Thermal inactivation of Byssochlamys nivea in pineapple nectar combined with preliminary high pressure treatments

Byssochlamys nivea is a thermal resistant filamentous fungi and potential micotoxin producer. Recent studies have verified the presence of ascospores of such microorganism in samples of pineapple nectars. Although the majority of filamentous fungi have limited heat resistance and are easily destroyed by heat, Byssochlamys nivea ascospores have shown high thermal resistance. The aim of this work was to evaluate the application of linear and Weibull models on thermal inactivation (70, 80 and 90ºC) of Byssochlamys nivea ascospores in pineapple nectar after pretreatment with high pressure (550MPa or 650MPa during 15min). Following the treatments, survival curves were built up for each processing temperature and adjusted for both models. It was observed that survival curves at 90°C after high pressure pretreatment at 550 MPa/15 min did not fit well to linear and Weibull models. For all the other treatments, the Weibull model presented a better fit. At 90ºC without pressure treatment, the Weibull model also showed a better adjustment, having a larger R2 and a smaller RMSE. Regarding the process effectiveness, a 5-log reduction (t5), as recommended for pasteurization, was only achieved for Byssochlamys nivea ascospores presented in pineapple nectar at 90ºC/10.7 min with previous high pressure treatment of 650 MPa for 15 min. Considering the high intensity and energy demanding process with possibly product damage, other preventive and alternative treatments are being investigated

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome - Diagnostic Challenges in the Emergency Room

Introdução - Síndroma maligna dos neurolépticos (SMN) é um efeito secundário raro potencialmente fatal destes fármacos. Relato de caso - Sexo masculino, 18 anos, encefalopatia não progressiva, atraso global do desenvolvimento, epilepsia, perturbação do comportamento (medicada com haloperidol). Iniciou febre elevada, desidratação, hematemeses e hematúria. Apresentava hipertermia, taquicardia, polipneia, tensão arterial instável, hipertonia generalizada e deterioração da consciência. Laboratorialmente destacava-se neutrofilia, trom bocitopénia, proteína C reactiva ligeiramente aumentada, elevação da creatina-cinase, alterações hepáticas e renais. Sépsis e SMN foram hipóteses de diagnóstico. Apesar da suspensão do haloperidol e início da terapêutica de suporte, ocorreu agravamento progressivo e óbito. Conclusão – Os antipsicóticos são frequentemente utilizados no atraso do desenvolvimento com alterações do comportamento. Os efeitos adversos graves exigem elevado grau de suspeição e início rápido de terapêutica

Design e processo expositivo : criação e comunicação de ambientes expositivos

A necessidade de uma comunicação adequada é essencial no que concerne à transmissão e fruição de uma exposição. O Design possui as ferramentas teóricas e práticas necessárias ao cumprimento desse pressuposto. Com esta investigação, pretendemos destacar a necessidade de uma nova abordagem teórica e programática sobre o processo expositivo, ressaltando a importância dos aspectos tridimensionais e as soluções contextualizantes, que contribuam para o entendimento da exposição como veículo de comunicação. Chamamos especial atenção para o potencial de interlocução do designer de interiores como projectista de ambientes expositivos, tendo em vista a maximização da percepção do visitante. Esta interlocução pode realizar-se através do processo expositivo, sob a forma de histórias organizadas e reduzidas a ícones de significado universal, que são aplicados num espaço real. Aponta-se para a necessidade do desenvolvimento de uma teorização acerca do Design Expositivo, como instância de fundamentação para a teoria comunicacional. Com esta investigação, propõe-se ainda a análise de uma estratégia de reconhecimento da mensagem das exposições, através dos espaços e dos objectos.Abstract: The need for proper communication is essential with regard to transmission and enjoyment of a show. Design has theoretical and practical tools necessary to comply with this assumption. With this research, we intend to highlight the need for a new theoretical and programmatic approach about the exhibition process, highlighting the importance of three-dimensional aspects and contextualizing solutions that contribute to understanding the exhibition as a communication vehicle. We call special attention for the potential of dialogue of the interior designer as an exhibition designer with a view to maximizing the perception of the visitor. This dialogue can take place through the exhibition process, in form of organized stories and reduced to icons of universal significance, which are applied in real space. They point the need to develop a theory about Exhibition Design, as an instance of reasoning for theory communication. This research aims to analyse the strategy of message acknowledge of exhibitions through the spaces and objects

Zero-bias conductance peak and Josephson effect in graphene-NbTiN junctions

We report electronic transport measurements of graphene contacted by NbTiN electrodes, which at low temperature remain superconducting up to at least 11 Tesla. In devices with a single superconducting contact, we find a more than twofold enhancement of the conductance at zero bias, which we interpret in terms of reflectionless tunneling. In devices with two superconducting contacts, we observe the Josephson effect, bipolar supercurrents and Fraunhofer patterns.Comment: 6 pages, 5 figure

Mentoring Entrepreneurial Networks : mapping conceptions of participants in technological-based business incubators in Brazil

La agenda de la investigación reciente sobre emprendedores incluye el análisis de las estructuras cognitivas de los empresarios de éxito, revelándose como una herramienta importante a la hora de examinar una trayectoria emprendedora. Mediante técnicas de mapas cognitivos, este estudio explora los conceptos de una trayectoria de éxito y la red en sí misma como un todo, para el desarrollo de esta carrera. Fueron estudiados 53 empresarios en siete viveros tecnológicos de la ciudad de Recife, Pernambuco, Brasil. El objetivo específico de este estudio era situar los significados comunes de los emprendedores del vivero teniendo en cuenta las redes de apoyo informal. Este tipo de redes ofrecen apoyo a la carrera empresarial, y el presente estudio examina tanto las características como el modelo conceptual que subyace bajo éstas. La recolección de datos fue realizada por medio de entrevistas a través de la técnica de evocación libre. Los significados comunes indican la existencia de categorías de pensamiento inherentes que fomentan el contexto de la red en el entorno del vivero, especialmente en las redes-mentor. Los resultados refuerzan la interpretación de un modelo mentor informal que emerge de las evocaciones predominantes respecto a una carrera de éxito y de la red en sí misma como promotora de su desarrollo.The recent entrepreneurship research agenda includes the analysis of cognitive structures of successful entrepreneurs, revealing an important tool for the examination of an entrepreneurial career. Using techniques of cognitive maps, this study explores the concepts of a successful career and the network itself, as a whole, for career development. Fifty-three entrepreneurs were studied, in seven technological incubators in the city of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. Specifically, this study aimed to map the shared meanings of the incubated entrepreneurs regarding informal support networks. Such networks support the entrepreneurial career and the present study explores the characteristics and the conceptual model that underlies the networks. The data collection was achieved through interviews through a free evocation technique. The shared meanings indicate the existence of inherent thought categories that support network context in the incubator environment, mainly the mentoring networks. The results endorse the interpretation of an informal mentoring model emerging from the dominant evocations concerning a successful career and of the network itself as promoter of career development

Does a shell matter for defence? Chemical deterrence in two cephalaspidean gastropodes with calcified shells

Opisthobranch molluscs show an evolutionary trend to reduce, internalize and lose the shell. Many of them base their defensive strategies on natural deterrent products and current evolutionary theory suggests that the acquisition of chemical defences preceded shell reduction and loss, which has characterized the evolution of this group. Here we show that basal, shelled opisthobranch molluscs are defended against sympatric predators even if their protective shell is removed. The cephalaspideans Bulla striata and Haminoea orbignyana, both with distinct shell calcification, significantly deterred feeding by sympatric crab and fish predators, both in laboratory and field assays. However, our results argue against a progressive increment of chemical defences associated with shell reduction, because the cephalaspidean with the more fully calcified shell, Bulla striata, was also the more deterrent. These findings suggest that effective chemical defences might have evolved independently from shell loss, at least in basal opisthobranchs such as cephalaspideans

Primary Disorders of Neurotransmitter Metabolism: Experience of a Tertiary Center

