thus, use of local levels circumvents false-positive areas that would be classified as polluted were regional soil screening levels to be used. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

HIV-uninfected children exposed prenatally to the virus and to prophylactic antiretroviral therapy are at an uncertain risk of long-term myocardial dysfunction. This study aimed to analyse the structure and function of their ventricles and to identify potential screening tools for this at-risk population. One hundred and fifteen children (77 exposed vs 38 controls) aged between 2.7 and 16.2 years were included. An echocardiographic study was performed where both ventricles' dimensions and systolic functions were evaluated. In the left ventricle, parameters related to diastolic function were also analysed. Tissue Doppler values were determined in the basal state and after passive leg raising. Serologic analysis of amino-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP) was carried out. The two groups had identical ventricular sizes and left ventricular diastolic functions. However, contractility assessed by myocardial peak systolic velocity was significantly inferior in the exposed group. These systolic echocardiographic differences were present despite similar values of NT-proBNP in both groups.Conclusion: HIV-exposed uninfected children may be vulnerable to ventricular systolic dysfunction at long term. Cardiovascular surveillance and periodic monitoring of biventricular function are therefore recommended. Myocardial peak systolic velocity may be a useful screening tool for this purpose.What is Known:• Previous studies on HIV-exposed uninfected children subjected prenatally to antiretroviral therapy have alerted to potential long-term cardiovascular toxicity effects on the left ventricle.What is New:• The study gives new insights on ventricular function and morphology in HIV-exposed uninfected children.• Myocardial peak systolic velocities are significantly inferior in this paediatric sub-group, therefore long-term cardiac surveillance is recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soils from the old Mortórios uranium mine area were studied to look for contamination, as they are close to two villages, up to 3 km away, and used for agriculture. They are mainly contaminated in U and As and constitute an ecological threat. This study attempts to outline the degree to which soils have been affected by the old mining activities through the computation of significant hot clusters, Traditional geostatistical approaches commonly use raw data (concentrations) accepting that the analyzed elements represent the soil's entirety. However, in geochemical studies these elements are just a fraction of the total soil composition. Thus, considering compositional data is pivotal. The spatial characterization, considering raw and compositional data together, allowed a broad discussion about not only the concentrations' spatial distribution, but also a better understanding on the possibility of trends of "relative enrichment" and, furthermore an insight in U and As fate. The highest proportions (compositional data) on U (up to 33%), As (up to 35%) and Th (up to 13%) are reached in the south-southeast segment. However, the highest concentrations (raw data) occur in north and northwest of the studied area, pointing out to a "relative enrichment" toward the south-southeast zone. The Mondego Sul area is mainly contaminated in U and As, but also in Co, Cu, Pb and Sb. The Mortórios area is less contaminated than the Mondego Sul area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Potential toxic elements (PTE), in stream sediments, were used as contamination indicators for the definition of high-/low-grade spatial clusters in the Monfortinho area (Central Portugal). A set of 271 stream sediment samples was used for spatial modelling and further definition of rings of enrichment—high and low rings. A three-step multivariate statistical and geostatistical approach was used: (1) principal components analysis for PTE's association evaluation and dimensionality reduction; (2) ordinary kriging as an unbiased interpolator for content inference and construction of a continuous representation of the considered attributes, at any arbitrary spatial location; (3) G clustering algorithm for the definition of high and low significance clusters. A moderate contamination in stream sediments is observed for almost all the considered PTE and a very high contamination for Ba, Cr and B. High contamination clusters are observed for Fe, Ni, Ba, Cu, B, Zn, V—northwest and southeast clusters—and for Cr—north and southwest clusters. The contamination degree index varies from moderate to high, which is mainly associated with the old mineralizations. The high computed rings often overlap the areas of abandoned Ba-Zn mineralization, as well as the sedimentary gold concentrations, along the Erges River banks. Tin and Cd spatial distribution may be related to former cassiterite exploitations