Universidade Positivo

About: Universidade Positivo is a education organization based out in Curitiba, Brazil. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Biodiversity. The organization has 1290 authors who have published 1237 publications receiving 9335 citations. The organization is also known as: Positive University.

Errata Corrigenda and update for the "Synthesis of Brazilian Collembola: an update to the species list." ABRANTES et al . (2010), Zootaxa, 2388: 1–22

Abstract: We present in the following an Errata Corrigenda for Abrantes et al. (2010) Table 2 and general counting. Furthermore, we include all additional records for Brazilian Collembola during 2010 and 2011 as an update for the species list. The update was made following the same methodology and criteria as Culik and Zeppelini (2003), and Abrantes et al. (2010). All data will fit the same table marked differently to be recognized at glance. The references presented here are restricted to the citations concerning the update only; therefore the references presented in Culik and Zeppelini (2003), and Abrantes et al. (2010) will not be repeated.

Toxoplasma gondii in goats from Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil: risks factors and epidemiology

Abstract: Toxoplasmosis is a zoonosis caused by Toxoplasma gondii, a protozoan with wide geographical distribution and minimal parasitic specificity that affects many species of wild and domestic animals. In livestock, especially in small ruminants like goats, toxoplasmosis can cause abortion and the birth of weak animals, leading to economic losses to farmers, and is a major source of human infection. This is a seroepidemiological study of toxoplasmosis in goats in the state of Parana, Brazil. Sera from 405 goats from the metropolitan mesoregion of Curitiba, eastern state, were tested by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and indirect immunofluorescence antibody test (IFAT). Information on properties and goat characteristics was also collected using questionnaires. The prevalence of toxoplasmosis was 39.41 and 35.96% by ELISA and IFAT, respectively. T. gondii antibody prevalence increased with age. The risk factors for T. gondii infection in goats were: age over one year; exposure to cats, type of management and purpose of breeding. Other epidemiological factors and relevant control measures are discussed in the current study.

Biochar higher heating value estimative using thermogravimetric analysis

Abstract: The higher heating value (HHV) is an important parameter to indicate the energetic potential of biomass from different sources. Bomb calorimeter is the standard to obtain this data; however, in the absence of this equipment, estimative through proximate analysis aided with multiple regression formulas is an acceptable alternative. Still, this is a time-consuming technique and highly dependable of operator skills. In this context, thermogravimetric analysis has been used to obtain proximate analysis results with higher precision and demanding a small amount of samples. Here, a simple and effective method to estimate HHV from data obtained by thermogravimetric analysis using different sources of biomass is presented. The proposed method showed to be more accurate to estimate HHV than proximate analysis laboratory procedure. Greater correlation was observed between the HHV values obtained from calorimeter–thermogravimetry than the ones obtained from calorimeter–proximate analysis. Multiple regression analysis indicated that fixed carbon and ashes have an inverse influence over HHV, while the former is responsible for high calorific value and the latter affects energy release. Finally, the proposed method showed to be fast and accurate to estimate HHV of biochar samples and should be easily adaptable to other studies that require fast assessment of calorific value from biochar.