An application of full cost assessment in the energy sector

This article seeks to evaluate some plants for electricity generation existing in Brazil, among which wind, thermal, hydroelectric and nuclear power, through the Full Cost Assessment tool. Two studies were prepared, the first deals with the analysis of these plants in view of the technical-economic, environmental and social factors. The second study is the analysis of these plants in view of the cost of energy and energy production in the five Brazilian regions - South, Southeast, Midwest, North and Northeast. The final results show that in the first study the wind farm had the highest valuation, so the best option among the others. However, the second study, wind power was the one that obtained the highest valuation for the Northeast Region, and the thermoelectric and hydroelectric plants had the highest valuation for the Southeast Region

Type specimens of Chrysidoidea (Hymenoptera) deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo, Brazil

The present catalogue lists type specimens of Chrysidoidea deposited in the Museu de Zoologia da Universidade de São Paulo (MZSP). The Chrysidoidea collection includes a total of 75 holotypes, 791 paratypes, 2 lectotypes, 1 paralectotype and 5 syntypes of 97 nominal species. All information contained in the labels was compiled and is presented along with additional data taken from the original descriptions, MZSP records and other sources. We present also links to high resolution photographs of holotypes, lectotypes and syntypes uploaded to the Specimage, image database of the Ohio State University

Diversity of Ophioniformes wasps (Hymenoptera: Ichneumonidae) in a Central-West Brazilian Savanna area

This study aimed to assess the diversity, abundance and seasonal dynamics of Ophioniformes wasps collected throughout a year, as recorded in Malaise traps set at the Reserva Ecológica da Universidade Estadual do Mato Grosso do Sul, a Brazilian Savanna area in Aquidauana city, MS. A total of 621 specimens of Ophioniformes belonging to 11 subfamilies, 30 genera and 106 species were sampled. Despite the impressive number of species found, in a pattern of a few relatively abundant species and many rare ones, our data estimate even higher richness, probably between 125 to 165 species in the studied area. The genera Diadegma, Nonnus, Diradops, Meniscomorpha, Syzeuctus, Ophiopterus and Thyreodon are recorded for the first time in Mato Grosso do Sul State. Among the climatic variables evaluated, mean temperature and relative humidity were positively and significantly correlated with richness and abundance. Our data highlights the huge unknown species richness of these parasitoids in Brazil and the need of taxonomic studies efforts in the future

Validation of a method to measure light distortion surrounding a source of glare

Our objective was to validate a new device dedicated to measure the light disturbances surrounding bright sources of light under different sources of potential variability. Twenty subjects were involved in the study. Light distortion was measured using an experimental prototype (light distortion analyzer, CEORLab, University of Minho, Portugal) comprising twenty-four LED arrays panel at 2 m. Sources of variability included: intrasession and intersession repeated measures, pupil size (3 versus 6 mm), defocus (þ0.50) correction for the working distance, angular resolution (15 deg versus 30 deg), temporal stimuli presentation, and pupil size. Size, shape, location, and irregularity parameters have been obtained. At a low speed of presentation of the stimuli, changes in angular resolution did not have an effect on the results of the parameters measured. Results did not change with pupil size. Intensity of the central glare source significantly influenced the outcomes. Examination time was reduced by 30% when a 30 deg angular resolution was explored instead of 15 deg. Measurements were fast and repeatable under the same experimental conditions. Size and shape parameters showed the highest consistency, whereas location and irregularity parameters showed lower consistency. The system was sensitive to changes in the intensity of the central glare source but not to pupil changes in this sample of healthy subjects.This study has been funded by the FEDER through the COMPETE Program and by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology in the framework of projects PTDC/ SAU-BEB/098391/2008, PTDC/SAU-BEB/098392/2008, and the Strategic Project PEST-C/FIS/UI607/2011

Valorization of brewers spent grain using biological treatments and its application in feeds for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax)

Brewers spent grain (BSG) is the main brewery industry by-product, with potential applications in the feed and food industries due to its carbohydrate composition. In addition, the lignocellulosic nature of BSG makes it an adequate substrate for carbohydrases production. In this work, solid-state fermentation (SSF) of BSG was performed with Aspergillus ibericus, a non-mycotoxin producer fungus with a high capacity to hydrolyze the lignocellulosic matrix of the agro-industrial by-products. SSF was performed at different scales to produce a crude extract rich in cellulase and xylanase. The potential of the crude extract was tested in two different applications: -(1) - the enzymatic hydrolysis of the fermented BSG and (2) - as a supplement in aquafeeds. SSF of BSG increased the protein content from 25% to 29% (w/w), while the fiber content was reduced to 43%, and cellulose and hemicellulose contents were markedly reduced to around 15%. The scale-up of SSF from 10 g of dry BSG in flasks to 50 g or 400 g in tray-type bioreactors increased 55% and 25% production of cellulase and xylanase, up to 323 and 1073 U g1 BSG, respectively. The optimum temperature and pH of maximal activities were found to be 55°C and pH 4.4 for xylanase and 50°C and pH 3.9 for cellulase, cellulase being more thermostable than xylanase when exposed at temperatures from 45°C to 60°C. A BoxBehnken factorial design was applied to optimize the hydrolysis of the fermented BSG by crude extract. The crude extract load was a significant factor in sugars release, highlighting the role of hydrolytic enzymes, while the load of fermented BSG, and addition of a commercial -glucosidase were responsible for the highest phenolic compounds and antioxidant activity release. The lyophilized crude extract (12,400 and 1050 U g1 lyophilized extract of xylanase and cellulase, respectively) was also tested as an enzyme supplement in aquafeed for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) juveniles. The dietary supplementation with the crude extract significantly improved feed and protein utilization. The processing of BSG using biological treatments, such as SSF with A. ibericus, led to the production of a nutritionally enriched BSG and a crude extract with highly efficient carbohydrases capable of hydrolyzing lignocellulosic substrates, such as BSG, and with the potential to be used as feed enzymes with remarkable results in improving feed utilization of an important aquaculture fish species.This study was supported by the project “SPO3-Development of innovative sustainable protein and omega-3 rich feedstuffs for aquafeeds, from local agro-industrial by-products”, reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-030377, funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and by the strategic funding of the UIDB/04469/2020 unit. HF and CC were supported by grants SFRH/BD/131219/2017 and SFRH/BPD/114942/2016, respectively, from FCT, MCTES, FSE, and UE under the North Portugal Regional Operational Program (NORTE 2020). José Manuel Salgado was supported by the grant CEB/N2020—INV/01/2016 from Project “BIOTECNORTE—Underpinning Biotechnology to foster the north of Portugal bioeconomy” (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Self-perception of health and cognitive performance in community-dwelling elderly

CONTEXTO: A autopercepção de saúde contempla vários aspectos da saúde física, cognição e capacidade funcional. OBJETIVO: Comparar idosos com e sem evidência de declínio cognitivo/demência quanto a autopercepção de saúde e variáveis sociodemográficas, destacando as variáveis associadas à autopercepção de saúde positiva e negativa dentro destes grupos. MÉTODOS: Noventa e oito idosos residentes na comunidade foram avaliados em visitas domiciliares para este trabalho. A avaliação cognitiva e funcional foi feita por meio da aplicação do Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM), do Teste do Desenho do Relógio (TDR), da Escala de Demência de Blessed (EDB) e do Questionário do Informante de Declínio Cognitivo em Idosos (IQCODE). A autopercepção da saúde foi avaliada por intermédio de um questionário adaptado do Brazil Old Age Schedule. RESULTADOS: Vinte e seis idosos (26%) apresentaram quadro de declínio cognitivo. Autopercepção de saúde negativa e menor participação em atividades físicas e recreativas se associaram significativamente a declínio cognitivo nesta amostra (p = 0,006, p = 0,05, p = 0,03, respectivamente). No grupo de sujeitos sem evidência de declínio cognitivo, a história prévia de eventos cerebrovasculares se relacionou à maior frequência de autopercepção negativa da saúde. CONCLUSÃO: A autopercepção negativa da saúde está relacionada ao provável diagnóstico de demência. Nos idosos com declínio cognitivo, a autopercepção positiva de saúde associa-se a quadros mais graves, refletindo possivelmente menor insight quanto ao estado mórbido.BACKGROUND: The self-perception of health can approach several aspects of physical health, cognition and functional abilities. OBJECTIVE: To compare elderly subjects wit and without evidence of cognitive decline in relation to health self-perception and socio-demographic variables, highlighting the variables associated with positive or negative health self-perception in these groups. METHODS: Ninety eight community-dwelling subjects were assessed in this study. Cognitive and functional abilities were tested using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), the Clock Drawing Test (CDT), the Blessed Dementia Scale (BDS), and the Informant Questionnaire of Cognitive Decline in the Elderly (IQCODE). Self-perception of health evaluation was performed with the use of an adapted questionnaire of the Brazil Old Age Schedule. RESULTS: Twenty-six subjects (26%) had evidence of cognitive decline in this sample. Negative health self-perception and lower levels of physical and leisure activity were significantly associated with cognitive decline in this sample (p = 0.006, p = 0.05, p = 0.03, respectively). In the group of subjects without evidence of dementia, history of cerebrovascular disease was associated with negative health perception. DISCUSSION: Dementia was associated with worse health self-perception evaluation. In addition, elders with evidence of dementia and good health self-perception evaluation had higher IQCODE scores, suggesting lack of judgment regarding health status.Brasil - CapesFapemigPROE

Phytochemical Composition of Extractives in the Inner Cork Layer of Cork Oaks with Low and Moderate Coraebus undatus Attack

The beetle Coraebus undatus, during its larval stage feeds, and excavates galleries on the cork-generating layer of Quercus suber L. trees, seriously affecting the cork quality with significant economic losses for the cork industry. This work compared the composition of the extracts present in the innermost cork layers (the belly) of cork planks from Q. suber trees with low and moderate C. undatus attack in one stand. The total extractives in the inner cork layer from trees with moderate and low C. undatus attacks were similar (on average 22% of the cork mass) with a high proportion of polar compounds (91% of the total extractives). The chemical composition of the inner cork lipophilic extractives was the same in trees infested and free of larvae, with triterpenes as the most abundant family accounting for 77% of all the compounds, predominantly friedeline. The hydrophilic extractives differed on the levels of phenolic compounds, with higher levels in the inner cork extracts of samples from trees with low attack (90.0 mg GAE g1 vs. 59.0 mg GAE g1 of inner cork mass) The potential toxic activity of phenolic compounds may have a role in decreasing the larval feedinginfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Solid-state fermented brewer's spent grain enzymatic extract increases in vitro and in vivo feed digestibility in European seabass

Brewers spent grain (BSG) is the largest by-product originated from the brewery industry with a high potential for producing carbohydrases by solid-state fermentation. This work aimed to test the efficacy of a carbohydrases-rich extract produced from solid-state fermentation of BSG, to enhance the digestibility of a plant-based diet for European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). First, BSG was fermented with A. ibericus to obtain an aqueous lyophilized extract (SSF-BSG extract) and incorporated in a plant-based diet at increasing levels (0control; 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.4%). Another diet incorporating a commercial carbohydrases-complex (0.04%; Natugrain; BASF) was formulated. Then, all diets were tested in in vitro and in vivo digestibility assays. In vitro assays, simulating stomach and intestine digestion in European seabass, assessed dietary phosphorus, phytate phosphorus, carbohydrates, and protein hydrolysis, as well as interactive effects between fish enzymes and dietary SSF-BSG extract. After, an in vivo assay was carried out with European seabass juveniles fed selected diets (0control; 0.1%, and 0.4%). In vitro digestibility assays showed that pentoses release increased 45% with 0.4% SSF-BSG extract and 25% with Natugrain supplemented diets, while amino acids release was not affected. A negative interaction between endogenous fish enzymes and SSF-BSG extract was observed in both diets. The in vivo digestibility assay corroborated in vitro data. Accordingly, the dietary supplementation with 0.4% SSF-BSG increased the digestibility of dry matter, starch, cellulose, glucans, and energy and did not affect protein digestibility. The present work showed the high potential of BSG to produce an added-value functional supplement with high carbohydrases activity and its potential contribution to the circular economy by improving the nutritional value of low-cost and sustainable ingredients that can be included in aquafeeds. © 2021, The Author(s).Te authors thank UNICER, a sof-drink company (Porto, Portugal), for providing the brewer’s spent grain used in this study. Tis study was supported by the project “SPO3-Development of innovative sustainable protein and omega-3 rich feedstufs for aquafeeds, from local agro-industrial by-products”, reference POCI-01- 0145-FEDER-030377, funded by European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) and by strategic funding of UIDB/04423/2020 by UIDB/04469/2020 unit, the BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) through national funds provided by FCT, and under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit. Te H.F. and C.C were supported by grants SFRH/BD/131219/2017 and SFRH/BPD/114942/2016, respectively, from FCT, MCTES, FSE, and UE under the North Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE2020). José Manuel Salgado was supported by Beatriz Galindo contract of Ministry of Education (Spain).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A new pathway for Mannitol metabolism in yeasts suggests a link to the evolution of alcoholic fermentation

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.The yeasts belonging to the Wickerhamiella and Starmerella genera (W/S clade) share a distinctive evolutionary history marked by loss and subsequent reinstatement of alcoholic fermentation mediated by horizontal gene transfer events. Species in this clade also share unusual features of metabolism, namely the preference for fructose over glucose as carbon source, a rare trait known as fructophily. Here we show that fructose may be the preferred sugar in W/S-clade species because, unlike glucose, it can be converted directly to mannitol in a reaction with impact on redox balance. According to our results, mannitol is excreted to the growth medium in appreciable amounts along with other fermentation products such as glycerol and ethanol but unlike the latter metabolites mannitol production increases with temperature. We used comparative genomics to find genes involved in mannitol metabolism and established the mannitol biosynthesis pathway in W/S-clade species Starmerella bombicola using molecular genetics tools. Surprisingly, mannitol production seems to be so important that St. bombicola (and other W/S-clade species) deploys a novel pathway to mediate the conversion of glucose to fructose, thereby allowing cells to produce mannitol even when glucose is the sole carbon source. Using targeted mutations and 13C-labeled glucose followed by NMR analysis of end-products, we showed that the novel mannitol biosynthesis pathway involves fructose-6-phosphate as an intermediate, implying a key role for a yet unknown fructose-6-P phosphatase. We hypothesize that mannitol production contributed to mitigate the negative effects on redox balance of the ancient loss of alcoholic fermentation in the W/S clade. Presently, mannitol also seems to play a role in stress protection.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio