RCAAP: Building and maintaining a national repository network

Presentation at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Building the ‘Digital’ Library: Routes to Managing our Institutional Digital Learning, Teaching and Research Assets Together

Presentation at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Monostromatic green algae (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) of São Paulo and Paraná states (Brazil): distribution, growth, and reproduction

(Monostromatic green algae (Ulvales, Chlorophyta) of São Paulo and Paraná states (Brazil): distribution, growth, and reproduction). Culture studies were used for taxa identification and to understand aspects of the biology and physiology of monostromatic green blades growing in various sites along the coast of São Paulo state (23º30'-25ºl2'S, 45º10'-48ºW) and one site in Paraná state (25º35'S, 48º21'W), southeast and south Brazil, respectively. Possible variations of the growth rate, age of reproduction and life history were tested under different conditions of temperature, salinity and day length. Two species were found: Ulvaria oxysperma (Kützing) Bliding and Monostroma sp. The first one has been previously reported for many temperate and tropical estuaries around the world. Green monostromatic blades with the same life-history and ontogeny as Monostroma sp. have been reported so far only for the tropical coast of Brazil. Species are distinct in their ontogeny of the thallus (constant under different conditions) and limiting temperatures of survival. U. oxysperma grows and reproduces from 10 to 25ºC and dies when maintained at 30ºC; Monostroma sp. does not reproduce at 15ºC and survives at 30ºC. The different salinities and day lengths that were tested had no significant effect on either species.

Building a Research Data Registry for the UK

Presentation at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Grey literature, green open access: the BLDS Digital Library

Presentation at Open Repositories 2014, Helsinki, Finland, June 9-13, 2014

Taxonomy and distribution of the green algal genus Halimeda (Bryopsidales, Chlorophyta) in Brazil

Halimeda is a genus of calcified coenocytic green algae with a well known ecological importance in some tropical areas. Bleached calcified segments of Halimeda may accumulate in large deposits of economic potential as is the case in the northeastern coast of Brazil. In a survey of the genus in Brazil based on recent collections and examination of abundant material deposited on Brazilian herbaria we identified seven species: Halimeda cuneata Hering, H. discoidea Decaisne, H. gracilis Harvey ex J. Agardh, H. incrassata (Ellis) Lamouroux, H. opuntia (Linnaeus) Lamouroux, H. simulans Howe and H. tuna (Ellis & Solander) Lamouroux. These species are described in detail, with emphasis on diagnostic characters. Our study has shown that the shape and size of the utricula in surface view, under scanning electron microscopy, can be utilized to discriminate some species. Fertile specimens of Halimeda cuneata and H. discoidea are reported for the first time in the region. Data on vertical and geographical distribution are presented for each species and the southern limit of the genus in the western Atlantic was extended.

Growth of red and green strains of the tropical agarophyte Gracilaria cornea J. Agardh (Gracilariales, Rhodophyta) in laboratory

Gracilaria cornea J. Agardh is an important agarophyte occurring in the western Atlantic Ocean. Green colour individuals of G. cornea were found in a natural population, growing next to red individuals, which were more common. Due to the importance of colour strains in genetic and intraspecific variability studies, this work aimed to characterize the red and green strains evaluating different nutritional and light conditions. Red and green gametophytes were cultivated at 14:10 light: dark cycle, with alternating aeration periods of 30 min. Two different enriched solutions were tested: von Stosch (VSS) at concentrations reduced to 12.5% and 25%; and Provasoli (PES) at concentrations reduced to 25% and 50%, and 100%. Red and green gametophytes were cultivated at the irradiance of 45 mumol photons m-2 s-1. In another experiment utilizing PES 100%, two sources of light (Osram 40 W daylight fluorescent tubes and Sylvania Designer 3,500 tubes) were tested at irradiances of 90 and 180 mumol photons m-2 s-1. Growth rates (GR) were evaluated for five weeks. Gametophytes developed few branches and reproductive structures were not induced. Differences were not observed between GR of red and green strains in the conditions tested. GR were higher in VSS 12.5% (8.4% day-1) than in 25% (7.1% day-1), suggesting an adaptation of the species to low nutrient concentrations. GR were higher at 180 (9.0% day-1) than at 90 mumol photons m-2 s-1 (6.3% day-1). These results suggest that G. cornea should be cultivated in laboratory at high irradiances and low nutrient concentrations. These data will be useful in future genetic and physiological studies of the species.

Chemical derivatization of galactoglucomannan for functional materials

In the framework of the biorefinery concept researchers aspire to optimize the utilization of plant materials, such as agricultural wastes and wood. For most of the known processes, the first steps in the valorisation of biomass are the extraction and purification of the individual components. The obtained raw products by means of a controlled separation can consecutively be modified to result in biofuels or biogas for energy production, but also in value-added products such as additives and important building blocks for the chemical and material industries. Considerable efforts are undertaken in order to substitute the use of oil-based starting materials or at least minimize their processing for the production of everyday goods. Wood is one of the raw materials, which have gained large attention in the last decades and its composition has been studied in detail. Nowadays, the extraction of water-soluble hemicelluloses from wood is well known and so for example xylan can be obtained from hardwoods and O-acetyl galactoglucomannans (GGMs) from softwoods. The aim of this work was to develop water-soluble amphiphilic materials of GGM and to assess their potential use as additives. Furthermore, GGM was also applied as a crosslinker in the synthesis of functional hydrogels for the removal of toxic metals and metalloid ions from aqueous solutions. The distinguished products were obtained by several chemical approaches and analysed by nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), size exclusion chromatography (SEC), thermal gravimetric analysis (TGA), scanning electron microscope SEM, among others. Bio-based surfactants were produced by applying GGM and different fatty acids as starting materials. On one hand, GGM-grafted-fatty acids were prepared by esterification and on the other hand, well-defined GGM-block-fatty acid derivatives were obtained by linking amino-functional fatty acids to the reducing end of GGM. The reaction conditions for the syntheses were optimized and the resultant amphiphilic GGM derivatives were evaluated concerning their ability to reduce the surface tension of water as surfactants. Furthermore, the block-structured derivatives were tested in respect to their applicability as additives for the surface modification of cellulosic materials. Besides the GGM surfactants with a bio-based hydrophilic and a bio-based hydrophobic part, also GGM block-structured derivatives with a synthetic hydrophobic tail, consisting of a polydimethylsiloxane chain, were prepared and assessed for the hydrophobization of surface of nanofibrillated cellulose films. In order to generate GGM block-structured derivatives containing a synthetic tail with distinguished physical and chemical properties, as well as a tailored chain length, a controlled polymerization method was used. Therefore, firstly an initiator group was introduced at the reducing end of the GGM and consecutively single electron transfer-living radical polymerization (SET-LRP) was performed by applying three different monomers in individual reactions. For the accomplishment of the synthesis and the analysis of the products, challenges related to the solubility of the reactants had to be overcome. Overall, a synthesis route for the production of GGM block-copolymers bearing different synthetic polymer chains was developed and several derivatives were obtained. Moreover, GGM with different molar masses were, after modification, used as a crosslinker in the synthesis of functional hydrogels. Hereby, a cationic monomer was used during the free radical polymerization and the resultant hydrogels were successfully tested for the removal of chromium and arsenic ions from aqueous solutions. The hydrogel synthesis was tailored and materials with distinguished physical properties, such as the swelling rate, were obtained after purification. The results generated in this work underline the potential of bio-based products and the urge to continue carrying out research in order to be able to use more green chemicals for the manufacturing of biorenewable and biodegradable daily products.

The role of emotional branding in building brand personality from a consumer perspective

The purpose of this exploratory research is to study the role of emotional branding in building brand personality. The research is conducted from the perspective of the consumer, more specifically the Finnish Generation Y females. The aim of the thesis is to gain insights and understanding on the key concepts and contribute to the Generation Y literature. In addition, the research examines the effect of certain cultural implications on the process of building brand personality. The research was conducted as an embedded single-case study, in which qualitative data was collected through semi-structured interviews with a sample of six consumers and personal observation within one of the concept stores of the case company. In order to triangulate the data, secondary sources were utilized to gain more information about the case company. The results indicated a connection between emotional branding and the formulation of brand personality, which can be manipulated according to the brand personality drivers. Congruence with consumer self-conceptualization and set of values were discovered to strengthen the emotional bonding. As the end result, the research was able to clarify the process-thinking behind emotional branding.

Corticolous green algae from tropical forest remnants in the northwest region of São Paulo State, Brazil

The algae inhabit a wide variety of terrestrial environments and substrates; however the taxonomic knowledge for tropical regions is still scarce. This survey was conducted in ten forest remnants in São Paulo State where visible growths of algae and bryophytes were collected and studied for the main algal components of the communities. Results reveal the occurrence of nine species of green algae, distributed through the class Trebouxiophyceae (one species), Charophyceae (one species) and Ulvophyceae (seven species). Desmococcus olivaceus (Persoon ex Archerson) J. R. Laundon and Printzina effusa (Krempelhüber) Thompson & Wujek are new records for Brazil. The most frequent organisms found in the areas pertain to Trentepohliales that is mainly represented by Trentepohlia species. On the basis of results found, it is recommended that such communities receive more attention in future investigations to improve the knowledge about this important group of primary producers.

Green algal interactions with physicochemical parameters of some manmade ponds in Zaria, northern Nigeria

Green algal species and their association with physicochemical parameters in some manmade ponds in Zaria, Nigeria were studied from November 2005 to August 2006. Phytoplankton and water samples were collected, preserved and analyzed using standard methods. A total of 27 green algal species divided into 16 families were recorded. Shannon diversity indices ranged from 1.75 to 2.39 in all ponds, dominance index from 0.14 to 0.23 and species evenness 0.56 to 0.64. Closterium sp. and Rhizoclonium hookeri Kuetz. were positively associated with the concentration of Fe, however they were negatively correlated (sensitive) to alkalinity, total dissolved solids and electrical conductivity. Stichococcus bacillaris Naegeli, Staurastrum rotula Nordst. and Sphaeroplea sp. had significant positive relationship with biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), Mn, and Mo levels in the water. Pseudouvella americana (Snow) Wille. and Scenedesmus quadricauda (Turp.) de Bréb. showed a close positive association with alkalinity but were sensitive to Fe, BOD, Mn and Mo. The species reported here showed closed association with physicochemical factors in these ponds.

Brazil on the spot: Rio+20, sustainability and a role for science

Rio +20, or the United Nations Conference for Sustainable Development, will take place at the end of this month of June 2012. In this paper, our central argument is that Brazil, as the host of Rio+20, has a historic opportunity to make the conference a success and take a decisive step in becoming a world leader in the shift from the traditional development paradigm to a new, sustainable development paradigm. To do that, Brazil will have to resolve a paradox: on the one hand the country has modern legislation and world class science, and on the other hand very poor social and environmental decision-making in recent times. In this column, we examine the green economy as a trajectory that leads to sustainable development and describe some pilot experiences at the sub-national level in Brazil. We discuss how science, and particularly plant sciences, will be essential to the transition to sustainable development. Finally, we propose immediate actions that we call upon the Brazilian government to commit to and to announce during this pivotal Rio+20 moment, which should serve as a milestone for all nations in building a sustainable future.

AQUAREL CONCEPT Aquatic resources for green energy realization

The AQUAREL project studied the availability and optional utilization methods for fish processing side streams and other aquatic biomaterial in the Republic of Karelia. Additionally processing aquatic biomaterial with manure and sewage sludge was studied. Based on the results, the most feasible option today is to process fish side streams to fish oil and dewatered oil-free residue and to use them for fish or animal feed production. However, it is necessary to highlight, that changes in e.g. economic environment, energy prices and demand may require re-evaluating the results and conclusions made in the project. Producing fish oil from fish processing side streams is an easy and relatively simple production process generating a valuable end product. The functionality of the process was confirmed in a pilot conducted in the project. The oil and solids are separated from the heated fish waste based on gravity. The fish oil separating on top of the separator unit is removed. Fish oil can as such be utilized for heating purposes, fish meal or animal feed production, but it can also be further processed to biodiesel. However, due to currently moderate energy prices in Russia, biodiesel production is not economically profitable. Even if the fish oil production process is not complicated, the operative management of small-scale fish oil production unit requires dedicated resources and separate facilities especially to meet hygiene requirements. Managing the side streams is not a core business for fish farmers. Efficient and economically profitable fish oil production requires a centralized production unit with bigger processing capacity. One fish processing unit needs to be designed to manage side streams collected from several fish farms. The optimum location for the processing unit is in the middle of the fish farms. Based on the transportation cost analysis in the Republic of Karelia, it is not economically efficient to transport bio-wastes for more than 100 km since the transportation costs start increasing substantially. Another issue to be considered is that collection of side streams, including the dead fish, from the fish farms should be organized on a daily basis in order to eliminate the need for storing the side streams at the farms. Based on AQUAREL project studies there are different public funding sources available for supporting and enabling profitable and environmentally sustainable utilization, research or development of fish processing side streams and other aquatic biomaterial. Different funding programmes can be utilized by companies, research organizations, authorities and non-governmental organizations.

Using green fluorescent protein to understand the mechanisms of G-protein-coupled receptor regulation

G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) activation is followed rapidly by adaptive changes that serve to diminish the responsiveness of a cell to further stimulation. This process, termed desensitization, is the consequence of receptor phosphorylation, arrestin binding, sequestration and down-regulation. GPCR phosphorylation is initiated within seconds to minutes of receptor activation and is mediated by both second messenger-dependent protein kinases and receptor-specific G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs). Desensitization in response to GRK-mediated phosphorylation involves the binding of arrestin proteins that serve to sterically uncouple the receptor from its G protein. GPCR sequestration, the endocytosis of receptors to endosomes, not only contributes to the temporal desensitization of GPCRs, but plays a critical role in GPCR resensitization. GPCR down-regulation, a loss of the total cellular complement of receptors, is the consequence of both increased lysosomal degradation and decreased mRNA synthesis of GPCRs. While each of these agonist-mediated desensitization processes are initiated within a temporally dissociable time frame, recent data suggest that they are intimately related to one another. The use of green fluorescent protein from the jellyfish Aqueora victoria as an epitope tag with intrinsic fluorescence has facilitated our understanding of the relative relationship between GRK phosphorylation, arrestin binding, receptor sequestration and down-regulation.

Green supplier selection via Multiple Criteria Data Envelopment Analysis

An appropriate supplier selection and its profound effects on increasing the competitive advantage of companies has been widely discussed in supply chain management (SCM) literature. By raising environmental awareness among companies and industries they attach more importance to sustainable and green activities in selection procedures of raw material providers. The current thesis benefits from data envelopment analysis (DEA) technique to evaluate the relative efficiency of suppliers in the presence of carbon dioxide (CO2) emission for green supplier selection. We incorporate the pollution of suppliers as an undesirable output into DEA. However, to do so, two conventional DEA model problems arise: the lack of the discrimination power among decision making units (DMUs) and flexibility of the inputs and outputs weights. To overcome these limitations, we use multiple criteria DEA (MCDEA) as one alternative. By applying MCDEA the number of suppliers which are identified as efficient will be decreased and will lead to a better ranking and selection of the suppliers. Besides, in order to compare the performance of the suppliers with an ideal supplier, a “virtual” best practice supplier is introduced. The presence of the ideal virtual supplier will also increase the discrimination power of the model for a better ranking of the suppliers. Therefore, a new MCDEA model is proposed to simultaneously handle undesirable outputs and virtual DMU. The developed model is applied for green supplier selection problem. A numerical example illustrates the applicability of the proposed model.