Production and partial characterization of lipase from Penicillium verrucosum obtained by submerged fermentation of conventional and industrial media

The growing interest in lipase production is related to the potential biotechnological applications that these enzymes present. Current studies on lipase production by submerged fermentation involve the use of agro-industrial residues aiming at increasing economic attractiveness. Based on these aspects, the objective of this work was to investigate lipase production by Penicillium verrucosum in submerged fermentation using a conventional medium based on peptone, yeast extract, NaCl and olive oil, and an industrial medium based on corn steep liquor, Prodex Lac (yeast hydrolysate), NaCl and olive oil, as well as to characterize the crude enzymatic extracts obtained. Kinetics of lipase production was evaluated and the highest enzymatic activities, of 3.15 and 2.22 U.mL-1, were observed when conventional and industrial media were used, respectively. The enzymatic extract showed optimal activity in the range from 30 to 40 °C and at pH 7.0. Although the industrial medium presents economical advantages over the conventional medium, the presence of agro-industrial residues rich in nitrogen and other important nutrients seemed to contribute to a reduction in lipase activity.

Viscosity of egg white from hens of different strains fed with commercial and natural additives

Yolk color and egg white (albumen) cleanliness and viscosity are important parameters by which consumers judge the quality of eggs. This study aimed to investigate changes in albumen viscosity during storage of eggs for up to 36 days from two different commercial laying hen strains (Carijo Barbada and Isa Brown) fed a diet containing annatto (1.5 and 2.0%) or a synthetic additive without synthetic colorants (control). Analyses of humidity, albumen height, pH, viscosity, foam formation, and stability were carried out on eggs. Carijo Barbada strain had smaller albumen, lower humidity and higher egg white viscosity than Isa Brown strain; however, with storage, viscosity lowered significantly on both strains. Initially, the addition of 2.0% of annatto or a synthetic additive increased viscosity in both strains, but with storage only the control maintained longer viscosity. Lower viscosity did not change foam density and stability.

The relationship between b2b branding and industrial buying in the digital era: evidence from Finnish gas industry

The aim of this study is to understand the importance of b2b brands in different phases of the industrial buying process in the digital era. The research problem is approached by examining a b2b supplier brand in the context of gas supplier selection. The data was collected by interviewing individuals from ten different companies. The findings contribute to previous theory by showing that as industrial buying behaviour is eventually individual behaviour, brands can influence decision making. The relevance of a brand depends on individual’s personality and preferences. Digital media cannot be ignored in managing brand image as buyers are present in the online environment. The results reveal that traditional personal selling is, nevertheless, in a key role in brand image building and is a source of added value. The salesperson influences buyers’ perceived associations of a brand and gives the brand a face.

Order and membrane organization in chlorhexidine-lipid mixtures /

Formulations of a general bactericidal agent, chlorhexidine, mixed with a phospholipid at different concentrations are investigated using ^H NMR spectroscopy on a chain-deuterated lipid analog. Lipid-chlorhexidine formulation is known to release the drug into an aqueous medium slowly, maintaining a comparable concentration of the drug for up to four times longer than a direct aqueous solution. The NMR data does not support the proposed liposomal entrapment of chlorhexidine in lipid compartments. Complex thermal history of the lipid-chlorhexidine preparations is investigated in detail. In preparation for a counterpart measurement, using ^H NMR of deuterated chlorhexidine mixed with protonated lipid, the synthesis of a deuterated analog of chlorhexidine is performed.

México and the United States; a study of subjects affecting their polítical, commercial and social relations, made with a view to their promotion

UANL

Working Children: their Agency and self-organization

In recent years, ‘agency’ has appeared in academic writings as a new way of referring to active involvement from below in development interventions. The concept of ‘agency’ starts from the assumption that people are actually agents themselves, continuously acting in and reacting to circumstances. In child labour activism, this concept has been applied to working children in the understanding that, in order to improve their working conditions, children should be organised in organizations that are exclusively for and (ideally) run by working children. This paper aims to evaluate the extent to which child labourers can become agents of change through their own organizations. The paper will draw on two studies carried out by the IREWOC foundation. In 2002 a study was undertaken in Bolivia to give practical meaning to the concept of child agency. Secondly, in 2004/2005 an investigation was carried out on the functioning and impact of children’s organizations in Peru, Bolivia and Brazil. The applied research methods were mainly anthropological and used participant observation, (semi-) informal interviews and group interviewing with working children, their parents and adult representatives of the working children’s organizations. Both investigations show that in focussing on children as active participants, the structural constraints under which children have to live also need to be highlighted. One needs to understand how material poverty, mental deprivation and disempowerment help to shape resilience and defiance, but also anger, distrust and marginalisation.

