A kernel clustering algorithm based on diameters

This paper analyzes an iterative kernel partitioning clustering algorithm that dynamically merges, removes and adds clusters using some characteristics, like the radii and diameters of the clusters, and distance between centers. The clustering is carried out in feature space in terms of a kernel function so that non-linearly separable clusters are identified. The preliminary experiments with seven datasets show that the proposed algorithm is able to successfully converge to the expected clustering. It is also shown that the algorithm performance is sensitive to the parameter σ of the Gaussian kernel.This work has been supported by FCT – Funda¸c˜ao para a Ciˆencia e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020, UIDB/00013/2020 and UIDP/00013/2020 of CMAT-U

The antibacterial, anti-biofilm, anti-inflammatory and virulence inhibition properties of Portuguese honeys

In Portugal, beekeeping activity has a significant weight among livestock production. The antimicrobial activities of Portuguese honeys have been reported, but the anti-biofilm formation and anti-virulence abilities have not been investigated. The main goal of this work was to study the impact of three monofloral honeys (citrus, lavender and strawberry tree) honeys on adherence of Staphylococcus aureus, methicillin-resistant S. aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, as well as the influence of the same honeys on virulence using Galleria mellonella as a model. In addition, the general physico-chemical characterization of these honeys and the microbial quality were also performed. The anti-inflammatory activity was also estimated by analyzing the activity of the enzymes hyaluronidase and lipoxygenase. The tested honeys complied with European legislation and no microbial contamination was observed. Of all the honeys at 12.5 and 25%, w/v the citrus honey caused the highest inhibitory activity against P. aeruginosa. Strawberry tree honey at 25% w/v was able to significantly inhibit the MRSA strains. Anti-biofilm formation and anti-inflammatory activities were observed. The different honeys impaired the virulence of S. aureus and MRSA strains. The Portuguese honeys were capable of combating the tested bacterial pathogens not only by inhibiting their growth but also by affecting important pathogenicity properties, such as adherence and virulence

Hydroponic Lettuce Production and Minimally Processed Lettuce

Lettuce is a leafy vegetable most consumed in Brazil, and is considered the basis for salads and can be grown by hydroponics system. Hydroponics is a viable alternative to be implemented, with benefits for soil conservation and preservation of water sources. This work aimed to study the market of trailers snacks in Pelotas to analyze the economic feasibility of deploying an enterprise for the production of hydroponic lettuce, minimally processed, on a farm located in the city of Pelotas. The trailers were classified as small, medium and large, according to the consumption of lettuce. From market analysis, facilities and greenhouses for hydroponics area for processing of lettuce with flowchart of activities and mass balance were designed. The lettuce is produced from seeding to minimal processing, consisting of packing to delivery the whole lettuces and cut and pack the other portion, which will also be packaged for shipment. For the optimization of space in the greenhouses, a system of trails that allow them to glide over the stands, being compressed, opening corridors through which people ranging transplanting or harvest the lettuces, only where needed was created. The economic and financial analysis was performed using the indicators to establish the viability of the project or not. These indicators are: NPV (Net Present Value), IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and payback. The analysis was performed in a planning horizon of 10 years and considering a TMA (Average Attractiveness ) of 11.6 % pa Three scenarios for implementation of the project, the amount of greenhouses ranging from one to three different percentages of sales and production over time were studied. The project proved to be unfeasible with only a greenhouse, but two or three greenhouses is feasible to be implemented. However, when deployed, the project with two greenhouses in the first year, and three greenhouses in the first two years will profit. The best option would be two or three greenhouses, depending on the amount to be invested and the availability of capital to withstand years without profitability. Technically, the project proved feasible by enabling large area in a small amount of lettuce is produced by hydroponic system, hydroponic lettuce and minimally processed snack bars for an interesting product, as it is practical and hygienic. It is recommended to study whether the project would become more attractive with the production of other crops such as tomato, zucchini, among other hydroponic

Drying Tomatoes in a Small Tray Dryer

Drying tomatoes with high initial moisture content have advantages such as: maintenance of mineral constituents, inhibition of the action of microorganisms, reduction of the cost of transportation, handling, and storage and is an alternative to the problems of waste disposal and pollution. Moreover, dried products, besides the more economical and affordable package, is an option for light and quick meals. Small and low cost tray dryers are hard to find in the Brazilian market. Producing your own dehydrated food is a practice used in many countries for domestic consumption, as a gift, for small-scale enterprises, because some people appreciate handmade products that are related to a healthier product, without additives. The present study aimed to dry tomatoes and evaluates the characteristics such as: loss of final mass, drying time, and cost of drying in a portable low cost tray dryer. The dryer was built in plastic body and trays. Two heating conical resistors with 600 W each, and a 26W-fan were used. Approximately 1.4 kg of tomatoes was used in this test. They were previously sliced, washed, and the endocarp and seeds were removed. The weight loss during the process was obtained ​​by successive weightings of tomatoes in the trays each hour. The final drying was determined when the tomatoes were around 25% of moisture content. The initial moisture content of the tomatoes was determined by oven drying using 10 g of chopped tomatoes, dried at 95°C for 24h. To evaluate the drying cost the yield of dried tomatoes, the losses during the preparation of the fresh tomatoes slices, the drying time, and the rate of product ready for the drying period were determined. The energy cost was R$4,72, plus R$ 0,30 of osmotic solution, additional R$7.80/kg of tomatoes (off season). The final cost was R$ 12,82 (U$S 5.35) to process 1 kg of fresh tomatoes. During the season, one can buy tomatoes at R$ 1,00/kg, which reduces the cost to R$6.02/kg (U$S 2.50). Whereas the process reduces weight by 10.83 times, the pound of dried tomatoes would cost R$65,20 (U$S 27.15) in crop condition. As this portable dryer holds 2 kg of tomatoes by drying, the cost could be reduced to R$3.66/kg (U$S 1.55) considering fresh tomatoes or R$39,60/kg (U$S 16.50) dried tomatoes. The dryer presented the ideal medium parameters for drying fruits (51.6°C and 1.2 m/s) in a drying process of 8 hours. The cost per hour of drying in this experiment, due to be in between tomato crop season was considered high. However, there are conditions to reduce this cost at the harvest time and by increasing the density of tomatoes in the dryer trays

Thermal Analysis of a New Model of a Tobacco Dryer

The tobacco drying greenhouses, in general, are made without any coating that ensures thermal insulation and avoid heat losses, resulting in a large consumption of firewood during the drying of the tobacco. The study aims to develop an economically viable project to the producer, to avoid excessive heat loss through the walls and ceiling of a tobacco dryer, aimed at fuel economy, reduced drying time and reduces costs in process. For the current project, we considered changes of Brazilian theoretical mode, where we developed a thermal insulation system in a dryer, reaching satisfactory results, with a large reduction in energy losses and firewood consumption, resulting in a decrease in the costs of the proceedings in general. Thus, began for the development of an ideal model of a dryer the horizontal type of 25m² of useful area, up to 2.5 tonnes of tobacco, in order to maintain the results before and/or overcome them found a constructive model to mainly benefit the producers. During the research, and analysis on the feasibility of maintaining the rock-wool as insulation materials to be used, considering his thermal and physical properties and cost/benefit as good value, economic calculations of other materials found in the market were realized, to the optimization of construction processes and reduce costs. In the structural design of concrete blocks to form walls, with their empty space filled with insulation were used. The roof was formed by double-cement tiles with rock-wool insulation inside. The furnace/ventilation group proposed was found in the market, for reasons of economic gains and constructive, with the area available for the set, designed according to the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. The main change to the existing dryer and which was taken as a basis for the work is the proposal of a thermal insulation system, linking it to an automation system of lateral openings (flaps), with the provision of temperature controllers and humidity indoors, where they are dried tobacco leaves, making these flaps open and close automatically when the humidity inside the dryer is outside the ideal, promoting greater uniformity of drying and consequent improvement in product quality. This automation means optimizing the service of the small producer, reduced energy costs and reduced fuel consumption. Theoretically, the project was efficient, concluding that with the adoption of a new constructive model with thermal insulation and automation, is viable within the current regional economic reality, with a significant reduction of energy losses and a considerable decrease in spending with firewood used in the process, therefore, with reduced environmental impact

Economical Feasibility of Strawberry Production in a Semi-Hydroponic System and Agroindustry of Jelly on a Small Property

Growing strawberries is a great alternative for family farms, it is possible to obtain a good financial return on a small property. Consumption growth Strawberry "in natura" in recent years, along with a high price increase, further assists in the marketing of the fruit. This study aimed to establish a greenhouse to grow plants behave 18,000 Camarosa, with approximate production of 200 kg of strawberries daily in peak harvest in semi-hydroponic system in a family owned, located in the municipality of Canguçu-RS. The strawberry produced should be packaged for sale "in natura" and received in the form of jelly. Strawberries are classified by their diameter (25mm and 15mm) and defects in three classes: Class A, includes all healthy and greater than 25 mm diameter strawberries; class B, includes all the healthy strawberries and with a diameter between 25 mm and 15 mm and the class C, includes all strawberries with less than 15mm diameter. The strawberries in Classes A and B will be sold as "in natura" and Class C will be used for the production of jam. To perform the economic analysis, initially used the SWOT matrix, which is a tool used to perform environmental analysis, as the basis of management and strategic planning. The financial analysis of the project was carried out through the following indications: NPV (Net Present Value), IRR (Internal Rate of Return) and payback. Through the completion of the procedures for determining the cash flow and economic indicators, it was found through studies of scenarios, keeping the price constant and equal to jam £ 5.50, the minimum price of the strawberry "in natura" is worth $ 6.83. The production of jelly is an alternative to adding value to the product and also provides more time for marketing

Construction of a biocompatible and antioxidant multilayer coating by layer-by-layer assembly of -carrageenan and quercetin nanoparticles

The present work aimed at the construction and characterization of a multilayer coating based on -carrageenan and quercetin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (Np) by the layer-by-layer technique and the evaluation of its antioxidant capacity and potential cytotoxicity in vitro. The multilayered coating was successfully self-assembled, as confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, contact angle, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Multilayered coatings showed to have antioxidant capacity, with a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 31.32±3.13% and a result of the FRAP assay of 799.41±95.39 M of ferrous ion (Fe2+) equivalent. These coatings were also shown to be devoid of cell toxicity, as evaluated by determination of nitric oxide production and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. The alveolar macrophages culture was tested in the presence of the -carrageenan/quercetin-Np multilayer coating and showed a cell viability of 91.3±9.6%. These results suggest that this multilayered coating is adequate for surfaces modification in view of biomedical and food industry applications.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The authors would also like to thank the Brazilian Government for support given by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Carneiro-daCunha, M.G. expresses her gratitude to the CNPq for research grant.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Motivations for Consumption of Edible Insects: A Systematic Review

The consumption of edible insects (EI) is traditional in many parts of the world, but not in others. In fact, despite globalization and the multiple advantages pointed out about the consumption of EI, there are still many countries where entomophagy is seen with disgust and aversion. This systematic review aimed to examine the motivations that influence the consumption of EI in diverse cultures and understand if there are differences between Western countries (WC) and insect-eating countries (IEC). It further evaluated whether the degree of acceptability was influenced by the form of consumption of the insects (eating whole insects or foods containing insects). This literature review was conducted in November 2021 within three databases, Web of Science, PubMed and Scopus, according to the Preferred Reporting of Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analysis and using PRISMA directives. From a total of 245 studies, 31 were selected to be included in this review, based on the inclusion criteria defined: only original research articles, from 2010 or beyond, and written in English. The results indicated that the main motivations that determine the consumption of EI are related to gender, age, sustainability, nutritional value, sensory attributes, tradition/culture, food neophobia, disgust and familiarity/past experiences. Moreover, whereas in IEC, there is a greater focus on factors related to sensory attributes, availability, affordability and preferences, in WC, there is a bigger emphasis on determinants such as nutritional value, sustainability, benefits, familiarity/past experience, tradition/culture, food neophobia and disgust. Finally, it was observed that people in WC are more willing to accept food products containing insects rather than the whole insect, which is one of the most promising points to be addressed in the future. Overall, this review highlights that there are numerous factors influencing the consumption of edible insects, and differences between WC and IEC are clear in what concerns the motivations of consumers. Hence, targeting market segments and consumers’ characteristics has to be present when designing strategies to incentivize the consumption of EI in WC as a part of a global strategy for sustainability of food systems.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

