Plano de negócios: KeepIt

JEL Classification System: L26, L68Neste projeto vai ser desenvolvido um Plano de Negócios de modo a averiguar a viabilidade económica e financeira da comercialização de um produto de base tecnológica para eletrificação remota em África. Este projeto de investigação contribui com a apresentação de uma proposta de valor diferenciadora para o mercado, através do desenvolvimento de uma tecnologia disruptiva, que resulta num produto tecnológico inovador que permite de uma forma sustentável incrementar o nível de vida das populações que vivem em zonas rurais remotas de África e desta forma assegurar um acesso seguro e sustentável à eletricidade. Para o meio académico, espera-se que este projeto sirva para promover o empreendedorismo através da inovação tecnológica e consequentemente, que contribua para impulsionar a criação de novos produtos inovadores, que através das suas capacidades superiores sejam capazes de agregar valor para o consumidor e para a comunidade em geral. A inovação é impulsionada pela capacidade de estabelecer novas conexões, detetar oportunidades e através de uma maior aposta no know-how, criar e agregar valor para o mercado. O desenvolvimento de novos produtos é visto como a crista da inovação e a chave para a sustentação das organizações, que necessitam deste tipo de estímulos para continuarem a ser competitivas.This project will be developed a Business Plan in order to ascertain the economic and financial viability of marketing a technology-based product for remote electrification in Africa. This research project contributes to the presentation of a distinctive value proposition to the market, by developing a disruptive technology, which results in an innovative technological product that allows a sustainably enhance the living standards of people living in rural areas remote Africa and thus ensure a secure and sustainable access to electricity. For the academia, it is expected that this project will serve to promote entrepreneurship through technological innovation and thus resulting in the creation of new innovative products, which through its greater capacity is able to add value to the consumer and the community in general. Innovation is driven by the ability to establish new connections, detect and opportunities through greater investment in know-how, create and deliver value to the market. The development of new products is seen as the crest of innovation and the key to sustaining organizations that need this kind of stimulus to remain competitive

Algoritmo AMMI ponderado para dados não replicados

The objective of this work was to propose a weighting scheme for the additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) model, as well as to assess the usefulness of this W-AMMI model in the study of genotype x environment interaction (GxE) and quantitative trait locus x environment interaction (QxE) for nonreplicated data. Data from the 'Harrington' x TR306 barley (Hordeum vulgare) mapping population, with 141 genotypes evaluated in 25 environments, were used to compare the results from the AMMI model with those of two proposed versions of the W-AMMI model: equal weights per row and equal weights per column. The proposed W-AMMI columns algorithm is viable to analyze data with heterogeneous variance, when there are no replicates available. The use of the AMMI and W-AMMI models, in the indicated cases, improves QTL detection, besides providing a sound interpretation of GxE and a better understanding of QxE, which allows obtaining valuable information on increasing productivities in different environments. O objetivo deste trabalho foi propor um esquema de ponderação para o modelo de efeitos principais aditivos e interação multiplicativa (AMMI), bem como avaliar a utilidade deste modelo W-AMMI no estudo da interação genótipo x ambiente (GxA) e da interação de locos associados a caracteres quantitativos x ambiente (QxA) para dados não replicados. Utilizou-se a população de cevada (Hordeum vulgare) 'Harrington' x TR306, com 141 genótipos avaliados em 25 ambientes, para comparar os resultados do modelo AMMI com os de duas versões propostas do modelo W-AMMI: pesos iguais por linha e pesos iguais por coluna. O algoritmo W-AMMI de colunas proposto é viável para analisar informação com heterogeneidade de variâncias, quando não há repetições disponíveis. O uso dos modelos AMMI e W-AMMI, nos casos indicados, melhora a detecção de QTLs, além de propiciar uma intepretação adequada da GxA e um melhor entendimento da QxA, o que possibilita a obtenção de informações importantes para o aumento da produtividade em diferentes ambientes

Determination of ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid in commercial preparations using an electronic tongue

The electronic tongue is a multi-sensors system used to identify the basic standards of taste, such as sweet, salty, sour and bitter, at levels not detectable by humans. Although the main purpose of electronic tongue is the qualitative analysis, the quantitative analysis of substances in a liquid matrix is also possible, having been the subject of these preliminary studies the application of electronic tongue to pharmaceutical products. In this way, the aim of the current study was the quantitative analysis of ascorbic acid (AA) and acetylsalicylic acid (ASA) in several commercial preparations using an electronic tongue. For that, solutions of standard compounds or of commercial preparations contain ascorbic acid and acetylsalicylic acid were analizes by an electronic tongue. The obtained data were using to determine the concentrations of the solutions thought através do multiple linear regression method. The preliminary tests showed that it is possible to quantify the ascorbic acid in effervescent formulations of vitamin C, using the predictor model obtained by multiple linear regression. In the case of acetylsalicylic acid it was verified that the matrix of the analgesics or antipyretics drugs significantly affect the signs of the electronic tongue. The electronic tongue can be used determined ascorbic acid in effervescent formulations while it is necessary developed more selective sensors to acetylsalicylic acid in order to improve the predictive power of electronic tongue quantification of this compound

Genome-wide metabolic re-annotation of Ashbya gossypii: new insights into its metabolism through a comparative analysis with Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Kluyveromyces lactis

BACKGROUND:Ashbya gossypii is an industrially relevant microorganism traditionally used for riboflavin production. Despite the high gene homology and gene order conservation comparatively with Saccharomyces cerevisiae, it presents a lower level of genomic complexity. Its type of growth, placing it among filamentous fungi, questions how close it really is from the budding yeast, namely in terms of metabolism, therefore raising the need for an extensive and thorough study of its entire metabolism. This work reports the first manual enzymatic genome-wide re-annotation of A. gossypii as well as the first annotation of membrane transport proteins.RESULTS:After applying a developed enzymatic re-annotation pipeline, 847 genes were assigned with metabolic functions. Comparatively to KEGG's annotation, these data corrected the function for 14% of the common genes and increased the information for 52 genes, either completing existing partial EC numbers or adding new ones. Furthermore, 22 unreported enzymatic functions were found, corresponding to a significant increase in the knowledge of the metabolism of this organism. The information retrieved from the metabolic re-annotation and transport annotation was used for a comprehensive analysis of A. gossypii's metabolism in comparison to the one of S. cerevisiae (post-WGD - whole genome duplication) and Kluyveromyces lactis (pre-WGD), suggesting some relevant differences in several parts of their metabolism, with the majority being found for the metabolism of purines, pyrimidines, nitrogen and lipids. A considerable number of enzymes were found exclusively in A. gossypii comparatively with K. lactis (90) and S. cerevisiae (13). In a similar way, 176 and 123 enzymatic functions were absent on A. gossypii comparatively to K. lactis and S. cerevisiae, respectively, confirming some of the well-known phenotypes of this organism.CONCLUSIONS:This high quality metabolic re-annotation, together with the first membrane transporters annotation and the metabolic comparative analysis, represents a new important tool for the study and better understanding of A. gossypii's metabolism.Research described in this article was financially supported by FEDER and "Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia" (FCT): Project AshByofactory (PTDC/EBB-EBI/101985/2008 - FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-009701), Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013, Project "BioInd - Biotechnology and Bioengineering for improved Industrial and Agro-Food processes, REF.NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-000028" Co-funded by the Programa Operacional Regional do Norte (ON.2 - O Novo Norte), QREN, FEDER and the PhD grant to DG (SFRH/BD/88623/2012)

TRABALHANDO PERCEPÇÕES: ESTUDO COM JOVENS AGRICULTORES SOBRE OS ASPECTOS LEGAIS DO CÓDIGO FLORESTAL

A pesquisa fundamenta-se na percepção das relações entre as características produtivas, qualidade de vida e políticas públicas. Neste sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho é analisar a compreensão dos jovens rurais, estudantes de uma Escola Família Agrícola (EFA), no que se refere ao debate do Código Florestal. Os dados foram coletados in loco, a partir de entrevistas semiestruturadas, sendo posteriormente tabulados. Constata-se que os estudantes estão conscientes da importância de se conservar os recursos naturais. No entanto, há a necessidade de se incentivar as boas práticas, não apenas penalizando-os pelo descumprimento do ordenamento jurídico brasileiro vigente

the complexity of host's effective immune response against a polymorphic parasitic disease

