Scale-up for the production of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis Flotow in vertical photobioreactors

4th Congress of the International Society for Applied Phycology. Halifax, Canadá, 19-24 de Junho

Microalgae production for commercial purposes in the Azores

IBBA Strategic Planning - Workshop III, Plant Biotechnology Ponta Delgada, 25 Janeiro, 2011

Astaxanthin production from Haematococcus pluvialis using photobioreactors

8th European Workshop Biotechnology of Microalgae. Nuthetal, Alemanha, 7-10 de Junho

Intensive Growth of Microalgae in the Azores: an Integrated Biotechnological Approach

Jornadas "Ciência nos Açores – que futuro? Tema Ciências Naturais e Ambiente", Ponta Delgada, 7-8 de Junho de 2013.As microalgas são os organismos fotossintéticos de maior produtividade. A sua grande diversidade metabólica e fisiológica torna-as na fonte sustentável de uma grande variedade de produtos com interesse comercial. Nos últimos anos, muito interesse tem sido focado no potencial biotecnológico das microalgas, principalmente devido à identificação de diversas substâncias sintetizadas por estes organismos. Várias espécies são cultivadas comercialmente em alguns países, sendo a biomassa produzida utilizada como fonte de produtos para aplicação na indústria de alimentos, farmacêutica, médica, nutracêutica, cosmética e aquacultura. Apesar do crescente interesse internacional na biotecnologia de microalgas, a investigação nesta área no Arquipélago dos Açores está ainda numa fase inicial. Mesmo assim, os resultados obtidos na produção de astaxantina a partir de Haematococcus pluvialis foram extremamente promissores e deverão levar ao desenvolvimento de um projeto de investimento ainda no corrente ano. Atualmente está em curso um estudo que visa identificar e isolar estirpes autóctones de microalgas e valorizar o respetivo potencial biotecnológico na produção de metabolitos de elevado interesse comercial, utilizando como forma de produção de biomassa o cultivo em fotobioreactores submetidos às condições edafoclimáticas dos Açores.ABSTRACT: Microalgae are the photosynthetic organisms of highest productivity. Their vast physiological and metabolic diversity has been the sustainable source of a variety of products with commercial interest. In recent years, much interest has been focused on the biotechnological potential of microalgae, mainly due to the identification of various substances synthesized by these organisms. In certain countries several species are grown commercially where biomass is produced and utilized as a source of products for application in the food, medical, pharmaceutical, nutraceutical and cosmetic industries, and aquaculture. Research in this area in the Azores Archipelago is still in an initial phase. However, the results for the production of astaxanthin from Haematococcus pluvialis were promising and should lead to the development of an investment project in the current year. Currently a study is in progress which aims to identify and isolate native strains of microalgae and enhance the respective biotechnological potential for the production of metabolites of high commercial interest, using fotobioreactores for biomass production adapted to the edaphoclimatic conditions of the Azores.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia

Control of rotorcraft retreating blade stall using air-jet vortex generators

A series of low-speed wind tunnel tests were carried out on an oscillating airfoil fitted with two rows of air-jet vortex generators (AJVGs). The airfoil used had an RAE 9645 section and the two spanwise arrays of AJVGs were located at x/c=0.12 and 0.62. The devices and their distribution were chosen to assess their ability to modify/control dynamic stall; the goal being to enhance the aerodynamic performance of helicopter rotors on the retreating blade side of the disc. The model was pitched about the quarter chord with a reduced frequency (k) of 0.1 in a sinusoidal motion defined by a=15o+10sin_ t. The measured data indicate that, for continuous blowing from the front row of AJVGs with a momentum blowing coefficient (C μ) greater than 0.008, modifications to the stalling process are encouraging. In particular, the pitching moment behavior exhibits delayed stall and there is a marked reduction in the normal force hysteresis

Spag17 Deficiency Results in Skeletal Malformations and Bone Abnormalities

Height is the result of many growth and development processes. Most of the genes associated with height are known to play a role in skeletal development. Single-nucleotide polymorphisms in the SPAG17 gene have been associated with human height. However, it is not clear how this gene influences linear growth. Here we show that a targeted mutation in Spag17 leads to skeletal malformations. Hind limb length in mutants was significantly shorter than in wild-type mice. Studies revealed differences in maturation of femur and tibia suggesting alterations in limb patterning. Morphometric studies showed increased bone formation evidenced by increased trabecular bone area and the ratio of bone area to total area, leading to reductions in the ratio of marrow area/total area in the femur. Micro-CTs and von Kossa staining demonstrated increased mineral in the femur. Moreover, osteocalcin and osterix were more highly expressed in mutant mice than in wild-type mice femurs. These data suggest that femur bone shortening may be due to premature ossification. On the other hand, tibias appear to be shorter due to a delay in cartilage and bone development. Morphometric studies showed reduction in growth plate and bone formation. These defects did not affect bone mineralization, although the volume of primary bone and levels of osteocalcin and osterix were higher. Other skeletal malformations were observed including fused sternebrae, reduced mineralization in the skull, medial and metacarpal phalanges. Primary cilia from chondrocytes, osteoblasts, and embryonic fibroblasts (MEFs) isolated from knockout mice were shorter and fewer cells had primary cilia in comparison to cells from wild-type mice. In addition, Spag17 knockdown in wild-type MEFs by Spag17 siRNA duplex reproduced the shorter primary cilia phenotype. Our findings disclosed unexpected functions for Spag17 in the regulation of skeletal growth and mineralization, perhaps because of its role in primary cilia of chondrocytes and osteoblasts

Effectiveness of forestry related Best Management Practices in the Trout Creek Watershed, Colorado

This report was accepted as Thesis in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Masters of Science for Nani Bay Teves in Spring 2005.June 2005.Includes bibliographical references (pages 79-83).In multiuse forests the majority of nonpoint source pollution is typically sediment. Best management practices (BMPs) are implemented to reduce or prevent this pollutant, however little research has been done to quantify the effectiveness of individual types of BMPs. The overall goal of this project was to evaluate the effectiveness of three BMPs implemented to reduce sediment in Trout Creek: cattle fences, off-road vehicle signs, and road culverts. The effectiveness of the combined BMPs in the land use area was evaluated by comparing water quality and Wolman pebble counts with an upstream reference area. The reference area was selected based on soil type, vegetation type, elevation, and absence of cattle grazing and off-road vehicle use. Despite the difficulty of finding an exact reference area, the study results suggest that fences and culverts are effective, but signs are ineffective.United States Department of the Interior, Geological Survey, Contract number 01HQGR0077

Neutrino oscillation parameters from MINOS, ICARUS and OPERA combined

We perform a detailed analysis of the capabilities of the MINOS, ICARUS and OPERA experiments to measure neutrino oscillation parameters at the atmospheric scale with their data taken separately and in combination. MINOS will determine $\Delta m^2_{32}$ and $\sin^2 2\theta_{23}$ to within 10% at the 99% C.L. with 10 kton-years of data. While no one experiment will determine $\sin^2 2\theta_{13}$ with much precision, if its value lies in the combined sensitivity region of the three experiments, it will be possible to place a lower bound of O(0.01) at the 95% C.L. on this parameter by combining the data from the three experiments. The same bound can be placed with a combination of MINOS and ICARUS data alone.Comment: Version to appear in PR

Quantum Dissipative Effects and Neutrinos : current constraints and future perspectives

We establish the most stringent experimental constraints coming from recent terrestrial neutrino experiments on quantum mechanical decoherence effects in neutrino systems. Taking a completely phenomenological approach, we probe vacuum oscillations plus quantum decoherence between two neutrino species in the channels $\nu_\mu \to \nu_\tau$, $\nu_\mu \to \nu_e$ and $\nu_e \to \nu_\tau$, admitting that the quantum decoherence parameter $\gamma$ is related to the neutrino energy $E_\nu$ as : $\gamma=\gamma_0 (E_\nu/\text{GeV})^{n}$, with $n=-1,0,1$ and 2. Our bounds are valid for a neutrino mass squared difference compatible with the atmospheric, the solar and, in many cases, the LSND scale. We also qualitatively discuss the perspectives of the future long baseline neutrino experiments to further probe quantum dissipation.Comment: 26 pages, 8 encapsulated postscript figure

Species Composition of Intertidal Marine Macroalgae inSan Francisco-Canaoay, San Fernando, La Union, Philippines

The Philippines occupy the north of coral triangle, a huge area overlapping the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean, and is famous for its extremely rich marine biodiversity. The taxonomical study of seaweeds started on the year 1750 and towards the end of the 20th century[1]. In Ilocos Sur, a comprehensive study on the marine benthic algae was made by Domingo in 1988.In this study, he reported 103 species, with 91 species reported for the first time for the province[2].As to this date, no taxonomical study made in San Francisco-Canaoay. This study used site description, Exhaustive Line Transect Method.The macroalgae recorded in San Francisco-Canaoay in the open area of the coastlines includeone genus&sevenspecies of Phaeophyta, one genus&one species of Chlorophyta, and one genus &nine species of Rhodophyta. The larger number of Rhodophyta can be attributed to the presence of abundant nutrients in the area and the luminosity of light of 35, 000 Lux value, which was favorable for the photosynthetic macroalgae.The specimens identified,58% were Phaeophyta, 34% were Chlorophyta, and 8% were Rhodophyta.There were more red algaes (Rhodophyta) in the open area due to the nature of these plant-like protists to thrive in running water with many nutrients. The number of brown algaes (phaeophyta) are not affected by the conditions of the water because of their toughness as compared to the aforementioned nature of red algaes[3]