Successful isolation and cultivation of Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii strains isolated from finished drinking water samples

This work presents the successful establishment of Cylindrospermosis raciborskii cultures isolated from water samples collected at the exit point of Water Treatment Plant (WTP). An intense bloom dominated by filamentous cyanobacteria (Aphanizomenon spp., Planktothrix spp., Cylindrospermosis raciborskii, Anabaena spp.) occurred in the summer of 2015 in Roxo reservoir (south Portugal). Several cyanotoxins (microcystins, saxitoxins, cylindrospermopsin) were detected in raw and treated water, although at levels below the corresponding regulatory and/or guideline values. Nevertheless, this bloom caused intense unpleasant odour and taste in the water supplied to the populations and cyanobacterial cells (up to 1000 cells.mL-1) were detected in finished water samples collected at the exit point of WTP. Treated water samples collected at the WTP and at the city water deposit were inoculated in Z8 culture medium and cyanobacterial growth was followed by optical microscopy. After 30 days, cyanobacterial growth was observed showing resistance to the treatment processes and maintenance of reprodution capacity. Interestingly, morphometric and molecular analysis revealed the presence of C. raciborskii. Three isolates of this species were obtained and none were cylindrospermopsin- or microcystins-producers, as confirmed by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assays (ELISA) and by amplification of genes (PS, PKS, mcyA-cd, mcyAB, mcyB) involved in those cyanotoxin synthesis. However, the ELISA for saxitoxins was positive for the 3 isolates and confirmation of this toxin production is in progress. To our knowledge, this is the first report on the establishment of successful cultures of C. raciborskii that survived to conventional water treatment processes.N/

Treatment of water for human consumption: a case of cyanobacterial survival

No verão de 2015 ocorreu um episódio de mau odor/sabor na água de abastecimento proveniente da albufeira do Roxo. Este episódio foi atribuído à presença de um bloom cianobacteriano que incluía espécies produtoras de compostos voláteis (geosmina, MIB). De facto, foi detetada a presença de cianobactérias na água tratada, à saída da ETA, ainda que em densidades relativamente baixas. No entanto, desconhecia-se se estes organismos mantinham a viabilidade celular e a capacidade de se desenvolver na rede de distribuição, a jusante da ETA e, desta forma, contaminar a água para consumo humano. Assim, amostras de água colhidas à saída da ETA e no Reservatório de abastecimento público foram inoculadas em meio de cultura e o crescimento celular foi seguido por microscopia ótica. Após 30 dias, verificou-se o crescimento algal, o que demostra que algumas espécies resistiram ao tratamento na ETA e mantiveram a capacidade de se reproduzir. Curiosamente, uma dessas espécies foi o Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, considerada até há pouco tempo uma espécie tropical. Irá proceder-se à caracterização molecular e toxigénica desta espécie. Atualmente está a decorrer um protocolo de colaboração entre o Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorge e a AgdA, com o objetivo de se estudar a distribuição de cianobactérias, cianotoxinas e compostos voláteis na albufeira do Roxo.In the summer of 2015 an unpleasant odour/taste occurred in the water for human consumption supplied from Roxo Reservoir. This episode was attributed to the presence of a cyanobacterial bloom composed by species producing volatile compounds (geosmin, MIB). In fact, cyanobacteria were detected in treated water, at the exit of Water Treatment Plant (WTP), although at relatively low densities. However, it was unknown if these organisms maintained their viability and the growth capacity in the distribution network and, as such, to contaminate the drinking water. Thus, treated water samples collected at the WTP and at the water deposit were inoculated in culture medium and cell growth was followed by optical microscopy. Algal growth was observed 30 days after culturing, which shows that some species resisted the treatment in the WTP and maintained the capacity to reproduce. Interestingly, one of those species was Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, considered until recently a tropical species. Molecular and toxigenic characterization of this species will be carried out. A collaboration protocol between INSA I.P. and AgdA, is currently being carried out with the aim of studying the distribution of cyanobacteria, cyanotoxins and volatile compounds in the Roxo reservoir.Elsa Dias, bolsa da Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (SFRH/BPD/77981/2011)info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Shaving as a subscription : analysis of Portuguese male consumers interest on buying razors and blades by subscription

Men’s grooming market has been growing significantly, mostly because men are increasingly concerned about their appearance. This self-image consciousness made this market evolve and present today a large variety of products specifically designed for men. The old razors and blades category still represents a big slice of this market and continues being dominated by Gillette. However, new players have recently entered the shaving market with a subscription service that delivers razors and blades to consumers’ homes at a lower price. This concept has proven to be a huge success and revolutionized the US market. This study intends to explore the interest of Portuguese male consumers in this service, firstly by identifying the main advantages and disadvantages consumers may have, then their possible interest and the predictors of that interest, and finally by addressing their loyalty to the brands they use. For this purpose, past literature on this topic and related subjects were reviewed, 14 qualitative interviews were conducted, as well as an online survey with a sample of 110 participants. Findings showed that the main benefit for consumers was paying less, whereas the main drawbacks were the possibility of having the product damaged when delivered or delivered to the wrong address. The majority of respondents were interested in subscribing and their reaction to the concept and confidence about the product’s quality were key determinants. Additionally, results exhibited high levels of loyalty from shaving consumers. The final assessment is that these services have a good probability to succeed in Portugal.O mercado de cuidados masculinos tem crescido de forma significativa, muito suportado pela crescente preocupação com a aparência. Esta consciência com a própria imagem fez este mercado crescer e apresentar hoje uma enorme variedade de produtos destinados aos homens. A categoria de lâminas de barbear continua a representar grande parcela deste mercado e a ser dominada pela Gillette. Contudo, novos players entraram recentemente no mercado de barbear com um serviço de subscrição que entrega em casa dos consumidores lâminas a um preço inferior, tendo registado um grande sucesso e revolucionado o mercado americano. Esta tese pretende analisar o interesse dos consumidores portugueses neste serviço, primeiro através da identificação das principais vantagens e desvantagens que os consumidores possam ter, depois explorando o seu possível interesse em subscrever e os fatores determinantes para tal e finalmente tentando entender a lealdade dos consumidores. Com este propósito, a literatura relativa a este tópico foi revista, 14 entrevistas qualitativas e um questionário com uma amostra de 110 participantes foram realizados. Os resultados mostram que a principal vantagem é pagar menos e as desvantagens a possibilidade de o produto estar danificado aquando da entrega ou ser entregue noutra morada. A maior parte dos participantes mostrou interesse em subscrever e a sua reação ao conceito e a segurança sobre a qualidade do produto foram os fatores determinantes. Adicionalmente, os resultados mostraram que os consumidores portugueses são bastante leais às suas marcas. De um modo geral, prevê-se que estes serviços tenham uma boa probabilidade de sucesso em Portugal

Scaling of cosmological domain wall networks with junctions

We describe the results of the largest and most accurate three-dimensional field theory simulations of domain wall networks with junctions. We consider a previously introduced class of models which, in the limit of large number $N$ of coupled scalar fields, approaches the so-called `ideal' model (in terms of its potential to lead to network frustration). We consider values of $N$ between N=2 and N=20. In all cases we find compelling evidence for a gradual approach to scaling, with the quantitative scaling parameters having only a mild dependence on $N$. These results strongly support our no-frustration conjecture.Comment: 4 pages, 2 figure

Gender percepcion and attitude towards AXE fragance Anarchy

AXE is one of the most charismatic brands of personal care products worldwide. Belonging to the well-known Unilever, it developed a strong position in 30 years. Words like sensuality, audacious, original and attraction are associated with the brand and visible through its products and communication. AXE has always targeted young male consumers. In the beginning of 2012, for the first time ever, the brand launched Anarchy: a scent with two versions, a masculine and a feminine one. Briefly, the purpose of this dissertation is to analyze the acceptance and attitude of both genders towards Anarchy in Portugal. Especially, to investigate how women and men reacted to the first AXE feminine product. Furthermore, it explores the reasons why AXE launched a female product. These goals were accomplished through online research, regular contact with Unilever subsidiary in Portugal (Unilever Jerónimo Martins), an online survey (about AXE and Anarchy) for women and three men focus group with different age segments. This thesis describes how a successful brand like AXE developed a cross-gender extension and the techniques that helped it create a fruitful path. Moreover it analyses the launch of a global product in the Portuguese market, studying consumer reaction through quantitative and qualitative research, an example that can be used as a learning tool in Marketing Research courses. It also provides some insights on Portuguese female consumer behavior with deodorants

PERFORMANCE OF BRAZILIAN BUSINESS, ACCOUNTING AND TOURISM GRADUATE PROGRAMS

The Brazilian institution in charge of graduate programs (CAPES) evaluates all programs every three years, focusing on publications in scientific periodicals, which are classified by the Qualis – CAPES system. This study aims to measure the relative efficiency of post-graduate programs in Business, Accounting and Tourism through Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) and to measure the change in productivity from the three-year period of 2004-2006 to the 2007-2009 period by the Malmquist Index. Efficiencies of some graduate programs in Brazil using DEA have been evaluated but the Malmquist Index was not used because the 2007-2009 data was only recently available. They also used different input and output variables and did not consider, in our view, the real importance CAPES attributes to publications. We used, as inputs, professors, dissertations and thesis and, as outputs, total points obtained from the Qualis classification of periodicals. Among the results: the efficiency increased from the first to the second period; the efficiency of public institutions was higher as was the efficiency of programs with PhD courses and of programs more than 12 years old; the Malmquist index increased from one triennium to another

Modelling the live-electronics in electroacoustic music using particle systems

Developing the live-electronics for a contemporary electroacoustic piece is a complex process that normally involves the transfer of artistic and aesthetic concepts between the composer and the musical assistant. Translating in technical terms the musical, artistic and aesthetic concepts by means of algorithms and mathematical parameters is seldom an easy and straightforward task. The use of a particle system to describe the dynamics and characteristics of compositional parameters can reveal an effective way for achieving a significant relationship between compositional aspects and their technical implementation. This paper describes a method for creating and modelling a particle system based on compositional parameters and how to map those parameters into digital audio processes. An implementation of this method is described, as well as the use of such a method for the development of the work O Farfalhar das Folhas (The rustling of leaves) (2010), for one flutist, one clarinetist, violin, violoncello, piano and live-electronics, by Flo Menezes.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio