The serotonin 1A receptor modulates the social behaviour within groups of a cooperatively-breeding cichlid.

The neurotransmitter serotonin (5-HT) reduces aggressive behaviour in a number of vertebrates, and the 5-HT1A receptor is known to be involved in this regulation. However, the role of this receptor in the modulation of sociopositive behaviour remains largely unknown. Here we investigated the role of the 5-HT1A receptor in the regulation of aggressive, submissive and affiliative behaviour in the cooperatively-breeding cichlid Neolamprologus pulcher. In two experiments, we performed intramuscular injections of a 5-HT1A agonist (8-OH-DPAT) and antagonist (Way-100635) followed by recordings of social behaviour of injected fish within their social groups. We determined the concentrations and post-injection times when the drugs had the greatest effect on social behaviour. We recorded spontaneous social behaviour in both experiments. In the second experiment we also recorded behaviour after social groups received a territorial challenge by live presentations of either conspecifics or egg predators. The 5-HT1A agonist caused an increase in aggression and a decrease in submission and affiliation, whereas the antagonist had the opposite effects. Thus, the 5-HT1A receptor plays an important regulatory role not only for aggressive but also sociopositive behaviour

Dopamine modulates social behaviour in cooperatively breeding fish.

Dopamine is part of the reward system triggering the social decision-making network in the brain. It has hence great potential importance in the regulation of social behaviour, but its significance in the control of behaviour in highly social animals is currently limited. We studied the role of the dopaminergic system in social decision-making in the cooperatively breeding cichlid fish, Neolamprologus pulcher, by blocking or stimulating the dopaminergic D1-like and D2-like receptors. We first tested the effects of different dosages and timing of administration on subordinate group members' social behaviour within the group in an unchallenging environment. In a second experiment we pharmacologically manipulated D1-like and D2-like receptors while experimentally challenging N. pulcher groups by presenting an egg predator, and by increasing the need for territory maintenance through digging out sand from the shelter. Our results show that the D1-like and D2-like receptor pathways are differently involved in the modulation of aggressive, submissive and affiliative behaviours. Interestingly, the environmental context seems particularly crucial regarding the role of the D2-like receptors in behavioural regulation of social encounters among group members, indicating a potential pathway in agonistic and cooperative interactions in a pay-to-stay scenario. We discuss the importance of environmental information in mediating the role of dopamine for the modulation of social behaviour

Influence of heat pipe operating temperature on exhaust heat thermoelectric generation

Increasingly stringent targets on energy efficiency and emissions, as well as growing vehicle electrification are making attractive the electric recovery of the energy normally wasted through the tailpipe of Internal Combustion Engines. Recent developments in thermoelectrics (TE) may soon make them a viable solution for such applications. This team has been exploring the potential of using TE modules in combination with variable conductance heat pipes for transferring the exhaust heat to the generator with very low thermal resistance and at a constant, prescribed temperature. This passive temperature control eliminates the need for by-pass systems in the event of temperature overshoots. The operating temperature of a generator should be as high as possible in order to maximize the Seebeck effect. However, currently available modules are temperature limited. Moreover, the higher the HP temperature the less the usable thermal power at the exhaust will be (heat can only be transferred to from a hotter to a colder body). The present work assesses both theoretically and experimentally the influence of the HP temperature in the electric output of a thermoelectric generator. A small diesel engine and a generator were tested and it was found that a high HP operating temperature is only limitative for performance in the cases where low exhaust temperature and low engine power are present. In those cases it is possible to estimate an optimal HP temperature in order to maximize power output. The combined use of Seebeck modules and heat pipes was found to be highly advantageous in various ways.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT), FEDER e POFC CompeteMIT Portugal EDAM, Project MOBI-MP

Biomarkers of Presbycusis and Tinnitus in a Portuguese Older Population

Introduction: Presbycusis or age-related hearing loss (ARHL) is a ubiquitous health problem. It is estimated that it will affect up to 1.5 billion people by 2025. In addition, tinnitus occurs in a large majority of cases with presbycusis. Glutamate metabotropic receptor 7 (GRM7) and N-acetyltransferase 2 (NAT2) are some of the genetic markers for presbycusis. Objectives: To explore patterns of hearing loss and the role of GRM7 and NAT2 as possible markers of presbycusis and tinnitus in a Portuguese population sample. Materials and Methods: Tonal and speech audiometry, tinnitus assessment, clinical interview, and DNA samples were obtained from patients aged from 55 to 75 with or without tinnitus. GRM7 analysis was performed by qPCR. Genotyping of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in NAT2 was performed by PCR amplification followed by Sanger sequencing or by qPCR. Results: We screened samples from 78 individuals (33 men and 45 women). T allele at GRM7 gene was the most observed (60.3% T/T and 33.3% A/T). Individuals with a T/T genotype have a higher risk for ARHL and 33% lower risk for tinnitus, compared to individuals with A/A and A/T genotype, respectively. Being a slow acetylator (53%) was the most common NAT2 phenotype, more common in men (55.8%). Intermediate acetylator was the second most common phenotype (35.9%) also more frequent in men (82.6%). Noise exposed individuals and individuals with ‘high frequency’ hearing loss seem to have a higher risk for tinnitus. Our data suggests that allele AT of GRM7 can have a statistically significant influence toward the severity of tinnitus. Conclusion: For each increasing year of age the chance of HL increases by 9%. The risk for ARHL was not significantly associated with GRM7 neither NAT2. However, we cannot conclude from our data whether the presence of T allele at GRM7 increases the odds for ARHL or whether the A allele has a protective effect. Genotype A/T at GRM7 could potentially be considered a biomarker of tinnitus severity. This is the first study evaluating the effect of GRM7 and NAT2 gene in tinnitus

Methodology of integrated evaluation of environmental and occupational risks

Este trabalho insere-se numa óptica de integração dos Sistemas de Gestão. Apresenta uma metodologiaque procura enquadrar a avaliação de riscos das componentes ambiental e ocupacional, no sentido depotenciar sinergias que propiciem a melhoria do desempenho das organizações nestes domínios. Nestesentido, pretende-se contribuir para uma maior integração dos sistemas de gestão ao nível do planeamentodo sistema. É proposto neste artigo uma metodologia simples que visa a determinação simultânea dosimpactes ambientais e os riscos relacionados com a Segurança, Higiene e Saúde Ocupacionais,pretendendo ser um elemento facilitador no tratamento destas temáticas no seio das organizações, emparticular PME.The present paper falls within the approach to management systems integration. A methodology is presented, aiming to frame both environmental and occupational components in risk assessment, potentiating synergies to propitiate improvement in organizational performance in these issues. In this context, this study is intended as a contribution to a greater integration of management systems at planning stage. In the present article, a simple method is proposed to target the simultaneous determination of environmental impacts and risks related to Occupational Safety and Health, thus trying to positioning as a facilitator tool in approaching these matters within organizations, specially small and medium sized enterprises, SMEs

Methodology of integrated evaluation of environmental and occupational risks

Este trabalho insere-se numa óptica de integração dos Sistemas de Gestão. Apresenta uma metodologiaque procura enquadrar a avaliação de riscos das componentes ambiental e ocupacional, no sentido depotenciar sinergias que propiciem a melhoria do desempenho das organizações nestes domínios. Nestesentido, pretende-se contribuir para uma maior integração dos sistemas de gestão ao nível do planeamentodo sistema. É proposto neste artigo uma metodologia simples que visa a determinação simultânea dosimpactes ambientais e os riscos relacionados com a Segurança, Higiene e Saúde Ocupacionais,pretendendo ser um elemento facilitador no tratamento destas temáticas no seio das organizações, emparticular PME.The present paper falls within the approach to management systems integration. A methodology is presented, aiming to frame both environmental and occupational components in risk assessment, potentiating synergies to propitiate improvement in organizational performance in these issues. In this context, this study is intended as a contribution to a greater integration of management systems at planning stage. In the present article, a simple method is proposed to target the simultaneous determination of environmental impacts and risks related to Occupational Safety and Health, thus trying to positioning as a facilitator tool in approaching these matters within organizations, specially small and medium sized enterprises, SMEs

How Does the Level of Physical Activity Influence Eating Behavior? A Self-Determination Theory Approach

