Media History of New York

Syllabus for a course in Media, Culture, and Communications at New York Universit

Digital Literary Studies: Novel Maps of New York

Syllabus for the Novel Maps of New York course taught at NY

Genome-wide screening of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes required to foster tolerance towards industrial wheat straw hydrolysates

The presence of toxic compounds derived from biomass pre-treatment in fermentation media represents an important drawback in second-generation bio-ethanol production technology and overcoming this inhibitory effect is one of the fundamental challenges to its industrial production. The aim of this study was to systematically identify, in industrial medium and at a genomic scale, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes required for simultaneous and maximal tolerance to key inhibitors of lignocellulosic fermentations. Based on the screening of EUROSCARF haploid mutant collection, 242 and 216 determinants of tolerance to inhibitory compounds present in industrial wheat straw hydrolysate (WSH) and in inhibitor-supplemented synthetic hydrolysate were identified, respectively. Genes associated to vitamin metabolism, mitochondrial and peroxisomal functions, ribosome biogenesis and microtubule biogenesis and dynamics are among the newly found determinants of WSH resistance. Moreover, PRS3, VMA8, ERG2, RAV1 and RPB4 were confirmed as key genes on yeast tolerance and fermentation of industrial WSH.The authors thank Juan Carlos Parajo and Hector Ruiz for assistance in the pre-treatment of lignocellulose biomass. Research described in this article was financially supported by FEDER and "Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia" (FCT) (Contracts PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2011, PTDC/BIO/66151/2006, PTDC/AGR-ALI/102608/2008 and ERA-IB/0002/2010 and PhD grant (SFRH/BD/64776/2009) to FP)

Genome-wide screening of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes required to foster tolerance towards inhibitory compounds in industrial biomass hydrolysates

The understanding of the determinants of yeast tolerance to inhibitory compounds present in fermentation media at the genetic level is of essential importance for the improvement of second generation bio-ethanol conversion technology. The aim of this study was to systematically identify, at a genomic scale, the Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes required for simultaneous and maximal tolerance to key inhibitors derived from lignocellulose biomass pre-treatment. Based on the screening of the EUROSCARF haploid mutant collection, 242 and 216 determinants of yeast resistance to inhibitory compounds present in industrial wheat straw hydrolysate (WSH) and in inhibitor-supplemented synthetic hydrolysate (SH) were identified, respectively. Twenty-two mutants with deleted genes involved in Oxidative stress response, Lipid Metabolism, Aminoacid metabolism, Vacuolar acidification, Intracellular trafficking and protein sorting, Transcription machinery and RNA processing and Mitochondrial function showed a strong susceptibility phenotype in both WSH and SH, 8 of them being for the first time identified as conferring resistance to lignocellulose-derived inhibitors. The intersection of our WSH and SH datasets and those obtained in previous genome-wide studies on single chemical stress resistance, together with results obtained during comparative fermentative performance analysis [1], provided data for further evaluation of the key genes involved in global adaptation to toxic biomass hydrolysates. This study expands our understanding of the genes and underlying molecular mechanisms that are directly involved in yeast response to the multiple stresses occurring during lignocellulose fermentations under industrially relevant conditions

Consensus Recommendations of the Multiple Sclerosis Study Group and Portuguese Neuroradiological Society for the Use of the Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Multiple Sclerosis in Clinical Practice: Part 1

INTRODUCTION: Magnetic resonance imaging is established as a recognizable tool in the diagnosis and monitoring of multiple sclerosis patients. In the present, among multiple sclerosis centers, there are different magnetic resonance imaging sequences and protocols used to study multiple sclerosis that may hamper the optimal use of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. In this context, the Group of Studies of Multiple Sclerosis and the Portuguese Society of Neuroradiology, after a joint discussion, appointed a committee of experts to create recommendations adapted to the national reality on the use of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. The purpose of this document is to publish the first Portuguese consensus recommendations on the use of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis in clinical practice. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The Group of Studies of Multiple Sclerosis and the Portuguese Society of Neuroradiology, after discussion of the topic in national meetings and after a working group meeting held in Figueira da Foz on May 2017, have appointed a committee of experts that have developed by consensus several standard protocols on the use of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis and follow-up of multiple sclerosis. The document obtained was based on the best scientific evidence and expert opinion. Subsequently, the majority of Portuguese multiple sclerosis consultants and departments of neuroradiology scrutinized and reviewed the consensus paper; comments and suggestions were considered. Technical magnetic resonance imaging protocols regarding diagnostic, monitoring and the recommended information to be included in the magnetic resonance imaging report will be published in a separate paper. RESULTS: We provide some practical guidelines to promote standardized strategies to be applied in the clinical practice setting of Portuguese healthcare professionals regarding the use of magnetic resonance imaging in multiple sclerosis. CONCLUSION: We hope that these first Portuguese magnetic resonance imaging guidelines, based in the best available clinical evidence and practices, will serve to optimize multiple sclerosis management and improve multiple sclerosis patient care across Portugal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

iLeanDMAIC – A methodology for implementing the lean tools

Organizations focus must reside in their constant desire for improvement in order to satisfy their clients as a result of high-quality products, thus maximizing their profits through a waste reduction in the flow production. Lean thinking allows organizations to identify and eliminate wastes within the organization. The use of lean tools is considered a simple, efficient and cost-effective solution to achieve productivity and profit. DMAIC (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control) is a problem-solving methodology that improves processes, allows defect reduction and reduction of process variability, allowing companies to continuously improve their efficiency and performance. In this work, a combined methodology iLeanDMAIC based on Lean Tools and DMAIC was developed, aiming to help organizations to easily and accurately solve their problems. It includes a case-study implementation on an organization of the sector of wood products. We were able to successfully validate this methodology and to show its efficacy in enhancing production. Results using iLeanDMAIC allowed a reduction time in changeover in the assembly machine (from 39 min to 17 min), presenting this a 44% gain on manufacture. iLeanDMAIC can help organizations thrive against their competitors, make their business more cost-effective and efficient.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Identification of Saccharomyces cerevisiae genes involved in the resistance to multiple stresses during Very-High-Gravity and lignocellulosic biomass industrial fermentations

Most of the current processes for bioethanol production are based on the use of Very-High-Gravity (VHG) technology and the processing of lignocellulosic biomass, limited by the high osmotic pressure and ethanol concentration in the fermentation medium, and by inhibitors resulting from biomass pre-treatments, respectively. Aiming the optimization of strains for industrial bioethanol production an integrated approach was undertaken to identify genes required for simultaneous yeast resistance to different fermentation-related stresses. The integration of previous chemogenomics data was used to identify eight genes whose expression confers simultaneous resistance to high concentrations of glucose, acetic acid and ethanol, chemical stresses relevant for VHG fermentations; and eleven genes conferring simultaneous resistance to different inhibitors present during lignocellulosic fermentations. The expression of BUD31 and HPR1 lead to the increase of both ethanol yield and fermentation rate, while PHO85, VRP1 and YGL024w expression is required for maximal ethanol production in VHG fermentations. Five genes, ERG2, PRS3, RAV1, RPB4 and VMA8 were found to contribute to the maintenance of cell viability in wheat straw hydrolysate and/or for maximal fermentation rate of this substrate [1]. Moreover, the yeast disruptome was screened for strains with increased susceptibility to inhibitory compounds present in an industrial lignocellulosic hydrolysate obtained from wheat straw. With this genome-wide analysis, 42 determinants of resistance to inhibitors were identified showing a high susceptibility phenotype compared to the parental strain. The identified genes stand as preferential targets for genetic engineering manipulation to generate more robust and efficient industrial strains