Development of Prediction Models for the Pasting Parameters of Rice Based on Near-Infrared and Machine Learning Tools

Funding Information: Funding for this research was received from TRACE-RICE—Tracing rice and valorizing side streams along with Mediterranean blockchain, grant no. 1934 (call 2019, Section 1 Agrofood)—of the PRIMA Program supported under Horizon 2020, the European Union’s Framework Program for Research and Innovation. This work was also supported by FCT, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology through the R&D Unit, UIDB/04551/2020 (GREEN-IT, Bioresources for Sustainability) and project UIDB/04033/2020. P.S. Sampaio acknowledges the financial support of the postdoctoral research grant included in this project RECI/AGR-TEC/0285/2012, BEST-RICE-4-LIFE project. Publisher Copyright: © 2023 by the authors.Due to the importance of rice (Oryza sativa) in food products, developing strategies to evaluate its quality based on a fast and reliable methodology is fundamental. Herein, near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy combined with machine learning algorithms, such as interval partial least squares (iPLS), synergy interval PLS (siPLS), and artificial neural networks (ANNs), allowed for the development of prediction models of pasting parameters, such as the breakdown (BD), final viscosity (FV), pasting viscosity (PV), setback (ST), and trough (TR), from 166 rice samples. The models developed using iPLS and siPLS were characterized, respectively, by the following regression values: BD (R = 0.84; R = 0.88); FV (R = 0.57; R = 0.64); PV (R = 0.85; R = 0.90); ST (R = 0.85; R = 0.88); and TR (R = 0.85; R = 0.84). Meanwhile, ANN was also tested and allowed for a significant improvement in the models, characterized by the following values corresponding to the calibration and testing procedures: BD (Rcal = 0.99; Rtest = 0.70), FV (Rcal = 0.99; Rtest = 0.85), PV (Rcal = 0.99; Rtest = 0.80), ST (Rcal = 0.99; Rtest = 0.76), and TR (Rcal = 0.99; Rtest = 0.72). Each model was characterized by a specific spectral region that presented significative influence in terms of the pasting parameters. The machine learning models developed for these pasting parameters represent a significant tool for rice quality evaluation and will have an important influence on the rice value chain, since breeding programs focus on the evaluation of rice quality.publishersversionpublishe

Intergenerational Perspectives on Media and Fake News During Covid-19: Results From Online Intergenerational Focus Groups

This article reflects on intergenerational perspectives on media habits and fake news during Covid-19. Active participation is closely linked to the citizens’ media literacy competencies. Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, inequalities in access, use, and understanding of the information conveyed by the media became more evident. Digital skills are essential to encourage co-learning and active ageing among different generations. This article relies on data collected during two online intergenerational focus groups with family pairs of different ages (grandparents and grandchildren) conducted in Portugal in the context of the European project SMaRT-EU. The focus groups addressed subjects such as news, fake news, critical perspective towards social networks and digital communication, and younger and older people’s perspectives regarding these matters. The thematic analysis of the Portuguese data suggests that, by placing grandparents and grandchildren side by side, the online intergenerational focus groups promoted sharing and exchange of knowledge, valuing the intergenerational encounter and the voices of one of society’s most fragile groups. Data also shows that participants have different perspectives on communication and digitally mediated interaction, mainly related to age factors and media literacy skills. As for fake news, although grandparents and grandchildren show awareness of the phenomenon, for the youngest participant it was complex to identify characteristics or the spaces where they are disseminated. The young adult participant was the most proficient and autonomous digital media user. Results further indicate that, although the online environment contributed to continuing research in times of pandemic, bringing together family members with different media literacy skills and ages poses difficulties related to the recruitment of participants

Evaluation of lung function abnormalities prevalence in poultry workers

Introduction - Poultry workers can be at an increased risk of occupational respiratory diseases, like asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and extrinsic allergic alveolitis. Spirometry screening is fundamental to early diagnosis trough the identification of related ventilatory defects. Purpose - We aimed to assess the prevalence of lung function abnormalities in poultry workers

Rice Compounds with Impact on Diabetes Control

2020.09555BD UIDB/04551/2020 CEEC/04567/CBIOS/2020 PTDC/BIA-MOL/31104/2017 UIDB/04567/2020 UIDP/04567/2020Rice is one of the most cultivated and consumed cereals worldwide. It is composed of starch, which is an important source of diet energy, hypoallergenic proteins, and other bioactive compounds with known nutritional functionalities. Noteworthy is that the rice bran (outer layer of rice grains), a side-stream product of the rice milling process, has a higher content of bioactive compounds than white rice (polished rice grains). Bran functional ingredients such as γ-oryzanol, phytic acid, ferulic acid, γ-aminobutyric acid, tocopherols, and tocotrienols (vitamin E) have been linked to several health benefits. In this study, we reviewed the effects of rice glycemic index, macronutrients, and bioactive compounds on the pathological mechanisms associated with diabetes, identifying the rice compounds potentially exerting protective activities towards disease control. The effects of starch, proteins, and bran bioactive compounds for diabetic control were reviewed and provide important insights about the nutritional quality of rice-based foods.publishersversionpublishe

