Genome-wide metabolic re-annotation of Ashbya gossypii: new insights into its metabolism through a comparative analysis with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces lactis

BACKGROUND:Ashbya gossypii is an industrially relevant microorganism traditionally used for riboflavin production. Despite the high gene homology and gene order conservation comparatively with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it presents a lower level of genomic complexity. Its type of growth, placing it among filamentous fungi, questions how close it really is from the budding yeast, namely in terms of metabolism, therefore raising the need for an extensive and thorough study of its entire metabolism. This work reports the first manual enzymatic genome-wide re-annotation of A. gossypii as well as the first annotation of membrane transport proteins.RESULTS:After applying a developed enzymatic re-annotation pipeline, 847 genes were assigned with metabolic functions. Comparatively to KEGG's annotation, these data corrected the function for 14% of the common genes and increased the information for 52 genes, either completing existing partial EC numbers or adding new ones. Furthermore, 22 unreported enzymatic functions were found, corresponding to a significant increase in the knowledge of the metabolism of this organism. The information retrieved from the metabolic re-annotation and transport annotation was used for a comprehensive analysis of A. gossypii's metabolism in comparison to the one of S. cerevisiae (post-WGD - whole genome duplication) and Kluyveromyces lactis (pre-WGD), suggesting some relevant differences in several parts of their metabolism, with the majority being found for the metabolism of purines, pyrimidines, nitrogen and lipids. A considerable number of enzymes were found exclusively in A. gossypii comparatively with K. lactis (90) and S. cerevisiae (13). In a similar way, 176 and 123 enzymatic functions were absent on A. gossypii comparatively to K. lactis and S. cerevisiae, respectively, confirming some of the well-known phenotypes of this organism.CONCLUSIONS:This high quality metabolic re-annotation, together with the first membrane transporters annotation and the metabolic comparative analysis, represents a new important tool for the study and better understanding of A. gossypii's metabolism.Research described in this article was financially supported by FEDER and "Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia" (FCT): Project AshByofactory (PTDC/EBB-EBI/101985/2008 - FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-009701), Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013, Project "BioInd - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes, REF.NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028" Co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER and the PhD grant to DG (SFRH/BD/88623/2012)

Information theoretic evaluation of a noiseband-based cochlear implant simulator

Noise-band vocoders are often used to simulate the signal processing algorithms used in cochlear implants (CIs), producing acoustic stimuli that may be presented to normal hearing (NH) subjects. Such evaluations may obviate the heterogeneity of CI user populations, achieving greater experimental control than when testing on CI subjects. However, it remains an open question whether advancements in algorithms developed on NH subjects using a simulator will necessarily improve performance in CI users. This study assessed the similarity in vowel identification of CI subjects and NH subjects using an 8-channel noise-band vocoder simulator configured to match input and output frequencies or to mimic output after a basalward shift of input frequencies. Under each stimulus condition, NH subjects performed the task both with and without feedback/training. Similarity of NH subjects to CI users was evaluated using correct identification rates and information theoretic approaches. Feedback/training produced higher rates of correct identification, as expected, but also resulted in error patterns that were closer to those of the CI users. Further evaluation remains necessary to determine how patterns of confusion at the token level are affected by the various parameters in CI simulators, providing insight into how a true CI simulation may be developed to facilitate more rapid prototyping and testing of novel CI signal processing and electrical stimulation strategies

Signatures of Classical Periodic Orbits on a Smooth Quantum System

Gutzwiller's trace formula and Bogomolny's formula are applied to a non--specific, non--scalable Hamiltonian system, a two--dimensional anharmonic oscillator. These semiclassical theories reproduce well the exact quantal results over a large spatial and energy range.Comment: 12 pages, uuencoded postscript file (1526 kb

Estudo das causas de retenção e evasão na disciplina de química geral no curso de física do IFCE – Campus Tianguá

The search for academic excellence has emphasized the importance of several actions seeking positive impacts in the educational area. In this context, it is known that, in an undergraduate program such as Physics, it is difficult for undergraduate students to complete their training within the scheduled period, and they may also look for other paths or opportunities. Evasion and retention in undergraduate programs are complex phenomena resulting from different motivations and that need to be studied, seeking possible failures in the teaching and learning processes. This work analyzed, in a non-interventional way, these phenomena in the discipline of General Chemistry, seeking to identify possible causes and strategies for their reduction. Problems such as infrastructure, school transport, hosting of students, methodology, economic conditions, lack of affinity with the course and basic training are some of the factors described with a greater negative emphasis. The literature reports that, in some cases, actions that increase the student's bond with the institution and that also enable improvement in teaching and student assistance are fundamental and contribute to reducing student evasion and retention.A busca pela excelência acadêmica tem enfatizado a importância de diversas ações buscando impactos positivos na área educacional. Nesse contexto, é conhecido que, num curso como o de licenciatura em Física, dificilmente os licenciandos conseguem concluir sua formação no prazo previsto, podendo ainda procurar outros caminhos ou oportunidades. A evasão e a retenção em cursos de graduação são fenômenos complexos decorrentes de diferentes motivações e que necessitam ser estudados, buscando assim, possíveis falhas nos processos de ensino e aprendizagem. Este trabalho analisou, de forma não interventiva, estes fenômenos na disciplina de Química Geral, buscando identificar possíveis causas e estratégias para redução dos mesmos. Problemas como infraestrutura, transporte escolar, acolhimento dos estudantes, metodologia, condições econômicas, falta de afinidade com o curso e formação básica são alguns dos fatores descritos com um maior destaque negativo. A literatura relata que, em alguns casos, ações que aumentem o vínculo do estudante com a instituição, e que propiciem melhorias do ensino e de assistência estudantil são fundamentais e contribuintes para a redução da evasão e retenção dos estudantes

VIRTUAL REALITY TECHNIQUES IN THE AID TO POPULATION AWARENESS AROUND A NUCLEAR WASTE

Nuclear energy has proved to be an extremely important source of energy for today's society. However, these achievements, even present in people's daily lives, often go unnoticed and suffer rejection by the same society that enjoys such contributions. Rejection, mainly due to the lack of information. In this context, this work used Virtual Reality technology to inform and make the population aware of the benefits and disadvantages of nuclear energy. For this purpose, an interactive virtual environment was produced that allowed the exploration of a nuclear waste repository. Subsequently, an educational video was developed to provide end-user information support. Finally, an educational game was also created with the aim of raising public awareness and demystifying the nuclear area by bringing knowledge, in a clear and engaging way, to the population around a nuclear repository. The developed environment allowed the user to walk through the virtual representation of the reject repository, and also enabled the creation of a video capable of transmitting the initial information and improving the spatial comprehension of the model as a whole. In conclusion, the tool developed in the present work has the capacity to assist in the production of nuclear projects before even entering the construction phase. In addition, it is possible to apply this technique to inform the population about the nuclear practices that will be applied, providing a greater involvement of the people and, consequently, a better assimilation of knowledge about nuclear energy

Resistência de genótipos de algodoeiro a Sclerotinia sclerotiorum pelos métodos straw test e imersão em ácido oxálico

The objective of this work was to evaluate the efficiency of the straw and oxalic acid tests to identify resistance levels of white and colored cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) genotypes to white mold (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). Ten genotypes were evaluated: five with colored fiber, four with white fiber, and a white-fiber susceptible genotype. The genotypes MAB-1 with white fiber and MAC-2 with colored fiber were the most resistant to white mold, according to the immersion in oxalic acid and straw tests, respectively. These genotypes can be recommended as resistance sources for breeding programs. Both assessed tests are complementary to each other; however, the straw test is more efficient in evaluating the resistance of cotton genotypes to white mold.O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a eficácia dos métodos “straw test” e imersão em ácido oxálico na identificação dos níveis de resistência do algodoeiro (Gossypium hirsutum) branco e colorido ao mofo-branco (Sclerotinia sclerotiorum). Foram avaliados dez genótipos: cinco de fibra colorida, quatro de fibra branca e um genótipo suscetível de fibra branca. Os genótipos MAB-1 de fibra branca e MAC-2 de fibra colorida foram os mais resistentes ao mofo-branco de acordo com os métodos imersão em ácido oxálico e straw test, respectivamente. Esses genótipos podem ser indicados como fontes de resistência para programas de melhoramento. Ambos os métodos analisados são complementares entre si; no entanto, o straw test é mais eficiente na avaliação da resistência dos genótipos de algodão ao mofo-branco

An SFC-enabled approach for processing SSL/TLS encrypted traffic in future enterprise networks

In this paper, we propose an architecture based on NFV and SDN which allows to balance traffic analysis techniques using a Classifier. It steers flows to the appropriate Service Function Chaining (to open traffic or not) according to network requirements (such as, effectiveness, flexibility, scalability, performance, and privacy). The SSL/TLS traffic processing is carried-out by the centerpiece of this work, the SFC-enabled MITM. A Proof-of-Concept was conducted (focusing on our SFC-enabled MITM) which showed that functionalities lost due to encryption (Content Optimization, Caching, Network Anti-virus, and Content Filter) were recovered when processing opened traffic within its Service Function Chains. We also evaluated its impact on performance. The results show that cipher suite overhead plays a role but can be mitigated, the Classifier can alleviate the performance overhead of different traffic analysis techniques, network functions have lower impact to performance, and Service Function Chaining length influences page load time.publishe

Orchestrating an SFC-enabled SSL/TLS traffic processing architecture using MANO

The heterogeneity of 5G requirements commands more complex network architectures, imposing the need for network orchestration. ETSI NFV MANO is the standard which defines a common framework for vendors and operators to integrate their orchestration efforts. In this paper, we evaluated how an ETSI NFV MANO compliant orchestrator (OSM) fares while orchestrating an SFC-enabled SSL/TLS encrypted traffic processing architecture, which supports both edge and cloud deployments. A quantitative evaluation was carried-out, which assessed the responsiveness and overheads of OSM, as well as the actual functionality of our SSL/TLS processing architecture (with edge computing components). A qualitative evaluation was also carried-out, providing insight into the maturity of the current OSM release, what works well, what requires workarounds, and the actual limitations. A demonstration of the architecture evaluated in this work was accepted as a contribution to the ETSI OSM PoC Framework.publishe

Volatile Compounds, Chemical Composition and Biological Activities of <em>Apis mellifera</em> Bee Propolis

Propolis is a wax-like resin collected by bees from tree shoots and/or other botanical sources that is used as glue to seal cracks or open spaces in the hive. Its color varies from green to brown and reddish, depending on its botanical origin. Among the substances that can be found in propolis, low molecular weight compounds, such as monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes are the most common. Several biological activities are attributed to these classes of substances, such as antifungal, antibacterial, and others. The objective of this work was to evaluate the chemical composition of volatile compounds present in propolis samples and to analyze their correlation with biological activities