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Reversing neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex can eliminate residual paralysis, which has been associated with postoperative respiratory complications. There are equivocal data on whether sugammadex reduces these when compared with neostigmine. We investigated the association of the choice of reversal drug with postoperative respiratory complications and advanced healthcare utilisation. We included adult patients who underwent surgery and received general anaesthesia with sugammadex or neostigmine reversal at two academic healthcare networks between January 2016 and June 2021. The primary outcome was postoperative respiratory complications, defined as post-extubation oxygen saturation 90%, respiratory failure requiring non-invasive ventilation, or tracheal re-intubation within 7 days. Our main secondary outcome was advanced healthcare utilisation, a composite outcome including: 7-day unplanned intensive care unit admission; 30-day hospital readmission; or non-home discharge. In total, 5746 (6.9%) of 83,250 included patients experienced postoperative respiratory complications. This was not associated with the reversal drug (adjusted OR (95%CI) 1.01 (0.94-1.08); p = 0.76). After excluding patients admitted from skilled nursing facilities, 8372 (10.5%) patients required advanced healthcare utilisation, which was not associated with the choice of reversal (adjusted OR (95%CI) 0.95 (0.89-1.01); p = 0.11). Equivalence testing supported an equivalent effect size of sugammadex and neostigmine on both outcomes, and neostigmine was non-inferior to sugammadex with regard to postoperative respiratory complications or advanced healthcare utilisation. Finally, there was no association between the reversal drug and major adverse cardiovascular events (adjusted OR 1.07 (0.94-1.21); p = 0.32). Compared with neostigmine, reversal of neuromuscular blockade with sugammadex was not associated with a reduction in postoperative respiratory complications or post-procedural advanced healthcare utilisation.

N-acetylaspartate (NAA) and choline (Cho) are two brain metabolites implicated in several key neuronal functions. Abnormalities in these metabolites have been reported in both early course and chronic patients with schizophrenia (SCZ). It is, however, unclear whether NAA and Cho’s alterations occur even before the onset of the disorder. Clinical high risk (CHR) individuals are a population uniquely enriched for psychosis and SCZ. In this exploratory study, we utilized 7-Tesla magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to examine differences in total NAA (tNAA; NAA + N-acetylaspartylglutamate [NAAG]) and major choline-containing compounds, including glycerophosphorylcholine and phosphorylcholine [tCho], over the creatine (Cre) levels between 26 CHR and 32 healthy control (HC) subjects in the subcortical and cortical regions. While no tCho/Cre differences were found between groups in any of the regions of interest (ROIs), we found that CHR had significantly reduced tNAA/Cre in the right dorsal lateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) compared to HC, and that the right DLPFC tNAA/Cre reduction in CHR was negatively associated with their positive symptoms scores. No tNAA/Cre differences were found between CHR and HC in other ROIs. In conclusion, reduced tNAA/Cre in CHR vs. HC may represent a putative molecular biomarker for risk of psychosis and SCZ that is associated with symptom severity.

Objectives: \ud A previous single-country pilot study indicated serum anti-GM2 and anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies as potential biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis. This study aims to validate these findings in a large geographically heterogenous cohort.\ud \ud Materials and Methods: \ud Sera from 175 dogs clinically diagnosed with acute canine polyradiculoneuritis, 112 dogs with other peripheral nerve, cranial nerve or neuromuscular disorders and 226 neurologically normal dogs were screened for anti-glycolipid antibodies against 11 common glycolipid targets to determine the immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies with the highest combined sensitivity and specificity for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.\ud \ud Results: \ud Anti-GM2 anti-glycolipid antibodies reached the highest combined sensitivity and specificity (sensitivity: 65.1%, 95% confidence interval 57.6 to 72.2%; specificity: 90.2%, 95% confidence interval 83.1 to 95.0%), followed by anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies (sensitivity: 61.7%, 95% confidence interval 54.1 to 68.9%; specificity: 89.3%, 95% confidence interval 82.0 to 94.3%) and these anti-glycolipid antibodies were frequently present concomitantly. Anti-GA1 anti-glycolipid antibodies were detected in both acute canine polyradiculoneuritis and control animals. Both for anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies, sex was found a significantly associated factor with a female to male odds ratio of 2.55 (P=0.0096) and 3.00 (P=0.0198), respectively. Anti-GalNAc-GD1a anti-glycolipid antibodies were more commonly observed in dogs unable to walk (odds ratio 4.56; P=0.0076).\ud \ud Clinical Significance: \ud Anti-GM2 and anti-GalNAc-GD1a immunoglobulin G anti-glycolipid antibodies represent serum biomarkers for acute canine polyradiculoneuritis.

Cadogan reductive cyclization of substituted 2-aryl-3-nitropyridines to give δ-carbolines was performed under MoO2Cl2(DMF)2 catalysis with triphenylphosphine as a ligand. A new approach for the synthesis of the alkaloid quindoline based on a Mo(VI)-catalyzed Cadogan reductive cyclization of 2-phenyl-3-nitro-5,6,7,8-tetrahydroquinoline followed by aromatization of the resulting 2,3,4,10-tetrahydro-1H-indolo[3,2-b]quinoline is proposed. Various о-nitroarylpyridines, obtained by reacting acylpyruvates and cyclic hydroxymethylene ketones with nitroacetophenone enamines, were used as starting compounds for the preparation of δ-carbolines. The synthesized δ-carbolines were found to act as phosphors; their photophysical properties were studied and a structure–property relationship was revealed.

The number of older patients admitted to emergency departments (ED) increases continuously. The Identification of Seniors at Risk (ISAR) score is currently recommended to screen patients in German ED, but its appropriateness is being criticized. ISAR scores and clinical characteristics from 98 emergency admissions (EA), 80 from acute geriatrics (AG) and 89 from a geriatric rehabilitation (GR) unit were compared retrospectively. No significant differences were found between groups, being the ISAR score positive in 87.7% of EA, 94.9% of AG and 94.4% of GR cases. None of positively identified geriatric patients in the EA was transferred to the geriatric ward of competence. EA patients showed significantly higher number of functional impairments (p = 0.001) and higher BI score (p

The KArlsruhe TRItium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment, which aims to make a direct and model-independent determination of the absolute neutrino mass scale, is a complex experiment with many components. More than 15 years ago, we published a technical design report (TDR) [https://publikationen.bibliothek.kit.edu/270060419] to describe the hardware design and requirements to achieve our sensitivity goal of 0.2 eV at 90% C.L. on the neutrino mass. Since then there has been considerable progress, culminating in the publication of first neutrino mass results with the entire beamline operating [arXiv:1909.06048]. In this paper, we document the current state of all completed beamline components (as of the first neutrino mass measurement campaign), demonstrate our ability to reliably and stably control them over long times, and present details on their respective commissioning campaigns., Comment: Added missing acknowledgement, corrected performance statement in chapter 4.2.5, updated author list and references

Evaporative interfaces help process heat and substances in a variety of technical realms, from electronic to architectural applications. Because geometry affects the hydraulics, thermal properties and aerodynamics of evaporative devices, their performance can be tuned through design. While non-smooth interfaces are widely exploited to enhance transfer passively, surface area extension in packed volumes is a predominant line of research. This leaves aerodynamic structure-transfer relations and the impact of geometry itself unclear. Meanwhile, protrusions in leaves such as lobes and toothed margins have been associated with enhanced vapor dissipation. This experimental study explores the design space of leaf-inspired structures with evaporating protrusions. Three sets of water-absorbing models with fixed evaporating surface area and unlimited hydraulic supply were tested: (1) paper strips with dimension-equivalent protrusions of varied shape and degree of elongation; (2) cellulose sponges with the same designs as their cross-sectional profile, extruded three-dimensionally; (3) ceramic tiles with grooves of varied cross-section, conceived as building elements for evaporative cooling. Overall, results demonstrate that protrusions affect mass transfer rate and surface temperatures and can be integrated in the design of evaporative exchangers with non-smooth geometries. For the paper models, evaporation rate correlated with protrusion aspect ratio, supporting a functional interpretation of leaf design and its utilization in low-wind plate-fin exchangers. However, the same transfer enhancement was not regained from simply extruding an effective design into three-dimensions. For the ceramic tiles, geometry-driven differences in evaporation depended on the aerodynamic roughness and size of the grooved pattern, and on ventilation. Their outdoor thermal behavior was complex due to a multifaceted interaction with the environment and geometry-related factors such as self-shading and thermal mass. Ultimately, this design effort illustrates the potential of structured interfaces for evaporative exchange and thermoregulating the built environment.

To compare the efficacy of desmopressin and placebo in independent geriatric outpatients with nocturnal polyuria (NP). A prospective, randomized, single-center, national, double blind, placebo-controlled, fixed-dose, parallel group comparative trial was carried out. The study included 110 geriatric outpatients, 55 patients per treatment group using desmopressin acetate nasal spray (strength: 0.1 mg/ml) once daily of 10 μg/spray blast or placebo. The NP positive geriatric outpatients with >33% nocturnal urine output volume, antidiuretic hormone (ADH) positive or negative were treated over 10 days with intranasal spray in the evening time (7 p.m.), drug or placebo. On day 1 voiding frequency, voiding volumes day and night, serum osmolarity and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) were measured at 7 p.m. On days 2, 5 and 10 creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (bun), blood count and C‑reactive protein (CrP), vena cava diameter and bioimpedance were measured and a structured interview was implemented (voiding frequency, sleeping behavior and subjective and cognitive behavior). The NP patients showed a mean night voiding volume of 50.60%, 39.21% (n = 102) showed a low AVP level at baseline with no correlation to sodium concentration or voiding frequencies. The primary efficacy criterion, a decrease of the nocturnal voiding frequency during the course of the clinical trial as change from baseline at day 10 (visit 4) was 50% versus 41.40% in the verum versus placebo group, respectively but the differences were not significant. The U‑test showed superiority of AVP-positive NP patients to a positive reaction on desmopressin. Sleeping time hours increased in both groups without significant differences. In this 10-day clinical trial desmopressin was not proven to be therapeutically superior to placebo with respect to micturition frequency or sleeping hours. Independent geriatric outpatients with decreased ADH levels seemed to respond and benefit from active treatment with desmopressin. The unexpected results in the placebo group may be due to the effect of intensive outpatient care and information on NP outpatients with normal AVP levels.

Geometrical and material properties of plant leaves are known to influence heat/moisture dissipation. In many species, exposed “sun” leaves are typically more dissected and possibly better convective heat dissipaters than entire shade leaves. By affecting the overall leaf boundary layer, lower-scale morphology patterns such as toothed edges can also have an important role in heat/moisture dissipation, as pointed by experiments with wetted paper models where outward teeth increased evaporative dissipation rates. Additional leaf morphological traits potentially influencing dissipation are surface corrugations, textures, trichomes and sunken stomata. Such structures can work as “dissipative” or “retaining” geometries depending on how they couple with environmental conditions and modulate leaf boundary layer. The oneweek intensive Kosmos interdisciplinary workshop at the cluster Image Knowledge Gestaltung (Berlin) was an opportunity to explore leaf design and achieve microclimate control for potential applications in technology, specifically building facades. The "Breathing skins” concept was to apply shape-related leaf dissipation strategies into folding structures that can be produced in a typical “maker-lab” setting. After a thematic introduction, participants were asked to target evapotranspiration behavior and shape-change characteristics derived from leaves, and to deliver prototypical designs using a set of prepared materials. Workshop results show the transfer of new findings in research on evapotranspiration of biological plant leaves into 3D structures for technical application. The biomimetic approach taken delivered a first translation of design abstracted from leaves into the realm of foldable geometry, for future development and technological transfer to useable products in architecture, building and fluid-assisted heat transfer systems in general.

Welche Korrelationen zeigt der GGT-Reha im Vergleich zu anderen Gleichgewichts- und Mobilitatstests bei Patienten mit Huftarthrose und/oder Huftendoprothesen. Dies war die Kernfrage nachfolgend durchgefuhrter Studie. Da der GGT-Reha signifikante Korrelationen mit den Messwerten der Posturographie und des Timed up and go Tests aufweist, kann dieser Test als kostengunstige, wenig zeitaufwendige und therapierelevante Messmethode zur Erfassung des statischen und dynamischen Gleichgewichts, auch auf instabiler Unterlage angesehen werden.

Geometry is a determining factor for thermal performance in both biological and technical systems. While biology has inspired thermal design before, biomimetic translation of leaf morphology into structural aspects of heat exchangers remains largely unaddressed. One determinant of plant thermal endurance against environmental exposure is leaf shape, which modulates the leaf boundary layer, transpiration, evaporative cooling, and convective exchange. Here, we lay the research groundwork for the extraction of design principles from leaf shape relations to heat and mass transfer. Leaf role models were identified from an extensive literature review on environmentally sensitive morphology patterns and shape-dependent exchange. Addressing canopy sun&ndash, shade dimorphism, sun leaves collected from multiple oak species exceeded significantly in margin extension and shape dissection. Abstracted geometries (i.e., elongated, with finely toothed edges, with few large-scale teeth) were explored with paper models of the same surface area in a controlled environment of minimal airflow, which is more likely to induce leaf thermal stress. For two model characteristic dimensions, evaporation rates were significantly faster for the dissected geometries. Shape-driven transfer enhancements were higher for the smaller models, and finely toothed edges reached local cooling up to 10 &deg, C below air temperature. This investigation breaks new ground for solution-based biomimetics to inform the design of evaporation-assisted and passively enhanced thermal systems.

In previous projects theromodynamics of plants was identified as an interesting field delivering concept generators for technical, especially architectural application. So leaf morphology is determined by a variety of factors, and also significant for plant water and energy balance. However, how leaf design affects evapotranspiration and, consequently, leaf thermal performance and energy budget, has not been investigated in detail. Many leaf-inspired models in the literature overlook leaf hydraulics, capillarity, wetting phenomena in porous materials and the thermal properties of cellulose. To further the knowledge in this field, we have started to research on the relation between wetting, thermal dynamics and shape. We recorded with a thermal camera free convection of wetted models made of laser-cut paper tissue, soaked in water and drying naturally. Families of shapes were abstracted from leaves of deciduous trees: white oak, for their crenations and lobes; maple, for their relatively large teeth; elm, for their smaller hierarchically-ordered serrations. In this abstracted experimental setup, we observed distinct evaporation rates for models with normalized surface area but different boundary perimeters. Outward teeth prompt dewetting nucleation in shapes only differing geometrically, shedding some light on surface designs for heat dissipation versus designs for moist microclimate retention. The biomimetic approach taken will deliver a better understanding of the biological role of leaf structure and support the enhancement of fluid-assisted heat transfer systems, for which further three-dimensional exploration and scale studies are conceptualized.

Marine aquaculture of bivalve molluscs is an important economic activity in Santa Catarina State, Brazil, with more than 5000 persons directly and indirectly involved and an annual revenue of US$ 18 million in 2013. In the first decade of this activity, a lack of proper regulation imposed multiple obstacles to the sustainable management of local shellfish farming. The occupation of marine space occurred in a disorderly manner, and the unplanned development led to unfavourable conditions that threatened the sustainability of the industry. This study describes how better planning and management tools have improved governance of marine aquaculture in Santa Catarina State. The process included development of a legal framework for aquaculture planning, elaboration of local development plans with a participatory and multidisciplinary approach, development of a geographic information system to identify favourable areas and creation of a Web-based aquaculture management system. The combined application of these actions, along with continuing extension services, is expected to contribute to the regulation of 837 shellfish farming areas, the expansion of farming activity, the mitigation of the environmental and visual impacts caused by coastal aquaculture and an increase in the public health of shellfish consumers. In this manuscript, we report an example of how the application of better planning and management of the aquaculture sector can prepare the industry for a sustainable growing cycle.

The precise compositional analysis of tritium-containing gases is of high interest for tritium accountancy, e.g. in future fusion power plants. Raman spectroscopy provides a fast and contact-free g...

Raman spectroscopy is employed successfully for analysis of hydrogen isotopologues at the Tritium Laboratory Karlsruhe (TLK). In this paper, we summarize the recent achievements in the further deve...

Raman spectroscopy, a powerful method for the quantitative compositional analysis of molecular gases, e.g. mixtures of hydrogen isotopologues, is not able to detect monoatomic species like helium. ...

Results on using capillary Raman spectroscopy as an approach for improving the speed, sensitivity and limit of detection for quantitative analysis of gases are reported. Specifically, its potential for trace component identification and rapid process control has been explored. Using a metal-lined hollow glass capillary configuration, its Raman signal was found to be two orders of magnitude larger than that from a conventional 90° Raman implementation. However, the actual improvement in the signal-to-noise ratio and thus the limit of detection was markedly lower, due to an increase in the fluorescence background generated in optical components in the laser beam path and the capillary body itself. Using careful, systematic suppression strategies, the signal-to-noise ratio of our capillary setup increased by a further factor of 3–4, now yielding detection limits for trace gases well below the 100 ppm level. In a “dynamic” measurement series the time evolution of catalytic gas mixing of H2 and D2, to form HD, has been recorded, in which sub-mbar detection limits in sub-second recording times were achieved.

After loss of active glenohumeral motion the arm cannot be positioned in space and function is impaired. Fusion of the glenohumeral joint creates a new platform for the movement of elbow, hand and fingers and leads to an improvement of function. The use of the reconstructive plate makes the operation easier. Shoulder fusion is especially suited if the function of elbow and hand is well preserved and if the patient is physically active. But fusion is definite and the options of muscle transfer operations and above elbow amputation have to be considered.

ZusammenfassungBeschrieben werden die magnetresonanztomographischen Befunde bei einem 10 Jahre alten Border Collie mit operativ bestätigter isolierter Ruptur des hinteren Kreuzbandes. Die Befunde beinhalteten die komplette Ruptur des kaudalen Kreuzbandes, eine wahrscheinliche “Bone-Bruise”-Läsion in der proximolateralen Tibia und einen Muskelfaserriss im Ursprung des M. flexor digitorum lateralis. In der Humanmedizin werden “Bone-Bruise”-Läsionen herangezogen, um die Mechanismen von Bandschäden bei Traumata erklären zu können. Im beschriebenen Fall lässt sich anhand der magnetresonanztomographischen Befunde nachvollziehen, wie es zur seltenen isolierten Ruptur des kaudalen Kreuzbandes bei dem Hund kam.

Die Frage nach der normalen Kniefunktion und der normalen Kniebeugung sowie ihrer Bedeutung fur die Aktivitaten des Alltags erscheint banal. Bei genauerem Hinsehen zeigt sich aber, dass die objektive Datenlage in der Literatur durftig ist. Hinsichtlich der Norm wird eine sehr groszugig bemessene Spannweite (5–10/0/120–150°) in allen Handbuchern tradiert. In einer Untersuchung an 14 Probanden wurde der Einfluss der Kniebeugung auf alltagsrelevante Aktivitaten untersucht. Daraus wurden folgende Anhaltswerte fur die erforderliche Kniebeugung abgeleitet, die sich aus den klinisch-experimentell bestimmten Mittelwerten und einem theoretisch hergeleiteten Aufschlag ergeben: Treppen aufwarts gehen 79°, Treppen abwarts gehen 90°; Aufstehen von einem hohen Sitz 90°, von einem mittelhohen Sitz 100° und von einem tiefen Sitz 120°; Fahrradfahren 106–113°, abhangig von der Sattelposition. Die Umsetzung der Normwerte in die Praxis ist diskussionswurdig. Dies gilt fur die Zielsetzung medizinischer Interventionen und deren Ergebnismessung genauso wie fur die medizinische Begutachtung. Eine differenziertere Einbeziehung der Erkenntnisse zum Zusammenhang zwischen Kniebeugung und Aktivitaten kann zu Fortschritten fuhren.

Function is a key central concept to the practice of biomimicry. Many published models of the biomimicry process include steps to identify, understand, and translate function of biological systems. Examples include functional modeling, decomposition, or abstraction with tools specifically designed to facilitate such steps. A functional approach to biomimicry yields a semantic bridge between biology and engineering, enabling practitioners from a variety of backgrounds to more easily communicate and collaborate in a biomimicry design process. Although analysis of function is likely a necessary part of biomimicry design, recent work suggests it is not sufficient without a more systematic understanding of the complex biological context in which a function exists (e.g., scale and trade-offs). Consequently, emerging tools such as ontologies are being developed that attempt to capture the intricacies of biological systems (including functions), such as their complex environmental and behavioral interactions. However, due to the complexity of such tools, they may be under-utilized. Here, we propose a solution through a computer-aided user interface tool which integrates a biomimetic ontology with a thesaurus-based functional approach to biomimicry. Through a proof of concept illustrative case study, we demonstrate how merging existing tools can facilitate the biomimicry process in a systematic and collaborative way, broadening solution discovery. This work offers an approach to making existing tools, specifically the BioMimetic Ontology, more accessible and encompassing of different perspectives via semantic translation and interface design. This provides the user with the opportunity to interface and extract information from both the Engineering-to-Biology Thesaurus and the BioMimetic Ontology in a way that was not possible before. The proposed E2BMO tool not only increases the accessibility of the BioMimetic Ontology, which ultimately aims to streamline engineers’ interaction with the bio-inspired design process, but also provides an option for practitioners to traverse biological knowledge along the way, encouraging greater interdisciplinary collaboration and consideration when conducting biomimicry research.

The Karlsruhe Tritium Neutrino (KATRIN) experiment aims to measure the neutrino mass via high-precision electron spectroscopy of the tritium β -decay with a sensitivity of m ν = 200 meV/c 2 (90% C.L.). This can only be achieved if systematic uncertainties are minimized. An important parameter is the isotopic composition of the tritium gas used as the gaseous β -electron source, which is measured inline by Raman spectroscopy. The KATRIN experiment requires a measurement trueness of better than 10% of said composition; to achieve this, accurate calibration of the Raman system for all hydrogen isotopologues (H 2 , HD, D 2 , HT, DT, T 2 ) is required. Here we present two independent calibration methods, namely (i) a gas sampling technique, which promises high accuracy, but which is difficult to apply to tritiated species; and (ii) an approach via theoretical Raman signals (theoretical intensities plus spectral sensitivity), which in principle includes all six isotopologues. For the latter method we incorporated ab initio off-diagonal matrix elements of the polarizability from the literature; these have been verified by depolarization measurements. The system’s spectral sensitivity was determined by a NIST-traceable SRM2242 luminescence standard. Both methods exhibited their individual merits and difficulties, but in cross calibration proved to be successful: a comparison for the non-radioactive isotopologues (H 2 , HD, D 2 ) yielded agreement to better than 2% for the relative Raman response function. This is within the estimated (dominant) uncertainty of the theoretical Raman signal approach of about 3%. Therefore, one can be confident that, when using this approach, the trueness requirement of 10% for the KATRIN-relevant species (T 2 , DT, D 2 and HT) will in all likelihood be exceeded.

There is an emerging need for regional applications of sea ice projections to provide more accuracy and greater detail to scientists, national, state and local planners, and other stakeholders. The present study offers a prototype for a comprehensive, interdisciplinary study to bridge observational data, climate model simulations, and user needs. The study's first component is an observationally-based evaluation of Arctic sea ice trends during 1980–2008, with an emphasis on seasonal and regional differences relative to the overall pan-Arctic trend. Regional sea ice los has varied, with a significantly larger decline of winter maximum (January–March) extent in the Atlantic region than in other sectors. A lead-lag regression analysis of Atlantic sea ice extent and ocean temperatures indicates that reduced sea ice extent is associated with increased Atlantic Ocean temperatures. Correlations between the two variables are greater when ocean temperatures lag rather than lead sea ice. The performance of 13 global climate models is evaluated using three metrics to compare sea ice simulations with the observed record. We rank models over the pan-Arctic domain and regional quadrants, and synthesize model performance across several different studies. The best performing models project reduced ice cover across key access routes in the Arctic through 2100, with a lengthening of seasons for marine operations by 1–3 months. This assessment suggests that the Northwest and Northeast Passages hold potential for enhanced marine access to the Arctic in the future, including shipping and resource development opportunities.

Mechanical (e.g., shearblading) and manual (e.g., thinning) fuel treatments have become the preferred strategy of many fire managers and agencies for reducing fire hazard in boreal forests. This study attempts to characterize the effectiveness of four fuel treatments through direct measurement of fire intensity and forest floor consumption during a single prescribed burn. The treatments included (1) thinning trees and removing debris (THIN-REMOVE-1 and -2), (2) thinning trees and burning the debris onsite, (3) shearblading and leaving the debris in place (SHEAR), and (4) shearblading and piling the debris in windrows (SHEAR-ROW). Fire burned through treatments 1, 3, and 4 and one control unit. The highest fire intensities (maximum temperature of 1150 °C, maximum heat flux of 227 kW·m–2, and fire cumulative energy release of 4277 J·m–2) were measured in the control. Treatment 1 exhibited a peak temperature of 267 °C, peak heating of 16 kW·m–2, and cumulative energy release of 2600 J·m–2. Treatments 3 and 4 exhibited peak temperatures of 170 and 66 °C, peak heating of 51 and 3 kW·m–2, and cumulative energy release of 2500 and 1800 J·m–2, respectively. The thinned treatment showed the most significant impact in the context of reduced heat release.

Thermotolerant coliform (TC) loadings were quantified for 49 catchments draining into the North and South Bays of Santa Catarina (SC, southeastern Brazil), an area known for its tourism and aquaculture. TC loadings were calculated based on flow measurements taken in 26 rivers. TC concentrations ere quantified based on surface water samples collected at 49 catchment outlets in 2012 and 2013. Median TC loads ranged from 3.7 × 103 to 6.8 × 108 MPN s−1. TC loadings in the catchments increased in proportion to increases in resident human population, population density and percentage of urbanised area. Catchments with more than 60% of area covered by wastewater collection and treatment systems had higher TC loads per person than catchments with less than 25%. Based on the study catchments, these results indicate that current sewerage infrastructure is ineffective in reducing contamination of faecal origin to surface waters. These findings have important implications for the management of microbiological health hazards in bathing, recreational and shellfish aquaculture waters in the North and South Bays of Santa Catarina Island.