Percepção da batata-doce de polpa roxa: expectativas hedonicas, sensoriais e emocionais dos consumidores

Purple-fleshed sweet potatoes (PFSP) are a new product for Uruguayan consumers. It shows differentiable sensory characteristics and added nutritional benefits, but sensory and hedonic expectations raised by PFSP have not been explored yet in Uruguay. The aim of this work was to explore Uruguayan consumers' perception of PFSP with a special focus on the hedonic, sensory and emotional expectations raised by them in comparison to traditional yellow and orange-flesh genotypes available in the market. A series of pictures of three types of SP were used in a social-network-driven study completed by 179 SP consumers. A word-association task and rating of expected liking together with exploring how they would feel after consumption using a check-all-that-apply (CATA) question composed of 21 emoji were carried out. Participants were also asked to describe the expected sensory characteristics using a CATA questions composed of 17 terms, selected based on results from previous sensory studies. Results revealed a lack of consumer familiarity with purple flesh coloration and lower expected liking scores compared to traditional orange and yellow flesh genotypes. It was also associated with scarce positive hedonic and emotional associations related to the emojis flushed face, face screaming in fear, grimacing face and weary face. Moreover, they were expected to have similar characteristics to yellow-fleshed sweet potatoes (YFSP) in terms of texture and flavor, being also associated with off-flavors presence. This highlights the need to develop diverse marketing strategies to increase familiarity before the commercial release of PFSP.Los boniatos de pulpa violeta (BPV) constituyen un producto novedoso para los consumidores uruguayos. Presentan características fácilmente diferenciables, así como un valor nutricional añadido, pero aún se desconocen las expectativas sensoriales y hedónicas que generan en Uruguay. El objetivo de este trabajo fue explorar la percepción de los BPV con un foco especial en las expectativas hedónicas, sensoriales y emocionales en comparación con los tipos tradicionales presentes en el mercado. El estudio fue realizado con 179 consumidores que respondieron preguntas online, presentándoles una serie de fotografías. Se realizó una asociación libre y la evaluación de aceptabilidad esperada, y se exploró cómo se sentirían luego de probarlos, utilizando un «marque todo lo que corresponda» (CATA) compuesto de 21 emojis. También se solicitó a los participantes que describieran sus expectativas sensoriales aplicando un CATA compuesto por 17 términos validados en ensayos previos. Los resultados muestran una falta de familiaridad con la coloración violeta en la pulpa, lo que se refleja en menores valores de aceptabilidad esperada en comparación con los genotipos tradicionales de pulpa crema y naranja. Se asoció también con escasas asociaciones hedónicas positivas y emojis como cara de asombro o miedo, muecas o fatiga. Generaron expectativas sensoriales similares a los boniatos de pulpa crema en términos de textura y sabor, asociándose, además, con sabores no deseados. Esto resalta la necesidad de desarrollar estrategias de marketing para favorecer la familiaridad previo a la liberación comercial de los BPV.A batata-doce com polpa violeta (BPV) é uma novidade para o consumidor uruguaio. Apresentam características facilmente diferenciáveis ​​e valor nutricional agregado, mas as expectativas sensoriais e hedônicas que geram no Uruguai ainda são desconhecidas. O objetivo deste trabalho foi explorar a percepção do BPV com foco especial nas expectativas hedônicas, sensoriais e emocionais em comparação com os tipos tradicionais presentes no mercado. O estudo foi conduzido por 179 consumidores que responderam a perguntas online, apresentando-lhes uma série de fotos. Foi realizada uma avaliação de associação livre e aceitabilidade esperada e explorado como eles se sentiriam depois de experimentá-los, usando uma marca de seleção todos que se aplicam (CATA) composta por 21 emojis. Os participantes também foram solicitados a descrever suas expectativas sensoriais, aplicando um CATA composto por 17 termos validados em ensaios anteriores. Os resultados mostram um desconhecimento da coloração violeta da polpa, o que se reflete em menores valores de aceitabilidade esperada em relação aos genótipos tradicionais de polpa creme e laranja. Também foi associado a poucas associações hedônicas positivas e emojis, como rosto surpreso ou medo, caretas o fadiga. Eles geraram expectativas sensoriais semelhantes à polpa cremosa de batata-doce em termos de textura e sabor, e também foram associados a sabores indesejados. Isso destaca a necessidade de desenvolver estratégias de marketing para promover a familiaridade antes do lançamento comercial da batata-doce de polpa roxa

