Scale-up and large-scale production of Tetraselmis sp CTP4 (Chlorophyta) for CO2 mitigation: from an agar plate to 100-m(3) industrial photobioreactors

Industrial production of novel microalgal isolates is key to improving the current portfolio of available strains that are able to grow in large-scale production systems for different biotechnological applications, including carbon mitigation. In this context, Tetraselmis sp. CTP4 was successfully scaled up from an agar plate to 35-and 100-m(3) industrial scale tubular photobioreactors (PBR). Growth was performed semi-continuously for 60 days in the autumn-winter season (17th October -14th December). Optimisation of tubular PBR operations showed that improved productivities were obtained at a culture velocity of 0.65-1.35 m s(-1) and a pH set-point for CO2 injection of 8.0. Highest volumetric (0.08 +/- 0.01 g L-1 d(-1)) and areal (20.3 +/- 3.2 g m(-2) d(-1)) biomass productivities were attained in the 100-m(3) PBR compared to those of the 35-m(3) PBR (0.05 +/- 0.02 g L-1 d(-1) and 13.5 +/- 4.3 g m(-2) d(-1), respectively). Lipid contents were similar in both PBRs (9-10% of ash free dry weight). CO2 sequestration was followed in the 100-m(3) PBR, revealing a mean CO2 mitigation efficiency of 65% and a biomass to carbon ratio of 1.80. Tetraselmis sp. CTP4 is thus a robust candidate for industrial-scale production with promising biomass productivities and photosynthetic efficiencies up to 3.5% of total solar irradiance.Portuguese national budget; Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [CCMAR/Multi/04326/2013]; INTERREG V-A Espana-Portugal project [0055 ALGARED + 5 E]; COST Action - European Network for Bio-products [1408]; FCT [SFRH/BD/105541/2014]; Nord Universityinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Private thoughts in public spheres : issues in reflection and reflective practices in nursing

Private thoughts in public spheres: issues in reflection and reflective practices in nursing: Aim. This paper aims to problematize the notions of reflection and reflective practice, particularly as they relate to private thoughts in public spheres and the constitution of personal and professional subjectivities. Background/rationale. Reflection and reflective practice, through the technologies of power and technologies of the self, permit the previously private thoughts of nurses to enter the public sphere where they are subject to surveillance, assessment, classification and control. Instead of raising serious concerns and debate about such practices, the plethora of literature, whilst using a bewildering array of ambiguous, diverse interpretations of reflection and reflective practice, has been united in claiming them as good for nurses and nursing. Approach. The paper draws on Foucauldian concepts of power-knowledge and discourse to interrogate radically the conceptualizations of reflection and reflective practice in contemporary nursing literature. Conclusions. The paper challenges the hegemonic discourse of reflection in nursing. It argues that new conceptualizations of reflection that acknowledge and value a diversity of perspectives, contexts and dimensions are needed