Diversity of yeasts involved in the fermentation of tchoukoutou, an opaque sorghum beer from Benin

Opaque sorghum beers are traditional alcoholic beverages in several African countries. Known as tchoukoutou in Benin, the beer is often obtained from an uncontrolled fermentation. It is consumed in an actively fermenting state and has a sour taste. The present study characterized and identified the yeasts involved in the fermentation process of this type of beer using the phenotypical approach. Of 12 beers from 4 different locations, the mean values of the pH, titratable acidity, dry matter content and refractive index were respectively 3.67, 0.70 (% as lactic acid) 18.08% and 7.00. Lactic acid bacteria and yeasts were the predominant microorganisms involved in the fermentation of tchoukoutou. Their counts were respectively 9.1 log cfu/ml and 9.1 logcfu/g. Enterobacteriaceae were not detectable in the beer. Based on the phenotypic characters and the assimilation profiles of 40 isolated yeasts, four genera with seven species of yeasts were identified. The yeast species predominant in the Benin opaque sorghum beer tchoukoutou was Saccharomyces cerevisa

Progress in the use of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) applied to the taxonomy of the genus Bursaphelenchus (Nematoda: Parasitaphelenchidae)

The scanning electron microscope (SEM) has been a major tool in detailed morphological observations of plant parasitic nematodes during the last 30 years, efficiently complementing light microscopical (LM) studies. Nematodes are extremely difficult to observe and characterize due to their small size (aprox. 1 mm long) and paucity of morphological characters, so detailed surface observations of several organs and nematode regions are of the highest value. Among plant parasitic nematodes, one of the most devastating species is the “pinewood nematode” (PWN), Bursaphelenchus xylophilus, which has been a major problem for forest species, and in particular pines, in Asia (Japan, China, Korea) and has been recently detected in the European Union (Portugal). B. xylophilus belongs to a closely related, morphologically similar group of species, within the genus Bursaphelenchus, and designated by the “xylophilus group”. SEM has become a crucial tool in observing several genital characters of males and females, such as male genital papillae, male copulatory spicules, female vulval flap and female genital papillae.s In this presentation, we will show how SEM has been utilized to observe and characterize the shape of the vulval flap, the presence/ absence of papillae near the flap, and confirm the presence and the arrangement of the male genital papillae. LM is also used in this work to show its value as a complementary tool to SEM, in both genital characteristics and other, general, characters of the genus Bursaphelenchus, such as the male bursa and cephalic region

Influence of cultivation conditions on the bioenergy potential and bio-compounds of Chlorella vulgaris

This study aims to evaluate the influence of cultivation conditions on the bioenergy and high value biocompounds contents of Chlorella vulgaris. Results show that the use of nitrate rich media, from 170.7 mg/L, favors a faster biomass growth, reaching values above 800 mg/L biomass. In addition, it favors higher pigments concentrations with more emphasis for the cultures with a nitrate concentration of 569 mg/L, where chlorophyll-a and carotenoids reached maximum concentrations of 6 and 2 mg/L, respectively. As regards the lipid content, nitrate deprivation (<28.4 mg/L) favors the accumulation of lipid content by microalgae (around 42%). The use of media with lower iron concentrations (0.5 mg/L) was favorable for obtaining biomass with higher concentrations of chlorophyll-a, at an initial stage, with values varying from 0.2 to 0.6 mg/L. In the tests carried out under mixotrophic conditions (addition of glucose), it was observed that contamination occurred in all the cultures, possibly due to the high concentration of carbon source that had values between 0.5 and 1.5 g/L of glucose, and consequently, growth decreased.Authors thank the financial support of the project IF/01093/2014/CP1249/CT0003 and research grants IF/01093/2014 and SFRH/BPD/112003/2015 funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES, and project UID/EQU/00305/2013 – Center for Innovation in Engineering and Industrial Technology – CIETI. This work was financially supported by: project UID/EQU/00511/2019 – Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy – LEPABE funded by national funds through FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC); Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006939 (Laboratory for Process Engineering, Environment, Biotechnology and Energy — LEPABE, UID/EQU/00511/2013) funded by FEDER through COMPETE2020-POCI and by national funds through FCT; 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 (ERDF).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Abordagem holística no sistema educativo português para desenvolver a(s) Literacia(s) das Ciências integradas com o Inglês

