The role of bacteria in pine wilt disease: insights from microbiome analysis.

Pine Wilt Disease (PWD) has a significant impact on Eurasia pine forests. The microbiome of the nematode (the primary cause of the disease), its insect vector, and the host tree may be relevant for the disease mechanism. The aim of this study was to characterize these microbiomes, from three PWD-affected areas in Portugal, using Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis, 16S rRNA gene pyrosequencing, and a functional inference-based approach (PICRUSt). The bacterial community structure of the nematode was significantly different from the infected trees but closely related to the insect vector, supporting the hypothesis that the nematode microbiome might be in part inherited from the insect. Sampling location influenced mostly the tree microbiome (P < 0.05). Genes related both with plant growth promotion and phytopathogenicity were predicted for the tree microbiome. Xenobiotic degradation functions were predicted in the nematode and insect microbiomes. Phytotoxin biosynthesis was also predicted for the nematode microbiome, supporting the theory of a direct contribution of the microbiome to tree-wilting. This is the first study that simultaneously characterized the nematode, tree and insect-vector microbiomes from the same affected areas, and overall the results support the hypothesis that the PWD microbiome plays an important role in the disease's development

Biofilm technology : from support design to reactor operation

The aim of this work was to assess the feasibility of a Sequential Batch Biofilm Reactor (SBBR) to perform carbon and nitrogen removal: from support design to reactor operation. The experimental part was conducted in two phases. In the first phase, different supports were tested to select the most suitable one for SBBR operation. In the second phase, the most appropriate support was used in a SBBR to perform carbon and nitrogen removal. The results demonstrate that the support with the highest internal surface area presented a higher biomass accumulation. Time profiles of nitrogen ions and acetate concentration showed the typical behaviour of a SBBR performing carbon and nitrogen removal. Poly-bhydroxybutyrate (PHB) was formed immediately after acetate depletion and was subsequently consumed for biomass growth, owing to the high oxygen concentration in the reactor

Synthesis and degradation of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor

The aim of this work was the study of poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB) formation and degradation in a sequencing batch biofilm reactor (SBBR). The SBBR was operated in cycles comprising three individual phases: mixed fill, aeration and draw. A synthetic substrate solution with acetate and ammonium was used. PHB was formed during the aeration phase immediately after acetate depletion, and was subsequently consumed for biomass growth, owing to the high oxygen concentration in the reactor. It was observed a combination of suspended and biofilm growth in the SBBR with predominance of the fixed form of biomass (506 Cmmol and 2102 Cmmol, respectively). Maximum PHB fraction of suspended biomass (0.13 Cmol/Cmol) was considerably higher than that of biofilm (0.01 Cmol/Cmol). This may possibly be explained by a combination of two factors: lower mass transfer limitation of acetate and higher fraction of heterotrophs in suspended biomass compared to the ones of biofilm.Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) - POCI 2010 (POCI/AMB/61155/2004)Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) - PRAXIS XXI BD/19687/9

Fourth International Congress of CiiEM : Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century

Proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.The 4th edition of the CiiEM Congress “HEALTH, WELL-BEING AND AGEING IN THE XXI CENTURY” followed the trend of previous editions and kept the open and demanding spirit of Egas Moniz scientific dynamics, with the participation of a 15 high-quality communications from 15 world-renowned speakers, and about 200 communications focussing on subjects of importance to the scientific activity of Egas Moniz. This spreads across the biomedical and human sciences.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Reducing beam aberrations of mechanical scanning transmit-array antennas

There is a new demand for high gain antennas capable of achieving wide-angle beam steering in the microwave and millimeter wave (mmW) regimes. This work focuses on transmit-array (TA) antennas that steer the beam using only in-plane displacement of the TA or feed. We showed in previous works that., for some applications., this solution can be a viable alternative to the more costly electronic beam steering of phased arrays. However., it is necessary to balance the trade-offs between several factors such as gain., beam aberrations., antenna size., maximum scanning angle and the complexity of the mechanical steering system. This communication surveys different techniques that we developed to improve the overall scanning performance of these antennas.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Validity of the two-minute step test for healthy older adults.

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Trends in cetacean research in the Eastern North Atlantic

We acknowledge funds provided by the Science and Technology Foundation (FCT) through strategic projects UID/MAR/04292/2019, UIDB/00329/2020, and UIDB/05634/2020. TAM received partial support through the project UIDB/00006/2020. RP is supported by an FCT grant (SFRH/BPD/108007/2015). BCM is supported by FCT through grant PD/BD/140845/2018. FA received financial support from projects M1420‐09‐5369‐FSE‐000001 and M1420‐01‐0145‐FEDER‐000001‐OOM.1. Cetaceans are considered ecosystem engineers and useful bioindicators of the health of marine environments. The Eastern North Atlantic is an area of great geographical and oceanographic complexity that favours ecosystem richness and, consequently, cetacean occurrence. Although this occurrence has led to relevant scientific research on this taxon, information on the composition of this research has not been assessed. 2. We aimed to describe and quantify the evolution of research on cetaceans in the Eastern North Atlantic, highlighting the main focal areas and trends. 3. We considered 380 peer-reviewed publications between 1900 and 2018. For each paper, we collected publication year, research topics and regions, and species studied. We assessed differences among regions with distinct socio-economic landscapes, and between coastal and oceanic habitats. To evaluate the changes in scientific production over time, we fitted a General Additive Model to the time series of numbers of papers. 4. Although research in this region has been increasing, the results show relatively little research output in North African and coastal regions within the study area. Moreover, except for four studies, research was restricted to a few miles around the coast of the main islands, leaving offshore regions less well surveyed. There was little research on genetics, acoustics, and behaviour. Most papers were focused on the Azores and Canary Islands, and mostly involved Tursiops truncatus, Delphinus delphis, and Physeter macrocephalus. Species considered Endangered or Near Threatened were the subjects of only 10% of the studies. 5. We suggest a greater research focus on beaked whales (Ziphiidae) in Macaronesia, as well as collaborative efforts between research teams in the region, by sharing data sets, and aiming to produce long-term research. Moreover, a Delphi method approach, based on questionnaires answered by experts, could be attempted to identify priority research for cetaceans in these areas.PostprintPeer reviewe