Frequency Response Analysis of the Unsteady-State CO/CO2 Methanation Reaction: An Experimental Study

The utilization of renewable electricity for power-to-gas (PtG) applications induces fluctuations in the H2 availability from water electrolysis. For subsequent methanation of CO or CO2 the unsteady-state operation of the respective reactor allows to minimize H2 storage capacities. However, the impact of temporal fluctuations in feed gas composition on the methanation reaction and the respective transient kinetics has not yet been fully understood. We investigated the methanation of various CO/CO2 (COx) feed gas mixtures under periodically changing gas compositions with emphasis on the effect of the frequency on the reactor response. We show that the frequency response of CH4 exhibits a characteristic hysteresis, which depends on the switching direction between COx-lean and COx-rich feeds and their composition. From the shape of the hysteresis we are able to conclude on the preferred COx species being hydrogenated to CH4 under respective conditions, which also provides mechanistic insights. By applying high cycling frequencies, the highly reactive species present under CO methanation conditions can even selectively be activated, which explains the higher reactivity compared to steady-state conditions reported, frequently.

Diversity of anura amphibians in an anthropic lake in the state of Paraíba, Brazil: distribution and temporal variation

The Caatinga is highly heterogeneous, many species being found in their regions. Much of anurofauna this area is commonly found in many open environments. In the present study both the diversity and the temporal occurrence of frogs were determined to Bela Vista Lagoon, located in the municipality of Cuité, Paraíba. 4 areas for sampling were marked, these being covered slowly by hiking. The naturalistic observations were conducted from May 2012 until April 2013 Methods of visual and auditory search were used to simultaneously capture and frequency of species. 6 frog species belonging to 4 genera were found distributed in three families: Bufonidae (2 species), Hylidae (2 species) and Leptodactylidae (2 species). Site 1 showed a wealth of three species, the other areas had a wealth equivalent of 5 species each. The anurofauna recorded high occupancy presented to water bodies and low associations zones altered by man. Nonparametric estimators, calculated for the 36 surveys for the pond Bela Vista, not reached its asymptote, but the Bootstrap model showed a tendency toward stabilization. Among the four sampled areas, Area 2 was the one with the highest diversity, areas 3 and 4 presented the lowest diversity, this fact being related to high dominance of species Rinnella jimi. Regarding the temporal distribution, amphibians showed up influenced by temperature and rainfall record for the region.

Problems with the Concept of “Pest” among the Diversity of Pestiferous Thrips

Almost all of the thrips species that are considered pests are members of a single subfamily of Thripidae, the Thripinae, a group that represents less than 30% of the species in the insect Order Thysanoptera. Three of the five major Families of Thysanoptera (Aeolothripidae, Heterothripidae, Melanthripidae) are not known to include any pest species. The Phlaeothripidae that includes more than 50% of the 6300 thrips species listed includes very few that are considered to be pests. Within the Thripidae, the members of the three smaller subfamilies, Panchaetothripinae, Dendrothripinae and Sericothripinae, include remarkably few species that result in serious crop losses. It is only in the subfamily Thripinae, and particularly among species of the Frankliniella genus-group and the Thrips genus-group that the major thrips species are found, including all but one of the vectors of Orthotospovirus infections. It is argued that the concept of pest is a socio-economic problem, with the pest status of any particular species being dependent on geographical area, cultivation practices, and market expectations as much as the intrinsic biology of any thrips species.

Boot Swabs to Evaluate Cleaning and Disinfection Success in Poultry Barns

Due to the relevance of cleaning and disinfection in farm hygiene management, accurate evaluation of the success of such procedures remains a fundamental challenge for producers. This study aimed to use boot swab sampling to quantify the effects of such practices in poultry barns. For this purpose, the counts of both the total and fecal indicator bacteria were detected after the application of a cleaning and disinfection protocol in identical barns that were occupied by turkeys and broilers. Boot swab samples were compared to an established agar contact plating method to evaluate disinfection success. Statistical analyses showed no correlations between the bacterial counts that were obtained with either method. In contrast to the agar contact plating method, boot swab sampling permitted the assessment of the hygienic conditions of the barn floors before and after cleaning procedures. Furthermore, according to observations with the boot swab method, factors related to the species being farmed influenced the initial bacterial loads but did not affect the effectiveness of cleaning and disinfection. Species identification by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF) also suggested that non-fecal bacteria grow on selective media. Further studies should validate the use of this sampling technique by comparing different cleaning and disinfection protocols.

Confirmation of the presence of steppe polecat Mustela eversmanii (Carnivora: Mustelidae) in Giurgiu County (Romania) after more than 5 decades

This paper confirms the presence of steppe polecat Mustela eversmanii in Giurgiu County after more than 50 years. Mustela eversmanii is considered a vulnerable species, being listed in Annexes II and IV of the Habitats Directive. The specimen was found within the Site of Community Importance - ROSCI0043 Comana, included in the Natura 2000 network, which significantly overlaps with the protected natural area (Comana Natural Park). Currently, the steppe polecat is not added to the list of the Standard Form, because its presence was uncertain. We consider that this discovery is valuable and has important implications for the conservation of the species.

The status of Micronotus Hancock, 1902 species (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae)

In this contribution, we focus on the status of the genus Micronotus and its four species. After this revision, the genus only includes two of the four species, being synonymized Micronotus dubius n. syn. under M. quadriundulatus; includes within the genus M. andeanum n. comb. (transferred from the genus Tetrix) and confirming the status of M. asperulus. Micronotus is redescribed, including additional characters, and a key is provided to identify the three species considered as valid. Micronotus caudatus, is located in the new genus Danielatettix n. gen., by differing from and not fitting the diagnostic characteristics of Micronotus or another known genus of Tetriginae. The color variation of Danielatettix caudatus n. comb. is documented, and under this species its synonymized: Paratettix attenuata n. syn., P. hastata n. syn. and P. ignobilis n. syn. Finally, the distribution of the studied species and the taxonomic panorama of Tetriginae in the Neotropics are discussed.

ICTIOFAUNA DE POÇAS DE MARÉ EM TERRAÇOS CONSOLIDADOS DO LITORAL AMAZÔNICO BRASILEIRO

As poças de maré são formadas pelo represamento de massas d’água durante a vazante e a sua troca ocorre ao longo de cada ciclo de marés, configurando em um ambiente explorado por várias espécies. A ictiofauna é um componente das poças de maré, algumas espécies são totalmente adaptadas (e.g. plasticidade fisológica, tamanho reduzido) e seu ciclo de vida ocorre apenas nas poças de maré. Contudo, muitas espécies utilizam as poças de maré em algumas fases do ciclo de vida para fins de alimentação, refúgio e reprodução. Considerando que os inventários são fundamentais para o conhecimento da biodiversidade, nosso estudo investigou a assembleia de peixes em poças de marés da Praia do Araçagy no período de outubro de 2016 a abril de 2017. No total, nós registramos 409 exemplares, pertencendo a 13 espécies, distribuídas em 11 famílias e sete ordens. Espécies residentes e estuarinas de importância comercial foram dominantes. INTERTIDAL FISHES OF THE CEMENTED TERRACES FROM BRAZILIAN AMAZON COAST: Tidal pools are formed by the damming of marine water during an ebb tide and their exchange occurs along each tidal cycle, configuring an environment explored by several species. The ichthyofauna is one of the components of the tide pools, with some species being fully adapted (e. g. physiological plasticity, reduced size) and their life cycles occuring uniquely on this environment. However, most species use tide pools at some stage of their life cycle for feeding, refuge and reproduction. Considering the main role of faunal inventories for the increase in biodiversity knowledge, this study investigates the fish assemblage in tide pools at Praia do Araçagy from October 2016 to April 2017. In total, were recorded 409 specimens belonging to 13 species, distributed in 11 families and seven orders. Resident and estuarine species with commercial importance were dominant.

Recent Advances in the Oxone-Mediated Synthesis of Heterocyclic Compounds

Oxone is a commercially available oxidant, composed of a mixture of three inorganic species, being the potassium peroxymonosulfate (KHSO5) the reactive one. Over the past few decades, this cheap and environmentally friendly oxidant has become becoming a powerful tool in organic synthesis, being extensively employed to mediate the construction of a plethora of important compounds. This review summarizes the recent advances in the Oxone-mediated synthesis of N-, O- and chalcogen-containing heterocyclic compounds, through a wide diversity of reactions, starting from several kinds of substrate, highlighting the main synthetic differences, advantages, the scope and limitations.

First record of Lithurgus cornutus (Hymenoptera: Apoidea: Megachilidae) from Poland

The paper presents the first record of Lithurgus cornutus (Fabricius, 1787) in Poland. Until recently, bees of the genus Lithurgus have not been recorded in Poland. Five females and one male of L. cornutus were caught in Lublin Region, SE Poland. The localities are beyond the range of this species, being the northernmost known records from Central Europe. The following information is provided: short diagnosis, ecology, distribution, recent records and threat status of L. cornutus in Central Europe.

First report of the predatory mite Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers, 1974 (Acari: Phytoseiidae) in Peru, and a key for the separation of the Amblyseius species reported so far from that country

Phytoseiidae (Acari: Mesostigmata) is an important family of predatory mites, with some species being commercialized as biological control agents for the control of phytophagous mites and small insects. In Peru, 65 species of this family have been recorded so far, with Amblyseius being the most diverse genus, with 11 species. The aim of this study is to report for the first time the presence of Amblyseius tamatavensis Blommers, 1974 in Peru. In South America, this species has so far been reported only in Brazil and Venezuela. In Peru, A. tamatavensis was found on orange plants [Citrus sinensis (L.) Osbeck] in the district of Pangoa, department of Júnin. In the laboratory, collected specimens were observed to feed on Phyllocoptruta oleivora (Ashmed, 1879) (Acari: Eriophyidae) and Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande, 1895) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae). Studies to verify the potential of this species as a biological control agent for pests occurring in Peru should be conducted. A key to the Amblyseius species recorded in Peru is presented.