Numa orientação CTS do currículo de Ciências almeja-se o desenvolvimento da literacia científica dos alunos, que os torne sujeitos participantes envolvidos na discussão responsável de questões socio-científicas. Para participar, é fundamental saber comunicar sobre as Ciências e através delas, e usar outras línguas para a discussão ao nível global. Este trabalho – alicerçado numa perspetiva socio-construtivista da aprendizagem das Línguas estrangeiras e das Ciências – visa compreender, no âmbito de um projeto escolar no 3.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico, o cruzamento entre a construção de conceitos e contextos das Ciências com a(s) sua(s) “língua(s)” e a prática do Inglês na mesma sala de aula, através de uma abordagem que confere mais importância à Língua (CLIL), em geral e das Ciências. Trata-se de um estudo de caso descritivo-interpretativo que envolve quatro turmas, duas professoras de Ciências Naturais e uma de Inglês. Os dados foram recolhidos através de inquérito por entrevista (professoras) e por questionário (alunos) e através da observação. Serão apresentadas as respostas dos alunos às questões relacionadas com as Ciências, o Inglês e a sua articulação, e integradas com as informações preliminares resultantes de observações, as quais pretendem caraterizar o contexto. Recorreu-se à análise de conteúdo para interpretar as respostas abertas e à análise estatística para as fechadas. Emergem evidências de que esta abordagem fomenta a comunicação e consciencialização em e sobre Ciência. Considera-se oportuno continuar a recolha/análise dos dados para um cruzamento mais complexo das fontes, e para aprofundar como a presença de uma outra língua pode enriquecer a cultura científica.The goal of an STS-oriented Science curriculum is to develop students’ scientific literacy that makes them fully engaged participants in the responsible discussion of socio-scientific issues. Participation fundamentally requires the ability to communicate about and by means of Science, as well as the use of other languages in international discussions. This work – framed in a socio-constructivist perspective of both foreign Language and Science learning – aims to understand, within a school project of 7th, 8th and 9th grades, the intersection between the construction of Science concepts and contexts with its “language(s)” and the practice of English in the same class, through an approach that confers more importance to Language (CLIL), in general and that of Science, in particular. This descriptive-explanatory case study involves four classes, two Natural Science teachers and one English teacher. Data has been collected through (teacher) interviews, a (student) questionnaire and observation. Student’s answers to questions related to Science, English and their combination will be shown and integrated with preliminary information resulting from observations, aimed at characterizing the context. Content analysis has been used for interpreting open-ended answers while statistical analysis was employed on the close-ended ones. There is evidence that this approach fosters communication and awareness of and about Science. Data collection/analysis should be continued for a more complex source correlation, and to enhance the understanding on how the presence of another language may enrich the scientific culture.In un orientamento STS del curricolo di Scienze é auspicabile che si lavori allo sviluppo della literacy scientifica degli alunni, affinché questi diventino soggetti impegnati nella partecipazione alla discussione responsabile di questioni socio-scientifiche. Per partecipare, è fondamentale che si sappia comunicare di e tramite le Scienze, e utilizzare altre lingue per discutere a livello globale. Questo lavoro – basato su una prospettiva socio-costruttivista dell’apprendimento delle Lingue straniere e delle Scienze – ha come obiettivo comprendere, nell’ambito di un progetto scolastico nella Scuola Secondaria di I grado, l’intersezione tra la costruzione di concetti e contesti delle Scienze con la/le sua/sue “lingua/lingue” e la pratica dell’Inglese nella stessa aula, mediante un approccio che conferisce più importanza alla Lingua (CLIL), in generale e delle Scienze. Si tratta di uno studio di caso descrittivo-interpretativo che coinvolge quattro classi, due insegnanti di Scienze naturali e una di Inglese. I dati sono stati raccolti attraverso interviste (insegnanti), questionario (studenti) e osservazioni. Saranno presentate le risposte degli alunni alle domande legate alle Scienze, all’Inglese e alla loro articolazione, e integrate con le informazioni preliminari, risultanti dall’osservazione, finalizzata a caratterizzare il contesto. È stata utilizzata l’analisi del contenuto per l’interpretazione delle risposte aperte e l’analisi statistica per quelle chiuse. Sussistono alcune evidenze che questo approccio favorisce la comunicazione e la consapevolezza riguardo la Scienza. È opportuno continuare a raccogliere/analizzare i dati per un incrocio delle fonti più complesso, e per approfondire come la presenza di un’altra lingua possa arricchire la cultura scientifica

Reply to: comment on: The benefits of resistance training in obese adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis

We thank Dr. Zhang [1] for his interest in our literature review about the effects of resistance training (RT) programs in obese adolescents [2]. In the review, we analyzed 21 studies to evaluate the impact of RT on body mass index, body fat, waist circumference, lean mass, insulin sensitivity, muscle strength, and cardiorespiratory fitness. Our main findings showed that RT programs seem to be positive for obese adolescents, improving muscle strength and cardiorespiratory fitness and reducing body fat, waist circumference, and body mass index. Yet, we were clear to advise the reader that the results should be carefully analyzed, and some limitations were addressed, for example, (i) the small number of participants in each study; (ii) the use/comparison of different training programs (i.e., varying durations, intensities, and exercises); (iii) methodological issues (i.e., with an unclear or high risk of bias); (iv) unclear dietary control of participants; and (v) maturational-related issues. We understand that these limitations should not refrain professionals from critically appreciating our results and then designing RT programs for obese adolescents.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sliding blocks with random friction and absorbing random walks

With the purpose of explaining recent experimental findings, we study the distribution $A(\lambda)$ of distances $\lambda$ traversed by a block that slides on an inclined plane and stops due to friction. A simple model in which the friction coefficient $\mu$ is a random function of position is considered. The problem of finding $A(\lambda)$ is equivalent to a First-Passage-Time problem for a one-dimensional random walk with nonzero drift, whose exact solution is well-known. From the exact solution of this problem we conclude that: a) for inclination angles $\theta$ less than \theta_c=\tan(\av{\mu}) the average traversed distance \av{\lambda} is finite, and diverges when $\theta \to \theta_c^{-}$ as \av{\lambda} \sim (\theta_c-\theta)^{-1}; b) at the critical angle a power-law distribution of slidings is obtained: $A(\lambda) \sim \lambda^{-3/2}$. Our analytical results are confirmed by numerical simulation, and are in partial agreement with the reported experimental results. We discuss the possible reasons for the remaining discrepancies.Comment: 8 pages, 8 figures, submitted to Phys. Rev.

Chaotic Motion Around Prolate Deformed Bodies

The motion of particles in the field of forces associated to an axially symmetric attraction center modeled by a monopolar term plus a prolate quadrupole deformation is studied using Poincare surface of sections and Lyapunov characteristic numbers. We find chaotic motion for certain values of the parameters, and that the instability of the orbits increases when the quadrupole parameter increases. A general relativistic analogue is briefly discussed.Comment: RevTEX, 7 eps figures, To appear in Phys Rev E (March 2001

Épocas de semeadura e espaçamento sobre algumas características agronômicas da soja no planalto rio-grandense

To study the behavior of three soybean cultivars (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) (Paraná, Bragg and Santa Rosa) in three interrow spacings (40, 60 and 80 cm) and three sowing dates (10.15, 11.15 and 12.15) during the period 1976/77 through 1979/80 an experiment was conducted at the Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo (National Wheat Research Center), in Passo Fundo, RS, Brazil. The experimental lay-out was in randomized complete block design with split-plots and three replications. Spacings showed no effects on grain yield, plant height, and lowest pod insertion, independently of year, date, and cultivar. The performance of cultivars in all dates was highly influenced by environmental conditions prevailing in each year. On the average, during the four years, the second sowing date (11.15) showed greater grain yields, plant height, and insertion of  lowest pods. Yield of cultivar Santa Rosa in the three dates showed great stability, varying just 1.1% as compared to 45.6% and 27.2% obtained with Paraná and Bragg, respectively.Instalou-se, na área experimental do Centro Nacional de Pesquisa de Trigo, em Passo Fundo, um experimento objetivando estudar o comportamento de três cultivares de soja (Glycine max (L.) Merrill) (Paraná, Bragg e Santa Rosa) em três espaçamentos (40, 60 e 80 cm) e três épocas de semeadura (15.10, 15.11 e 15.12), no período 1976/77 e 1979/80. O experimento foi delineado em blocos ao acaso com parcelas subdivididas em três repetições. Os espaçamentos testados não mostraram efeitos sobre o rendimento de grãos, altura de planta e de inserção de vagens, independentemente do ano e cultivar. O desempenho das cultivares em todas as épocas teve uma forte influência das condições ambientais vigorantes em cada ano. Na média dos quatro anos, a segunda (15.11) apresentou valores maiores para rendimentos de grãos, altura de planta e de inserção das primeiras vagens. A produção da cultivar Santa Rosa, nas três épocas de semeadura, apresentou uma grande estabilidade, variando apenas 1,1% em comparação com 45,6% e 27,2% para Paraná e Bragg,respectivamente

Performance of prototypes for the ALICE electromagnetic calorimeter

The performance of prototypes for the ALICE electromagnetic sampling calorimeter has been studied in test beam measurements at FNAL and CERN. A $4\times4$ array of final design modules showed an energy resolution of about 11% /$\sqrt{E(\mathrm{GeV})}$ $\oplus$ 1.7 % with a uniformity of the response to electrons of 1% and a good linearity in the energy range from 10 to 100 GeV. The electromagnetic shower position resolution was found to be described by 1.5 mm $\oplus$ 5.3 mm /$\sqrt{E \mathrm{(GeV)}}$. For an electron identification efficiency of 90% a hadron rejection factor of $>600$ was obtained.Comment: 10 pages, 10 figure