Effects of post-fermentation addition of green tea extract for sulfur dioxide replacement on Sauvignon Blanc wine phenolic composition, antioxidant capacity, colour, and mouthfeel attributes.

This study examines the feasibility of replacing SO2 in a New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc wine with a green tea extract. The treatments included the control with no preservatives (C), the addition of green tea extract at 0.1 and 0.2 g/L (T1 and T2), and an SO2 treatment at 50 mg/L (T3). Five monomeric phenolic compounds were detected in the green tea extract used for the experiment, and their concentrations ranged in the order (-)-epigallocatechin gallate > (-)-epigallocatechin > (-)-epicatechin > (-)-epicatechin gallate > gallic acid. At the studied addition rates, these green tea-derived phenolic compounds contributed to ∼70% of the antioxidant capacity (ABTS), ∼71% of the total phenolic index (TPI), and âˆ¼ 84% of tannin concentration (MCPT) of the extract dissolved in a model wine solution. Among wine treatments, T1 and T2 significantly increased the wine's colour absorbance at 420 nm, MCPT, gallic acid and total monomeric phenolic content. TPI and ABTS were significantly higher in wines with preservatives (i.e., T2 > T1 â‰… T3 > C, p < 0.05). These variations were observed both two weeks after the treatments and again after five months of wine aging. Additionally, an accelerated browning test and a quantitative sensory analysis of wine colour and mouthfeel attributes were performed after 5 months of wine aging. When exposed to excessive oxygen and high temperature (50 °C), T1 and T2 exhibited ∼29% and 24% higher browning capacity than the control, whereas T3 reduced the wine's browning capacity by ∼20%. Nonetheless, the results from sensory analysis did not show significant variations between the treatments. Thus, using green tea extract to replace SO2 at wine bottling appears to be a viable option, without inducing a negative impact on the perceptible colour and mouthfeel attributes of Sauvignon Blanc wine.

Photodynamic inactivation of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus by using Giemsa dye as a photosensitizer.

The rise of antibiotic-resistant bacteria calls for innovative approaches to combat multidrug-resistant strains. Here, the potential of the standard histological stain, Giemsa, to act as a photosensitizer (PS) for antimicrobial photodynamic inactivation (aPDI) against methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA) and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) strains is reported. Bioassays were performed using various Giemsa concentrations (ranging from 0.0 to 20.0 µM) under 625 nm illumination at a light dose of 30 J cm-2. Remarkably, Giemsa completely inhibited the growth of MSSA and MRSA bacterial colonies for concentrations at 10 µM and higher but exhibited no inhibitory effect without light exposure. Partition coefficient analysis revealed Giemsa's affinity for membranes. Furthermore, we quantified the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and singlet oxygen (1O2) to elucidate the aPDI mechanisms underlying bacterial inactivation mediated by Giemsa. These findings highlight Giemsa stain's potential as a PS in aPDI for targeting multidrug-resistant bacteria.

Immunisation with Neospora caninum subunits rsNcSAG4 and rsNcGRA1 (NcSAG4 and NcGRA1 epitopes construct) in BALB/c mice: the profile of the immune response and controlling the vertical transmission.

Neospora caninum is an apicomplexan protozoan that causes neosporosis, which has a high economic impact on cattle herds with no available vaccine. During infection, the secretion of dense granules and the expression of surface antigens play an important role in hosting immunomodulation. However, some epitopes of those antigens are immunogenic, and using these fractions could improve the subunit antigens in vaccine design. This study evaluates the recombinant peptides rsNcGRA1 and rsNcSAG4 derived from NcGRA1 and NcSAG4 native antigens as vaccine candidates produced by a fermentative process in the yeast culture system of Komagataella phaffii strain Km71, confirmed by colony PCR, SDS-PAGE, and western blotting. The assay was conducted in BALB/c mice using the peptides at low (25 µg) and standard (50 µg) dosages in monovalent and combined administrations at three time points with saponin as an adjuvant assessing the immunogenicity by antibodies response and cytokine production. We challenge the females after pregnancy confirmation using 2 × 105 NC-1 tachyzoites previously propagated in Vero cells. We assessed the chronic infection in dams and vertical transmission in the offspring by PCR and histopathology. Mice, especially those immunised with combined peptides and monovalent rsNcGRA1 at a standard dose, controlling the chronic infection in dams with the absence of clinical manifestations, showed an immune response with induction of IgG1, a proper balance between Th1/Th2 cytokines and reduced vertical transmission in the pups. In contrast, dams inoculated with a placebo vaccine showed clinical signs, low-scored brain lesions, augmented chronic infection with 80% positivity, 31% mortality in pups, and 81% vertical transmission. These findings indicate that rsNcGRA1 peptides in monovalent and combined with rsNCSAG4 at standard dose are potential vaccine candidates and improve the protective immune response against neosporosis in mice.

Glyphosate uses, adverse effects and alternatives: focus on the current scenario in Brazil.

Brazil, a global frontrunner in pesticide consumption and sales, particularly glyphosate, appears to be at odds with other countries that increasingly ban these products in their territories. This study gathers the values of Acceptable Daily Intake and Maximum Residue Limits (MRL) in the European Union for dozens of substances and subsequently contrasts them with the corresponding benchmarks upheld in Brazil concerning its predominant crops. Furthermore, this study delves into the toxicity levels and the potential health ramifications of glyphosate on humans through the ingestion of food containing its residues. The findings from this research underscore a notable surge in glyphosate and pesticide sales and usage within Brazil over the past decade. In stark contrast to its European counterparts, Brazil not only sanctioned the sale and application of 474 new pesticides in 2019, but extended the authorization for glyphosate sales while downgrading its toxicity classification. Finally, this review not only uncovers disparities among research outcomes but also addresses the complexities of replacing glyphosate and introduces environmentally friendlier alternatives that have been subject to evaluation in the existing literature.

Reflexões sobre a saúde mental do professor: possibilidades para promover a saúde do trabalhador / Reflections on teachers' mental health: possibilities to promote workers' health / Reflexiones sobre la salud mental de los docentes: posibilidades para promover la salud de los trabajadores

Objetivo: Compreender os fatores que influenciam a saúde mental dos professores de cursos técnicos da saúde. Métodos: Pesquisa qualitativa do tipo ação participante, articulado com o itinerário de pesquisa de Paulo Freire que compõem: investigação temática; codificação e descodificação; desvelamento crítico. Estas etapas foram desenvolvidas em cinco círculos de cultura com 21 professores de um Instituto Federal de Educação. Resultados: Emergiram como temáticas: pressão no trabalho; desvalorização do professor; relações conflituosas no trabalho; falta de educação continuada e ações de promoção da saúde. Conclusão: Os professores, ao promover saúde mental, podem melhorar a qualidade de vida, reduzindo o absenteísmo. (AU)

Objective: To understand the factors that influence the mental health of teachers in technical health courses. Methods: Participatory action qualitative research, articulated with Paulo Freire's research itinerary, which comprise: thematic investigation; encoding and decoding; critical unveiling. These stages were developed in five culture circles with 21 teachers from a Federal Institute of Education. Results: The following themes emerged: pressure at work; devaluation of the teacher; conflicting relationships at work; lack of continuing education and health promotion actions. Conclusion: Teachers, by promoting mental health, can improve the quality of life, reducing absenteeism. (AU)

Objetivo: Comprender los factores que influyen en la salud mental de los docentes en los cursos técnicos de salud. Métodos: Investigación cualitativa de acción participativa, articulada con el itinerario de investigación de Paulo Freire, que comprende: investigación temática; codificación y decodificación; revelación crítica. Estas etapas se desarrollaron en cinco círculos culturales con 21 profesores de un Instituto Federal de Educación. Resultados: Surgieron los siguientes temas: presión en el trabajo; devaluación del maestro; relaciones conflictivas en el trabajo; falta de acciones de educación continua y promoción de la salud. Conclusión: Los docentes, al promover la salud mental, pueden mejorar la calidad de vida, reduciendo el absentismo. (AU)

Prospects for fungal bioremediation of unburied waste packages from the Goiânia radiological accident.

Goiânia, the Goiás State capital, starred in 1987, where one of the largest radiological accidents in the world happened. A teletherapy machine was subtracted from a derelict radiotherapy clinic and disassembled by scavengers who distributed fragments of the 50 TBq 137CsCl source among relatives and acquaintances, enchanted by the blue shine of the substance. During the 15 days before the accident was acknowledged, contaminated recycling materials were delivered to recycling factories in four cities in the state of São Paulo, Brazil, in the form of recycling paper bales. The contaminated bales were spotted, collected, and stored in fifty 1.6 m3 steel boxes at the interim storage facility of the Nuclear and Energy Research Institute (IPEN). In 2017, a check of the content was performed in a few boxes and the presence of high moisture content was observed even though the bales were dry when conditioned and the packages were kept sealed since then. The main objective of this work was to report the fungi found in the radioactive waste after they evolved for 30 years in isolation inside the waste boxes and their role in the decay of the waste. Examination of the microbiome showed the presence of nematodes and fungal communities. The fungi species isolated were Aspergillus quadricinctus, Fusarium oxysporum, Lecanicillium coprophilumi, Scedosporium boydii, Scytalidium lignicola, Xenoacremonium recifei, and Pleurostoma richardsiae. These microorganisms showed a significant capacity to digest cellulose in our trials, which could be one of the ways they survive in such a harsh environment, reducing the volume of radioactive paper waste. These metabolic abilities give us a future perspective of using these fungi in biotechnology to remediate radioactively contaminated materials, particularly cellulose-based waste.

Potentialities and challenges for care in the primary health care context / Potencialidades y desafíos para la asistencia en el contexto de la atención primaria de la salud / Potencialidades e desafios para a assistência no contexto da atenção primária à saúde

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the potentialities and challenges for the care provided by professionals in the primary health care context. Method: a qualitative research study of the participatory action type, based on Paulo Freire's Research Itinerary, which consists of Thematic Investigation; Coding and Decoding; and Critical Unveiling. It was developed in the first half of 2021, with the participation of 20 professionals, including physicians, nurses, dentists, nursing technicians, dental assistants and community agents, all from a Basic Health Unit in Santa Catarina. Results: the health professionals revealed the team's engagement as potentialities, as well as welcoming, which strengthens interpersonal relationships in Primary Care. As challenges, they highlighted the limited professional appreciation and scarce material and human resources, factors that generate tensions for the assistance to be provided. Conclusion: engagement and interpersonal relationships reveal the professionals' commitment and dedication to promoting comprehensive and good quality care, seeking to overcome the limitations inherent to assistance in Primary Health Care.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las potencialidades y los desafíos para la asistencia desarrollada por los profesionales en el contexto de la Atención Primaria de la Salud. Método: investigación cualitativa y del tipo acción participante, fundamentada en el Itinerario de Investigación de Paulo Freire, que consiste en Investigación Temática; Codificación y Decodificación; y Revelación Crítica. Se desarrolló en el primer semestre de 2021 con la participación de 20 profesionales, entre médicos, enfermeros, odontólogos, técnicos de Enfermería, auxiliares de consultorio dental y agentes comunitarios, todos de una Unidad Básica de Salud de Santa Catarina. Resultados: los profesionales de la salud indicaron lo siguiente como potencialidades: compromiso del equipo, al igual que la recepción, que fortalece las relaciones interpersonales en la Atención Primaria. Como desafíos, destacaron la limitada valorización profesional y escasos recursos materiales y humanos, factores que generan tensiones sobre la asistencia. Conclusión: el compromiso y las relaciones interpersonales revelan la dedicación de los profesionales por promover una atención integral y de buena calidad, procurando suplir las limitaciones de la asistencia provista en la Atención Primaria de la Salud.

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as potencialidades e desafios para a assistência desenvolvida pelos profissionais no contexto da atenção primária à saúde. Método: pesquisa qualitativa, do tipo ação participante, fundamentada no Itinerário de Pesquisa de Paulo Freire, que consiste de Investigação Temática; Codificação e Descodificação; e, Desvelamento Crítico. Foi desenvolvida no primeiro semestre de 2021, com a participação de 20 profissionais, entre médico, enfermeiro, odontólogo, técnico de enfermagem, auxiliar de consultório dentário e agente comunitário, todos de uma Unidade Básica de Saúde de Santa Catarina. Resultados: os profissionais de saúde desvelaram como potencialidades o engajamento da equipe, assim como o acolhimento que fortalece as relações interpessoais na atenção primária. Como desafios ressaltaram a limitada valorização profissional e parcos recursos materiais e humanos, fatores esses que geram tensionamentos para a assistência. Conclusão: o engajamento e a relação interpessoal revelam o comprometimento e dedicação dos profissionais em promover uma atenção integral e de qualidade, buscando suprir as limitações da assistência na atenção primária à saúde.

Exogenous abscisic acid and sugar induce a cascade of ripening events associated with anthocyanin accumulation in cultured Pinot Noir grape berries.

Fruit quality is dependent on various factors including flavour, texture and colour. These factors are determined by the ripening process, either climacteric or non-climacteric. In grape berry, which is non-climacteric, the process is signalled by a complex set of hormone changes. Abscisic acid (ABA) is one of the key hormones involved in ripening, while sugar availability also plays a significant role in certain ripening aspects such as anthocyanin production. To understand the relative influence of hormone and sugar signalling in situ can prove problematic due to the physiological and environmental (abiotic and biotic) factors at play in vineyards. Here we report on the use of in vitro detached berry culture to investigate the comparative significance of ABA and sugar in the regulation of Pinot noir berry anthocyanin production under controlled conditions. Using a factorial experimental design, pre-véraison berries were cultured on media with various concentrations of sucrose and ABA. After 15 days of in vitro culture, the berries were analysed for changes in metabolites, hormones and gene expression. Results illustrated a stimulatory effect of sucrose and ABA on enhancing berry colour and a corresponding increase in anthocyanins. Increased ABA concentration was able to boost anthocyanin production in berries when sucrose supply was low. The sucrose and ABA effects on berry anthocyanins were primarily manifested through the up-regulation of transcription factors and other genes in the phenylpropanoid pathway, while in other parts of the pathway a down-regulation of key proanthocyanindin transcription factors and genes corresponded to sharp reduction in berry proanthocyanidins, irrespective of sucrose supply. Similarly, increased ABA was correlated with a significant reduction in berry malic acid and associated regulatory genes. These findings suggest a predominance of berry ABA over berry sugar in coordinating the physiological and genetic regulation of anthocyanins and proanthocyanins in Pinot noir grape berries.

Health promotion practices in primary care: comparison between florianópolis-brazil and girona-spain / Prácticas de promoción de la salud en atención primaria: comparación entre florianópolis-brasil y girona-espanha / Práticas de promoção da saúde na atenção primária: comparativo entre florianópolis-brasil e girona-espanha

ABSTRACT Objective: to understand the health promotion practices developed by nurses in the Primary Care context in Florianópolis and Girona. Method: this is a comparative study with a qualitative approach and of the descriptive exploratory type, carried out with eight nurses between June 2021 and April 2022 in health units that developed health promotion practices. The data, collected by means of semi-structured interviews, were analyzed through thematic analysis based on the health promotion framework. Results: four categories related to health promotion practices emerged from the data, namely: Training actions for health professionals in health promotion; Health promotion activities in individual consultations; Health education group activities; and Community health promotion actions. Conclusion: it is concluded that, in both municipalities, nurses develop individual and collective health promotion practices through groups and community actions, focusing on lifestyle changes. In Florianópolis they are grounded on the National Health Promotion Policy and, in Girona, health promotion actions are based on actions involving specific groups aimed at preventing diseases.

RESUMEN Objetivo: comprender las prácticas de promoción de la salud desarrolladas por enfermeros en el contexto de Atención Primaria de Florianópolis y Girona. Método: estudio comparativo de enfoque cualitativo y del tipo exploratorio-descriptivo, realizado entre junio de 2021 y abril de 2022 con ocho enfermeros en unidades de salud que desarrollaban prácticas de promoción de la salud. Los datos, recolectados por medio de entrevistas semiestructuradas, fueron analizados a través de análisis temático sobre la base del referencial de la promoción de la salud. Resultados: cuatro categorías relacionadas con las prácticas de promoción de la salud surgieron de los datos, a saber: Acciones para la formación de profesionales de la salud en promoción de la salud; Actividades de promoción de la salud en consultas individuales; Actividades grupales de educación en salud; y Acciones comunitarias de promoción de la salud. Conclusión: se concluye que, en ambos municipios, los enfermeros desarrollan prácticas individuales y colectivas de promoción de la salud por medio de grupos y acciones comunitarias, con énfasis en modificar estilos de vida. En Florianópolis se fundamentan en la Política Nacional de Promoción de la Salud y, en Girona, las acciones de promoción de la salud se basan en actividades relacionadas con grupos específicos dirigidos a prevenir enfermedades.

RESUMO Objetivo: compreender as práticas de promoção da saúde desenvolvidas por enfermeiros no contexto da Atenção Primária de Florianópolis e Girona. Método: trata-se de um estudo comparativo, de abordagem qualitativa, do tipo exploratório descritivo, realizado em unidades de saúde que desenvolviam práticas de promoção da saúde, com oito enfermeiros, no período entre junho de 2021 a abril de 2022. Os dados, coletados por entrevistas semiestruturadas, foram analisados por meio de análise temática com base no referencial da promoção da saúde. Resultados: emergiram dos dados quatro categorias relacionadas às práticas de promoção da saúde: Ações de formação de profissionais de saúde em promoção da saúde; Atividades de promoção da saúde na consulta individual; Atividades grupais de educação em saúde; Ações comunitárias de promoção da saúde. Conclusão: conclui-se que em ambos os municípios os enfermeiros desenvolvem práticas de promoção da saúde individuais e coletivas por meio de grupos e ações comunitárias, com enfoque na mudança de estilos de vida. Em Florianópolis estão fundamentadas na Política Nacional de Promoção da Saúde e, em Girona, as ações de promoção da saúde estão baseadas nas ações envolvendo grupos específicos voltados para a prevenção da doença.

Preparation and Phytotoxicity Evaluation of Cellulose Acetate Nanoparticles.

The use of biocompatible and low-cost polymeric matrices to produce non-phytotoxic nanoparticles for delivery systems is a promising alternative for good practices in agriculture management and biotechnological applications. In this context, there is still a lack of studies devoted to producing low-cost polymeric nanoparticles that exhibit non-phytotoxic properties. Among the different polymeric matrices that can be used to produce low-cost nanoparticles, we can highlight the potential application of cellulose acetate, a natural biopolymer with biocompatible and biodegradable properties, which has already been used as fibers, membranes, and films in different agricultural and biotechnological applications. Here, we provided a simple and low-cost route to produce cellulose acetate nanoparticles (CA-NPs), by modified emulsification solvent evaporation technique, with a main diameter of around 200 nm and a spherical and smooth morphology for potential use as agrochemical nanocarriers. The non-phytotoxic properties of the produced cellulose acetate nanoparticles were proved by performing a plant toxic test by Allium cepa assay. The cytotoxicity and genotoxicity tests allowed us to evaluate the mitotic process, chromosomal abnormalities, inhibition/delay in root growth, and micronucleus induction. In summary, the results demonstrated that CA-NPs did not induce phytotoxic, cytotoxic, or genotoxic effects, and they did not promote changes in the root elongation, germination or in the mitotic, chromosomal aberration, and micronucleus indices. Consequently, the present findings indicated that CA-NPs can be potentially used as environmentally friendly nanoparticles.

How COVID-19 elucidated challenges in the pedagogy of physiotherapy entry-level education in Brazil and directions for their remediation with special attention to digital teaching and learning.

INTRODUCTION: As experienced physiotherapy educators in Brazil, we observed that COVID-19 elucidated challenges in the pedagogy of entry-level education overall, and directions for their remediation. In this commentary, we describe our observations with particular attention to the opportunity for digital and distance teaching and learning in Brazil's exemplary middle-income country. BODY: First, the legislation in Brazil around health professional education, specifically entry-level physiotherapy education, is described concerning distanced learning. Then, we contrast such education before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, and in the aftermath of its peak. Our observations reinforce the need to preserve teaching and learning excellence in physiotherapy education with various approaches including distanced and digital learning; be aware of both advantages and disadvantages; and identify means of balancing these for optimal delivery and learner outcomes. Our collective experience and insights strongly support the need for change in the legislative document governing physiotherapy education in Brazil. CONCLUSION: We hope our experiences will enable other educators to evaluate their contexts, reflect on how best to deliver entry-level physiotherapy education in general and during a pandemic, and reinforce the essentiality of practical face-to-face classes in achieving physiotherapy competencies. Only in this way will global standards of practice be ensured, through quality professional education and the factors that inform and govern these.