Contribution for the characterisation of Carolino rice cultivars

Rice is consumed mainly as whole grain, and quality considerations are much more important than for any other food crop. Rice grain quality preference varies from country to country and among regions. Most of the rice produced in Portugal is of the Carolino type, botanically classified as Oryza sativa ssp. Japonica. Nowadays, this rice is playing a vital role in Portuguese rice trading. Thirteen types of Carolino rice were collected and analysed for biometry characteristics, amylose content and gelatinization properties. The Carolino rices are commercially classified as long grains type-A, because they present a length higher than 6 mm and the ratio length/width lower than 3 mm), and there was observed a high variability in biometric measurements. This type of rice showed a high level of plastered area, meaning low vitrea aspect. The amylose content varied from 9.4% and 15.2%, with an average of 12.4%, meaning that Carolino rice presented low value, i.e. that the rice with low amylose content is dry, less tender and hard after cooking, also showing volume expansion and a high degree of flakiness. Carolino rice flours showed significant differences of RVA viscosity profiles. Generally they presented significant differences in the pasting temperature, but similar pasting peak temperature, 95ºC. It was also observed that the different types of Carolino rice flours showed high viscosities (minimum of 2872 cP and maximum 3797 cP), as well as great differences in breakdown and setback values

Contribution for the characterization of carolino rice cultivars

The objective of this work was to evaluate the grain biometric characteristics of 62 rice cultivars, which cover Indica and Japonica subspecies, and different types of commercial rice like, Agulha (Indica rice cultivars), Carolino (Japonica cultivars), aromatic (basmati and thai), integral rice, risotto, glutinous (waxy), wild and parboiled rice. It was noticed that for the same group type of rice there are a great variance. Generally, the Agulha, Aromatic and Integral rices commercialized in Portuguese trade are long (length high than 6 mm and length/width ratio higher than 3) and risotto cultivars are medium size. The two studied glutinous rice cultivars presented one cultivar long and other cultivar round (length lower than 5 mm and length/width ratio lower than 1.9). All rice cultivars presented high values of white vitreous, total whiteness, and low percentage of chalky area, presenting a crystalline and translucent aspect, but there is an exception to integral rice cultivars due to absence of polish operation during the milling process and for parboiled rice cultivars due to the effects of parboiled treatment. Moreover the vitreous percentage was also high. There was a strong correlation between the white vitreous values and total whiteness

Organização do espaço em sala e o seu papel na aprendizagem das crianças.

Relatório da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada apresentada no ISPA – Instituto Universitário/ ESEI Maria Ulrich para obtenção de grau de Mestre em Educação Pré-EscolarO presente relatório foi elaborado no âmbito da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada realizada numa sala de Ensino Pré-Escolar, com um grupo de crianças entre os 4 e os 5 anos. Este trabalho, procura dar resposta à temática da organização do espaço educativo, identificando quais as hipóteses de melhoria relativamente à organização e disposição dos materiais presentes em sala. Em Educação Pré-Escolar, a grande maioria das salas estão organizadas por áreas, desta forma é importante conhecer as áreas preferenciais por parte das crianças. No entanto desta fase crucial do desenvolvimento das crianças, é importante que as mesmas sejam estimuladas a experimentar todas as áreas presentes em sala. Desta forma foi feita uma análise reflexiva sobre a importância da organização do espaço e de que forma se podiam dinamizar as áreas menos utilizadas pelas crianças de forma a estimular a sua utilização. O presente estudo, foi desenvolvido de acordo com a metodologia qualitativa, desenvolvendo uma abordagem de intervenção-ação, tendo utilizado diversos registos, nomeadamente, notas de campo, registo fotográfico, realização de uma entrevista à Educadora Cooperante e outra entrevista às crianças, que permitiram realizar a minha intervenção. Os resultados obtidos permitem afirmar que na maioria dos casos, ao escutar os interesses das crianças, é possível dinamizar as áreas menos utilizadas de forma a estimular a utilização das mesmas.ABSTRACT: This report is the result of the Supervised Teaching Practice in a Pre-school Educational room, with a group of children between four and five years old. This work aims to approach the theme of the organization of the educational space, identifying the hypothesis of improvement the organization and disposition of the materials present in the room. In Pre-School Education, the vast majority of classroom are organized by areas, so it is important to know the preferred areas for the children. However, at this stage of learning it is important that they are encouraged to experiment all areas present in the classroom. In that way was made a reflexive analyze about the importance of the classroom organization, and what was need to improve areas that is not so preferred for the children. The present study was developed according to the qualitative methodology, developing an action-intervention approach, using several records, namely, field notes, photographic record, interview with Cooperative Educator and another interview with children, which allowed to make this work. The results show that in most cases, when listening to children's interests, it is possible to stimulate the less used areas in order to stimulate their us

