Optimization and mechanisms for biodecoloration of a mixture of dyes by Trichosporon akiyoshidainum HP 2023

Trichosporon akiyoshidainum HP2023 is a basidiomycetous yeast isolated from Las Yungas rainforest (Tucumán, Argentina) and selected based on its outstanding textile-dye-decolorizing ability. In this work, the decolorization process was optimized using Reactive Black 5 as dye model. Lactose and urea were chosen as carbon and nitrogen sources through a one-at-time approach. Afterwards, factorial designs were employed for medium optimization, leading to the formulation of a simpler optimized medium which contains in g L−1: lactose 10, yeast extract 1, urea 0.5, KH2PO4 1 and MgSO4 1. Temperature and agitation conditions were also optimized. The optimized medium and incubation conditions for dye removal were extrapolated to other dyes individually and a mixture of them. Dye removal process happened through both biosorption and biodegradation mechanisms, depending primarily on the dye structure. A positive relation between initial inoculum and dye removal rate and a negative relation between initial dye concentration and final dye removal percentages were found. Under optimized conditions, T. akiyoshidainum HP2023 was able to completely remove a mixture of dyes up to a concentration of 300 mg L−1, a concentration much higher than those expected in real effluents.Fil: Martorell, María Martha. Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores, Comercio Internacional y Culto. Direccion Nacional del Antártico; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Rosales Soro, Maria del Milagro. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiologicos; ArgentinaFil: Pajot, Hipolito Fernando. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiologicos; ArgentinaFil: Castellanos, Lucia Ines. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - Tucuman. Planta Piloto de Procesos Industriales Microbiologicos; Argentin

Nutritional prevention of granulomatosis in meagre larvae

Systemic granulomatosis is the most frequent disease in juvenile and adult meagre, but studies regarding the first appearance of granulomas in larvae do not exist. In order to evaluate this, meagre larvae were fed four different feeding regimes as follows: RS and RO (rotifer enriched with Easy DHA Selco or Ori-Green from 3-30 dph, respectively), RAS and RAO (rotifer enriched with Easy DHA Selco or Ori-Green from 3-21 dph and Artemia enriched with Easy DHA Selco or Ori-Green from 12-30 dph, respectively). All treatments were also fed with commercial microdiet from 20-30 dph. At 30 dph weight, length, specific growth rate and survival was significantly higher in Artemia-fed larvae, regardless of the enrichment. Microscopic first appearance of granulomas was observed in 20 dph larvae fed RS and RO. At 30 dph granulomas and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS) values were significantly higher in RS and RO-fed larvae than in RAS and RAO-fed larvae. The results showed that granulomas first appeared in meagre larvae at 20 dph when fed rotifers only. Conversely, a reduced appearance of granulomas and lipid peroxidation occurs when Artemia is included in the feeding sequence reinforcing the hypothesis of a nutritional origin of the systemic granulomatosis

Effect of increasing docosahexaenoic acid content in weaning diets on survival, growth and skeletal anomalies of longfin yellowtail (Seriola rivoliana, Valenciennes 1833)

Five isoproteic (54.8%) and isolipidic (24.1%) microdiets, which varied in their docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) content (0.25, 0.75, 1.64, 1.99 and 3.17%; dw), were manufactured to determine its effects on longfin yellowtail Seriola rivoliana larvae in terms of fish biological performance, whole body fatty acid profile and incidence of skeletal anomalies from 30 dah (11.31 ± 1.79 Total Length, TL) to 50 dah (19.80±0.58 mm TL). The inclusion of dietary DHA up to 3.17% (dw) improved larval resistance to air exposure, although DHA did not significantly affect fish final growth or final survival. Indeed, high levels of dietary DHA (1.99% and 3.17%, dw) tended to increase the incidence of skeletal anomalies in S. rivoliana larvae, albeit no significant differences were observed. Furthermore, the occurrence of severe anomalies such as kyphosis and lordosis, was mainly associated to the larvae fed with the highest levels of dietary DHA. In terms of survival, increasing dietary DHA levels did not significantly affect longfin yellowtail survival rate, despite a tendency for enhanced survival. The results of the present study proved that the inclusion of dietary DHA in inert diets up to a 3.17% (dw) and a DHA/EPA ratio above 3.1 increased the final survival and stress resistance in S. rivoliana larvae

Self-trapping in an array of coupled 1D Bose gases

We study the transverse expansion of arrays of ultracold $^{87}$Rb atoms weakly confined in tubes created by a 2D optical lattice, and observe that transverse expansion is delayed because of mutual atom interactions. A mean-field model of a coupled array shows that atoms become localized within a roughly square fort-like self-trapping barrier with time-evolving edges. But the observed dynamics is poorly described by the mean-field model. Theoretical introduction of random phase fluctuations among tubes improves the agreement with experiment, but does not correctly predict the density at which the atoms start to expand with larger lattice depths. Our results suggest a new type of self-trapping, where quantum correlations suppress tunneling even when there are no density gradients

Supplementation of vitamin E and C prevent granulomatosis in meagre larvae

Systemic granulomatosis has already been reported in meagre larvae with an adequate feeding protocol and enrichment media preventing its appearance in the first weeks of life. Afterwards, the control of this disease could be prevented through nutritional components of the inert food, being the antioxidants the key to success. For this reason, in the present study, meagre larvae were reared from 30 days post hatching (dph) with five isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental microdiets with different levels of vitamin E and C: C- (40 mg kg-1 E, 100 mg kg-1 C), C+ (400 mg kg-1 E, 1,000 mg kg-1 C), Krill (400 mg kg-1 E, 1,000 mg kg-1 C and substitution of fish oil by krill oil), EC (200 mg kg-1 E, 500 mg kg-1 C) and EECC (800 mg kg-1 E, 2,000 mg kg-1 C). Prior to this, larvae were co-fed with rotifers and Artemia following a protocol which prevented the appearance of granulomas, as previously demonstrated. The substitution of fish oil by krill oil significantly increased levels of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 16.6 %) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA, 17.6 %) in meagre, consequently increasing the peroxidation index, which in turn translated into a higher incidence of granulomas. Although even low levels of vitamin E and C (40 mg kg-1 E, 100 mg kg-1 C; C-) allowed the adequate growth of larvae, these levels were not enough to prevent the appearance of granulomas, requiring superior levels of both antioxidant vitamins (800 mg kg-1 E and 2,000 mg kg-1 C) to mitigate systemic granulomatosis. This mitigation was simultaneous with the reduction of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances TBARs content in larvae, which were highly correlated with the appearance of granulomas (R2=0.892, y=0.0446x+0.0756). A strong negative correlation was observed between the dietary levels of vitamin E (y = -0.0098x + 11.174, R2 = 0.8766, p value = 0.019, r = -0.93) and vitamin C (y = -0.0022x + 6.4777, R2 = 0.9278, p value = 0.003, r = -0.96) and the percentage of larvae with granulomas. The results showed that the occurrence of systemic granulomatosis seems to be associated to the larvae peroxidation status, so that high dietary levels of vitamin E and C (800 and 2,000 mg kg-1, respectively; Diet EECC), reduced lipid peroxidation and completely prevented the appearance of granulomas in meagre larvae at 44 dph

Vantagens e limitações do Serious Games no ensino da enfermagem: potencial no contexto pós-COVID-19

The aim was to discuss the advantages and limitations of the Serious Game (SG) in nursing education and its potential in the post-COVID-19 context. It is a theoretical reflection. SGs are games designed to entertain, educate, train and change behavior. As advantages, SGs present the possibility of replication at different and countless times, inserting the student in unusual situations, feedback directed at the student's performance, reduced cost compared to other simulators; use in various devices, entertainment and the practice of clinical reasoning and decision making in a safe and controlled environment. Limitations: lack of knowledge about the method can lead to disinterest; the number of cases students are exposed to; lack of long-term monitoring; the design itself limits the user to the touch or look of the actual experience. In the post-COVID-19 context, new technologies and virtual reality are likely to be essential components of health education. Although there are limitations, when associated with other strategies already disseminated in the classroom, GS has proven to be useful for nursing education. It is essential to disseminate this strategy, so that students arrive more prepared for the real clinical environment.Objetivou-se discorrer sobre as vantagens e limitações do Serious Game (SG) no ensino da enfermagem e seu potencial no contexto pós-COVID-19. Trata-se de uma reflexão teórica. Os SG são jogos desenvolvidos para entreter, educar, treinar e mudar o comportamento. Como vantagens os SG apresentam a possibilidade de replicação em diferentes e incontáveis momentos, inserir o estudante em situações incomuns, feedbacks direcionados à atuação do estudante, custo reduzido se comparados a outros simuladores; utilização em diversos dispositivos, entretenimento e a prática do raciocínio clínico e tomada de decisão em ambiente seguro e controlado. Limitações: o desconhecimento sobre o método pode culminar em desinteresse; o número de casos a que os alunos são expostos; falta de monitoramento a longo prazo; o próprio design limita o usuário quanto ao toque ou olhar da experiência real. No contexto pós-COVID-19, novas tecnologias e a realidade virtual têm grande probabilidade de serem componentes essenciais da formação em saúde. Embora existam limitações, quando associado às demais estratégias já difundidas da sala de aula o SG tem se mostrado útil para o ensino da enfermagem. É fundamental difundir essa estratégia, para que os estudantes cheguem mais preparados ao ambiente clínico real