Instrumentos de cooperación de la FAO (Food and Agricultura Organization) - para mejorar la Seguridad Alimentaria en los países de la CAN (Comunidad Andina de Naciones) 1994– 2003

La Seguridad Alimentaria requiere un aumento de la producción, unas cosechas fiables en servicios de recolección y distribución que operen de manera eficiente y oportuna. Una agricultura intensiva que no deteriore las tierras de cultivo

Industrialization and industrial policy in Colombia: a tale of economic development

This paper analyzes the main features and historical factors that played a central role for the industrialization process in Colombia during the twentieth century. The document surveys the legislation and policy instruments used in the programs of import substitution industrialization, nontraditional export promotion, and economic openness

Secuenciamiento de actividades educativas orientado a la reutilización y la auto-organización en tutoría inteligente. ' 'Sequencing of learning activities oriented towards reuse and auto-organization for intelligent tutoring systems' '.

Se pretende la elaboración una plataforma capaz de implementar sistemas de tutoría inteligente, orientada al problema de la adaptación del secuenciamiento; la creación de una herramienta o método que defina secuenciamientos adaptativos de material educativo; el desarrollo, empleando la herramienta anterior, de uno o más tutores y adaptar las técnicas de inteligencia de enjambre al campo de los cursos impartidos a través de Internet, Elearning.. En primer lugar se analiza el estado de la cuestión, destacando los aspectos novedosos. A continuación se presentan las aportaciones de la investigación. Por último, se exponen las conclusiones y las líneas de investigación abiertas. También se incluyen apéndices con información adicional que puede ser relevante para algunos lectores. Se investiga el uso de técnicas de inteligencia de enjambre para obtener sistemas educativos robustos y con capacidad de autoorganización. Las lecciones aprendidas de los sistemas cristalizan en la creación de un módulo para SIT.. Las principales contribuciones son: el diseño de una plataforma para el desarrollo de Sistemas de Tutoría Inteligentes (ITS); se presenta una herramienta para la adaptación de secuencias de unidades de aprendizaje, grafos de secuenciamiento (Sequencing Graphs, SG) y se analizan las iniciativas actuales relacionadas con las técnicas de enjambre en educación. Estas técnicas tienen un interés especial para los sistemas de elearning dada su complejidad. .

Knowledge-elicitation and data-mining: fusing human and industrial plant information

Knowledge-elicitation is a common technique used to produce rules about the operation of a plant from the knowledge that is available from human expertise. Similarly, data-mining is becoming a popular technique to extract rules from the data available from the operation of a plant. In the work reported here knowledge was required to enable the supervisory control of an aluminium hot strip mill by the determination of mill set-points. A method was developed to fuse knowledge-elicitation and data-mining to incorporate the best aspects of each technique, whilst avoiding known problems. Utilisation of the knowledge was through an expert system, which determined schedules of set-points and provided information to human operators. The results show that the method proposed in this paper was effective in producing rules for the on-line control of a complex industrial process. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Do small business tenants need protecting in commercial lease negotiations?

This paper sets out the findings relating to small business tenants of a major UK Government funded study into the commercial and industrial property landlord and tenant relationship. The UK Government is concerned that small business tenants do not appreciate many of the implications of signing leases, which in the UK are generally longer than in most other countries of the world. The objectives of the paper are to identify the characteristics of leases in the UK and any differences between those signed by small, medium and larger companies. It also examines the negotiation process and identifies whether small business tenant negotiations exhibit different characteristics. The findings are that small business tenants occupy on different terms to larger tenants including shorter terms and that the negotiation process is also different. Many small business tenants are unrepresented at the commercial stage of negotiations and take the first terms on offer. They are largely unaware of attempts to make them more informed by voluntary industry Codes of Practice. This can lead to small business tenants being unaware of the implications of certain terms within leases, hence the continuing Government concern over the issue.

Energy generation and consumption in Ghana

Electricity consumption in Ghana is estimated to be increasing by 10% per annum due to the demand from the growing population. However, current sources of production (hydro and thermal facilities) generate only 66% of the current demand. Considering current trends, it is difficult to substantiate these basic facts, because of the lack of information. As a result, research into the existing sources of generating electricity, electricity consumption and prospective projects has been performed. This was achieved using three key techniques; review of literature, empirical studies and modelling. The results presented suggest that, current annual installed capacity of energy generation (i.e. 1960 MW) must be increased to 9,405.59 MW, assuming 85% plant availability. This is then capable to coop with the growing demand and it would give access to the entire population as well as support commercial and industrial activities for the growth of the economy. The prospect of performing this research is with the expectation to present an academic research agenda for further exploration into the subject area, without which the growth of the country would be stagnant.