Physical activity and diet are two predominant determinants of population health status that may influence each other. Physical activity has been identified as a behavior that may lead to a healthier diet and regulates eating behaviors. This research aimed to investigate how the level of physical activity is associated with the motivation related to eating behaviors and, consequently, the eating style individuals have on a daily basis. This was a cross-sectional study in which participants completed an online questionnaire that assessed the following variables: the level of physical activity, the motivation toward eating behavior, and the type of eating behavior. In total, 440 individuals (180 men and 260 women) who regularly exercised in gyms and fitness centers aged between 19 and 64 years (M = 33.84; SD = 10.09) took part in the study. The data were collected following the Declaration of Helsinki and with the approval of the Ethics Committee of the Polytechnic of Leiria. For the statistical analysis, mean and standard deviations were first calculated, as well as bivariate correlations between all the variables of interest. Then, structural equation model analyses were performed considering the levels of physical activity as the independent variable, motivations toward eating behavior as the mediators, and eating styles as the dependent variables. It was concluded that a greater level of physical activity leads to a more self-determined type of eating regulation, which in turn results in less constricted eating behaviors that are influenced by external factors and emotional factors.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Actinobacteria from arctic and atlantic deep-sea sediments—biodiversity and bioactive potential

The deep-sea covers over 70% of the Earth’s surface and harbors predominantly uncharacterized bacterial communities. Actinobacteria are the major prokaryotic source of bioactive natural products that find their way into drug discovery programs, and the deep-sea is a promising source of biotechnologically relevant actinobacteria. Previous studies on actinobacteria in deep-sea sediments were either regionally restricted or did not combine a community characterization with the analysis of their bioactive potential. Here we characterized the actinobacterial communities of upper layers of deep-sea sediments from the Arctic and the Atlantic (Azores and Madeira) ocean basins, employing 16S rRNA metabarcoding, and studied the biosynthetic potential of cultivable actinobacteria retrieved from those samples. Metabarcoding analysis showed that the actinobacterial composition varied between the sampled regions, with higher abundance in the Arctic samples but higher diversity in the Atlantic ones. Twenty actinobacterial genera were detected using metabarcoding, as a culture-independent method, while culture-dependent methods only allowed the identification of nine genera. Isolation of actinobacteria resulted on the retrieval of 44 isolates, mainly associated with Brachybacterium, Microbacterium, and Brevibacterium genera. Some of these isolates were only identified on a specific sampled region. Chemical extracts of the actinobacterial isolates were subsequently screened for their antimicrobial, anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities. Extracts from two Streptomyces strains demonstrated activity against Candida albicans. Additionally, eight extracts (obtained from Brachybacterium, Brevibacterium, Microbacterium, Rhodococcus, and Streptomyces isolates) showed significant activity against at least one of the tested cancer cell lines (HepG2 and T-47D). Furthermore, 15 actinobacterial extracts showed anti-inflammatory potential in the RAW 264.4 cell model assay, with no concomitant cytotoxic response. Dereplication and molecular networking analysis of the bioactive actinobacterial extracts showed the presence of some metabolites associated with known natural products, but one of the analyzed clusters did not show any match with the natural products described as responsible for these bioactivities. Overall, we were able to recover taxonomically diverse actinobacteria with different bioactivities from the studied deep-sea samples. The conjugation of culture-dependent and -independent methods allows a better understanding of the actinobacterial diversity of deep-sea environments, which is important for the optimization of approaches to obtain novel chemically-rich isolates.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

NIRS and multivariate methods for discrimination of morning glory species at different growth stages

Morning glory species are weeds very common in tropical crops, where they cause direct and indirect damage. The management of these species primarily relies on the application of herbicides, disregarding the growth stage and spatial distribution. Studies addressing new techniques for identifying these species may contribute to the development of proximal sensors for carrying out specific and rational management. Thus, the objective of this work was to use near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and multivariate analysis to discriminate two species of morning glory in three growth stages. NIRS spectra were collected from Ipomoea hederifolia and Merremia aegyptia were collected at three different stages in the spectral range of 4.000 to 10.000 cm-1. PCA and PC-LDA were used to analyze the entire spectrum and specific bands. NIRS associated with PCA and PC-LDA were sufficient to discriminate I. hederifolia and M. aegyptia species and their growth stages. PCA allowed a proper segregation of stages and species when applied individually PC-LDA correctly classified between 90.93 to 100% of species and stages. The best discrimination results were observed in the NIR spectra ranges from 4.500 to 6.000 cm-1 and 4.500 to 6.000 + 6.500 to 7.750 cm-1. This study represents an advance in the research and implementation of NIRS technology to discriminate weed species for the future development of equipment to assist in the adoption and/or performance of a specific management of weeds, capable of contributing to the reduction in the use of herbicides in crops