Decolorization of aqueous effluents using agro waste

In this study, the potential of agrowaste for a food dye sequestration from aqueous effluents was investigated. Initially, four local agrowaste waste namely pumpkin seed hull, bean null, oat straw and nut shells, were tested in natural condition. Bean hull (BH) revealed the best uptake capacity for Food Red 14 (FR14). The agro waste was characterised before and after dye sorption process using SEM and FTIR techniques. Those analyses were conducted in order to identify the principal connections contributing to the sorption process. The point of zero charge of BH surface, pHpzc was assessed at 4.6, which indicated a mostly acidic surface, favorable for dye adsorption at pH<6, when the sorbent is positively charged. The dye removal efficiency of the adsorbent has been established in relation to some factors, such as: pH, amount of adsorbent, dye initial concentration, contact time and temperature. In order to make the sorption process predictable, four empirical isotherms and four kinetics models were applied to the experimental data so as to enact the nature of the sorption process. Attempts have also been made for sorbent viability by testing different solvents for FR14 desorption. FTIR spectra reveal the main bands in FR14 sorption process: that at 1450 cm-1 corresponding to C=C bond from the aromatic ring appears greatly diminished for FR14-BH after the sorption process and suggests a horizontal orientation of the molecules. The movement of the band at 3442 cm-1, corresponding to -OH groups, to lower wave number suggests lower involvement of these groups in the sorption process. The others band movement from BH spectra after the sorption process is due to physical interactions (hydrogen bond, van der Waals force) that occur between functional groups of sorbent and dye. The present study shows that the agro-waste bean hull is very effective as biosorbent for Food Red 14 removal from aqueous solutions, from a large range of dye concentration in aqueous solutions (5-400 mg L-1) in batch system. Since the agricultural wastes used in this study are friendly, abundantly and locally available, the sorbents are economically viable for aqueous effluents decolorization

Role of local communities in the social network of the protected area management

Biodiversity conservation traditionally necessitates setting aside land, which frequently impacts local communities. Although progress has been made on how to optimize this process, conflict frequently emerges when conservation and community goals are at odds. Improving communication and community inclusiveness in decision-making processes is strongly recommended to achieve livelihood goals and conservation outcomes. We used social network analysis to understand how local communities are embedded within the structure and dynamics of stakeholder interactions in Quirimbas National Park (Mozambique). We detected a network of limited cooperation that lacks bidirectional communication, displaying low average knowledge transfer but high bonding across stakeholder groups with similar perceptions. Local communities only interact with the district government and they have a passive voice in the system. A more inclusive network structure is needed so that conservation and community livelihood goals can be achieved.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The effect of clay particles on the efficacy of a biocide

The effect of kaolin particles on the bacterial activity as well as on the efficacy of a biocide was investigated. The results show that the presence of the clay particles enhance the Pseudomonas fluorescens activity for all buffered pH values tested, this increase being more relevant for the more adverse pH for this bacteria growth. The results also demonstrated that kaolin reduces the ability of desinfection of a carbamatebased biocide against P. fluorescens suspensions.União Europeia - Training and Mobility of Researchers, project BIOTOBIO. PRAXIS XXI BD/3242/94. Instituto de Biotecnologia e Química Fina (IBQF). Fundação Luso-Americana para o Desenvolvimento (FLAD)

A simple flow cell for monitoring biofilm formation in laboratory and industrial conditions

This work proposes and discusses a simple flow cell reactor that provides a means to monitoring biofilm growth by periodical removing biofilm-attached slides for off-line, nondestructive and destructive biofilm analysis without the stoppage of the flow. With this flow cell, biofilm growth and respiratory activity can be easily followed, either in well defined laboratory conditions or in an industrial environment. The reproducible and typical biofilm development curves obtained validated this flow cell and confirmed its potential for different biofilm-related studies, which can include biocidal treatment

a retrospective study of eighteen years

Leptospirosis, an under-recognized public health problem, needs to be confirmed through specific laboratory diagnosis. We describe herein a series of 4618 symptomatic patients for whom a microagglutination test (MAT) serology was available, representing a unique picture of human leptospirosis in central mainland Portugal and the Azores islands of São Miguel and Terceira, over eighteen- and twelve-year periods, respectively. The distribution of the 1024 (22%) cases identified was an average 57 cases per year, with higher frequency in males (67%). These represent the majority of leptospirosis notifications in Portugal, with a higher annual incidence rate in the islands, compared to the central mainland (11.1 and 1.7/100,000 population, respectively). Middle-aged adults (25-54 years) were most frequently infected (45%). Cases occurred mainly in December and January. Serovars from nine presumptive serogroups caused infection, with a predominance of Icterohaemorrhagiae, Pomona, and Ballum, accounting for 66% of cases. Seropositivity was associated with both anicteric and icteric leptospirosis. Several risk factors and a higher transmission risk in certain areas were emphasized. Leptospirosis was confirmed as a steadily increasing public health problem; good surveillance, communication, and laboratory support are thus necessary to reduce the impact of leptospirosis in areas at risk.publishersversionpublishe

Enantiopure Indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines: Synthesis and Evaluation as NMDA Receptor Antagonists

Enantiopure tryptophanol is easily obtained from the reduction of its parent natural amino acid trypthophan (available from the chiral pool), and can be used as chiral auxiliary/inductor to control the stereochemical course of a diastereoselective reaction. Furthermore, enantiopure tryptophanol is useful for the syntheses of natural products or biological active molecules containing the aminoalcohol functionality. In this communication, we report the development of a small library of indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines and evaluation of their activity as N-Methyl D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonists. The indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidine scaffold was obtained using the following key steps: (i) a stereoselective cyclocondensation of (S)- or (R)-tryptophanol with appropriate racemic -oxoesters; (ii) a stereocontrolled cyclization on the indole nucleus. The synthesized enantiopure indolo[2,3-a]quinolizidines were evaluated as NMDA receptor antagonists and one compound was identified to be 2.9-fold more potent as NMDA receptor blocker than amantadine (used in the clinic for Parkinson's disease). This compound represents a hit compound for the development of novel NMDA receptor antagonists with potential applications in neurodegenerative disorders associated with overactivation of NMDA receptors

Tryptophanol-derived oxazolopiperidone lactams: identification of a hit compound as NMDA receptor antagonist

N-Methyl-D-Aspartate (NMDA) receptors are neuronal ionotropic channels that play an important role in memory and learning processes. Their exacerbated activation leads to neuron death by necrosis or apoptosis in a phenomenon called excitotoxicity. Compounds like memantine or amantadine act as antagonists of these receptors and are currently used for the treatment of Alzheimer's or Parkinson's diseases. We herein present the development of a series of new NMDA receptor antagonists using enantiopure tryptophanol and racemic δ-oxo-esters as synthetic precursors in only one synthetic step and good yields. The most active hit exhibited an IC50 of 63.4 µM in cultured rat cerebellar granule neurons thus being 1.5 fold more active than the positive control used, amantadine (IC50 = 92 µM). The versatility of our synthetic approach together with the well-defined absolute stereoutcome of the tryptophanol-derived oxazolopiperidones is currently being explored to produce valuable structure activity relationships for the development of new potent NMDAR antagonists

Science communication in bioengineering and biotechnology: Active and collaborative learning project

In a society increasingly dependent on science and technology, the need to equip our students with the most varied digital and communication skills is crucial. Active and collaborative learning among peers is essential for the acquisition of transversal skills. Communication is one of the main tools that the Engineer uses to reach his target audience. Science Communication in Bioengineering and Biotechnology (CCBioTec) is a project on Innovation and Development of Teaching and Learning supported by Center IDEA-UMinho, a structure that emerges to promote and value Innovation and Development of Teaching and Learning at the University of Minho. CCBioTec is transversal to a set of Learning Units (LU) under the responsibility of the Department of Biological Engineering (DEB), including one LU of each year of the Integrated Masters in Biological Engineering and in Biomedical Engineering. The main goals of CCBioTEc are: to foster the awareness of the DEB educational community on the importance of science communication, as well as to develop science communication skills, through the production of short videos (pitches) displaying the explanation, in a simple and dynamic way, of complex concepts of Bioengineering and Biotechnology related with the curricula of each LU. CCBioTec started in the second semester of 2020/21, and it will go on in the 1st semester of 2021/22. The project was designed to be implemented according to the following steps: 1 - Technical and pedagogical training of teachers; 2 - Technical training of students involved in the project - Week CCBioTEC-2021; 3 - Development of materials for Science Communication in Bioengineering and Biotechnology; 4 - CCBioTec-2021 competition. In CCBioTec, teachers presenting himself as a mediator/facilitator of learning, boosting students development of transversal skills, collaborative work, decision making and the expression of ideas, together with the acquisition of knowledge foreseen in the curricular contents of the LU.(undefined)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio