The implementation of mini-enterprise business process management.

Obviously, it is important for the mini-enterprise to acknowledgement that how to win the customers and markets, because the products must be continuously evolved so as to satisfy the customer, otherwise it will be disused by the market, that is a major problems for nowadays mini-enterprise business process management. In fact, in order to satisfy the customers, the overall business processes for mini-enterprises are mostly based on integrated business process, optimization on the integrated business process is vital for a successful min-enterprise. this paper explores how to optimize the business process of mini-enterprises based on the general principle of enterprise business process management and the main feature of the mini-enterprise, so as to instruct the mini-enterprise to control, enhance and optimize the business process in order to meet the inner requirements from the development of the enterprise and adapt itself with the continuous changes of the outside environment, most vitally it can enhance the process or re-design the process so as to meet business demands from customers.

Validation of a novel assay for cardiology drug screening using hESC-derived cardiomyocyte spheroids - “mini-hearts”

This is an abstract of a presented talk at the European Biotechnology Conference held in Latvia during 05–07 May 2016

Enraizamento de mini-estacas de jabuticabeiras, pitangueira, araçazeiro amarelo e sete capoteiro

The most native fruit trees are belonging to Myrtaceae family, which it have as main marketing potential their fruit. Despite the wide acceptance of the fruits of these native fruit cultura, the establishment of commercial orchards is still necessary, because if it prevails extraction in the forest. To start the cultivo in the orchard, the first point is on the mother plant choice, which should provide superior characteristics when compared to other genotypes. Then, it is necessary to choose the method to can produce satisfactory amount of seedlings and preferably without it to lose the mother plant characteristics. For this, it adopts the asexual thechniques, with option for grafting, cuttings and air layering. These techniques when tested with native fruits tree, it proved limiting in theses results, with this, it should to test other it to recommend its use, especially, those fruit native of higher potential as jabuticaba tree, pitanga tree, sete capote tree and araça amarelo tree. The aim of this study was to test the use of asexual propagation through mini-cuttings in these native fruit trees, according to the time of collection, the mini-cutting length and concentration of IBA, as well as, it to relate the results of rooting with tryptophan extracted at certain times. The work was carried out at Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná – Câmpus Dois Vizinhos, Brazil. The samples were collected each two months. The mini-cutting were prepared with 6 or 8 cm, with a pair of leaves reduced to 25% of the original size. The mini-cuttings had their base immersed in liquid solution of indole-butyric acid (IBA) in the concentrations of 0, 3000 and 6000 mg L-1 and then were placed in tubes containing commercial substrate. The experimental design was completely randomized with factorial 2 x 3 x 6 (mini-cutting length x IBA concentration x time of collection), with four replications, it being each plot varied according to the amount of shoots obtained by period time. After 120 days, the rooting and callus formation (%), average number of roots per mini-cutting and the average length of the roots were evaluated. After 60 days of these evaluations, the survival of mini-cuttings rooted after transplant was evaluated. It was evaluated also the production of mini-cuttings of each size in each period time. At the end of the experiment it was evaluated the percentage of survival of mother plantlets. For analysis of tryptophan was used materials branches, leaves and twigs with leaves, taken from the materials used for the production of mini-cutting. It was recommended for hybrid jabuticaba tree the use mini-cutting with eight cm, treated with 6000 mg L-1 of IBA and collected in June. For jabuticaba tree of cabinho and araça amarelo tree the period for propagation by mini-cuttings should be in August, regardless of IBA concentration and length of the mini-cutting. In the jabuticaba tree sabara and sete capote tree is important to obtain more satisfactory results realized the collect in October or December, with the same independence of other levels tested in other factors. However, for sete capote tree should test other techniques to increase the efficiency of propagation. And with pitanga tree recommended to the collection in June, but with 6cm the application of 3000 mg L-1 of IBA and 8 cm with 6000 mg L-1 of IBA.

Improving deliberative participation : connecting mini-publics to deliberative systems

Colour differentiation of high-lycopene tomato fruit through the addition of the colourless-epidermis (y) mutation

High-lycopene tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum) are characterised by an intense red flesh-colour, due to an elevated concentration of the carotenoid, lycopene. However, this characteristic is only visible once fruit are cut open, making it impossible to differentiate intact high-lycopene fruit from standard tomato fruit, a clear market disadvantage. The reason that fruit colour of both high-lycopene and standard fruit looks almost identical from the outside is because tomato fruit normally contain the yellow flavonoid 'naringenin chalcone' in a thin layer of epidermal cells. It is this combination of naringenin chalcone and the underlying lycopene in the flesh that gives tomatoes their characteristic orange-red colour. By incorporation of the recessive colourless epidermis mutant allele 'y' (which prevents naringenin chalcone accumulation) into high-lycopene fruit, we have been able to create high-lycopene tomatoes (hp1.ogc.y) exhibiting a deep-pink colour visible from the outside. Hue angle of the skin of the high-lycopene 'y' mutant and a regular highlycopene tomato (hp1.ogc.Y) was 30 and 38°, respectively, while flesh values were similar at 31 and 32°, respectively. Removal of naringenin chalcone from the epidermis appeared to improve the visibility of underlying lycopene, such that fruit outer colour became a subsequent indicator of underlying flesh colour. The removal of epidermal pigmentation means that high-lycopene fruit can now be differentiated from standard tomato fruit in the market place without the need to cut fruit open.

Quantification of the effects of architectural traits on dry mass production and light interception of tomato canopy under different temperature regimes using a dynamic functional-structural plant model

There is increasing interest in evaluating the environmental effects on crop architectural traits and yield improvement. However, crop models describing the dynamic changes in canopy structure with environmental conditions and the complex interactions between canopy structure, light interception, and dry mass production are only gradually emerging. Using tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) as a model crop, a dynamic functional-structural plant model (FSPM) was constructed, parameterized, and evaluated to analyse the effects of temperature on architectural traits, which strongly influence canopy light interception and shoot dry mass. The FSPM predicted the organ growth, organ size, and shoot dry mass over time with high accuracy (>85%). Analyses of this FSPM showed that, in comparison with the reference canopy, shoot dry mass may be affected by leaf angle by as much as 20%, leaf curvature by up to 7%, the leaf length: width ratio by up to 5%, internode length by up to 9%, and curvature ratios and leaf arrangement by up to 6%. Tomato canopies at low temperature had higher canopy density and were more clumped due to higher leaf area and shorter internodes. Interestingly, dry mass production and light interception of the clumped canopy were more sensitive to changes in architectural traits. The complex interactions between architectural traits, canopy light interception, dry mass production, and environmental conditions can be studied by the dynamic FSPM, which may serve as a tool for designing a canopy structure which is 'ideal' in a given environment.

Predictive Models for Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus Spread Dynamics, Considering Frankliniella occidentalis Specific Life Processes as Influenced by the Virus

Several models have been studied on predictive epidemics of arthropod vectored plant viruses in an attempt to bring understanding to the complex but specific relationship between the three cornered pathosystem (virus, vector and host plant), as well as their interactions with the environment. A large body of studies mainly focuses on weather based models as management tool for monitoring pests and diseases, with very few incorporating the contribution of vector's life processes in the disease dynamics, which is an essential aspect when mitigating virus incidences in a crop stand. In this study, we hypothesized that the multiplication and spread of tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV) in a crop stand is strongly related to its influences on Frankliniella occidentalis preferential behavior and life expectancy. Model dynamics of important aspects in disease development within TSWV-F. occidentalis-host plant interactions were developed, focusing on F. occidentalis' life processes as influenced by TSWV. The results show that the influence of TSWV on F. occidentalis preferential behaviour leads to an estimated increase in relative acquisition rate of the virus, and up to 33% increase in transmission rate to healthy plants. Also, increased life expectancy; which relates to improved fitness, is dependent on the virus induced preferential behaviour, consequently promoting multiplication and spread of the virus in a crop stand. The development of vector-based models could further help in elucidating the role of tri-trophic interactions in agricultural disease systems. Use of the model to examine the components of the disease process could also boost our understanding on how specific epidemiological characteristics interact to cause diseases in crops. With this level of understanding we can efficiently develop more precise control strategies for the virus and the vector.

High temperature and vapor pressure deficit aggravate architectural effects but ameliorate non-architectural effects of salinity on dry mass production of tomato

Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) is an important vegetable crop and often cultivated in regions exposed to salinity and high temperatures (HT) which change plant architecture, decrease canopy light interception and disturb physiological functions. However, the long-term effects of salinity and HT combination (S+HT) on plant growth are still unclear. A dynamic functional-structural plant model (FSPM) of tomato was parameterized and evaluated for different levels of S+HT combinations. The evaluated model was used to quantify the contributions of morphological changes (architectural effects) and physiological disturbances (non-architectural effects) on the reduction of shoot dry mass under S+HT. The model predicted architectural variables with high accuracy (>85%), which ensured the reliability of the model analyses. HT enhanced architectural effects but reduced non-architectural effects of salinity on dry mass production. The stronger architectural effects of salinity under HT could not be counterbalanced by the smaller non-architectural effects. Therefore, long-term influences of HT on shoot dry mass under salinity were negative at the whole plant level. Our model analysis highlights the importance of plant architecture at canopy level in studying the plant responses to the environments and shows the merits of dynamic FSPMs as heuristic tools.

Crocin and β-Carotene bleaching assays as analytical tools in the optimization of the extraction of hydrophilic and lipophilic antioxidants from tomato

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum Mill.) is the second most important vegetable crop worldwide and a rich source of hydrophilic (H) and lipophilic (L) antioxidants. The H fraction is constituted mainly by ascorbic acid and soluble phenolic compounds, while the L fraction contains carotenoids (mostly lycopene), tocopherols, sterols and lipophilic phenolics [1,2]. To obtain these antioxidants it is necessary to follow appropriate extraction methods and processing conditions. In this regard, this study aimed at determining the optimal extraction conditions for H and L antioxidants from a tomato surplus. A 5-level full factorial design with 4 factors (extraction time (I, 0-20 min), temperature (T, 60-180 •c), ethanol percentage (Et, 0-100%) and solid/liquid ratio (S/L, 5-45 g!L)) was implemented and the response surface methodology used for analysis. Extractions were carried out in a Biotage Initiator Microwave apparatus. The concentration-time response methods of crocin and P-carotene bleaching were applied (using 96-well microplates), since they are suitable in vitro assays to evaluate the antioxidant activity of H and L matrices, respectively [3]. Measurements were carried out at intervals of 3, 5 and 10 min (initiation, propagation and asymptotic phases), during a time frame of 200 min. The parameters Pm (maximum protected substrate) and V m (amount of protected substrate per g of extract) and the so called IC50 were used to quantify the response. The optimum extraction conditions were as follows: r~2.25 min, 7'=149.2 •c, Et=99.1 %and SIL=l5.0 giL for H antioxidants; and t=l5.4 min, 7'=60.0 •c, Et=33.0% and S/L~l5.0 g/L for L antioxidants. The proposed model was validated based on the high values of the adjusted coefficient of determination (R2.wi>0.91) and on the non-siguificant differences between predicted and experimental values. It was also found that the antioxidant capacity of the H fraction was much higher than the L one.

A mini maratona de violoncelistas AMVP 2016

Relatório de Estágio para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ensino da Música

Chemical control of tomato basal rot caused by Pythiuma phanidermatum

p.73-78

HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS analysis of phenolic compounds in four tomato varieties and evaluation of the antioxidant capacity

Tomato (Lycopersicon esculentum L.) is the second most important vegetable crop worldwide and a key component in the so-called “Mediterranean diet”. In the Northeastern region of Portugal, local populations still prefer to consume traditional tomato varieties which they find very tasty and healthy, as they are grown using extensive farming techniques. A previous study of our research team described the nutritional value of the round (batateiro), long (comprido), heart (coração) and yellow (amarelo) tomato varieties [1], but the phenolic profile was unknown until now. Thus, the objective of this study was to characterize the phenolic profiles of these four tomato farmers’ varieties by using HPLC-DAD-ESI/MS and evaluate its antioxidant capacity through four in vitro assays based on different reaction mechanisms. A cis p-coumaric acid derivative was the most abundant compound in yellow and round tomato varieties, while 4-O-caffeolyquinic acid was the most abundant in long and heart varieties. The most abundant flavonoid was quercetin pentosylrutinoside in the four tomato varieties. Yellow tomato presented the highest levels of phenolic compounds, including phenolic acids and flavonoids, but the lowest antioxidant activity. In turn, the round tomato gave the best results in all the antioxidant activity assays. This study demonstrated that these tomato farmers’ varieties are a source of phenolic compounds, mainly phenolic acid derivatives [2], and possess high antioxidant capacity [1]; being thus key elements in the diet to prevent chronic degenerative diseases associated to oxidative stress, such as cancer and coronary artery disease.

Monitoring of specific activities of long-lived radioactive elements along the Mini- Okoro/Oginigba Creek, Port Harcourt

Presence and concentrations of radionuclides could be as a result of natural and human activities. This study examined the associations and differences among soil, sediment and water specific activities of long-lived radioactive element (LLRE). Gamma spectroscopy was used to measure the concentration of the LLRE along the Mini Okoro/Oginigba Creek, Port Harcourt. Specific activities of three selected LLRE were derived. Correlation analysis was carried out to examine associations among the specific activities across different substrates. A strong and a significant negative correlation exists between the specific activities of Water 40K and Soil 232Th (r =-0.721, p<0.05); Water 238U and Soil 238U (r = -0.717, p<0.05) and Water 40K and Sediment 238U (r=-0.69, p<0.05). Comparison using Mann-Whitney U test shows that, soil and sediment are similar in their specific activities with Z values of -0.408, -1.209 and -1.021 (p > 0.05) for 40K, 232Th and 238U respectively. The concentration of solid samples (soil and sediment) is different from the liquid (water) samples. These associations can be attributed to some specific underlying factors. And in other to understand them there is need for more studies.