“Quem ensina também aprende” : a formação pela prática de professores primários na província do Paraná

Resumo Segundo a historiografia da educação brasileira, muitas foram as ações relacionadas aos modos de formar professores primários durante o período imperial. Desses estudos, a maioria se centra na formação de professores atrelada à instituição das escolas normais, entretanto, há uma parcela menor de trabalhos que se propõem a discutir outro aspecto da formação de professores ao longo do século XIX, mais especificamente, a forma como sujeitos que não frequentaram esse espaço institucional (a escola normal), constituíram-se docentes primários. O artigo que aqui se apresenta partilha dessa perspectiva, e volta o olhar para os modos de formação pela prática de professores primários no Paraná na segunda metade do século XIX, por compreender que esse tipo de formação marcou um período em que a instrução pública estava se consolidando em meio a ações, deliberações, dificuldades e tensões, na tentativa de melhorias de sua condição. A pesquisa valeu-se da consulta da legislação educacional do período e de documentos advindos dos sujeitos envolvidos com a instrução pública, naquele momento, disponíveis no acervo do Arquivo Público do Paraná. No cotejamento e análise das fontes, é possível afirmar, que a formação pela prática dos professores primários na província do Paraná se deu no decorrer do desenvolvimento do processo de constituição do magistério primário

The cyclooxigenase-2 inhibitor parecoxib prevents epidermal dysplasia in HPV16-transgenic mice: efficacy and safety observations

Carcinogenesis induced by high-risk human papillomavirus (HPV) involves inflammatory phenomena, partially mediated by cyclooxigenase-2. In pre-clinical models of HPV-induced cancer, cyclooxygenase-2 inhibitors have shown significant e cacy, but also considerable toxicity. This study addresses the chemopreventive e ect and hepatic toxicity of a specific cyclooxigensase-2 inhibitor, parecoxib, in HPV16-transgenic mice. Forty-three 20 weeks-old female mice were divided into four groups: I (HPV16+/-, n = 10, parecoxib-treated); II (HPV16+/- n = 11, untreated); III (HPV16+/-, n = 11, parecoxib-treated) and IV (HPV16+/- n = 11, untreated). Parecoxib (5.0 mg/kg once daily) or vehicle was administered intraperitoneally for 22 consecutive days. Skin lesions were classified histologically. Toxicological endpoints included genotoxic parameters, hepatic oxidative stress, transaminases and histology. Parecoxib completely prevented the onset of epidermal dysplasia in HPV16+/- treated animals (0% versus 64% in HPV16+/- untreated, p = 0.027). Parecoxib decreases lipid peroxidation (LPO) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increases the GSH:GSSG ratio in HPV16+/- treated animals meaning that oxidative stress is lower. Parecoxib increased genotoxic stress parameters in wild-type and HPV16-transgenic mice, but didn’t modify histological or biochemical hepatic parameters. These results indicate that parecoxib has chemopreventive e ects against HPV16-induced lesions while maintaining an acceptable toxicological profile in this model.This work is supported by National Funds by FCT—Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the projects UID/AGR/04033/2019, UID/CVT/00772/2019 and UID/EQU/00511/2019 - Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy—LEPABE funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); Project “LEPABE-2-ECO-INNOVATION”—NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000005, funded by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio