Phytoplankton and ecological assessment of brackish and freshwater coastal lagoons in the Algarve, Portugal

Phytoplankton biomass and composition were monitored for four coastal lagoons of the Algarve, Portugal, from February to November 2006. The phytoplankton community in the freshwater lagoons – Dunas Douradas (FW1) and Garrão (FW2) – as determined by biomarker pigment concentration using high-performance liquid chromatography and the program chemtax , was dominated by diatoms and chlorophytes. For the brackish lagoons – Salgados (BW1) and Almargem (BW2) – cyanophytes and diatoms were the most important groups respectively. The trophic state indices, based on algal biomass, classify FW1, FW2 and BW1 lagoons as hypertrophic, whereas BW2 is classified as mesotrophic. Signs of eutrophication in the former lagoons include large phytoplankton biomass (chlorophyll- a ) fluctuations, the presence of phytoplankton taxa that usually thrive under nutrient-enriched conditions and high concentrations of chlorophyll- a -degradation products. Chemotaxonomic analyses derived from high-performance liquid chromatography data might constitute a valuable tool for achieving Water Framework Directive requirements for an evaluation system based on phytoplankton taxonomic composition.     

Bringing solar home systems to rural El Salvador: lessons for small NGOs

This paper presents the results of case studies examining two independent projects that worked to bring solar home systems (SHSs) to isolated communities in El Salvador. Both projects were implemented by small nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) that did not have prior experience with SHSs. One project was market-based: families were given the opportunity to purchase the systems at going prices. The other was donor-based: residents were provided the equipment in return for their agreement to cooperate in local environmental protection efforts. Results of a comparative analysis support several conclusions. (1) For small NGOs, the promotion of markets is appealing because of the potential for financial sustainability; yet a reliance on markets may also heighten complexity and increase opportunities for failure. (2) In implementation of market-based projects, all stakeholders, including potential consumers, private-sector service providers, and the staff of NGOs acting as project managers, will face pressures to modify and adapt their attitudes and behaviors. (3) Alternative models for small-scale projects that integrate market-based and donor-based design features deserve consideration.     

New approach to the extensogram interpretation

New criteria for the evaluation of wheat qualitative properties are worked out on the basis of the study of the shape and size of the extensographic curves. Approximating the experimental curves - extensograms - to the theoretical curves which are the closest to them in their shape and equal to them in their area, it also was possible to determine their shape parameters. The theoretical curve is an ellipse inscribed over the shape of the experimental curve. It changes its shape to the case when the ellipse eccentricity becomes equal to zero and further when x-axis and y-axis exchange their places in the coordinate system. It has been determined that the extensogram area can be the best means of measuring the wheat flour quality if it has been evaluated with reference to the curve circumference which circumscribes it. The ratio of the parameters of the theoretical curve maximum (m_t) and the maximum of the theoretical curve of the ideal shape (r) is the basis for the extensogram evaluation and their classification into the qualitative range. The quantitative data of the ratio m_t/r indicate the shape, and the values for r indicate the extensogram size. On the basis of the expression (m_t/r-1)100, it is possible to evaluate accurately the extensographic curves for the first time as well as to classify wheat into the qualitative range.     

The Role of Porphyrinoid Photosensitizers for Skin Wound Healing

Microorganisms, usually bacteria and fungi, grow and spread in skin wounds, causing infections. These infections trigger the immune system and cause inflammation and tissue damage within the skin or wound, slowing down the healing process. The use of photodynamic therapy (PDT) to eradicate microorganisms has been regarded as a promising alternative to anti-infective therapies, such as those based on antibiotics, and more recently, is being considered for skin wound-healing, namely for infected wounds. Among the several molecules exploited as photosensitizers (PS), porphyrinoids exhibit suitable features for achieving those goals efficiently. The capability that these macrocycles display to generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) gives a significant contribution to the regenerative process. ROS are responsible for avoiding the development of infections by inactivating microorganisms such as bacteria but also by promoting cell proliferation through the activation of stem cells which regulates inflammatory factors and collagen remodeling. The PS can act solo or combined with several materials, such as polymers, hydrogels, nanotubes, or metal-organic frameworks (MOF), keeping both the microbial photoinactivation and healing/regenerative processes’ effectiveness. This review highlights the developments on the combination of PDT approach and skin wound healing using natural and synthetic porphyrinoids, such as porphyrins, chlorins and phthalocyanines, as PS, as well as the prodrug 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA), the natural precursor of protoporphyrin-IX (PP-IX).     

Konfigurationsbestimmung von Steroiden mit Primärer und sekundärer Aminogruppe durch Messung des Circulardichroismus der Kupfer-Succinimidat-Komplexe

Configurational Assignment of Steroids with Primary and Secondary Amino Groups by CD Measurements of the Copper Succinimidate complexes The CD spectra of the copper succinimidate complexes of 9 different steroids with a primary and 3 steroids with a secondary amino group were investigated. A good correlation between the sign of the Cotton effects in visible range and the chirality of the immediate neighbourhood of the nitrogen atom was observed. The results obey the earlier established octant rule for this chromophor.