ESTRATÉGIAS DE ENSINO NA GRADUAÇÃO EM ENFERMAGEM: ESTUDO DESCRITIVO

Objetivo: identificar estratégias de ensino facilitadoras para a formação do Enfermeiro na visão de discentes de enfermagem. Método: estudo quantitativo, descritivo e transversal, realizado em três universidades do sul do Brasil, por questionário semiestruturado, com 258 discentes de Enfermagem, entre março e abril de 2014. Os dados foram analisados por estatística descritiva com frequências absolutas e relativas. Resultados: sobre estratégias de ensino, verificou-se que as facilitadoras da aprendizagem durante aulas teóricas relacionavam-se aos recursos audiovisuais 67 (33,16%), aulas dinâmicas 67 (33,16%), discussão de artigos 60 (29,70%), trabalhos em grupo 47 (23,26%). As estratégias de ensino menos citadas foram: seminários, resumos de aulas anteriores e artigos, estudo de caso. Sobre estratégias facilitadoras, 48 (20%) discentes buscaram outras oportunidades de aprendizado além daquelas oferecidas no currículo da graduação. Conclusões: conclui-se que os discentes consideram múltiplas formas facilitadoras utilizadas como estratégias de ensino, sendo as mais citadas aulas dinâmicas, trabalhos em grupo e problematização.Objetivo: identificar estrategias de enseñanza que sean facilitadoras para la formación del Enfermero en la visión de discentes de enfermería. Método: estudio cuantitativo, descriptivo y transversal, que se realizó en tres universidades del sur de Brasil, por medio de cuestionario semiestructurado, con 258 discentes de Enfermería, entre marzo y abril de 2014. Se analizaron los datos por estadística descriptiva con frecuencias absolutas y relativas. Resultados: acerca de las estrategias de enseñanza, se verificó que las facilitadoras del aprendizaje durante clases teóricas se asociaban a los recursos audiovisuales 67 (33,16%), clases dinámicas 67 (33,16%), discusión de artículos 60 (29,70%), trabajos enequipo 47 (23,26%). Las estrategias de enseñanza menos citadas fueron: seminarios, resúmenes de clases anteriores y artículos, estudio de caso. Sobre estrategias facilitadoras, 48 (20%) discentes buscaron otras oportunidades de aprendizajeademás de aquellas ofrecidas en el currículo de la graduación. Conclusiones: se concluye que los discentes consideran múltiples formas facilitadoras utilizadas como estrategias de enseñanza, siendo las más citadas clases dinámicas, trabajos enequipoy problematización.Objective:To identify teaching strategies that facilitate nurses’ training according to the views of nursing studentsMethod: A quantitative, descriptive and cross-sectional study carried out in three universities in the south of Brazil, through a semi-structured questionnaire, with 258 nursing students, in March and April, 2014. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics using absolute and relative frequencies. Results:Regarding teaching strategies, it was found that the audiovisual resources: 67 (33.16%), dynamic classes: 67 (33.16%), discussion of scientific articles: 60 (29.70%), group work 47 (23.26%) were the strategies that facilitate learning during lecture classes. Less cited teaching strategies included seminars, summaries (students are asked to summarize what they learned in previous classes) and discussion of scientific articles and case studies. On facilitating strategies, 48 (20%) students sought other learning opportunities in addition to those offered in the undergraduate program.Conclusions:It is concluded that the nursing students perceive many facilitating methods as teaching strategies. The strategies most often reported were dynamic classes, group work and problematization

Good optical transparency is not an essential requirement for effective solar water disinfection (SODIS) containers

The efficacy of 10 L polypropylene (PP) transparent jerry cans (TJCs) to inactivate E. coli, MS2-phage and Cryptosporidium parvum via solar water disinfection (SODIS) was tested in well water or general test water under natural sunlight. Food-safe PP was used to manufacture the TJCs and a clarifying agent was added to improve optical transparency in the UV–visible range. 10 L PP TJCs and 2 L polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles were filled with well water, spiked separately with (~106 CFU/mL of E. coli, ~106 PFU/mL of MS2 phage and 5 ×105C. parvum oocysts per litre) and exposed to natural sunlight for 6 h. While the 10 L PP TJC prototype had poorer transparency (UV-B 0.001%, UV-A 4.29%, and visible 92% for TJCs without clarifier and UV-B 1.36%, UV-A 8.01%, and visible 90.01% for TJCs with clarifier) than standard 2 L PET (UV-B 0.72%, UV-A 10–85%, and visible 80–90%); log reduction values (LRVs) > 5, 2 and 0.8 for E. coli, MS2-phage, and C. parvum, respectively, were observed for the TJCs within six hours respectively, which is a minimum standard for drinking water established by the World Health Organisation (WHO). We observed similar inactivation kinetics for all three organisms in PP TJCs and PET bottles despite the poorer optical transparency properties of the SODIS jerry cans. Therefore, for effective SODIS, container optical transparency is not as important as previously believed. We conclude that good visible transparency is not a necessary requirement for containers intended for SODIS use