Habitat Use by Pseudochondrostoma duriense and Squalius carolitertii Downstream of a Small-Scale Hydropower Plant

Downstream of small-scale hydropower plants (SHPs), the intensity, frequency and persistence of hydropeaking events often cause an intolerable stress on fish of all life stages. Rapid increases in flow velocity result in fish avoiding unstable habitats and seeking refuge to reduce energy expenditure. To understand fish movements and the habitat use of native Iberian cyprinids in a high-gradient peaking river, 77 individuals were PIT tagged downstream of Bragado SHP in the North of Portugal. Tagged fish species included Pseudochondrostoma duriense and Squalius carolitertii. Fish positions were recorded manually on two different occasions: during hydropeaking events (HP) and without hydropeaking events (NHP). From the 77 tagged fish, we were able to record habitat use for 33 individuals (20 P. duriense and 13 S. carolitertii) in a total of 125 relocations. Fish species were distributed along the river reach with high density in the upstream area in the vicinity of the SHP tailrace, in particular during HP. Fish locations were associated with velocity for P. duriense and S. carolitertii. The latter tended to use faster flowing waters than P. duriense. Our findings on the habitat use in peaking rivers are a valuable tool to help in the selection and design of mitigation measures.

DryingHabaneroPepper (Capsicum chinense) by Modified Freeze Drying Process

Freeze drying process was applied to habanero pepper and modified, in order to reduce energy expenditure on frozen and dehydration techniques. Six alkaline solutions, olive oil, avocado oil, coconut oil, grape oil, sesame oil and safflower oil, were used to reduce time on vacuum chamber. Also, frozen step was modified by using dry ice (CO2) obtaining 43% of energy saving. The final product had high quality, moisture within 3% to 7% range, low microorganisms number, without organoleptic attributes damage and having all the characteristics of a fresh product by rehydrating. Dried sample was rehydrated by immersion in water at 40 °C for 5 min, obtaining 75% of initial humidity.Markedchanges on rehydrated final product was not perceived. The most effective oil to reduce the moisture was safflower followed by coconut and sesame, whilst the least effective were olive, followed by avocado and grape oils.

ERGONOMIC ANALYSIS ON REDESIGNING RICE HARVESTING MACHINES

Purposes of Study: Research was conducted with the aim of redesigning and analyzing rice harvesting machines that are in accordance with Indonesian anthropometry, machines that have designs to minimize injuries to the working position of farmers in harvesting rice. Methodology: The approach used to complete this research is by method Rapid Upper Limb Assessment (RULA) and Nordic Body Map, RULA considering anthropometric data, energy consumptions. The next step is to implement the calculation of data in the form of rice harvesting machine product design using the product design stages. Main Findings: The results of this study indicate that improved rice harvesting machines have better performance than the previous machines. Modification is done by adding two wheels on the front of the rice harvesting machine which can reduce energy expenditure by 2.73 Kcal/minute from 3.82 Kcal/minute to 1.09 Kcal/minute. In terms of productivity, it increased by 22.2% from 9 m2/hour to 11 m2/hour. Other ergonomic parameters using the Nordic Body Map have a significant decrease in pain complaints at 10 points of the limb. Implications: Products produced have valuable benefits that can be felt directly by the community with significant results in the process of completing their work. Novelty/Originality: The design carried out can provide benefits for traditional farmers who turn to harvest machine technology which can also minimize injury to machine users; this has not been done much research before.

Repression of Heme Oxygenase-1 Expression as a Defense Strategy in Humans

Heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) is an essential enzyme in heme catabolism and is characterized by its inducibility in response to various environmental factors, including its substrate heme. The induction of HO-1 has been established as the defense mechanism against oxidative stress. However, striking interspecies or inter-tissue differences are noted in the regulation of HO-1 expression under hypoxia or heat shock, each of which represses HO-1 expression in many types of human cells but rather induces it in rodent cells. The downregulation of HO-1 expression may reduce energy expenditure and local production of carbon monoxide, iron, and bilirubin and transiently increase intracellular heme pool. Here, we discuss the repression of HO-1 expression as a potential defense strategy in humans by highlighting a regulatory role of HO-1 in its own expression.