Antimicrobial and Photoantimicrobial Activities of Chitosan/CNPPV Nanocomposites.

Multidrug-resistant bacteria represent a global health and economic burden that urgently calls for new technologies to combat bacterial antimicrobial resistance. Here, we developed novel nanocomposites (NCPs) based on chitosan that display different degrees of acetylation (DAs), and conjugated polymer cyano-substituted poly(p-phenylene vinylene) (CNPPV) as an alternative approach to inactivate Gram-negative (E. coli) and Gram-positive (S. aureus) bacteria. Chitosan's structure was confirmed through FT-Raman spectroscopy. Bactericidal and photobactericidal activities of NCPs were tested under dark and blue-light irradiation conditions, respectively. Hydrodynamic size and aqueous stability were determined by DLS, zeta potential (ZP) and time-domain NMR. TEM micrographs of NCPs were obtained, and their capacity of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS) under blue illumination was also characterized. Meaningful variations on ZP and relaxation time T2 confirmed successful physical attachment of chitosan/CNPPV. All NCPs exhibited a similar and shrunken spherical shape according to TEM. A lower DA is responsible for driving higher bactericidal performance alongside the synergistic effect from CNPPV, lower nanosized distribution profile and higher positive charged surface. ROS production was proportionally found in NCPs with and without CNPPV by decreasing the DA, leading to a remarkable photobactericidal effect under blue-light irradiation. Overall, our findings indicate that chitosan/CNPPV NCPs may constitute a valuable asset for the development of innovative strategies for inactivation and/or photoinactivation of bacteria.

Microbiota imbalance induced by dietary sugar disrupts immune-mediated protection from metabolic syndrome.

How intestinal microbes regulate metabolic syndrome is incompletely understood. We show that intestinal microbiota protects against development of obesity, metabolic syndrome, and pre-diabetic phenotypes by inducing commensal-specific Th17 cells. High-fat, high-sugar diet promoted metabolic disease by depleting Th17-inducing microbes, and recovery of commensal Th17 cells restored protection. Microbiota-induced Th17 cells afforded protection by regulating lipid absorption across intestinal epithelium in an IL-17-dependent manner. Diet-induced loss of protective Th17 cells was mediated by the presence of sugar. Eliminating sugar from high-fat diets protected mice from obesity and metabolic syndrome in a manner dependent on commensal-specific Th17 cells. Sugar and ILC3 promoted outgrowth of Faecalibaculum rodentium that displaced Th17-inducing microbiota. These results define dietary and microbiota factors posing risk for metabolic syndrome. They also define a microbiota-dependent mechanism for immuno-pathogenicity of dietary sugar and highlight an elaborate interaction between diet, microbiota, and intestinal immunity in regulation of metabolic disorders.

Biosorption of uranium from aqueous solutions by Azolla sp. and Limnobium laevigatum.

The main goal of this study was to assess alternatives to the current challenges on environmental quality and circular economy. The former is here addressed by the treatment of radioactively contaminated solutions, and the latter by using abundant and low-cost biomass. In this paper, we examine the biosorption of hexavalent uranium (U(VI)) in a batch system using the macrophytes Limnobium laevigatum and Azolla sp. by three operational parameters: biomass dose, metal ion concentration, and contact time. Simulated solutions were firstly addressed with two biomasses, followed by studies with real liquid organic radioactive waste (LORW) with Azolla sp. The batch experiments were carried out by mixing 0.20 g biomass in 10 mL of the prepared solution or LORW. The total contact time employed for the determination of the equilibrium times was 240 min, and the initial U(VI) concentration was 0.63 mmol L-1. The equilibrium times were 15 min for L. laevigatum and 30 min for Azolla sp. respectively. A wide range of initial U(VI) concentrations (0.25-36 mmol L-1) was then used to assess the adsorption capacity of each macrophyte. Isotherm models validated the adsorption performance of the biosorption process. Azolla sp. presented a much higher U(VI) uptake (0.474 mmol g-1) compared to L. laevigatum (0.026 mmol g-1). When in contact with LORW, Azolla sp. removed much less uranium, indicating an adsorption capacity of 0.010 mmol g-1. In conclusion, both biomasses, especially Azolla sp., can be used in the treatment of uranium-contaminated solutions.

Uranium biosorption by hydroxyapatite and bone meal: evaluation of process variables through experimental design.

Biosorption has been examined for the treatment of aqueous solutions containing uranium, a radiotoxic pollutant. Nevertheless, the evaluation of the role of process variables by experimental design on the use of hydroxyapatite and bone meal as biosorbents for uranium has not yet been previously addressed. In this study, the effects of adsorbent dosage (M), initial uranium concentrations ([U]0), and solution pH were investigated, using a two-level factorial design and response surface analysis. The experiments were performed in batch, with [U]0 of 100 and 500 mg L-1, pH 3 and 5, and adsorbent/uranium solution ratios of 5 and 15 g L-1. Contact time was fixed at 24 h. Removal rates were higher than 88%, with a maximum of 99% in optimized conditions. [U]0 and M were found to be the most influential variables in U removal in terms of adsorption capacity (q). The experiments revealed that bone meal holds higher adsorption capacity (49.87 mg g-1) and achieved the highest uranium removal (~ 100%) when compared to hydroxyapatite (q = 49.20 mg g-1, removal = 98.5%). The highest value of q for both biomaterials was obtained for [U]0 = 500 mg L-1, pH 3, and M = 5 g L-1. Concerning the removal percentage, bone meal achieved the best performance for [U]0 = 500 mg L-1, pH 3, and M = 15 g L-1. Further experiments were made with real radioactive waste, resulting in a high uranium adsorption capacity for both materials, with 22.11 mg g-1 for hydroxyapatite and 22.08 mg g-1 for bone meal, achieving uranium removal efficiencies higher than 99%.

In-mouth attributes driving perceived quality of Pinot noir wines: Sensory and chemical characterisation.

We investigated perception of mouthfeel in Pinot noir wines and its physicochemical determinants. Seventeen wine professionals judged 18 Pinot noir wines via two tasting tasks, Descriptive Rating and Directed Sorting, the latter based on perception of in-mouth attributes. Selected chemical measures of the same 18 wines were determined. Sensory results demonstrated that mouthfeel attributes driving high quality were smoothness/silky/velvety, volume/fullness/roundness, overall body, and viscosity/mouth-coating, while the taste of bitterness and perceived tannin harshness drove low quality judgments. Perceived astringency and expressions of tannin (e.g., soft; harsh; fine) drove sorting behaviour of participants. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) was used to associate perceived in-mouth phenomena and chemical composition. The phenolic profile, in particular tannin concentration and structure, was the most important predictor of astringency and its sub-components. These results have important implications for wine producers aiming to enhance perceived quality in their Pinot noir wines.

Effects of antioxidant and elemental sulfur additions at crushing on aroma profiles of Pinot Gris, Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc wines.

The antioxidants sulfur dioxide (50 ppm) and ascorbic acid (100 ppm) were added to grapes soon after harvest at crushing. The chemical composition and sensory profile of Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Gris and Chardonnay wines were examined, made from grapes collected at three different sites for each variety. With good antioxidant protection of the juices, reflected in low absorbances at 420 nm, remarkable increases in the polyfunctional mercaptans, 3-mercaptohexanol (3MH) and its acetate ester (3MHA), were seen in the wines. Moreover, high levels of these compounds were produced in the Pinot Gris and Chardonnay wines, equally high as with Sauvignon Blanc. The Pinot Gris wines maintained varietal characteristics in sensory profiles, even with high levels of polyfunctional mercaptans. When elemental sulfur was included with the grapes at crushing, extra increases in polyfunctional mercaptans were observed. However, this led to the production of unwanted reductive aroma compounds in some wines.

