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Abstract: The continuous monitoring of the physical, chemical and biological parameters of pond, effluent and inlet waters helps not only to predict and control negative conditions for shrimp farming, but also avoids environmental damages and collapse of the production process. The objective of this study was to demonstrate the importance of implementing a Water Quality Index (WQI) as a tool to manage shrimp farms and the surrounding natural environments, further to understand the main factors affecting water quality to prevent disease outbreaks. Water quality parameters of shrimp pond and inlet waters were monitored and measured monthly in a shrimp farm and in two other natural sites in northern Santa Catarina state, Brazil. The study was carried out between October, 2007 and October, 2008. Physical and chemical parameters (temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, salinity, turbidity, hardness, alkalinity, ammonia nitrogen, nitrite, nitrate, phosphate, silica) and biological parameters (chlorophyll-a, fecal coliforms, Vibrio and bacteria counts) were analyzed. To assess the dependency relationship between the variables the non-parametric correlation test of Spearman was applied. The Hydrological Index (HI)c was applied to evaluate the potential use of the two coastal areas for shrimp culture. The Canadian Water Quality Index (CCME WQI) was applied to compare the water quality parameters between the shrimp farm water supply lagoon and those two coastal environments. Results indicate water quality parameters and times of the year are related to environmental stress. Considering the amplitude of the variables monitored, i.e., temperature, salinity, pH, alkalinity, hardness, nitrate and silica, autumn may be associated with increased environmental stress. The (HI)c indicated that pumping water into the shrimp farm in spring and summer should be restricted, and during the rest of the year the supply water quality ranged from “suitable with medium restriction” (5.5<(IH)c <7.5) to “suitable with low restriction” (7.5<(IH)c <9.0). No difference was detected in the water quality parameters of the three study sites according to the CCME WQI. The application of a Water Quality Index adapted to the different production activities is useful to monitor water quality parameters. The WQI is practical, with easy and fast interpretation of data, and an important management tool for aquaculture enterprises. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Triplet-state dynamics in Chl-a/Per mixtures in organic solvent and in native H-PCP were studied by means of step-scan FTIR spectroscopy. A single decay component of 10μs was observed for the H-PCP triplet, the spectrum of which closely matches the 13μs component of A-PCP [Alexandre et al., Biophysical Journal 93 (2007) 2118–2128], implying that in H-PCP, as in A-PCP, the peridinin triplet state is shared with Chl-a. In a mixture of Chl-a and Per in THF, TEET from 3Chl-a to 3Per proceeds in 3.5μs followed by 3Per decay in 7μs. Using a target analysis procedure, 3Chl-a and 3Per infrared difference spectra were obtained. The specific carbonyl frequencies of 3Per and 3Chl-a in THF confirm our assignment of their co-existence in the infrared spectra of H-PCP and A-PCP. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The Pectus Excavatum (PE) is the most common malformation of the sternum (90% of all cases). The Nuss procedure is minimally invasive: a stainless steel bar is slipped under the sternum, under thoracoscopic guidance, through 2 small incisions made on the side of the chest. The bar is then reversed, and the sternum restored to the normal anatomical position. Combined anesthesia could be an efficient technique for perioperative pain management and this article describes a successful analgesic management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Sea hosts two subduction systems along the convergent Africa-Eurasia plate boundary that have produced strong ground shaking and generated tsunamis. Based on historical descriptions and sedimentary records, one of these events, in 365 CE, impacted a broad geographical area, including tsunami evidence for distances of 700–800 km from the source event, qualifying it as a 'megatsunami'. Understanding how megatsunamis are produced, and where they are more likely, requires a better understanding of the different secondary processes linked to these events such as massive slope failures, multiple turbidity current generation, and basin seiching. Our sedimentary records from an extensive collection of cores located in distal and disconnected basins, identify turbidites which are analyzed using granulometry, elemental (XRF), micropaleontological, and geochemical data in order to reconstruct their coastal or marine source. The results show that the 365 CE basin floor sediments are a mixture of inner shelf and slope materials. The tsunami wave produced multiple far-field slope failures that resulted in stacked basal turbidites. It also caused transport of continent-derived organic carbon and deposition over basal turbidites and into isolated basins of the deep ocean. The composition of sediment in isolated basins suggests their deposition by large-scale sheet like flows similar to what has been caused by the Tohoku earthquake associated tsunamis. This is significant for rectifying and resolving where risk is greatest and how cross-basin tsunamis are generated. Based on these results, estimates of the underlying deposits from the same locations were interpreted as possible older megatsunamis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Mediterranean Sea hosts two subduction systems along the convergent Africa-Eurasia plate boundary that have produced strong ground shaking and generated tsunamis. Based on historical descriptions and sedimentary records, one of these events, in 365 CE, impacted a broad geographical area, including tsunami evidence for distances of 700–800 km from the source event, qualifying it as a 'megatsunami'. Understanding how megatsunamis are produced, and where they are more likely, requires a better understanding of the different secondary processes linked to these events such as massive slope failures, multiple turbidity current generation, and basin seiching. Our sedimentary records from an extensive collection of cores located in distal and disconnected basins, identify turbidites which are analyzed using granulometry, elemental (XRF), micropaleontological, and geochemical data in order to reconstruct their coastal or marine source. The results show that the 365 CE basin floor sediments are a mixture of inner shelf and slope materials. The tsunami wave produced multiple far-field slope failures that resulted in stacked basal turbidites. It also caused transport of continent-derived organic carbon and deposition over basal turbidites and into isolated basins of the deep ocean. The composition of sediment in isolated basins suggests their deposition by large-scale sheet like flows similar to what has been caused by the Tohoku earthquake associated tsunamis. This is significant for rectifying and resolving where risk is greatest and how cross-basin tsunamis are generated. Based on these results, estimates of the underlying deposits from the same locations were interpreted as possible older megatsunamis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]