Expert consensus document: the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics consensus statement on the scope and appropriate use of the term probiotic.

An expert panel was convened in October 2013 by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) to discuss the field of probiotics. It is now 13 years since the definition of probiotics and 12 years after guidelines were published for regulators, scientists and industry by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the WHO (FAO/WHO). The FAO/WHO definition of a probiotic—“live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”—was reinforced as relevant and sufficiently accommodating for current and anticipated applications. However, inconsistencies between the FAO/WHO Expert Consultation Report and the FAO/WHO Guidelines were clarified to take into account advances in science and applications. A more precise use of the term 'probiotic' will be useful to guide clinicians and consumers in differentiating the diverse products on the market. This document represents the conclusions of the ISAPP consensus meeting on the appropriate use and scope of the term probiotic.

Increasing thermal plant flexibility in a high renewables power system

Thermal generation is a vital component of mature and reliable electricity markets. As the share of renewable electricity in such markets grows, so too do the challenges associated with its variability. Proposed solutions to these challenges typically focus on alternatives to primary generation, such as energy storage, demand side management, or increased interconnection. Less attention is given to the demands placed on conventional thermal generation or its potential for increased flexibility. However, for the foreseeable future, conventional plants will have to operate alongside new renewables and have an essential role in accommodating increasing supply-side variability. This paper explores the role that conventional generation has to play in managing variability through the sub-system case study of Northern Ireland, identifying the significance of specific plant characteristics for reliable system operation. Particular attention is given to the challenges of wind ramping and the need to avoid excessive wind curtailment. Potential for conflict is identified with the role for conventional plant in addressing these two challenges. Market specific strategies for using the existing fleet of generation to reduce the impact of renewable resource variability are proposed, and wider lessons from the approach taken are identified.

Supramolecular assemblies of a new class of nonplanar cationic metalloporphyrins and anionic metallophthalocyanines

The heteroaggregation behavior between a new class of nonplanar cationic beta-octabrominated meso-alkylpyridinium zinc(II)-porphyrins (beta-Br(8)(ZnP)) and anionic tetrasulfonated metallophthalocyanines (MTSPc, M = Ni(II) and Cu(II)) has been studied by UV-Vis electronic spectroscopy, in dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) solution. The heteroaggregate stoichiometry and the association constants were determined by means of Job plots. Dimers and unexpected trimers, taking into account the existence of axially coordinated DMSO molecules to the central metal in both beta-Br(8)(ZnP) and MTSPc complexes, are formed in solution. The spectroscopic properties of the heteroaggregates are markedly different from those observed in the correspondent planar cationic derivatives, the heteroaggregates showing major changes predominantly in the beta-Br(8)(ZnP) Soret band region and minor effects in the MTSPc Q bands. The observed changes in the Soret band region (red/blue shifts, decrease in the absorption intensities) depend on the nature of the alkyl substituent attached to the meso-pyridinium group. The greater versatility of the nonplanar porphyrins accommodating the meso-substituents in out-of-plane and in-plane conformations is proposed to explain the observed stoichiometries and the differences on the heteroaggregates spectroscopic properties for each beta-Br(8)(ZnP) compound. The likely conformations assumed by the meso-substituents in these beta-Br(8)(ZnP) compounds and its spectroscopic characteristics are in accordance with the participation of the substituents as the main factor on the extent of the observed red-shifted spectra in nonplanar porphyrins. The obtained association constants (K(IP)) for the dimers and trimers are lower than those previously found for the similar planar cationic porphyrin systems, due to the lack of extensive pi-pi interactions and to the less effective approximation between the ionic groups, resulting in loosened heteroaggregates, particularly for the trimeric systems. Furthermore, the experimental results suggest that the NiTSPc is more distorted in DMSO solution than the CuTSPc derivative, favoring the interaction with the nonplanar beta-Br(8)(ZnP) compounds. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Parameter estimation of Poisson generalized linear mixed models based on three different statistical principles : a simulation study

Generalized linear mixed models are flexible tools for modeling non-normal data and are useful for accommodating overdispersion in Poisson regression models with random effects. Their main difficulty resides in the parameter estimation because there is no analytic solution for the maximization of the marginal likelihood. Many methods have been proposed for this purpose and many of them are implemented in software packages. The purpose of this study is to compare the performance of three different statistical principles - marginal likelihood, extended likelihood, Bayesian analysis-via simulation studies. Real data on contact wrestling are used for illustration.