Uranium removal from aqueous solution using macauba endocarp-derived biochar: Effect of physical activation.

The main aim of this study was to evaluate options for addressing two pressing challenges related to environmental quality and circular economy stemming from wastage or underutilization of abundant biomass residue resources and contamination of water by industrial effluents. In this study we focused on residues (endocarp) from Macaúba palm (Acrocomia aculeata) used for oil production, its conversion to activated biochar, and its potential use in uranium (U) removal from aqueous solutions. Batch adsorption experiments showed a much higher uranyl ions (U(VI)) removal efficiency of activated biochar compared to untreated biochar. As a result of activation, an increase in removal efficiency from 80.5% (untreated biochar) to 99.2% (after activation) was observed for a 5 mg L-1 initial U(VI) concentration solution adjusted to pH 3 using a 10 g L-1 adsorbent dosage. The BET surface area increased from 0.83 to 643 m2 g-1 with activation. Surface topography of the activated biochar showed a very characteristic morphology with high porosity. Activation significantly affected chemical surface of the biochar. FTIR analysis indicated that U(VI) was removed by physisorption from the aqueous solution. The adsorbed U(VI) was detected by micro X-ray fluorescence technique. Adsorption isotherms were employed to represent the results of the U adsorption onto the activated biochar. An estimation of the best fit was performed by calculating different deviation equations, also called error functions. The Redlich-Peterson isotherm model was the most appropriate for fitting the experimental data, suggesting heterogeneity of adsorption sites with different affinities for uranium setting up as a hybrid adsorption. These results demonstrated that physical activation significantly increases the adsorption capacity of macauba endocarp-derived biochar for uranium in aqueous solutions, and therefore open up a potential new application for this type of waste-derived biochar.

Perception of quality and complexity in wine and their links to varietal typicality: An investigation involving Pinot noir wine and professional tasters.

Quality and complexity are abstract terms employed frequently to describe a wine's overall attributes. In the present study, we investigated: (i) attributes driving wine professionals' judgments of quality and complexity in Pinot noir wines; (ii) the relation between these two abstract concepts; and (iii) association of each concept with varietal typicality. Twenty-two wine professionals evaluated 18 New Zealand Pinot noir wines in both clear and opaque glassware via two sensory tasks, a descriptive rating task and an 8-attribute, perceived complexity questionnaire. Sensory data were associated with wine UV-spectrophotometry colour measures to aid interpretation of the influence of tasting-glass colour. Results demonstrated the key drivers of perceived quality were descriptors varietal typicality, expressiveness, overall structure, and attractive fruit aromatics, along with complexity questionnaire attributes of harmony, balance and number of identifiable flavours. Reductive notes drove low-quality judgments. Data show that quality and complexity were positively associated concepts and that both were linked positively with varietal typicality. Visual influence was not a major driver of wine professionals' judgments but being able to see a wine's colour influenced tasters' judgments to wines at each end of the price/quality spectrum. We discuss the results in terms of cognitive phenomena associated with judgments by those with domain-specific expertise.

Use of calcium alginate beads and Saccharomyces cerevisiae for biosorption of 241Am.

Calcium alginate beads, inactivated Saccharomyces cerevisiae and inactivated S. cerevisiae immobilized in calcium alginate beads (S. cerevisiae-calcium alginate beads) are examined as potential biosorption materials as regards their capacity to remove 241Am. In this study, initial experiments were carried out to evaluate the effects of pH (2 and 4) and 241Am initial concentration: 75, 150, and 300 Bq mL-1. The experiments were conducted in a batch reactor. Higher removal capacity was observed at pH 2 with the use of S. Cerevisiae, whereas pH 4 performed better for the essays with calcium alginate beads and S. Cerevisiae-calcium alginate beads. The pseudo-first-order kinetic model described the kinetics of biosorption. Calcium alginate was the adsorbent of choice to further experiments with synthetic organic liquid waste. A lower removal rate was observed in the organic waste, although calcium alginate beads have also been able to achieve high sorption capacity in less than 4 h. With the organic waste, the highest value of sorption capacity of 241Am was 4.38 × 10-7 mmol g-1 with an initial 241Am concentration of 2.31 × 10-8 mmol L-1.