Neurotransmitter diseases are a group of inherited disorders attributable to a disturbance of neurotransmitter metabolism. Biogenic amines are neurotransmitters with multiple roles including psychomotor function, hormone secretion, cardiovascular, respiratory and gastrointestinal control, sleep mechanisms, body temperature and pain. Given the multiple functions of monoamines, disorders of their metabolism comprise a wide spectrum of manifestations, with motor dysfunction being the most prominent clinical feature. Methods: Case review of 12 patients from 4 families, with primary disorders of biogenic amine metabolism. Results: Aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency (4 patients from 2 families), and GTP-cyclohydrolase (8 patients from 2 families) were the two diseases identified. Age at first symptoms varied between 2 months and 6 years. Developmental delay was present in all cases except 2 patients with GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency. The combination of axial hypotonia and limb dystonia was also frequent. Children with aromatic L-amino acid decarboxylase deficiency exhibited temperature instability, oculogyric crisis and disturbances of sleep. The index case of one family with GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency presented with Parkinsonism (bradykinesia, rigidity and hypomimia). Analysis of neurotransmitters and their metabolites in CSF was crucial for the identification of index cases. Response to therapy was variable but in general unsatisfactory except in a family with GTP cyclohydrolase deficiency. Conclusions: These disorders should be considered in the differential diagnosis of paediatric neurodegenerative diseases, in order to allow an adequate therapeutic trial that can favor prognosis

A coupled hydrodynamic and ecological model to manage water quality in Ria Formosa coastal lagoon

Nitrate and urban waste water directives have raised the need for a better understanding of coastal systems in the European Union. The incorrect application of these directives can lead to important ecological or social penalties. In this paper this problem is addressed to Ria Formosa Coastal Lagoon. Ria Formosa hosts a Natural Park, important ports of the southern Portuguese coast and significant bivalve aquaculture activity. Four major urban waste water treatment plants discharging into the lagoon are considered in this study. Its treatment level must be selected, based on. detailed information from a monitoring program and on a good knowledge of the processes determining the fate of the material discharged into the lagoon., In this paper the results of a monitoring program and simulations using a coupled hydrodynamic and water quality/ecological model, MOHID, are used to characterise the system and to understand the processes in Ria Formosa. It is shown that the water residence time in most of the. lagoon is quite low, of the order of days, but it can be larger in the upper parts of the channels where land generated water is discharged. The main supply of nutrients to the lagoon comes from the open sea rather than from the urban discharges. For this reason the characteristics and behaviour of the general lagoon contrasts with the behaviour of the upper reaches of the channels where the influence of the waste water treatment plants are high. In this system the bottom mineralization was found to be an important mechanism, and the inclusion of that process in the model was essential to obtain good results

The Safe-Port project: an approach to port surveillance and protection

SAFE-PORT is a recently started project addressing the complex issue of determining the best configurations of resources for harbour and port surveillance and protection. More specifically, the main goal is to find, for any given scenario, an adequate set of configuration solutions — i.e., number and type of sensors and equipments, their locations and operating modes, the corresponding personnel and other support resources — that maximize protection over a specific area. The project includes research and development of sensors models, novel algorithms for optimization and decision support, and a computer-based decision support system (DSS) to assist decision makers in that task. It includes also the development of a simulation environment for modelling relevant aspects of the scenario (including sensors used for surveillance, platforms, threats and the environment), capable to incorporate data from field-trials, used to test and validate solutions proposed by the DSS. Test cases will consider the use of intelligent agents to model the behaviour of threats and of NATO forces in a realistic way, following experts’ definitions and parameters

Upwelling regime off the Cabo Frio region in Brazil and impact on acoustic propagation

This work introduces a description of the complex upwelling regime off the Cabo Frio region in Brazil and shows that ocean modeling, based on the feature-oriented regional modeling system (FORMS) technique, can produce reliable predictions of sound speed fields for the corresponding shallow water environment. This work also shows, through the development of simulations, that the upwelling regime can be responsible for the creation of shadow coastal zones, in which the detection probability is too low for an acoustic source to be detected. The development of the FORMS technique and its validation with real data, for the particular region of coastal upwelling off Cabo Frio, reveals the possibility of a sustainable and reliable forecast system for the corresponding (variable in space and time) underwater acoustic environment. (C) 2018 Acoustical Society of AmericaBrazilian Navy; Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico (CNPq)/Ciencias Sem Fronteiras [400671/2014-0]; European Union [OAEX-230855]; Fundacao de Amparo a Pesquisa (FAPERJ) [E-26/110.327/2012