This review is aimed at providing a comprehensive outline of the immune response displayed against cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL), the more common zoonotic infection caused by protozoan parasites of the genus Leishmania. Although of polymorphic clinical presentation, classically CL is characterized by leishmaniotic lesions on the face and extremities of the patients, which can be ulcerative, and even after healing can lead to permanent injuries and disfigurement, affecting significantly their psychological, social, and economic well-being. According a report released by the World Health Organization, the disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) lost due to leishmaniasis are close to 2.4 million, annually there are 1.0-1.5 million new cases of CL, and a numerous population is at risk in the endemic areas. Despite its increasing worldwide incidence, it is one of the so-called neglected tropical diseases. Furthermore, this review provides an overview of the existing knowledge of the host innate and acquired immune response to cutaneous species of Leishmania. The use of animal models and of in vitro studies has improved the understanding of parasite-host interplay and the complexity of immune mechanisms involved. The importance of diagnosis accuracy associated with effective patient management in CL reduction is highlighted. However, the multiple factors involved in CL epizoology associated with the unavailability of vaccines or drugs to prevent infection make difficult to formulate an effective strategy for CL control.publishersversionpublishe

O DIREITO À PRIVACIDADE NA SOCIEDADE INFORMACIONAL: CONSTRUINDO UMA EDUCAÇÃO ORIENTADA PELA PROTEÇÃO DE DADOS

O presente estudo tematiza a importância da proteção do direito à privacidade, enquanto direito da personalidade, e a (im)possibilidade de uma educação emancipatória da população sobre temas relacionados às novas tecnologias e à proteção de dados no contexto da sociedade de informacional. O problema que orienta a pesquisa pode ser assim consubstanciado: quais são os limites e as possibilidades de construção de uma educação voltada à emancipação da população no que se refere à proteção de dados sensíveis, que afetam o direito à privacidade enquanto direito da personalidade, no contexto da sociedade contemporânea, marcada pelas novas tecnologias? A hipótese lançada ao problema proposto consiste na seguinte ideia: na contemporaneidade, as pessoas, diuturnamente, utilizam programas de computador, jogos eletrônicos e aplicativos de celular que são responsáveis por colocá-las em contato direto com empresas (Big Techs) que exploram dados e informações no mercado. Diante desse contexto, este artigo parte da hipótese básica de que, na sociedade de informacional contemporânea, a educação para a utilização de serviços e plataformas virtuais se afigura como condição de possibilidade para evitar danos aos direitos da personalidade dos usuários. Defende-se, portanto, que a educação pautada nos fundamentos da LGPD permeie todos os níveis de formação, de forma transdisciplinar. O objetivo geral consiste em propor um modelo de educação pautada nos fundamentos da LGPD, que permeie todos os níveis de formação, de modo transdisciplinar, como condição de possibilidade para redução de danos aos direitos da personalidade no contexto da violação à privacidade de usuários de serviços oferecidos pelas Big Techs on-line. Empregou-se o método de pesquisa hipotético-dedutivo, mediante aplicação da técnica de pesquisa bibliográfica e documental e técnica de procedimento monográfica

Risk factors for oropharyngeal dysphagia in cardiovascular diseases

Some conditions consolidated as risk factors for oropharyngeal dysphagia have already been identified in other diseases, such as neurological. Studies on cardiovascular diseases concentrate in individuals in the postoperative period; thus, it is unknown if these same factors occur in individuals hospitalized for clinical or surgical treatment of these diseases. Objective: to correlate predictive risk factors for oropharyngeal dysphagia in individuals with cardiovascular disease admitted at a reference cardiology hospital. Methodology: This is a retrospective clinical study. Medical records of 175 individuals hospitalized for clinical and/or surgical treatment at a reference cardiology hospital from January to June 2017, attendants of the Speech-Language Pathology and Nutrition team, were analyzed. Of these, 100 records were included in the study: 41 females and 59 males (mean age 67.56 years). Deaths and individuals from 0 to 18 years were excluded. Stroke, malnutrition, age and prolonged orotracheal intubation were considered predictive risk factors for oropharyngeal dysphagia. Mann-Whitney test and Fisher's test were used for statistical analysis. Results: Stroke (OR=2.93 p=0.02), malnutrition (OR=2.89 p=0.02) and prolonged orotracheal intubation (OR=3.94 p=0.02) were statistically significant predictors for oropharyngeal dysphagia within this population. Age below 80 years was not significant (p=0.06), but within octogenarians, significance was found (p=0.033). Conclusion: Stroke, malnutrition, prolonged orotracheal intubation and age > 80 years are predictive risk factors for oropharyngeal dysphagia in adult population with cardiovascular diseases

Extracellular vesicles shed by trypanosoma brucei brucei manipulate host mononuclear cells

Funding Information: Funding: This study was supported by FCT—Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., through research grant PTDC/CVT-CVT/28908/2017 and by national funds within the scope of Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA, UIDB/00276/2020) and Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM, UID/04413/2020). Funding Information: This study was supported by FCT?Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., through research grant PTDC/CVT-CVT/28908/2017 and by national funds within the scope of Centro de Investiga??o Interdisciplinar em Sanidade Animal (CIISA, UIDB/00276/2020) and Global Health and Tropical Medicine (GHTM, UID/04413/2020). Publisher Copyright: © 2021 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland.African trypanosomiasis or sleeping sickness is a zoonotic disease caused by Trypanosoma brucei, a protozoan parasite transmitted by Glossina spp. (tsetse fly). Parasite introduction into mammal hosts triggers a succession of events, involving both innate and adaptive immunity. Macrophages (MΦ) have a key role in innate defence since they are antigen-presenting cells and have a micro-bicidal function essential for trypanosome clearance. Adaptive immune defence is carried out by lymphocytes, especially by T cells that promote an integrated immune response. Like mammal cells, T. b. brucei parasites release extracellular vesicles (TbEVs), which carry macromolecules that can be transferred to host cells, transmitting biological information able to manipulate cell immune response. However, the exact role of TbEVs in host immune response remains poorly understood. Thus, the current study examined the effect elicited by TbEVs on MΦ and T lymphocytes. A combined approach of microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, multiparametric flow cytometry, colourimetric assays and detailed statistical analyses were used to evaluate the influence of TbEVs in mouse mononuclear cells. It was shown that TbEVs can establish direct communication with cells of innate and adaptative immunity. TbEVs induce the differentiation of both M1-and M2-MΦ and elicit the expansion of MHCI+, MHCII+ and MHCI+ MHCII+ MΦ subpopulations. In T lymphocytes, TbEVs drive the overexpression of cell-surface CD3 and the nuclear factor FoxP3, which lead to the differentiation of regulatory CD4+ and CD8+ T cells. Moreover, this study indicates that T. b. brucei and TbEVs seem to display opposite but complementary effects in the host, establishing a balance between parasite growth and controlled immune response, at least during the early phase of infection.publishersversionpublishe

Prevalence of zoonotic potencial parasites in feces samples collected from public squares and beaches in São Lourenço do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil / Prevalência de parasitos com potencial zoonótico em amostras fecais coletadas de praças e praias públicas de São Lourenço do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brasil

In recent decades there has been a closer relationship between human beings and pets. Although this relationship is beneficial from several points of view, it also poses a risk to public health, as animals can transmit diseases to humans, called zoonoses. Among the main ones we can highlight the parasitic zoonoses, caused by helminths and protozoa, mainly transmitted via fecal-oral. Public squares and beaches are places with potential for the dissemination of parasitic zoonoses, as they are environments for mutual interaction between people and animals. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prevalence of parasites with zoonotic potential in samples of dog feces and sand collected from public squares and beaches in the municipality of São Lourenço do Sul, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil. 204 samples of canine feces from the environment and 120 samples of sand were collected and submitted to coproparasitological techniques. Of the total, 57.84% of the fecal samples and 21.66% of the analyzed sand samples were contaminated with some parasitic genus. The contamination of the soil of public squares and beaches by parasites with zoonotic potential demonstrates that the population is at risk in these places, with the need to adopt sanitary measures to avoid human infection by zoonoses