Effect of thermal shock and ruminal incubation on seed germination in Helianthemum apenninum L. Mill (Cistaceae)

Effect of thermal shock and ruminal incubation on seed germination in Helianthemum apenninum (L.) Mill. (Cistaceae). Here, we analyse the effect of different treatments on seed germination in Helianthemum apenninum (L.) Mill. (Cistaceae), considering scarification with sandpaper, thermal shock simulating the heat from fire, and incubation in the rumen of sheep and goat simulating passage through the gut of ruminants. Mechanical scarification boosted the germination (95% vs. 6% of control treatment), indicating that the seeds have a potentially high germination rate if the coat is eroded. Thermal shock did not improve germination. Incubation in rumen increased seed germination, up to a 32% after 48h in ruminal liquid versus 12% for control seeds in the case of sheep. The results suggest that germination in H. apenninum, while not enhanced by heat from fires, may be enhanced by herbivore ingestion

The use of virtual environments as an extended classroom – A case study with adult learners in tertiary education

This study was conducted in immersive 3D virtual environment Second Life®, with the support of web 2.0 tools as a complement to physical classroom - extended classroom. It was assumed that socialization is a key factor for collaborative learning and knowledge construction. The study aims to identify the variables that may influence knowledge sharing in learning contexts using virtual environments; with the aim of contributing to the improvement of learning situations using the online tools. This research is exploratory in nature and falls within the field of phenomenological studies. The study was implemented in a tertiary education institution involving regular and adult learners. We conclude that in virtual environments learners tend to feel more confident, open, participatory, creative, understanding and seem to participate in training sessions because they are indeed interested in learning. On the other hand, the possibility of providing online tutorial session allows reaching a larger number of learners. These online sessions can be established in a time and place (virtual) free of constraints and can be tailored, allowing a more effective participation from learners.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Inter-relação empreendedorismo e literacia financeira: contributos para o desenvolvimento regional

O empreendedorismo tendo sido objeto de diversa literatura, bem como alvo de vários projetos na área, no sentido de promover o empreendedorismo enquanto pilar essencial para o desenvolvimento económico. Exemplo é o projeto GEM (Global Entrepreneurship Monitor), referência a nível mundial na monitorização das dinâmicas de Empreendedorismo no mundo, o qual estuda o papel do empreendedorismo enquanto fator de crescimento económico de países e nações e sugere políticas adequadas para que possam aumentar o seu nível da actividade de empreendedorismo. Recentemente, a literacia financeira tem vindo a preocupar as entidades públicas e privadas a nível internacional e nacional. No lado americano, a agência governamental GAO (Government Accountability Office) aponta vários estudos que convergem no facto de que a grande maioria dos adultos e estudantes desconhece conceitos básicos sobre economia, incluindo os riscos associados a cada opção de investimento, e sublinha que a pobre literacia financeira pode reduzir o bem-estar económico. Semelhantemente, a Comissão Europeia reconhece os benefícios da oferta de um nível adequado de educação financeira aos cidadãos de todas as idades e classes. Por seu turno, a Associação Portuguesa de Bancos (APB) define que a “Literacia financeira é ter cidadãos instruídos e informados (…) para que possam tomar decisões económicas e financeiras fundamentadas (…) que contribuam para a sua qualidade de vida e para a estabilidade macroeconómica”. Destaca-se ainda, o estudo PISA (Programme of International Student Assessment) pela OCDE que testará a literacia financeira dos alunos de países, dando como exemplo que entre os 15 e os 18 anos a maioria dos jovens toma uma decisão financeira importante: investir ou não na educação em termos de ensino superior. Não será esta a primeira atitude empreendedora relevante para a maioria dos estudantes que optam por este investimento? O objectivo deste trabalho é, identificar factores que contribuam para a melhoria da eficácia das políticas/atividades públicas e privadas de incentivo às práticas de empreendedorismo, sendo dado especial ênfase ao papel da literacia financeira. Além de exemplos/exercícios, será apresentado um jogo de simulação que pretende desenvolver, em simultâneo, as duas competências: desenvolvimento de uma atitude criativa/empreendedora e aumento da literacia financeira do público-alvo

Abnormal regulation of Na,K-ATPase in Glucose Intolerant Rats.