Estilos de aprendizagem sob a ótica da Psicologia Evolucionista

Among a variety of learning conceptions, David Kolb´s Experiential Learning Theory proposes four different learning styles: diverging, characterized by orientation towards people and multi-perspective vision; assimilating, concerned with ideas and abstract concepts as well as theory formulation; converging, expert in dealing with technical tasks and problem solving; and accommodating, risk taker and good at getting things done. Interesting correlations have been pointed out between Kolb s learning styles, professional careers and genders. With respect to behaviors, specific cognitive skills and interests, sex differences are widely known, and explained by Evolutionary Psychology as the result of distinct selective pressures acting on each gender. The aim of this research was to assess adolescents learning styles and their relation with interests on school and career choices, analyzing possible gender differences. We distributed questionnaires to 221 senior high school students to research their preferences for school disciplines, professional activities and career choices. The Learning Style Inventory specified the learning style of each individual. Our results showed a high frequency of reflective styles, with predominance of females as diverging and males as assimilating. Concerning school and professional interests, there were correlations between styles oriented towards the abstract and technical interests. Moreover, females preferred disciplines related to languages and interpersonal activities while males preferred disciplines related to science and technical activities. There were more males in exact science and engineering careers, and more females in social science and applied social science. Correlations found between learning styles, school and professional interests corroborate Kolb´s propositions, and the findings about gender differences are supported by Evolutionary Psychology theories

Análise estrutural da deformação cenozóica na Bacia de Cumuruxatiba (BA)

The Cumuruxatiba basin is located at the southern coast State of Bahia in northeastern of Brazil. This basin was formed in distensional context, with rifting and subsequent thermal phase during Neocomian to late Cretaceous. At Cenozoic ages, the Abrolhos magmatism occurs in the basin with peaks during the Paleocene and Eocene. In this period, there was a kinematic inversion in the basin represented by folds related to reverse faults. Structural restoration of regional 2D seismic sections revealed that most of the deformation was concentrated at the beginning of the Cenozoic time with the peak at the Lower Eocene. The post-Eocene is marked by a decrease of strain rate to the present. The 3D structural modeling revealed a fold belt (trending EW to NE-SW) accommodating the deformation between the Royal Charlotte and Sulphur Minerva volcanic highs. The volcanic eruptions have caused a differential overburden on the borders of the basin. This acted as the trigger for halokinesis, as demonstrated by physical modeling in literature. Consequently, the deformation tends to be higher in the edges of the basin. The volcanic rocks occur mainly as concordant structures (sills) in the syn-tectonic sediment deposition showing a concomitant deformation. The isopach maps and diagrams of axis orientation of deformation revealed that most of the folds were activated and reactivated at different times during the Cenozoic. The folds exhibit diverse kinematic patterns over time as response to behavior of adjacent volcanic highs. These interpretations allied with information on the petroleum system of the basin are important in mapping the prospects for hydrocarbons

O Circuito espacial de produção do biodiesel: configuração no território brasileiro e uso do território Norte-Rio-Grandense

This research aims to understand the use of the territory from the Rio Grande do Norte to the circuit spatial of production from the Biodiesel understanding it as part of the national context. The introduction of biodiesel into the Brazilian energy matrix begins to take shape in the year 2005 with the implementation of the National Program for Production and Use of Biodiesel (NPPB). This is anchored on three pillars: social inclusion (through family agriculture), environmental sustainability and economic viability. The NPPB consists of a set of standards, which turned into shares and distributed by almost all the national territory. Our reflection assumes that the places accommodating different forms of productive activities and, thus, the performance of the circuit space of biodiesel production depends on several factors, including the configuration of the territory they receive this new nexus economic. Understanding that the places by their technical content determine the realization of productive activities, it was found that the inclusion of this circuit space production in Rio Grande do Norte, reveals the reality expressed in the national territory, where some places are endowed with a privileged technical content and other extremely poor infrastructure. As our research could confirm the circuit space of biodiesel production that is expressed in the way plants are distributed within the country (mostly in South-Central), in more significant participation of small farmers in the South in the supply of raw material for the production of biodiesel and the main raw material used for the production of agrofuels (soybeans, whose production sector is highly consolidated and technified). Already the project materialization of NPPB regarding the settlements and communities of the Rio Grande do Norte State, we observed that the "event" or advent of realization encountered a technical means lacking in infrastructure that need to be molded to the needs of production, or is to cultivate castor beans or sunflower would be needed inputs and implements that farmers don´t have. Given the above, the research concludes that, as proposed previously, the use of the territory of Rio Grande do Norte to this circuit has summarized the performance of experiments, either with regard to the participation of family farmers as suppliers of raw materials, including the development of related research in the stage of production fuel oil by Petrobras. This finding came from research done from the concept of "spatial circuits of production," which allowed the verification of the circuit that steps outlined in Potiguar territory. Regarding the inclusion of family farmers in the productive circuit in RN, research reveals that, in the manner as has been done, it is doomed to failure. Furthermore, we dare say that this persistence in trying to put these family farmers, the way is being made, and the resulting successive failures, indicating that social inclusion advocated by NPPB not take place, and that this production circuit relies on the same logic circuit concentrated and exclusive space for ethanol production