in the survey area. Chromium is possibly connected with the schists. The definition of clusters with a PTE spatial enrichment will allow for the identification of contamination activities and therefore, the definition of adequate monitoring and mitigation actions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Alto da Várzea radium mine (AV) exploited ore and U-bearing minerals, such as autunite and torbernite. The mine was exploited underground from 1911 to 1922, closed in 1946 without restoration, and actually a commercial area is deployed. Stream sediments, soils and water samples were collected between 2008 and 2009. Stream sediments are mainly contaminated in As, Th, U and W, which is related to the AV radium mine. The PTEs, As, Co, Cr, Sr, Th, U, W, Zn, and electrical conductivity reached the highest values in soils collected inside the mine influence. Soils are contaminated with As and U and must not be used for any purpose. Most waters have pH values ranging from 4.3 to 6.8 and are poorly mineralized (EC = 41–186 µS/cm; TDS = 33–172 mg/L). Groundwater contains the highest Cu, Cr and Pb contents. Arsenic occurs predominantly as H2(AsO4)− and H(AsO4)2−. Waters are saturated in goethite, haematite and some of them also in lepidocrocite and ferrihydrite, which adsorbs As (V). Lead is divalent in waters collected during the warm season, being mobile in these waters. Thorium occurs mainly as Th(OH)3(CO3)−, Th(OH)2(CO3) and Th(OH)2(CO3)22−, which increase water Th contents. Uranium occurs predominantly as UO2CO3, but CaUO2(CO3)32− and CaUO2(CO3)3 also occur, decreasing its mobility in water. The waters are contaminated in NO2−, Mn, Cu, As, Pb and U and must not be used for human consumption and in agricultural activities. The water contamination is mainly associated with the old radium mine and human activities. A restoration of the mining area with PTE monitoring is necessary to avoid a public hazard. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the ability of tetracycline-containing fibers to inhibit biofilm formation of peri-implantitis-associated pathogens [i.e., Porphyromonas gingivalis ( Pg), Fusobacterium nucleatum ( Fn), Prevotella intermedia ( Pi), and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans ( Aa)]. Tetracycline hydrochloride (TCH) was added to a poly(DL-lactide) [PLA], poly(ε-caprolactone) [PCL], and gelatin [GEL] polymer blend solution at distinct concentrations to obtain the following fibers: PLA:PCL/GEL (TCH-free, control), PLA:PCL/GEL + 5 % TCH, PLA:PCL/GEL + 10 % TCH, and PLA:PCL/GEL + 25 % TCH. The inhibitory effect of TCH-containing fibers on biofilm formation was assessed by colony-forming units (CFU/mL). Qualitative analysis of biofilm inhibition was done via scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Statistical significance was reported at p < 0.05. Complete inhibition of biofilm formation on the fibers was observed in groups containing TCH at 10 and 25 wt%. Fibers containing TCH at 5 wt% demonstrated complete inhibition of Aa biofilm. Even though a marked reduction in CFU/mL was observed with an increase in TCH concentration, Pi proved to be the most resilient microorganism. SEM images revealed the absence of or a notable decrease in bacterial biofilm on the TCH-containing nanofibers. Collectively, our data suggest that tetracycline-containing fibers hold great potential as an antibacterial dental implant coating. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper describes a multivariate geostatistical methodology to delineate areas of potential interest for future sedimentary gold exploration, with an application to an abandoned sedimentary gold mining region in Portugal. The main challenge was the existence of only a dozen gold measurements confined to the grounds of the old gold mines, which precluded the application of traditional interpolation techniques, such as cokriging. The analysis could, however, capitalize on 376 stream sediment samples that were analysed for 22 elements. Gold (Au) was first predicted at all 376 locations using linear regression ( $$R^{2}=0.798$$ ) and four metals (Fe, As, Sn and W), which are known to be mostly associated with the local gold's paragenesis. One hundred realizations of the spatial distribution of gold content were generated using sequential indicator simulation and a soft indicator coding of regression estimates, to supplement the hard indicator coding of gold measurements. Each simulated map then underwent a local cluster analysis to identify significant aggregates of low or high values. The 100 classified maps were processed to derive the most likely classification of each simulated node and the associated probability of occurrence. Examining the distribution of the hot-spots and cold-spots reveals a clear enrichment in Au along the Erges River downstream from the old sedimentary mineralization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hymenaea courbaril, a traditional medicinal plant from Brazil, produces a resin rich in terpenoid compounds, mainly diterpenes. The resin and others parts are used in folk medicine for treatment of several pathologies. Fractionation of the resin by silica gel open column chromatography afforded two compounds: (5S,9S,10R)-ent-labd-8(17)-en-15 ethyl acetate ( 1) and copalic acid [5-(2-methylene-5,5,8atrimethyl-(1R,4aR,8aR)-decahydronaphthalen-1-yl)-3-methylpent-2E-enoic acid] ( 2). This is the first report of compound 1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mining activities and resulting wastes can be considered one of the most important sources of toxic metals and metalloids in the environment. To assess environmental risk in the surrounding areas of old abandoned W-Sn and Pb-Zn mines and resulting tailings and rejected materials, 333 samples were collected in stream sediments under the influence of abandoned mines. Samples were prepared and analyzed for Fe, Ba, P, Cu, Cr, Ag, B, Zn, Be, Y, Nb, Pb, Ni, V, Mn, Mo, As, W, Co, Cd, Sn and U. The inexistence of Portuguese legislation concerning parametric values for stream sediments led to the application of a quantitative index for progressive contamination on stream sediments, the Geoaccumulation Index (Igeo), as variables to create risk maps. A first exploratory multivariate statistical analysis, using the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), applied to the obtained Igeos, shows a first factor (F1) explaining the dependence of P and B (positive correlation with the axis) and the inverse correlation of these two elements with the cluster formed by Cr, Ni and V (negative correlation with the axis); the second factor (F2) explains Ni, Fe, Zn and As; Cd and U Igeos are not explained in the new factorial space and, therefore, are characterized individually. The variographic studies showed the existence of spatial structure for the new synthesis variables (F1, F2) as well as for Cd and U Igeos. The experimental point-support data was then interpolated using ordinary kriging within a narrow search window as shown in the fitted variogram models. The obtained maps show extremely high levels of pollution in Cd and W and strongly high levels of pollution in Cr, B, Ag, Zn and Pb. The accumulation of these elements in the studied stream sediments is higher on the abandoned mining areas and in their vicinity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work presents an analysis of the microstrip bandpass filter on metamaterial substrates. The filter is composed of two ring resonators with quarter-wavelength side-coupled sections. The filter input is provided, as well as the output port, using a quarter-wavelength side-coupled microstrip line section. Simulations by finite element method have been carried out to verify the effect of the metamaterial substrate properties on the filter performance, and to compare these results to those obtained considering isotropic substrate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a spatial-temporal groundwater vulnerability assessment, based on a coupled remote sensing and GIS approach for historical land cover reconstruction. This flexible methodological tool can be used for spatiotemporal vulnerability assessment in fresh water systems. The transboundary watershed of the Águeda River was used as an experimental case study where the DRASTIC and DRASTIC pesticide indices and the Susceptibility Index (SI) were used for vulnerability assessment. Land-use temporal evolution was mapped using remote sensing, taking into account the aerial frames of the historical American Flight of 1956/59, the IGN's 1984 Flight and CORINE Land Cover (1990, 2000 and 2006) as spatial information. Four new land-use layers were considered in the SI's temporal evolution assessment, namely for 1959, 1990, 2000 and 2006, respectively. In the last 50 years, the highest vulnerable areas to groundwater contamination have been concentrated mainly in the central zone of the watershed where the tertiary aquifer and the largest urban area are located. Future research will involve feasibility studies of different treatment schemes and the development of specific monitoring activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The annular ring microstrip antennas on metamaterial substrates are modeled and analyzed using full-wave analysis in conjunction with Ansoft HFSS. The influence of the permeability tensor of the split ring resonator medium on the resonant characteristics of the antenna is considered. Numerical results for typical resonant frequency behavior and return loss are presented as function of the metamaterial properties and antenna structural parameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is a growing need to curate the overwhelming amount of sequencing data which is available in many public databases. For instance, new information shows that the M235T polymorphism at the angiotensinogen gene (AGT) is actually positioned at the position corresponding to the amino acid 268 and not 235. This polymorphism is filled as rs699 in the NCBI SNP database and results in the synthesis of a threonine (T) instead of a methionine (M). It has been widely studied and associated as an important risk factor for several vascular and neuropsychiatric conditions. We faced this new situation during the targeted sequencing of 360 chromosomes from Brazilian subjects studied for the M235T polymorphism, leading to the identification of a novel variation (rs141900991). This report explores the potential impact of such a dinucleotide variation, which promotes the change of alanine (A) to serine (S) at the AGT protein structure (A237S). Considering the previous M268T variation at the four possible haplotypes combined (MA, MS, TA and TS), we performed a comparative hydrophobicity simulation, using the Kyte-Doolittle algorithm, available at the CLB Bio workbench, in the four possible haplotypes. Additional simulations were performed using the programs PolyPhen, I-Mutant and SIFT, in order to evaluate the pathogenicity of both mutations. The predicted hydrophobicity decreases of a similar magnitude, with both MS and TA haplotypes, but the presence of both variations induces a major decrease in hydrophobicity, suggesting a cumulative effect, with possible modifying effect since that this variation per se would limit the hydrophobicity range and the latter chances in finding significant phenotype differences. A better characterization of this kind of variant is particularly important because the current genome wide scan analyses in complex disorders with cardiac or neural etiology are not generating reliable findings, especially if we consider the huge investment with such approach. Additional and unknown variations like this one, with potential modifying effect, might be more common than previously expected. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Fourier transform infrared and Fourier transform Raman spectra of xanthoxyline crystals are reported, along with ab initio computations of the vibrational spectrum of the xanthoxyline molecule. The infrared and Raman spectra were recorded at 300 K in the 400- to 4,000- and 40- to 4,000-cm intervals, respectively. The vibrational wave numbers and wave vectors were obtained from a density functional computation with the 6-31 G(d,p) basis set and the B3LYP approximation to the exchange correlation functional. Comparison with the theoretical results allows assignment of normal modes to the prominent features of the recorded spectra. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The snake venom thrombin-like enzymes (SVTLEs) comprise a number of serine proteases functionally and structurally related to thrombin. Until recently, only nine complete sequences of this subgroup of the serine protease family were known. Over the past 5 years, the primary structure of several SVTLEs has been characterized, and now this family includes several members. Of particular interest is their possible use in pathologies such as thrombosis. The aim of the present review is to summarize the state of the art concerning the evolutionary, structural and biological features of the SVTLEs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The fresh 'Bombay Duck' ( Harpodon nehereus) has a normal bacterial flora of its own, among which Bacterium phosphoreum and Sarcina littoralis or their variants predominate. The latter species also persists in the dehydrated variety of the fish, which otherwise presents a microbial picture, totally different from that of fresh fish. Besides the species mentioned, the fresh fish is also associated with an adventitious flora, in which the following genera are represented: Escherichia, Aerobacter, Micrococcus, Gaffkya, Achromobacter, Flavobacterium, Bacillus and Pseudomonas. The occurrence of a large number and variety of micrococci in the dehydrated fish has a probable epidemiological significance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The survival of the organisms Micrococcus pyogenes var. aureus, Escherichia coli, Salmonella typhosa, Salmonella schöttmuelleri and Vibrio comma in sea water and in the bombil tissue has been studied. In addition the survival of these organisms in inoculated fish subsequently refrigerated, dehydrated, or held at room temperature has been studied. The effect of heat and culinary treatment on the inoculated fish has also been observed. Our results when correlated with the casual occurrence of bacteria of faecal origin on the flesh and ventriculus of the fish, together with the findings that cocci are present in large numbers on the skin and in almost pure culture in the ventriculus of the dehydrated fish (these have been reported in a previous communication, 1953), suggest the possibilities of this fish being a carrier of enteric infections. The fact that E. coli, S. typhosa and M. pyogenes var. aureus resist culinary treatment, also indicates that infection is possible on consuming contaminated foods, even after the cooking process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]