Introduction: Glucose is the most important physiological insulin secretagogue. However, the mechanisms underlying glucose-induced insulin release are not fully understood. The role of electrogenic systems such as ionic pumps, to these events remains essentially uninvestigated. Na,K-ATPase, responsible for maintaining Na+ and K+ gradients across the plasma membrane and generates a net outward current, thus changes in its activity may contribute to the early ionic events regulating insulin secretion (Therien and Blostein, 2000). Objective: The aim of this work was to evaluate the regulation of Na,K-ATPase activity by glucose in intact -cells of normal and glucose intolerant (GI) rats and its putative contribution to the regulation of insulin secretion. Material and Methods: Pancreatic -cells, from normal or control or GI rats, were isolated and cultured (48h). Cell batches were pre-incubated (30min) with 2mM glucose to reach basal. Afterwards cells were challenged with glucose in the interval 0-11mM for 60min, for dose-dependence evaluation, or with 8mM glucose for 5-120min, for time-dependence evaluation. ATPase activity was assessed in intact cells by colorimetric quantification of Pi formed in 30min. Na,K-ATPase activity was calculated by the difference between the activities obtained in the absence and in presence the of 1mM ouabain (Costa et al., 2009). Results: In β-cells from normal rats, glucose induced a bimodal regulation of Na,K-ATPase. In the absence of glucose, Na,K-ATPase activity was 0.056±0.015 U/mg. Stimulation with 2mM glucose induced an increase of Na,K-ATPase activity of ~4 fold whereas for [glucose] above 2mM it was observed a significant inhibition of Na,K-ATPase activity (0.061±0.013, 0.080±0.009 and 0.064±0.005 U/mg for 5.6, 8.4 and 11mM glucose, respectively, compared to 0.188±0.035 U/mg observed in 2mM G; n=3-8). β-cells from GI rats does not present this profile; in the absence of glucose, Na,K-ATPase activity was 0.202±0.036 U/mg and no significant differences from this value were observed with the other glucose concentration tested. Addicionally, in β-cells from normal rats, glucose (8mM) induced a time-dependent inhibition, with a biphasic profile, of Na,K-ATPase - it was observed a decrease in the pump activity between 0 and 20min stimulation where it reached a minimum value (77%). For incubation periods over 20min, the pump activity slowly and partially recovered (54%, 55% and 52%, for 30, 60 and 120min, respectively; n=7). In β-cells from GI animals, an less accentuated decrease of Na,K-ATPase activity between 0 ans 20min was also observed (34%), and is not observed further recover in activity. Conclusions: This work demonstrates there Na,K-ATPase is strictly regulated by glucose in pancreatic β-cell. This regulation is unpaired in GI animals. Na,K-ATPase contribution to glucose-induced ionic events and insulin secretion might be relevant and must be explored as a possible therapeutic target in TD2 . 1. Therien AG, Blostein R (2000) Mechanisms of sodium pump regulation. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 279:C541-C566 2. Costa AR, Real J, Antunes CM, Cruz-Morais J (2009) A new approach for determination of Na,K-ATPase activity: application to intact pancreatic beta-cells. In Vitro Cell Dev Biol Ani

Implication of AMPK in glucose-evoked modulation of Na,K-ATPase

Background and aims: Na,K-ATPase is an integral membrane protein that maintains the gradients of Na+ and K+, using the energy of ATP hydrolysis, maintaining the ionic gradients that allow electrical activity to occur. It has been demonstrated that, in pancreatic β-cells, Na,K-ATPase is regulated by glucose and that this phenomenon is impaired in glucose intolerant subjects. However, the mechanism underlying glucose-induced modulation of Na,K-ATPase is still unclear. The AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) is a molecular key player in energy homeostasis, providing exquisite sensitivity to small changes in intracellular AMP levels and thus to intracellular [ATP]/[ADP] ratio, that is known to activate protein regulatory pathways. Since in pancreatic β-cell, glucose has marked effects on oxidative metabolism and total intracellular ATP and AMP levels, the involvement of AMPK in the cascade of events regulating Na,K-ATPase regulation in pancreatic β-cells was postulated. The aim of this work was to evaluate the putative role of AMPK in the glucose-evoked regulation of Na,K-ATPase activity in the pancreatic β-cell. Materials and methods: Pancreatic -cells from normal (control) or glucose-intolerant Wistar rats (GIR) were isolated and cultured (48h). Cell batches were pre-incubated (30min) with 2.1mM glucose to reach basal activity. Afterwards cells were challenged to 8.4mM glucose for 20min, in the presence or absence of AMPK agonists (AICAR) and antagonists (compound C; CC). ATPase activity was assessed in intact cells by colorimetric quantification of Pi formed in 30min. Na,K-ATPase activity was calculated by the difference between the activities obtained in the absence and in presence the of 1mM ouabain. Results: In basal conditions the activity of Na,K-ATPase from normal and GIR pancreatic β-cell was similar (0.184±0.030 and 0.186±0.020 molPi/min/mgProt, respectively). Challenging the control β-cells with glucose 8.4mM evoked a 62% reduction of Na,K-ATPase activity whereas in GIR β-cells a significantly lower inhibition (40%) was observed. The addition of AICAR 1mM abolished glucose-induced Na,K-ATPase inhibition (0,166±0.011 molPi/min/mg). In control β-cell, the addition of CC 10 μM had no effect on glucose-induced inhibition of Na,K-ATPase. In the contrary, in GIR β-cells it significantly potentiated glucose-evoked inhibition of Na,K-ATPase reaching values similar to that observed in the controls (66%). Conclusions: The AMPK agonist AICAR counteracts the inhibitory action of glucose on Na,K-ATPase of control β-cells whereas CC amplified the glucose-induced inhibition of Na,K-ATPase in GIR β-cells. These results suggest that AMPK plays a central role in the cascade of events underlying glucose-induced modulation of Na,K-ATPase and that the defect must be upstream of AMPK. Finally, abnormal glucose-induced regulation of Na,K-ATPase occurs prior to overt type 2 diabetes and might be a feature in the disease development

Looking for the Core of a Knowledge-based Sea Cluster: A Social Network Analysis in a Maritime Region

For more than two decades cluster policies have emerged as a central focus for decision-makers trying to instigate territorial development. The benefits, especially in terms of collective learning, knowledge sharing and other types of agglomeration economies and spill-over effects, are well stressed in the regional science literature. Today the relevance of maritime activities and marine resources to economic development is acknowledged. For several European countries, the Atlantic Ocean is part of their common history, identity and potential for developing advanced economic niches of excellence. There is no surprise that several regions are trying to implement their development strategies based on a broad Sea Cluster notion that encompasses a diversity of economic activities such as fisheries and aquaculture, coastal tourism, marine transports and activities based on marine sciences and maritime technologies. Based on the results of a trans-regional evaluation performed for the Atlantic Area under project KIMERAA, this paper evaluates the consolidation of the Sea Cluster in the Algarve, a Portuguese region internationally known by its coastal tourism. The region has also been experiencing a growing capacity in economic activities linked to marine sciences. This regional cluster did not emerge spontaneously and there are several initiatives to promote it. Interviews to regional actors showed light on two important issues. i) Which organization should be the main mediator to bridge science to market? ii) Who is the actor that is in a better position to assume a pivotal role in the formal consolidation of the cluster? Using social network analysis the main knowledge transfer mediator and the central actors are identified. Their roles and specific policy implications are underlined.

Effects of COVID-19 in the Status of Childhood Obesity in the United States: A Literature Review

Introduction: The main hypothesis is that COVID-19 affects the prevalence of childhood obesity in the United States due the precautions needed to contain the pandemic. Methods: The methods used in this semi-systematic literature review includes web-based research from the following sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Google Scholar, ResearchGate, and EBSCOhost. The search was limited to children ages 5 to 19 years old with diagnosed obesity. Results: The review found that COVID-19 pandemic has greatly increased the rate of childhood obesity in the United States due to changes in diet, increased screen time, and less physical activity. Discussion: There are several discussions that pertain to childhood obesity during this pandemic, however, there is very little discussion on how to combat this issue. There are also several children’s hospital weight management programs that aim to educate children and parents, but change is first needed from the personal and interpersonal level.https://digitalcommons.odu.edu/gradposters2022_gradschool/1005/thumbnail.jp

Gjær (Cyberlindnera jadinii): en alternativ protein kilde i grise-og fjørfefôr

The demand for food protein sources continues to increase rapidly along with the World population. Consequently, the European livestock industry requires a growing supply of feed protein to meet these demands. Furthermore, the European Commission and the United Nations have advised the implementation of sustainable measures in this field. Protein-rich ingredients currently used in European livestock feed, such as soybean meal, fish meal, and rapeseed meal, have all been associated with sustainability issues. Developing alternative and locally-produced protein sources can mitigate the pressure of protein imports to Europe, and especially to Northern Europe, where the capacity to produce protein is limited by the harsh climate. Microbial ingredients such as yeast can be grown on a variety of sugars produced from lignocellulosic biomass, independently of arable land and atmospheric conditions. Recently, Cyberlindnera jadinii yeast (previously classified as Candida utilis) grown on local lignocellulosic sugars, has shown potential to replace conventional protein sources in diets for pigs and broiler chickens, but little is known of its effects on the growth and digestive performance of these animals. Three experiments were, therefore, conducted to evaluate the effects of replacing soybean meal, fish meal and rapeseed meal with graded levels of C. jadinii in pig (Exp. 1 and 2) and poultry diets (Exp. 3), on growth performance, digestive function, and utilization of protein and energy in young pigs and broiler chickens. C. jadinii was grown on second-generation sugars obtained from lignocellulosic biomass of Norway spruce trees (Picea abies) by using the Borregaard advanced lignin (BALI) process. The sugars were used in the growth media for the yeast, as described by Øverland and Skrede (2017) and Sharma et al. (2018a). The experiments described here are reported in Papers I, II and III. In Paper I the effects of dried inactivated C. jadinii replacing conventional protein sources in diets for weaned piglets were evaluated in terms of growth performance and digestive function. Forty-eight piglets weaned at 30 days of age (11.06 ± 0.84 kg initial BW) were fed one of four dietary treatments: a conventional control diet with soybean meal, fish meal, rapeseed meal, and potato protein concentrate or one of three experimental diets containing 10, 20 or 40% CP from C. jadinii (CU10, CU20, and CU40, respectively). Piglets were equally distributed by litter, gender, and BW and allotted to the dietary treatments, with 12 replicates per treatment. Each pig constituted an experimental unit. Adding C. jadinii to diets did not affect piglet growth performance. The CU40 diet had higher apparent total tract digestibility (ATTD) of CP and ash compared with the control diet. The ATTD of neutral detergent fiber was lower in the CU40 diet than in the control. The apparent ileal digestibility (AID) of ash was higher in the CU40 diet compared with the control, while the AID of CP and amino acids were unaffected. Villi height increased in jejunum and ileum, and villus-height: crypt-depth ratio increased in the jejunum of pigs fed the CU40 diet compared with pigs fed the control diet. Fecal dry matter increased linearly with increasing levels of C. jadinii in the diets seven days after weaning and was higher for the pigs fed 40% CP from C. jadinii compared with the control group. Trypsin activity and mRNA expression of genes encoding for nutrient transporters in the jejunum did not differ among diets. In Paper II the protein and energy utilization of the same diets were evaluated in young pigs (16.69 ± 4.45 kg initial BW). Twenty-four intact boars were fed one of the four diets with two pigs per diet per period, during three periods, and a total of six replicates per diet. Each animal constituted an experimental unit. The three periods were divided into a period of adaptation in stables followed by a period of adaptation in balance cages. Each period included an energy and nitrogen balance experiment of four days, including a respiration experiment of 22 h. During the balance period and respiration experiments, the pigs were kept individually, in cages with devices for quantitative collection of feces, urine and feed residues. Individual respiration measurements were performed in open-air-circuit respiration chambers. Growth performance, feed intake, nitrogen, energy metabolism, and apparent total tract nutrient digestibility were similar among dietary treatments. In Paper III, the effects of dietary C. jadinii on growth performance digestive and absorptive capacity of newly-hatched male broiler chickens were evaluated. The dietary treatments consisted of four diets including one control diet based on wheat, oats, maize and SBM, and three diets with 10, 20 and 30% CP from C. jadinii. One-thousand broiler chickens (42.0 ± 0.75 g initial BW) were distributed to 20-floor pens with 50 birds each, constituting five replicates per diet. Growth performance and feed intake linearly decreased with increasing dietary inclusion of C. jadinii, but they were similar between the control diets and diets with 10% CP from C. jadinii. Duodenal crypt depth linearly decreased with increasing amounts of C. jadinii in diets, but ileal villus height was similar between the control diet and diet with 30% yeast protein. Altogether, the results indicate that C. jadinii can replace up to 40% CP in conventional youngpig diets and 10% of CP in broiler chicken diets, in terms of growth performance, feed intake, nitrogen, and energy metabolism, digestive function, and intestinal morphometry.Behovet for protein i matforsyningen øker i takt med den globale befolkningsveksten. Økt kjøttforbruk på grunn av økt kjøpekraft i befolkningen fører også til økt behov for proteinråvarer i fôrindustrien. Tilgangen på fôrproteinråvarer av høy kvalitet og produsert på en bærekraftig og klimavennlig måte er begrenset. Husdyrproduksjonen i Norge og Europa er i dag avhengig av importerte proteinråvarer. Økt selvforsyningsgrad og behovsdekning for bærekraftige fôrproteinråvarer etter EU-kommisjonen og FN (De forente nasjoner) sine anbefalinger er derfor en av de største utfordring i europeisk husdyrproduksjon. Proteinrike råvarer som i dag brukes i europeisk husdyrfôr, for eksempel soyamel, fiskemel og rapsfrø, er alle forbundet med bærekraftsutfordringer. Å utvikle alternative og lokalproduserte proteinråvarer vil redusere behovet for import til Europa, og spesielt til Nord-Europa, der mulighetene for å produsere vegetabilsk protein er begrenset av klimatiske forhold. Mikrobielle råvarer som gjær kan dyrkes på en rekke sukkerarter, uavhengig av jordbruksarealer og klimatiske forhold. Cyberlindera jadinii-gjær (tidligere klassifisert som Candida utilis) dyrket på lokale lignocellulosiske sukkerarter har vist potensial til å kunne erstatte konvensjonelle proteinkilder i fôr til gris og fjørfe når det gjelder protein- og aminosyreinnhold. Imidlertid er kunnskapen om fordøyelighet av næringstoffene i C. jadinii-gjær og effekter på produksjonsresultater mangelfull. Totalt tre dyreforsøk ble derfor utført for å undersøke effekten av å erstatte soyamel, fiskemel og rapsfrø med C. jadinii i fôr til smågris og slaktekylling, på produksjons resultater, fordøyelighet, absorpsjon og utnyttelse av næringsstoffer og energi. C. jadinii ble dyrket på 2. generasjons sukkerarter fra lignocellulosisk biomasse fra Norsk gran (Picea abies) ved bruk av prosessen Borregaard advanced lignin (BALI). Sukkerartene ble brukt som vekstmedium for gjæren som beskrevet av Øverland og Skrede (2017) og Sharma et al. (2018a). Dyreforsøkene er beskrevet og rapportert i artiklene I, II og III. I artikkel I ble effekten av å erstatte konvensjonelle proteinkilder med tørket, inaktivert C. jadinii i fôr til avvent smågris undersøkt med hensyn til produksjonsresultater og fordøyelsesfunksjoner. Førti-åtte smågris, avvent ved 30 dagers alder (11,06 ± 0,84 kg startvekt) ble tildelt fire ulike forsøksfôrblandinger: et konvensjonelt kontrollfôr med soyamel, fiskemel, rapsmel og potetprotein, og tre ulike forsøksfôrblandinger med 10, 20 eller 40% av råproteinet (CP) fra C. jadinii (CU10, CU20 og CU40). Grisene ble fordelt likt etter kull, kjønn og startvekt, med 12 gjentak per behandling. Økende innhold av C. jadinii i forsøksfôret hadde ingen negativ effekt på smågrisens produksjonsresultater, men fordøyelighet og absorpsjon, og gjødselkvaliteten ble forbedret. CU40-forsøksfôret hadde høyere fekal fordøyelighet (ATTD) av CP og aske sammenliknet med kontrollfôret. ATTD av neutral detergent fiber var lavere i CU40-blandingen sammenliknet med kontrollfôret. Den apparent ileale fordøyeligheten (AID) av aske var høyere i CU40-forsøksfôret sammenlignet med kontrollfôret, mens AID for CP og aminosyrer var upåvirket. Villi-høyde økte i jejunum og ileum, og villus-høyde:kryptdybdeforholdet økte i jejunum hos griser som fikk CU40-forsøksfôret sammenliknet med griser som fikk kontrollfôr. Tørrstoff i gjødsel økte lineært med økende nivå av C. jadinii i forsøksfôret sju dager etter avvenning og var høyere hos griser som fikk CU40-forsøksfôret sammenlignet med de som fikk kontrollfôr. Det var ikke forskjeller i trypsinaktivitet og mRNA-uttrykk av gener som koder for næringstransportører i jejunum mellom forsøksfôrbehandlingene. I artikkel II ble utnyttingen av protein og energi for de samme forsøksfôrblandingene beskrevet i artikkel I undersøkt hos ung gris (16,69 ± 4,45 kg startvekt). Tjuefire ukastrerte hanngris ble fordelt på fire forsøksgrupper og ble tildelt en av de fire forsøksfôrblandingene, det vil si totalt seks gjentak per forsøksgruppe. Forsøksperioden omfattet energi- og nitrogenbalansemålinger over fire dager og respirasjonsmålinger over 22 timer. I forsøksperioden var grisene i individuelle bur med kvantitativ oppsamling av avføring, urin og fôrrester. Individuelle respirasjonsmålinger ble utført i respirasjonskammer med åpen lufttilførsel. Det ble ikke avdekt effekter av økende innblanding av C. jadinii med hensyn til nitrogen- og energimetabolisme og ATTD av næringsstoffer. I artikkel III undersøkte vi effektene av økende innblanding av C. jadinii i fôr til slaktekylling på produksjonsresultater, fordøyelse og absorbsjonskapasitet. Et kontrollfôr basert på hvete, havre, mais og soyamel ble sammenlignet med tre ulike forsøksfôrblandinger der 10, 20 og 30% av CP kom fra C. jadinii. Ett tusen slaktekyllinger (startvekt 42,0 ± 0,75 g) ble fordelt på 20 binger med 50 kyllinger i hver binge, totalt fem gjentak per behandling.Vi fant en lineær reduksjon i fôropptak og produksjonsresultater med økende innhold av gjær i forsøksfôret. Imidlertid var det ingen forskjeller i fôropptak og produksjonsresultater mellom kyllinger som fikk tildelt kontrollfôr sammenlignet med kyllinger som fikk forsøksfôr med 10% av CP fra C. jadinii. Kryptdybden målt i duodenum ble redusert lineært med økende mengde C. jadinii i forsøkfôret. Imidlertid var villus-høyden målt i ileum den samme hos kyllinger som fikk kontrollfôr sammenlignet med de som fikk forsøksfôr med 30% gjær proteinet. Samlet sett indikerer resultatene at C. jadinii kan erstatte opptil 40% av CP i smågrisfôr og 10% av CP i slaktekyllingfôr uten negative effekter på fôropptak, produksjonsresultater, nitrogenog energiforbruk, fordøyelse og absorpsjon samt tarmmorfometri.Felleskjøpet Fôrutvikling A

Paulo and Nita: Sharing life, love and intellect – An introduction

(no abstract available