Linear to quadratic crossover of Cooper-pair dispersion relation

Cooper pairing is studied in three dimensions to determine its binding energy for all coupling using a general separable interfermion interaction. Also considered are Cooper pairs (CPs) with nonzero center-of-mass momentum (CMM). A coupling-independent linear term in the CMM dominates the pair excitation energy in weak coupling and/or high fermion density, while the more familiar quadratic term prevails only in the extreme low-density (i.e., vacuum) limit for any nonzero coupling. The linear-to-quadratic crossover of the CP dispersion relation is analyzed numerically, and is expected to play a central role in a model of superconductivity (and superfluidity) simultaneously accommodating a Bardeen-Cooper-Schrieffer condensate as well as a Bose-Einstein condensate of CP bosons. (C) 2001 Elsevier B.V. B,V. All rights reserved.

ON FERMION MASSES and MIXING IN A MODEL WITH A(4) SYMMETRY

Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)

Positive tension 3-branes in an AdS(5) bulk

Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)

Transpressional tectonics and strain partitioning during oblique collision between three plates in the Precambrian of southeast Brazil

This paper is part of the special publication Continental transpressional and transtensional tectonics (eds R.E. Holdsworth, R.A. Strachan and J.F. Dewey). Two orogenic belts have been recognized in south- east Brazil, which are interpreted to have been formed as a product of diachronous collisions between three continental plates. Wide crustal-scale shear belts have developed both between and inboard of the collided and amalgamated plate borders. These shear belts record frontal, oblique or lateral displacements during oblique plate convergence and A-type subduction. The overall structural style of each belt depends on the angle subtended between the plate boundary and the convergence vector. The E-W branch between the Sao Paulo and Brasilia plates the Campo do Meio strike-slip shear belt, has undergone dominantly sinistral wrench dominated transpression along a set of folds and shear zones dipping southwards. The NE-SW branch between the Sao Paulo and Vitoria plates, the Paraiba do Sul strike-slip shear belt, has undergone a partitioned dextral transpression, whereas the north-south branch between the Brasilia and Vitoria plates is essentially a frontal thrust system with only a weak component of dextral strike-slip. These complex structural patterns, formed at deep to mid-crustal levels, reflect temporal and spatial partitioning at all scales between flattening and non- coaxial deformation, and down-dip and strike-slip shearing, in tangential as well as in transcurrent structural domains. Additionally, this area demonstrates that regional flower structures, lateral extrusion and other secondary deformations across the yz sections of transpressional belts are important in accommodating shortening in obliquely convergent orogens.

Transferência de calor em leitos fixos com aplicação em reatores de fermentação em estado sólido

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Política doméstica e política internacional: a institucionalidade da política brasileira de comércio exterior

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

Análise paleogeográfica evolutiva da região do Parque Estadual da Ilha do Cardoso (PEIC), litoral sul de São Paulo, como subsídio a ações de planejamento e conservação ambiental

Cardoso Island, settled in the south of paulista region, is characterized by its ecological importance due to the great biodiversity of Mata Atlântica and for accommodating several kinds of ecosystems as mangroves, which were considered by UNESCO as human natural ownership. The mangroves are among the most important marine ecosystems, known as warranty of biological productivity and diversity and supply of food and economical resources to the local population. Although the island has been transformed in a state park for preservation, it hasn’t become free from environmental impacts made by antropical activities. This way it was proposed a rebuilt of an evolutionary process in the region, having as an objective to subsidize programs of environmental conservation and planning , aiming to a sustainable development. For this it was used a isobasis methodological analyses where by the drainage channels and its confluences makes relative maps to the different base levels represented by the isobasis, characterizing itself by an attempt to rebuilt the preterit local landscape. There were elaborated eight maps referring to four orders of confluences met in the region of Cardoso Island and round it where you can conclude it is about an appropriate methodology to rebuilt preterits environments that specially aim to actions of environmental planning and conservation.

Relações Públicas: o articulador dos relacionamentos na cultura da convergência

The purpose of this research project is to analyze the Convergence Culture, a term coined by Henry Jenkins, to refer to the cultural transformation we are experiencing - people want to produce their own content, share their stories, expand their experiences and make connections to different platforms media. That is, individuals have changed their position once considered passive and accommodating to sustain an environment of intense involvement, construction and collective pursuit of new experiences. So that we could reach that culture converged, there was a paradigm shift from an asymmetric communication for communication increasingly bilateral. In this new scenario, communication to different audiences is based on a participatory and collaborative model in which organizations do not have absolute control over the media message. Therefore, this study tried to demonstrate what steps to be followed by public relations in convergence culture