Comparison of humic acids production by Trichoderma viride and Trichoderma reesei using the submerged fermentation of oil palm empty fruit bunch

The remarkable properties of humic acids have generated a broad spectrum of applications in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and agricultural fields, and encouraged fermentation studies focusing on humic acids production. This work compares the humic acids production of Trichoderma (viride and reesei) species using empty fruit bunch as the substrate during submerged fermentation. The performance of each species was compared by examining spore production in oat medium, and the significant medium components and fermentation conditions were identified using Plackett and Burman statistical design. For both Trichoderma species, the results indicate that humic acids production can be enhanced by increasing the temperature, empty fruit bunch and peptone concentrations and by decreasing the (NH4)2SO4 concentration. T. reesei performed better than T. viride, generating 3-fold more of humic acids.Keywords: Humic acids, Trichoderma reesei, Trichoderm aviride, submerged fermentation, empty fruit bunchAfrican Journal of Biotechnology, Vol. 13(9), pp. 1067-1074, 26 February, 201

O Tamanho único não serve a todos: reflexões sobre a elaboração de materiais didáticos de inglês

This paper focus on the scope of foreign language teaching-learning, more specifically the English language, within the context of teaching undergraduate courses. In addition to that fact, we consider our experiences as teachers at an English Language undergraduate course at a university in Bahia, that some considerations have been woven about the importance of discussing and problematizing the place and role of teaching materials designing in teaching. Especially when it comes to the teachers-to-be, who sometimes feel unconfident and unprepared to choose and elaborate the most suitable material for the training classes, for example. Theoretically, the discussions were based in the perspectives by Scheyerl (2012), Siqueira (2012), Mendes (2012) that suggest an intercultural and globalized proposal, questioning ideological issues, Leffa (2007), (2009) that in a more prescriptive way, points to more technical prepositions and, also, in the Tomlinson (2004) and Macalister (2016) writings. This paper, coming from teachers’ concerns, points to the need to promote a more engaged theoretical discussion, which precedes the elaboration of the teaching material so that future teachers can be able to develop consciously teaching materials that demonstrate a theoretical-practical coherence.No universo do ensino-aprendizagem de língua estrangeira, mais especificamente língua inglesa, no âmbito dos cursos de formação para professores, a elaboração de material didático é uma área que nem sempre recebe a atenção devida nos cursos de licenciatura. E é a partir de uma experiência como docentes de um curso de letras com inglês de uma universidade baiana, que algumas considerações foram tecidas sobre a importância de discutir e problematizar o lugar e o papel do material didático no fazer docente, especialmente, no dos licenciandos, professores em formação que, por vezes, sentem-se inseguros e despreparados para escolher e elaborar o material mais adequado para as aulas de estágio, por exemplo. Teoricamente, as discussões foram amparadas nas perspectivas de Scheyerl (2012), Siqueira (2012), Mendes (2012) que apontam para uma proposta de material intercultural e globalizada, problematizando questões ideológicas, de Leffa (2007), (2009) que de forma mais prescritiva, sugere preposições de ordem mais técnicas e também, nos escritos de Tomlinson (2004) e Macalister (2016). Este trabalho, oriundo de inquietações enquanto docentes, assinala a necessidade do fomento de uma discussão teórica mais engajada, que anteceda à elaboração do material didático, para que os futuros professores consigam com propriedade e consciência, desenvolver materiais didáticos que demonstrem uma coerência teórico-prática

Campaña de Mercadeo Social "Transforma la Norma microagresiones-macroimpactos"

The present integrative project, constitutes the development of a educommunication campaign framed from the concepts of: social marketing, marketing of cause and social responsibility; therefore, it seeks to raise awareness and visibility about Verbal Gender Microagressions (V.G.M.) V.G.M. are a way of perpetuating discriminatory and sexist stereotypes, through the use of derogatory words and phrases. The application of these concepts led to the proposal of 'Transforma La Norma- Microagresiones Macroimpactos' campaign; that is generated from a theme, contains a target audience and is divided into stages of expectation, information and recall. This campaign has been developed based on a research carried out within the national and international theoretical framework the same which has four integrative approaches: psychological-sociocultural, linguistic-oral tradition, legal-legislative and anthropological-ethnographic. In addition, 'Transforma La Norma- Microagresiones Macroimpactos' has created a palpable reach with the target audience and seeks to remain in execution under the development of “Proyecto de Consejos Permanentes para la NoViolencia Activa,” from La Comunidad para el Desarrollo Humano Ecuador, an allied non governmental organization to this social campaign.El presente proyecto integrador, constituye el desarrollo de una campaña de educomunicación enmarcada desde los conceptos de: mercadeo social, mercadeo de causa y responsabilidad social; de forma que, se busca concientizar y visibilizar a las microagresiones verbales de género (M.V.G.). Las M.V.G. conforman una vía de perpetuación de estereotipos discriminatorios y sexistas, a través del uso cotidiano de palabras y frases derogatorias. La aplicación de dichos conceptos generó el planteamiento de la campaña ‘Transforma La Norma- Microagresiones Macroimpactos’, la misma que se genera desde una temática; contiene un público objetivo y está divida en etapas de expectativa, informativa y recordación. Dicha campaña se ha desarrollado en base a la investigación realizada dentro del marco teórico nacional e internacional, el mismo que cuenta con cuatro enfoques integradores: psicológico-sociocultural, lingüístico-tradición oral, jurídico-legislativo y antropológico-etnográfico. Adicionalmente, ‘Transforma La Norma-Microagresiones Macroimpactos’ ha creado un alcance palpable con el público objetivo y busca permanecer en ejecución bajo el desarrollo del “Proyecto de Consejos Permanentes para la NoViolencia Activa,” de La Comunidad para el Desarrollo Humano Ecuador, organización no gubernamental aliada a la presente campaña

ANTIOXIDANT AND PHOTOPROTECTOR EVALUATION OF GRAPE EXTRACTS

The agroindustry residue contains a large variety of biologically active species that are wasted. The objective of the present study was to evaluate the antioxidant and photoprotective activity of the hydroalcoholic extracts of the Sauvignon Blanc grape (SB) and a mixture of Tannat and Malbec varieties (BTM). The total phenols content was evaluated by the Folin-Ciocalteu methods; total flavonols by AlCl3; antioxidant activity by radical DPPH sequestration, inhibition of the autoxidation of acid β-carotene linoleic system and iron chelation capacity. The photoprotector effect (SPF) was evaluated by scanning spectrophotometer among the wavelengths of 290nm to 320nm with readings every 5nm. The grape extracts BTM and SB presented an index of total phenols of 33.02 and 16.69 mg equivalents of Gallic acid/gram of extract respectively, while the content of flavonoids was 7.16 and 0.46 mg quercetin equivalents/gram of extract. BTM extract was able 98% DPPH sequestration and SB 88.9% in extract concentration of 3200 ᶙg/mL. Iron chelation capacity was greater for the extract from the BTM (95.58%). The results show an SPF 157.22 to BTM extract and 0.413 to SB. In view of the results, it can be stated that MTM bagasse extract has a better biotechnological potential

PHYTOCHEMICAL PROFILE AND BIOLOGICAL ACTIVITY USING ISABEL GRAPE (VITIS LABRUSCA L.) RESIDUE EXTRACT.

The grape residual presents high level of active substances composition, characterizing it as a product that the industry could use more efficiently in a better profitable way, in the formulation of beauty goods and food. The goal of this research was to evaluate the phytochemical profile and biological activity of the Isabel Grape residue. In order to obtain the extracts, it was used the method of trituration in different solvents (water, ethanol, methanol, and a hydroalcoholic mixture). Colorimetric tests used showed the phytochemical profile. The technique of Folin-Ciocalteu evaluated the content of total phenol and the method of AlCl3 evaluated the total flavonoids. As for the biological activity, the antioxidant activity was evalueted by the method of DPPH, the inhibition of auto-oxidation of β-carotene/linoleic acid and the ability of metallic ions sequestration. The spectrophotometric reading obtained the photoprotection factor (SPF). The results showed that the hydroalcoholic extract presents a great phenols and flavonoids quantity that could relate with the extract antioxidant and photo protective activity. This extract presented a SPF as 1.87 and a good antioxidant by the used methods. The results showed that the Isabel Grape residue hydroalcoholic extract presents a great biotechnological potential

Classificação de minério de ferro por DRX-Rietveld e análise de agrupamento

Este trabalho estabelece uma rotina de análise quantitativa de fases por difração de raios X (DRX-Rietveld) em minério de ferro. As amostras analisadas são provenientes do Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Sudeste do Brasil, sendo compostas por hematita, magnetita, goethita, quartzo e caulinita, tendo sido classificadas em três agrupamentos: agrupamento 1 (n = 8), caracterizado pela presença das fases de alteração goethita (25 a 72% em peso), caulinita (< 25% em peso) e gibbsita (< 10% em peso), além de hematita (7 a 54% em peso) e quartzo (2 a 19% em peso); agrupamento 2 (n = 16), com amostras compostas por hematita (22 a 81% em peso) e quartzo (2 a 58% em peso), com proporções menores de goethita (< 22% em peso) e caulinita (< 13% em peso); agrupamento 3 (n = 3), contendo amostras com predomínio de quartzo (62 a 74% em peso) e proporções menores de hematita (17 a 33% em peso) e caulinita (< 5% em peso). A classificação de minérios de ferro por DRX-Rietveld e análise de agrupamento é uma opção rápida, confiável e de baixo custo para substituir a classificação de  minérios por análises químicas.This study establishes a routine for quantitative phase analysis by X-ray diffraction (XRD-Rietveld) in iron ore samples. Studied samples came from Quadrilátero Ferrífero, Southeastern Brazil, and are mainly composed by hematite, magnetite, goethite, quartz and kaolinite, being divided in three clusters: cluster 1 (n = 8), characterized by the presence of hydrated phases goethite (25 to 72 wt %), kaolinite (< 25 wt %) and gibbsite (< 10 wt %), plus hematite (7 to 54 wt %) and quartz (2 to 19 wt %); cluster 2 (n = 16), which consists of hematite (22 to 81 wt %) and quartz (2 to 58 wt %) and smaller proportions of goethite (< 22 wt %) and kaolinite (< 13 wt %); and cluster 3 (n = 3), that has a predominance of quartz (62 to 74 wt %) and smaller amounts of hematite (17 to 33 wt %) and kaolinite (< 5 wt %). Classification of ores by XRD-Rietveld  and cluster analysis is a fast, low-cost and reliable option for substituting ore classification with chemical analysis

Tendência da mortalidade infantil no município de Rio Branco, AC, 1999 a 2015

OBJETIVO: Analisar a tendência da mortalidade infantil em Rio Branco, AC, de 1999 a 2015. MÉTODOS: Estudo observacional ecológico de série temporal, em que foram utilizados dados de óbitos do Sistema de Informações sobre Mortalidade e Nascimentos do Sistema de Informações sobre Nascidos Vivos. Estimou-se a variação percentual anual por meio do software Joinpoint. RESULTADOS: A taxa de mortalidade infantil reduziu de 26,99, em 1999, para 14,50, em 2015, por 1.000 nascidos vivos, com variação percentual anual de -4,37 (IC95% -5,4– -3,4). Quando estratificada por componentes etários, o neonatal apresentou variação percentual anual de -4,73 (IC95% -5,7– -3,7), e o pós-neonatal de -3,7 (IC95% -5,4– -2,0). A evitabilidade, as causas evitáveis e as causas mal definidas apresentaram tendência descendente em todo o período e as causas não claramente evitáveis apresentaram tendência ascendente até 2008. O grupo de causas que mais contribuiu para os óbitos infantis no período estudado foi o das afecções perinatais, seguido pelo das malformações, das doenças infecciosas e parasitárias, e do grupo das doenças respiratórias. CONCLUSÕES: Apesar da tendência decrescente da taxa de mortalidade infantil na capital, quando comparada à de países desenvolvidos, mostra-se relativamente elevada.OBJECTIVE: Analyze the trend of infant mortality in Rio Branco, state of Acre, from 1999 to 2015. METHODS: An ecological observational study of a time series, in which data from deaths from the Information System on Mortality and Births of the Information System on Live Births were used. The annual percentage change was estimated using the Joinpoint software. RESULTS: The infant mortality rate decreased from 26.99 in 1999 to 14.50 in 2015 per 1,000 live births, with an annual percentage change of -4.37 (95%CI -5.4– -3.4). When stratified by age components, the neonatal period presented an annual percentage change of -4.73 (95%CI -5.7– -3.7), and the post-neonatal period was -3.7 (95%CI -5.4– -2.0). Avoidability, avoidable causes and poorly defined causes showed a downward trend throughout the period and causes not clearly preventable showed an upward trend until 2008. The group of causes that contributed most to the infant deaths during the period studied was perinatal diseases, followed by malformations, infectious and parasitic diseases, and respiratory diseases. CONCLUSIONS: Despite the decreasing trend in infant mortality rates in the capital compared to developed countries, it is relatively high

O conceito de vida em debate: de uma visão determinista genética a uma aprendizagem sistêmica de conceitos

Neste trabalho, defende-se que discussões sobre o conceito de vida podem facilitar uma construção conceitual sistêmica e integrada do conhecimento biológico. Desse modo, avaliou-se o desenvolvimento de discussões sobre o conceito de vida em um grupo de estudo e pesquisa em Epistemologia da Biologia e Ensino de Biologia, que contava com a participação de alunos de graduação em Ciências Biológicas. As reuniões do grupo foram gravadas em áudio e depois transcritas pelos pesquisadores. A análise evidenciou que as reflexões sobre o conceito de vida permitiram que os alunos avançassem, ao longo das discussões, em direção a discursos pautados em explicações mais sistêmicas do conhecimento biológico

Sex differences and correlates of poor glycaemic control in type 2 diabetes: a cross-sectional study in Brazil and Venezuela.

OBJECTIVE: Examine whether glycaemic control varies according to sex and whether the latter plays a role in modifying factors associated with inadequate glycaemic control in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D) in Brazil and Venezuela. DESIGN, SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: This was a cross-sectional, nationwide survey conducted in Brazil and Venezuela from February 2006 to June 2007 to obtain information about glycaemic control and its determinants in patients with diabetes mellitus attending outpatient clinics. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level was measured by liquid chromatography, and patients with HbA1c ≥7.0% (53 mmol/mol) were considered to have inadequate glycaemic control. The association of selected variables with glycaemic control was analysed by multivariate linear regression, using HbA1c as the dependent variable. RESULTS: A total of 9418 patients with T2D were enrolled in Brazil (n=5692) and in Venezuela (n=3726). They included 6214 (66%) women and 3204 (34%) men. On average, HbA1c levels in women were 0.13 (95% CI 0.03 to 0.24; p=0.015) higher than in men, after adjusting for age, marital status, education, race, country, body mass index, duration of disease, complications, type of healthcare, adherence to diet, adherence to treatment and previous measurement of HbA1c. Sex modified the effect of some factors associated with glycaemic control in patients with T2D in our study, but had no noteworthy effect in others. CONCLUSIONS: Women with T2D had worse glycaemic control than men. Possible causes for poorer glycaemic control in women compared with men include differences in glucose homeostasis, treatment response and psychological factors. In addition, sex modified factors associated with glycaemic control, suggesting the need to develop specific treatment guidelines for men and women