Desarrollo de un simulador digital en tiempo real basado en xPC Target

Este proyecto consiste en el diseño e implementación de un Simulador Digital en Tiempo Real (RTDS) utilizando la tecnología xPC de MATLABr. Para el desarrollo del RTDS, se realiza el análisis de 3 casos de estudio: primero, el péndulo invertido, segundo, una Smart Grid (SG) y tercero, la Unidad de Entrenamiento en Automatización (UEA), en cada caso se considera la representación matemática, el controlador y la etapa de potencia. Se elige para el desarrollo del simulador la UEA, ya que cumple con todos los criterios de selección. El desarrollo del simulador se ejecuta en varias etapas: con guración de software y hardware para el computador maestro y esclavo, implementación de la representación matemática en MATLAB/Simulinkr, diseño de la arquitectura del simulador, con guración de comunicaciones con el controlador, diseño del control, programación del PLC e integración de las etapas. Posteriormente, se realiza la validación del simulador mediante métodos estadísticos que requieren estimular al simulador y al caso de estudio seleccionado en condiciones equivalentes. Los resultados exponen que el RTDS tiene un RMSE máximo de 0.9 L/h para la variable de ujo y 0.09 psi para la variable de presión. Se concluye que el RTDS desarrollado, permite validar la efectividad de controles diseñados para las variables de ujo y presión de la UEA, antes de ser aplicados al sistema real, además de ofrecer una predicción de la respuesta de la planta en puntos críticos de operación, este procedimiento permite evitar el deterioro de la unidad en caso de que el control exija a los elementos físicos acciones que estos no puedan realizar y por lo tanto causar el daño de los mismos

Smed454 dataset: unravelling the transcriptome of Schmidtea mediterranea

Background: Freshwater planarians are an attractive model for regeneration and stem cell research and have become a promising tool in the field of regenerative medicine. With the availability of a sequenced planarian genome, the recent application of modern genetic and high-throughput tools has resulted in revitalized interest in these animals, long known for their amazing regenerative capabilities, which enable them to regrow even a new head after decapitation. However, a detailed description of the planarian transcriptome is essential for future investigation into regenerative processes using planarians as a model system. Results: In order to complement and improve existing gene annotations, we used a 454 pyrosequencing approach to analyze the transcriptome of the planarian species Schmidtea mediterranea Altogether, 598,435 454-sequencing reads, with an average length of 327 bp, were assembled together with the ~10,000 sequences of the S. mediterranea UniGene set using different similarity cutoffs. The assembly was then mapped onto the current genome data. Remarkably, our Smed454 dataset contains more than 3 million novel transcribed nucleotides sequenced for the first time. A descriptive analysis of planarian splice sites was conducted on those Smed454 contigs that mapped univocally to the current genome assembly. Sequence analysis allowed us to identify genes encoding putative proteins with defined structural properties, such as transmembrane domains. Moreover, we annotated the Smed454 dataset using Gene Ontology, and identified putative homologues of several gene families that may play a key role during regeneration, such as neurotransmitter and hormone receptors, homeobox-containing genes, and genes related to eye function. Conclusions: We report the first planarian transcript dataset, Smed454, as an open resource tool that can be accessed via a web interface. Smed454 contains significant novel sequence information about most expressed genes of S. mediterranea. Analysis of the annotated data promises to contribute to identification of gene families poorly characterized at a functional level. The Smed454 transcriptome data will assist in the molecular characterization of S. mediterranea as a model organism, which will be useful to a broad scientific community

Digital Gene Expression approach over multiple RNA-Seq data sets to detect neoblast transcriptional changes in Schmidtea mediterranea

The freshwater planarian Schmidtea mediterranea is recognised as a valuable model for research into adult stem cells and regeneration. With the advent of the high-throughput sequencing technologies, it has become feasible to undertake detailed transcriptional analysis of its unique stem cell population, the neoblasts. Nonetheless, a reliable reference for this type of studies is still lacking. Taking advantage of digital gene expression (DGE) sequencing technology we compare all the available transcriptomes for S. mediterranea and improve their annotation. These results are accessible via web for the community of researchers. Using the quantitative nature of DGE, we describe the transcriptional profile of neoblasts and present 42 new neoblast genes, including several cancer-related genes and transcription factors. Furthermore, we describe in detail the Smed-meis-like gene and the three Nuclear Factor Y subunits Smed-nf-YA, Smed-nf-YB-2 and Smed-nf-YC. DGE is a valuable tool for gene discovery, quantification and annotation. The application of DGE in S. mediterranea confirms the planarian stem cells or neoblasts as a complex population of pluripotent and multipotent cells regulated by a mixture of transcription factors and cancer-related genes

Análisis de islas de calor por medio de imágenes satelitales y sistemas de información geográficos en el área urbana de la Sabana de Bogotá

In this investigation all data related to Land surface temperature (LST) collected from  satellite Landsat 8 was compared to temperature data collected from surface stations located in Sabana de Bogotá, to identify urban heat islands. It was developed a crop in the study area of satellite image in order to processing spectrum bands 10, 4 and 5, using a Land surface Temperature algorithm to collect the satellite mapping of the surface temperature. At the same time, this data was analyzed as statistically as spatially considering the distance and elevation of the stations interpolating them with Cokriging’s method and the ArcGIS 10.3® Software, detecting spatially the geometry of the islands in high urbanization zones, getting the Pixel temperature and comparing it to surface station data finding differences between temperature in urban zones commonly with more vegetation and the two methods used for this study.En esta investigación, los datos relacionados con la temperatura superficial (LST) recopilados del satélite Landsat 8 se compararon con los datos de temperatura seleccionados de las estaciones de superficie, ubicadas en la sabana de Bogotá, para identificar islas de calor urbanas. Se recortó el área de estudio de la imagen satelital para procesar las bandas del espectro 10, 4 y 5, usando un algoritmo de temperatura superficial para recolectar el mapeo satelital. Al mismo tiempo, estos datos se analizaron estadísticamente como espacialmente considerando la distancia y la elevación de las estaciones interpolando con el método de Cokriging y el software ArcGIS 10.3®, detectando espacialmente la geometría de las islas en zonas de alta urbanización, obteniendo la temperatura de píxeles y comparándolo con los datos de la estación de superficie, encontrando diferencias entre la temperatura en zonas urbanas comúnmente con más vegetación y los dos métodos utilizados para este estudio

La clase de Educación Física a través de la modalidad virtual en el contexto ecuatoriano

Introduction. Because of the new reality, product of the pandemic that humanity is living, there have been transformations in all areas, one of them is the teaching-learning process.  Objective. The present research focuses on determining the compliance of the components of the Physical Education class and the application of didactic instruments in the evaluation process through the virtual modality. Methodology. It responds to a quantitative, basic, non-experimental approach; 68 teachers participated as a study sample, belonging to the College of Physical Culture Professionals of Tungurahua. The survey technique was used and as an instrument, a structured questionnaire, which was designed and validated by statistical methods and by criteria of experts in the area of Physical Education, structured to obtain information based on 5 dimensions related to the fulfillment and application of components of the Physical Education class, through the virtual modality. Results. The analysis of the responses by dimension showed that 51.1% of the teachers were at a high level of compliance with the components of the class and 54.4% were at a medium level of the processes within the class. Conclusions. It is concluded that, based on the statistical results, teachers have a high level of compliance and a medium level of application of the components of the physical education class in the virtual modality. These results allow proposing valid solution alternatives, based on the analyzed reality.Introducción. Por efectos de la nueva realidad, producto de la pandemia que vive la humanidad, se han dado transformaciones en todo ámbito, uno de ellos es el del proceso de enseñanza – aprendizaje.  Objetivo. La presente investigación se focaliza en determinar el cumplimiento de los componentes de la clase de Educación Física y la aplicación de instrumentos didácticos en el proceso de evaluación a través de la modalidad virtual. Metodología. Estudio de enfoque cuantitativo, de tipo no experimental, descriptivo, transversal; con 68 docentes, como muestra de estudio, pertenecientes al Colegio de Profesionales de Cultura Física de Tungurahua. Se empleó la técnica de la encuesta y como instrumento, un cuestionario estructurado, el cual se diseñó y valido por métodos estadísticos y por criterio de expertos en el área de la Educación Física, estructurado para obtener información en base a 5 dimensiones relacionadas al cumplimiento y a la aplicación de componentes de la clase de Educación Física, a través de la modalidad virtual. Resultados. El análisis de las respuestas por dimensión permitió evidenciar que el 51.1% de los docentes se encontraba en un nivel alto de cumplimiento de los componentes de la clase y el 54.4% se encontraba en un nivel medio de los procesos dentro de la clase. Conclusiones. Se concluye que, en base a los resultados estadísticos, los docentes poseen un nivel alto de cumplimiento y un nivel medio de aplicación de los componentes de la clase de educación física en la modalidad virtual. Estos resultados permiten plantear alternativas válidas de solución, sobre la base de la realidad analizada

Synthesis, crystal structure, spectroscopic characterization, DFT calculations and cytotoxicity assays of a new cu(II) complex with an acylhydrazone Ligand derived from thiophene

A new Cu(II) complex is synthetized by the reaction of copper nitrate and a N-acylhydrazone ligand obtained from the condensation of o-vanillin and 2-thiophecarbohydrazide (H2L). The solid-state structure of [Cu(HL)(H2O)](NO3)·H2O, or CuHL for simplicity, was determined by X-ray diffraction. In the cationic complex, the copper center is in a nearly squared planar environment with the nitrate interacting as a counterion. CuHL was characterized by spectroscopic techniques, including solid-state FTIR, Raman, electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) and diffuse reflectance and solution UV-Vis electronic spectroscopy. Calculations based on the density functional theory (DFT) assisted the interpretation and assignment of the spectroscopic data. The complex does not show relevant antioxidant activity evaluated by the radical cation of 2,2′-azinobis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) diammonium salt (ABTS) method, being even less active than the free ligand as a radical quencher. Cytotoxicity assays of CuHL against three human tumor cell lines, namely MG-63, A549 and HT-29, revealed an important enhancement of the effectiveness as compared with both the ligand and the free metal ion. Moreover, its cytotoxic effect was remarkably stronger than that of the reference metallodrug cisplatin in all cancer cell lines tested, a promissory result in the search for new metallodrugs of essential transition metals.Fil: Rodríguez, María R.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Balsa, Lucia Mariana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Piro, Oscar Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Etcheverría, Gustavo A.. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: García Tojal, Javier. Universidad de Burgos; EspañaFil: Pis Diez, Reinaldo. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Leon, Ignacio Esteban. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Parajón Costa, Beatriz Susana. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; ArgentinaFil: Gonzalez Baro, Ana Cecilia. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino". Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Centro de Química Inorgánica "Dr. Pedro J. Aymonino"; Argentin

New heterobimetallic ferrocenyl derivatives are promising antitrypanosomal agents

In the search for a more effective chemotherapy for the treatment of Chagas´ disease and human African trypanosomiasis, caused by Trypanosoma cruzi and Trypanosoma brucei parasites, respectively, the use of organometallic compounds may be a promising strategy. In this work, eight new heterobimetallic compounds are described including four 5-nitrofuryl containing thiosemicarbazones as bioactive ligands (HL1-HL4) and dppf = 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino) ferrocene as an organometallic co-ligand. Complexes of the formula [MII(L)(dppf)](PF6) with M = Pd or Pt were synthesized and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution, including the determination of the molecular structure of four of them by single crystal X-ray diffraction methods. Most compounds showed activity in the low micromolar or submicromolar range against both parasites, with the platinum compounds being more active than the palladium analogues. Activity was significantly increased by generation of the M-dppf compounds (3-24 fold increase with respect to free ligands HL for T. cruzi and up to 99 fold increase with respect to HL for T. brucei). The inclusion of the organometallic co-ligand also led to lower toxicity in mammalian cells and higher selectivity towards both parasites when compared to the free HL compounds. The complexes interact with DNA and affect the redox metabolism of the parasites. Furthermore, the most active and selective compound of the new series showed no in vivo toxicity in zebrafish embryos.Fil: Rodríguez Arce, Esteban. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Putzu, Eugenia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Lapier, Michel. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Maya, Juan Diego. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Olea Azar, Claudio. Universidad de Chile; ChileFil: Echeverría, Gustavo Alberto. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Piro, Oscar Enrique. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Medeiros, Andrea. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; Uruguay. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Sardi, Florencia. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Comini, Marcelo. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Risi, Gastón. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Salinas, Gustavo. Instituto Pasteur de Montevideo; UruguayFil: Abad Villamor, Ana Isabel. Instituto Superior Técnico; PortugalFil: Pessoa, João Costa. Instituto Superior Técnico; PortugalFil: Otero, Lucía. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Gambino, Dinorah. Universidad de la República; Urugua

Aromatic amine N-oxide organometallic compounds: Searching for prospective agents against infectious diseases

In search of prospective agents against infectious diseases, 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene pyridine-2-thiolato-1-oxide M(II) hexafluorophosphate compounds [M(mpo)(dppf)](PF6), where M = palladium or platinum, were synthesized and fully characterized in the solid state and in solution using experimental and DFT computational techniques. The compounds are isomorphous and the M(II) transition metal ions are in a nearly planar trapezoidal cis-coordination bound to the pyridine-2-thiolato-1-oxide (mpo) and to the 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocene molecules, both acting as bidentate ligands. Both compounds showed high cytotoxic activity on Trypanosoma cruzi and Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) and acceptable selectivities towards MTB, but good to excellent selectivity index values as anti-T. cruzi compounds. The inclusion of the ferrocene moiety (dppf ligand) improved the selectivity towards the parasite when compared to the previously reported [M(mpo)2] complexes. Related to the probable mechanism of action of the complexes, molecular docking studies on modelled T. cruzi NADH-fumarate reductase (TcFR) predicted that both be very good inhibitors of the enzyme. The effect of the compounds on the enzyme activity was experimentally confirmed using T. cruzi protein extracts. According to all obtained results, both [M(mpo)(dppf)](PF6) compounds could be considered prospective anti-trypanosomal agents that deserve further research.Fil: Rodríguez Arce, Esteban. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Mosquillo, M. Florencia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Pérez Díaz, Leticia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Echeverría, Gustavo Alberto. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Piro, Oscar Enrique. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Departamento de Física; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas. Centro Científico Tecnológico Conicet - La Plata. Instituto de Física La Plata. Universidad Nacional de La Plata. Facultad de Ciencias Exactas. Instituto de Física La Plata; ArgentinaFil: Merlino, Alicia. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Coitiño, E. Laura. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Maríngolo Ribeiro, Camila. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Leite, Clarice Q. F.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Pavan, Fernando R.. Universidade Estadual Paulista Julio de Mesquita Filho; BrasilFil: Otero, Lucía. Universidad de la República; UruguayFil: Gambino, Dinorah. Universidad de la República; Urugua

New Method of Production and Characterization of Haemozo-in and Β-Haemozoin from Meccus longipennis

Background: Understanding the significance of hemozoin (Hz) in the process through which Plasmodium is released from the heme group in the food vacuole during hemoglobin degradation, will allow the development of more effective drugs against malaria. Therefore, the development of methodologies to obtain Hz synthetically will facilitate an in vitro evaluation of new anti-malarial drugs. Methods: We present a methodology with good results to obtain Hz from fecal material of blood-sucking insects Meccus longipennis. The preparation of biological cultures of the parasite (Plasmodium) transmitter of the disease is not necessary. Results: The hemozoin molecule and its dimer were obtained using the method described and it was possible to validate a comparison with the positive and negative controls using different analytical techniques. Conclusion: The proposed method allows obtaining hemozoin and its dimer demonstrating equivalence with positive controls that demonstrate that the present procedure may be an alternative for the evaluation of antimalarial drugs