Identificação de moléculas e processos que regulam os erros de tradução em Candida albicans

Mestrado em Biologia Molecular e CelularCandida albicans is the major fungal pathogen in humans, causing diseases ranging from mild skin infections to severe systemic infections in immunocompromised individuals. The pathogenic nature of this organism is mostly due to its capacity to proliferate in numerous body sites and to its ability to adapt to drastic changes in the environment. Candida albicans exhibit a unique translational system, decoding the leucine-CUG codon ambiguously as leucine (3% of codons) and serine (97%) using a hybrid serine tRNA (tRNACAGSer). This tRNACAGSer is aminoacylated by two aminoacyl tRNA synthetases (aaRSs): leucyl-tRNA synthetase (LeuRS) and seryl-tRNA synthetase (SerRS). Previous studies showed that exposure of C. albicans to macrophages, oxidative, pH stress and antifungals increases Leu misincorporation levels from 3% to 15%, suggesting that C. albicans has the ability to regulate mistranslation levels in response to host defenses, antifungals and environmental stresses. Therefore, the hypothesis tested in this work is that Leu and Ser misincorporation at CUG codons is dependent upon competition between the LeuRS and SerRS for the tRNACAGSer. To test this hypothesis, levels of the SerRS and LeuRS were indirectly quantified under different physiological conditions, using a fluorescent reporter system that measures the activity of the respective promoters. Results suggest that an increase in Leu misincorporation at CUG codons is associated with an increase in LeuRS expression, with levels of SerRS being maintained. In the second part of the work, the objective was to identify putative regulators of SerRS and LeuRS expression. To accomplish this goal, C. albicans strains from a transcription factor knock-out collection were transformed with the fluorescent reporter system and expression of both aaRSs was quantified. Alterations in the LeuRS/SerRS expression of mutant strains compared to wild type strain allowed the identification of 5 transcription factors as possible regulators of expression of LeuRS and SerRS: ASH1, HAP2, HAP3, RTG3 and STB5. Globally, this work provides the first step to elucidate the molecular mechanism of regulation of mistranslation in C. albicans.Candida albicans é o fungo patogénico mais predominante em humanos, causando doenças que podem variar entre ligeiras infeções de pele a infeções sistémicas severas em pacientes imunodeprimidos. A natureza patogénica deste organismo deve-se principalmente à capacidade de proliferação em vários locais do corpo humano e à sua capacidade de adaptação a mudanças drásticas no seu ambiente. Candida albicans exibe um sistema de tradução único, descodificando o codão de leucina CUG ambiguamente como leucina (3% dos codões) e serina (97%). Para tal usa um tRNA híbrido de serina (tRNACAGSer) que é aminoacilado por duas aminoaciltRNA sintetases (aaRSs): leucil-tRNA sintetase (LeuRS) e seril-tRNA sintetase (SerRS). Trabalhos anteriores mostraram que a exposição de C. albicans a macrófagos, stress oxidativo, pH e antifúngicos aumenta os níveis de ambiguidade de 3% a 15%, sugerindo que C. albicans tem a capacidade de regular os níveis de erros de tradução em resposta às defesas do hospedeiro, antifúngicos e stress ambiental. Desta forma, a hipótese testada neste trabalho é a de que a variável incorporação de Leu e Ser nos codões CUG é dependente da competição entre LeuRS e SerRS pelo tRNACAGSer. Para testar esta hipótese, os níveis de SerRS e LeuRS foram indiretamente quantificados em diferentes condições fisiológicas, usando um sistema repórter fluorescente que determina a atividade dos respetivos promotores. Os resultados sugerem que o aumento de incorporação de leucina em codões CUG está associado a um aumento da expressão de LeuRS, sendo mantidos os níveis de SerRS. Na segunda parte do trabalho, pretendeu-se identificar possíveis reguladores da expressão da SerRS e LeuRS. Para tal, uma coleção de estirpes de C. albicans com fatores de transcrição deletados foram transformadas com o sistema repórter fluorescente, de forma a quantificar a expressão das duas aaRSs. Alterações no rácio LeuRS/SerRS em estirpes deletadas relativamente à estirpe não deletada permitiram identificar 5 fatores de transcrição como possíveis reguladores da expressão destas duas aaRSs: ASH1, HAP2, HAP3, RTG3 e STB5. Globalmente, este trabalho constitui o primeiro passo para elucidar o mecanismo molecular de regulação de erros de tradução em C. albican

