Flashing LEDs for microalgal production

Flashing lights are next-generation tools to mitigate light attenuation and increase the photosynthetic efficiency of microalgal cultivation systems illuminated by light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Optimal flashing light conditions depend on the reaction kinetics and properties of the linear electron transfer chain, energy dissipation, and storage mechanisms of a phototroph. In particular, extremely short and intense light flashes potentially mitigate light attenuation in photobioreactors without impairing photosynthesis. Intelligently controlling flashing light units and selecting electronic components can maximize light emission and energy efficiency. We discuss the biological, physical, and technical properties of flashing lights for algal production. We combine recent findings about photosynthetic pathways, self-shading in photobioreactors, and developments in solid-state technology towards the biotechnological application of LEDs to microalgal production.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) [CCMAR/Multi/04326/2013]Nord UniversityNordland County Government (project Bioteknologi en framtidsrettet naering)INTERREG V-A Espana-Portugal project [0055 ALGARED + 5E]Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology [SFRH/BD/105541/2014, SFRH/BD/115325/2016]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Chemical profiling of infusions and decoctions of Helichrysum italicum subsp picardii by UHPLC-PDA-MS and in vitro biological activities comparatively with green tea (Camellia sinensis) and rooibos tisane (Aspalathus linearis)

Several medicinal plants are currently used by the food industry as functional additives, for example botanical extracts in herbal drinks. Moreover, the scientific community has recently begun focusing on halophytes as sources of functional beverages. Helichrysum italicum subsp. picardii (everlasting) is an aromatic halophyte common in southern Europe frequently used as spice and in traditional medicine. In this context, this work explored for the first time H. italicum subsp. picardii as a potential source of innovative herbal beverages with potential health promoting properties. For that purpose, infusions and decoctions were prepared from roots, vegetative aerial-organs (stems and leaves) and flowers and evaluated for in vitro antioxidant and anti-diabetic activities. Samples were also assessed for toxicity in different mammalian cell lines and chemically characterized by spectrophotometric methods and ultra-high performance liquid chromatography photo diode array mass-spectrometry (UHPLC-PDA-MS). Results were expressed relating to 'a cup-of-tea' and compared with those obtained with green tea (Camellia sinensis) and rooibos tisane (Aspalathus linearis). Tisanes from the everlasting's above-ground organs, particularly flowers, have high polyphenolic content and several phenolics were identified; the main compounds were chlorogenic and quinic acids, dicaffeoylquinic-acid isomers and gnaphaliin-A. The antioxidant activity of beverages from the everlasting's above-ground organs matched or surpassed that of green tea and rooibos. Its anti-diabetic activity was moderate and toxicity low. Overall, our results suggest that the everlasting is a potential source of innovative and functional herbal beverages. (C) 2017 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.national funds through Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) [CCMAR/Multi/04326/2013]FCT [SFRH/BD/94407/2013, SFRH/BD/116604/2016]Research Foundation - Flanders (FWO) [12M8315N]FCT Investigator Programme [IF/00049/2012]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Control over stress induces plasticity of individual prefrontal cortical neurons: A conductance-based neural simulation

Behavioral control over stressful stimuli induces resilience to future conditions when control is lacking. The medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC) is a critically important brain region required for plasticity of stress resilience. We found that control over stress induces plasticity of the intrinsic voltage-gated conductances of pyramidal neurons in the PFC. To gain insight into the underlying biophysical mechanisms of this plasticity we used the conductance- based neural simulation software tool, NEURON, to model the increase in membrane excitability associated with resilience to stress. A ball and stick multicompartment conductance-based model was used to realistically fit passive and active data traces from prototypical pyramidal neurons in neurons in rats with control over tail shock stress and those lacking control. The results indicate that the plasticity of membrane excitability associated with control over stress can be attributed to an increase in Na+ and Ca2+ T-type conductances and an increase in the leak conductance. Using simulated dendritic synaptic inputs we observed an increase in excitatory postsynaptic summation and amplification resulting in elevated action potential output. This realistic simulation suggests that control over stress enhances the output of the PFC and offers specific testable hypotheses to guide future electrophysiological mechanistic studies in animal models of resilience and vulnerability to stress

Optical Surface Photometry of a Sample of Disk Galaxies. II Structural Components

This work presents the structural decomposition of a sample of 11 disk galaxies, which span a range of different morphological types. The U, B, V, R, and I photometric information given in Paper I (color and color-index images and luminosity, ellipticity, and position-angle profiles) has been used to decide what types of components form the galaxies before carrying out the decomposition. We find and model such components as bulges, disks, bars, lenses and rings.Comment: 14 figures. Accepted for publication in A&

Tres conceptos fundamentales en el debate litúrgico posconciliar: historia salutis – mysterium paschale – logiké latreía. Una aproximación al pensamiento litúrgico de Salvatore Marsili, Louis Bouyer y Joseph Ratzinger

El presente trabajo propone una aproximación a tres autores de gran importancia en el debate litúrgico posterior al Concilio Vaticano II: Salvatore Marsili, Louis Bouyer y Joseph Ratzinger. Marsili entiende la liturgia como un momento de la historia de la salvación, destacando así la continuidad entre los hechos salvíficos y el rito que los actualiza. Para valorar mejor sus aportes el estudio investiga la comprensión marsiliana de la historia de la salvación. En los escritos de Louis Bouyer la liturgia es comprendida como la «encarnación » del misterio de nuestra fe: el misterio pascual. A través de sus obras se identifican cuatro sentidos del misterio: como la naturaleza íntima de Dios; como su designio salvífico respecto del hombre y del mundo (sabiduría); como la realización de este designio en la cruz; y como misterio de culto en el cual los hombres somos convertidos en adoradores en espíritu y en verdad. Para Joseph Ratzinger la forma esencial del culto cristiano puede ser sintetizada en la expresión paulina logiké latreía (Rom 12,1). La referencia al «logos» en su teología constituye un fundamento sólido que permite distinguir tres dimensiones de la liturgia: cristológica, cósmica y cognoscitivo-existencial. En la liturgia el Logos encarnado, el logos en el mundo y el logos en el hombre se encuentran. El presente texto pone de manifiesto cómo los tres autores nos sitúan en la perspectiva histórico salvífica que propone Sacrosanctum Concilium y desarrolla el Catecismo de la Iglesia Católica.This work proposes an approach to three authors of great importance in the postconciliar liturgical debate: Salvatore Marsili, Louis Bouyer and Joseph Ratzinger. Marsili understands liturgy as a moment in the history of salvation, emphasizing the continuity between the salvific acts and the rites that actualizes them. To evaluate his contributions well, this study investigates the marsilian comprehension of the history of salvation. In the writings of Louis Bouyer, liturgy is understood as the «incarnation» of the mystery of our faith: the paschal mystery. In his works, four meanings of mystery can be identified: as the inner nature of God; as his salvific plan with respect to man and the world (wisdom); as the realization of this design on the cross; and as the mystery of worship in which we are transformed into adorers in spirit and truth. For Joseph Ratzinger, the essential form of christian worship can be synthetized in the Pauline expression logiké latreía (Rom 12, 1). The reference to the «logos» gives a solid foundation in his approach that permits a distinction of three dimensions of liturgy: christological, cosmical and cognoscitive- existential. In the liturgy, the incarnate Logos, the logos in the world, and the logos in man meet. This work highlights how the three authors position us in the historico-salvific perspective that Sacrosanctum Concilium proposes and the Catechism of the Catholic Church develop

Risks of data science projects: A Delphi study

Risk is one of the most crucial components of a project. Its proper evaluation and treatment increase the chances of a project's success. This article presents the risks in Data Science projects, assessed through a study conducted with the Delphi technique, to answer the answer the question, "What are the risks of Data Science projects". The study allowed the identification of specific risks related to data science projects, however it was possible to verify that over a half of the most mentioned risks are similar to other types of IT projects. This paper describes the research from expert selection, risk identification and analysis, and the first conclusions.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio