Identification of proteaginous pea cultivars (Pisum sativum L.) using microsatellites molecular markers

Abstract: Conventionally morphological descriptors are routinely used for establishing the identity of varieties. This kind of descriptors has some disadvantages, namely most of them are quantitative, controlled by several pairs of genes, and their expression is influenced by environmental factors. Molecular markers have a potential to facilitate this procedure, increase the reliability of decisions, and substantially save the time and space needed for experiments. In this study we intended to identify 20 cultivars of proteaginous pea (Pisum sativum L.), registered in the Community Catalog of Varieties, by microsatellites molecular markers. After DNA extraction, seven different loci were analyzed. PCR amplifications were conducted and the resulting fragments were separated on an 3,5% MS-8 agarose gel in TBE buffer, at 90V/h. The gels were analyzed for the presence/ absence of bands and a table with binary code was made. The data were processed with the statistical software NTSYS-pc, using the SIMQUAL module and Jaccard similarity coefficient, followed by UPGMA cluster analysis. With the analysis of six polymorphic loci was possible to distinguish almost all of cultivars. The most informative loci were AD61 and AB53. The cluster analysis of SSR markers separated the pea genotypes into two distinct clusters. The first cluster included the five cultivars: Isard, Cartouche, Audit, Corrent and James. The second cluster included the remaining fifteen cultivars and was further divided in two subclusters. The first subcluster had the Portuguese genotype Grisel and second subcluster contained the remaining fourteen cultivars. In this subcluster Ideal and Alezan had 100 percent similarity. There was a low number of heterozygous loci which is consistent with the nature of self pollinated species. The results showed a high potential and resolving power of SSR markers in distinctness assessment. SSR markers might also be useful in Pisum sativum L. germplasm management and genetic diversity studies.The present study was financially by the EU within the POCTEP – “Programa Operacional de Cooperação Transfronteiriça Espanha - Portugal”, Project 0186_AGROCELE_3_E

The incompatible behaviour of gold in reduced magmas : a working hypothesis

O ouro apresenta comportamento distinto ao longo da evolução magmática, de acordo com a fO2 do magma. Em condições oxidantes, caracterizadas pela presença de magnetite como a principal fase de óxido de Fe-Ti, a concentração de ouro em rochas plutóinicas diminui com a diferenciação. No entanto, em condições redutoras, caracterizadas pela predominância de ilmenite, a concentração de ouro em rochas plutónicas aumenta com a diferenciação. Neste trabalho, comparam se as estruturas das fases de óxido de Fe-Ti (magnetite e ilmenite) com os possíveis iões de ouro (auroso, Au+; e aurico, Au3+). É formulada a hipótese de sob condições mais oxidantes ocorrer ouro aurico que, devido a ter um raio iónico similar ao ferro ferroso e, até certo ponto, férrico, é facilmente incorporado na magnetite que vai cristalizando, pelo que a magnetite actua como um sumidouro para o ouro e leva à sua progressiva remoção do magma. Sob condições mais redutoras, o único ião de ouro presente é o auroso que, devido ao seu grande raio iónico, não é passível de ser incorporado na ilmenite (nem possivelmente na magnetite). Deste modo, o ouro comporta se como um elemento incompatível e tende a acumular se em fluidos tardios, ficando disponível para levar à formação de mineralizações auríferas

Examining the neighborhood environment walkability scale in a sample of college students: Psychometric testing and predictive analysis

Background: Despite the known benefits of physical activity (PA), physical inactivity levels have grown over the last years. Since most individuals in developed countries rely on their private cars for transportation, the promotion of active modes of transport, such as walking or cycling, is a possible and viable strategy to encourage active living among workers and students. Evidence supports the important role of the built environment in the modulation of PA and active commuting patterns. However, the role of the built environment in quality of life is less clear. Methods: The main purpose of the present study is to adapt and validate the NEWS-A, one of the most popular measures of perceived neighborhood environment, in a sample of Portuguese college students (NEWS-A-PT). A CFA was conducted, in order to examine the factorial structure of the mentioned instrument. This study also aims to explore how perceived neighborhood environment characteristics relate to PA and quality of life. Results: In general, the NEWS-A-PT displayed acceptable levels of temporal reliability, and the revised 32-item model provided acceptable fit to the data. Additionally, significant correlations were found between NEWS-A-PT factors and indicators of PA and quality of life. Conclusions: The present study provides empirical support for the validity and reliability of the six-factor and 32-item version of the NEWS-A-PT for Portuguese college students. It also supports the assumption that perceived neighborhood environment characteristics are associated with both PA and quality of life.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Conteúdo fossilífero e interpretação paleodeposicional da Formação Alcobaça (Jurássico Superior) na Praia da Gralha (São Martinho do Porto, Portugal)

ABSTRACT: This work aims to carry out a paleontological description of an outcropping Upper Jurassic 65 meters thick sedimentary succession at Gralha Beach, North of São Martinho do Porto in the Lusitanian Basin, that includes mainly reddish to yellowish fine-grained siliciclastics and some interbedded marly layers belonging to the Alcobaça Formation. Detailed facies classification and palaeontological analysis (Micropalaeontology and Ichnology), integrated with Petrography, Calcimetry and X-Ray Diffraction, showed a high-frequency cyclicity and pointed to a deposition in low to very - low energy shallow marine conditions, in a gently dipping, oligotrophic open lagoon linked to a muddy coastal wetland area. This is corroborated by the characteristics of microfossils (calcareous nannofossils, Foraminifera, Ostracoda and Charophyta), Bivalvia, Gastropoda and Echinoderma fragments, Thalassinoides, Ophiomorpha and Rhizocorallium.RESUMO: Este trabalho pretende realizar uma descrição paleontológica de uma sucessão sedimentar do Jurássico Superior da Bacia Lusitânica, com 65 metros de espessura, que aflora na Praia da Gralha (Norte de São Martinho do Porto). Esta pertence à Formação Alcobaça e inclui, principalmente, rochas siliciclásticas de grão fino e coloração avermelhada a amarelada, intercaladas com alguns níveis de argilito, margas e calcários. A integração da classificação das fácies e a análise paleontológica (Micropaleontologia e Icnologia) com petrografia, calcimetria e difração de Raio – X, demonstrou uma ciclicidade de alta frequência e aponta para uma deposição em condições de ambiente marinho raso de baixa a muito baixa energia, num meio de baixo pendor, oligotrófico, de laguna aberta, ligado com uma região costeira pantanosa. Esta interpretação é comprovada pelas características dos microfósseis (Nanofósseis calcários, Foraminifera, Ostracoda e Carofita), bivalves, gastrópodes e fragmentos de equinodermes, Thalassinoides, Ophiomorpha e Rhizocorallium.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exergy cost of mineral resources

Mineral deposits are considered as natural capital whose value can be assessed in exergy terms. Historical industry experience provides evidence that exploitation of mineral deposits and the beneficiation of ores are essentially energy intensive. The persisting decline of the grade of the developed deposits demands increasing exergy replacement and processing costs. The results demonstrate how far processed ores and concentrates are from ideal behaviour, and technologies from reversibility conditions. The exploitation of mineral resources of declining quality for mineral commodities imply a long time trend of increasing mass and exergy inputs spent per unit product output, in line with a law of ‘diminishing returns’ on invested exergy

Thermal Degradation Of Sucralose: A Combination Of Analytical Methods To Determine Stability And Chlorinated Byproducts

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)In the late years, much attention has been brought to the scientific community regarding the safety of sucralose and its industrial applications. Although it is the most used artificial sweetener in foods and pharmaceuticals, many questions still arise on its potential to form chlorinated byproducts in high temperatures, as demonstrated by several recent studies. In the present contribution, we use a combination of differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis coupled with infrared spectroscopy (DSC/TGA/IR), Hot-stage microscopy (HSM) and high-resolution mass spectrometry (HRMS) on samples submitted to water bath at mild temperatures to evaluate a broad spectrum of hazardous compounds formed in the degradation of this product. TGA/IR has revealed that there is effective decomposition in form of CO2 along with the formation of hydrogen chloride and other minor compounds. HSM results have provided accurate information, where the melting of the crystals was observed, followed by decomposition. Chlorinated derivatives, including polychlorinated aromatic hydrocarbons (PCAHs) were also confirmed by HRMS. These findings not only corroborate the suspected instability of sucralose to high temperatures, but also indicate that even exposed to mild conditions the formation of hazardous polychlorinated compounds is observed.5Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)FAPESP [11/50400-0, 14/00084-2

Low-Molecular Weight Metabolites from Polyphenols as Effectors for Attenuating Neuroinflammation

Funding This work has received funding from the European Research Council (ERC) under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 804229. The iNOVA4Health Research Unit (Grant LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007344), which is cofunded by Fundaca̧ o para a Cie ̃ ncia e Tecnologia (FCT)/Ministe ̂ rio da ́ Ciencia e do Ensino Superior, through national funds, and by ̂ FEDER under the PT2020 Partnership Agreement is acknowledged. The authors would like to acknowledge FCT for financial support of R.C. (Grant PD/BD/135492/2018).Age-associated pathophysiological changes such as neurodegenerative diseases are multifactorial conditions with increasing incidence and no existing cure. The possibility of altering the progression and development of these multifactorial diseases through diet is an attractive approach with increasing supporting data. Epidemiological and clinical studies have highlighted the health potential of diets rich in fruits and vegetables. Such food sources are rich in (poly)phenols, natural compounds increasingly associated with health benefits, having the potential to prevent or retard the development of various diseases. However, absorption and the blood concentration of (poly)phenols is very low when compared with their corresponding (poly)phenolic metabolites. Therefore, these serum-bioavailable metabolites are much more promising candidates to overcome cellular barriers and reach target tissues, such as the brain. Bearing this in mind, it will be reviewed that the molecular mechanisms underlying (poly)phenolic metabolites effects, range from 0.1 to <50 μM and their role on neuroinflammation, a central hallmark in neurodegenerative diseases.publishersversionpublishe

High-technology elements for thin-film photovoltaic applications :a demand-supply outlook on the basis of current energy and PV market growths scenarios

On the basis of current energy and photovoltaic market outlooks and scenarios, the total growth rate potential of thin-film photovoltaic (PV) techniques have been analysed and calculated. For the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA) Advanced Scenario [1] total thin-film PV annual production values of 2.4 GWp for 2010, 25 GWp for 2020 and 132 GWp for 2030, were calculated. These values were used to estimate individual annual production for each thin-film technology in order to predict the future thin-film PV material needs for indium, selenium, tellurium, germanium and gallium. Considering global reserve and refinery data, this work also provides estimations on the current static depletion time of these elements. Such estimations are of course an approximation but emphasise that some of the considered elements are highly constrained when assuming steady production rates. This is particularly the case for indium, for which we calculated a static depletion time of 22 years. Selenium and tellurium could be also in danger of running out soon if their consumption increases. This implies that additional efforts are needed in the exploration and evaluation of mineral deposits which can supply these scarce elements such as the deposits of the Iberian Pyrite Belt

Caracterização da actividade apícola no município de Vila Velha de Ródão

O conhecimento dos recursos existentes numa determinada região permite definir objectivos e implementar estratégias com vista à melhoria da qualidade de vida das respectivas populações. A valorização desses recursos possibilitará a dinamização da economia e o desenvolvimento sustentável dos mesmos. Este é um tema que tem merecido, nos últimos anos, a atenção das comunidades locais e regionais de algumas regiões do país. Reveste-se pois de extrema importância a definição e a operacionalização de políticas de desenvolvimento rural que contribuam, de forma eficaz, para uma inversão da tendência de diminuição demográfica que se tem vindo a observar nessas regiões. Contudo, existe um conjunto de aspectos espaciais e sociais que caracterizam o meio rural e lhe conferem uma identidade própria, específica e diferenciada, distinta da realidade urbana. É urgente valorizar os recursos locais, promovendo o desenvolvimento e a comunidade rural (Thirion e Cavaco, 2003). Desde os tempos mais remotos que se tem assistido a uma forte relação do homem com as abelhas. A agricultura desempenhou, através dos tempos, uma importância crucial para o nosso país. Contudo, actualmente, é uma actividade em contínuo declínio, resultado em grande parte das políticas agrícolas implementadas e do êxodo das populações rurais para meios urbanos. Actualmente, ao contrário do que se assistiu noutros tempos, a terra e a agricultura assumem, muitas vezes, uma função de complementaridade de outras actividades numa perspectiva de pluriactividade. Esta situação, além de contribuir directa e/ou indirectamente para a economia familiar, reveste-se também de uma função de previdência, pois constitui um recurso “seguro” contra a aleatoriedade dos ciclos/vínculos profissionais, cada vez mais precários e incertos. A prática apícola constitui uma das múltiplas actividades que podem originar outras fontes de rendimento complementar ou alternativo. O Município de Vila Velha de Ródão, região sobre a qual o estudo incidiu, apresenta boas condições edafo-climáticas para a prática apícola, apresentando uma floração sucessiva e diversificada, promovendo uma riqueza da flora melífera na região. Por outro lado, a actividade apícola apresenta inúmeros benefícios indirectos associados à produção agrícola. Será impensável equacionar a competitividade da nossa agricultura sem a presença de uma actividade apícola que a suporte (GPP, 2007). Todavia, o maior valor que as abelhas acrescentam no ambiente consiste no inquestionável auxílio à polinização, na manutenção dos ecossistemas terrestres, no equilíbrio ecológico da flora e na preservação da biodiversidade (GPP, 2007; Murilhas, 2008). O ordenamento do espaço físico constitui um instrumento necessário para que várias entidades, particularmente as municipais, o utilizem correctamente contribuindo com orientações compatíveis e congruentes ao nível da gestão territorial, para um aproveitamento integrado e economicamente sustentável do espaço rural (Carvalho et al., 2006; GPP, 2007). No decurso deste trabalho foi efectuado um levantamento da flora apícola mais importante no concelho de Vila Velha de Ródão e elaboradas fichas técnicas para servir de ferramenta de apoio aos apicultores e à comunidade em geral. Procedeu-se, ainda, à identificação e referenciação geográfica dos apiários existentes no concelho de Vila Velha de Ródão, geograficamente inserido na zona controlada e sob gestão da Associação de Apicultores do Parque Natural do Tejo Internacional. Com este trabalho é promovida a possibilidade de cruzamento de informações e a melhoria na cartografia, utilizando os dados recolhidos através das análises de mel produzido e/ou de possíveis patologias que possam ocorrer nos apiários. Em síntese, pretende-se identificar as potencialidades deste território nacional ao nível da prática apícola, a fim de dinamizar o sector e fomentar um aproveitamento integrado do espaço rural