Ecological Effects of Non-Timber Forest Products Harvest and Trade: a Systematic Review

Trade of non-timber forest products (NTFP) is a strategy that combines socioeconomic development with activities of low environmental impact. However, evidence suggests that harvesting these resources can produce negative ecological effects. This article identified the most common effects through a systematic literature review of empirical studies. Articles were previously evaluated against four criteria of inclusion, and were then classified according to the plant part harvested and the effects on 15 parameters at different levels of the biological organization. The results indicated that negative ecological effects are common, especially when harvesting barks and leaves in large volumes, although null and positive effects may also be observed. The parameters most frequently affected were population size; modifications in plant parts; age structure; probability of survival, and species richness. The evidence that NTFP harvest can cause significant ecological impacts calls for a need of monitoring and management systems.A comercialização de produtos florestais não madeireiros (PFNM) é considerada estratégia que combina o desenvolvimento socioeconômico com baixo impacto ambiental. Porém, evidências demonstram que a exploração desses recursos pode provocar efeitos ecológicos negativos. Este estudo identificou os efeitos mais frequentes por meio de revisão sistemática de estudos empíricos, previamente submetidos a quatro critériosde inclusão e depois classificados conforme o tipo de PFNM explorado e os efeitos da exploração sobre 15 parâmetros em diferentes escalas biológicas. Os resultados indicaram que efeitos ecológicos negativos são frequentes, especialmente para a extração de cascas e folhas em grandes volumes, embora no curto prazo os efeitos possam ser nulos ou positivos. Os parâmetros mais frequentemente afetados foram: tamanho populacional; alterações nas partes vegetais; distribuição de classes de tamanho; probabilidade média de sobrevivência e riqueza de espécies. A constatação de que a atividade pode provocar efeitos ecológicos significativos evidencia a necessidade de sistemas de monitoramento e manejo

Comparative Analysis of Maize Physico-Chemical Parameters and Mycotoxin Levels in Dual Environments

Maize (Zea mays L.) stands as a vital staple food globally, holding significant nutritional and economic value. However, its susceptibility to mycotoxin contamination under stressful environmental conditions poses a considerable concern. This study aimed to assess the quality and pasting characteristics of maize varieties across two distinct regions and examine the occurrence of mycotoxins influenced by climatic factors. Five maize varieties were cultivated in triplicate in the Goleg & atilde; and Coruche regions. The nutritional composition (protein, fat, fiber, ash, starch, and lutein), pasting properties, and mycotoxin levels were evaluated. A statistical analysis revealed notable differences in the nutritional profiles of the maize varieties between the two regions, particularly in the protein and lutein content. The peak viscosity ranged from 6430 to 8599 cP and from 4548 to 8178 cP in the maize varieties from the Coruche and Goleg & atilde; regions, respectively. Additionally, a significant correlation was observed between the climatic conditions and the grain nutritional quality components (p < 0.05). The M variety showed the highest ash content, protein content, final viscosity, and setback viscosity and the lowest peak viscosity. The Y variety revealed the lowest fat, fiber, and lutein content and the maximum peak viscosity. The incidence of mycotoxins was notably higher in the varieties from Coruche, which was potentially attributable to higher temperatures and lower precipitation levels leading to more frequent drought conditions. Fumonisin B1 was detected in 58% of the varieties from Coruche and 33% of the samples from Goleg & atilde;, while deoxynivalenol was found in 87% and 80% of the varieties from Coruche and Goleg & atilde;, respectively. The H variety, which was harvested in Coruche, exhibited the highest number of fumonisins and higher amounts of protein, lutein, and fat, while fumonisins were not detected in the Goleg & atilde; region, which was potentially influenced by the precipitation levels. The K variety revealed higher protein and lutein contents, a lower amount of fat, excellent pasting properties (a higher peak viscosity and holding strength and a lower peak time), and no fumonisins B1 or B2. This variety may be considered well adapted to higher temperatures and drier conditions, as verified in the Coruche region. In conclusion, our study underscored the profound impact of environmental factors on the quality and occurrence of mycotoxins in maize varieties.This research was funded by the National Funds by Rural Development Program through the operational group QUALIMILHO-new sustainable integration strategies that guarantee quality and safety in the national maize, PDR2020 no. 101-031295 (2017-2020). This work was also supported by FCT, the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, through the R&D unit, to GREEN-IT, Bioresources for Sustainability (UIDB/04551/2020), and CIMO (UIDB/00690/2020 and UIDP/00690/2020). This research was also funded by PT national funds (FCT/MCTES, Fundacaopara a Ciencia e Tecnologia and Ministerio da Ciencia, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) through the grant UIDB/00211/2020.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio