O uso de resíduos agrícolas como fonte de carbono para a geração de energia renovável parece uma solução promissora para reduzir nossa dependência em combustíveis fósseis. Na natureza, como na compostagem, comunidades microbianas formam redes metabólicas complexas que degradam eficientemente a biomassa disponível através de um conjunto de enzimas sinérgicas. Entretanto, a desconstrução da lignocelulose continua uma desafio para a indústria devido a natureza recalcitrante do substrato e a baixa atividade das enzimas, aumentando o preço do biocombustível produzido. Estudos de metagenômica e metatranscriptômica de comunidades microbianas complexas tornam possível acessar as funções metabólicas empregadas por consórcios lignocelulolíticos e revelar novos biocatalisadores que podem melhorar a conversão industrial da lignocelulose. Aqui, através de uma abordagem metagenômica, foi examinada a diversidade de microrganismos obtidos em condições laboratoriais quando um meio definido ou um complexo foi usado no seu crescimento. Em seguida, a comunidade microbiana derivada de compostagem foi crescida em meio mínimo com bagaço de cana-de-açúcar como única fonte de carbono. A degradação do substrato foi monitorada e o metatranscriptoma da cultura resultante foi sequenciado, seguido pela seleção e caracterização funcional de vários alvos. Durante as cinco semanas de estudo, a comunidade microbiana crescida em meio mínimo mostrou maior diversidade e enriquecimento em microrganismos capazes de degradar a lignocelulose do que a comunidade microbiana crescida no meio complexo. A partir do metatranscriptoma foi descoberta a primeira hidrolase de glicosídeo da família 11 com atividade exoxilanase (C21). A estrutura cristalográfica da C21, refinada à 1,76 Å, revelou que a atividade exoxilanase observada se deve a presença de duas alças que não estão presentes nas demais estruturas dos membros da família 11 de hidrolase de glicosídeo depositadas até então. A adição da C21 a um coquetel comercial provocou um aumento na velocidade de hidrólise do Avicel quando na presença de xilooligômeros. As análises metagenômica e metatranscriptômica da comunidade microbiana proveniente da compostagem revelaram que o uso de um meio definido pode deslocar espécies generalistas, levando a uma fonte enriquecida para explorar enzimas com aplicação biotecnológica. Também demonstrou a diversidade de mecanismos envolvidos na degradação in situ da lignocelulose. / Using of the globally abundant crop residues as carbon source for energy generation seems a promising solution to reduce our dependency on fossil fuels. In nature, such as in compost habitats, microbial communities create complex metabolic networks that efficiently degrade the available plant biomass using a set of synergistic enzymes. However, deconstruction of lignocellulose remains a challenge for industry due to recalcitrant nature of the substrate and enzymes low activity, raising the price of the produced biofuel. Metagenomics and metatranscriptomics studies on complex microbial communities can assess the metabolic functions employed by the lignocellulolytic consortia and unveil novel biocatalysts that could improve industrial lignocellulose conversion. Here, using 16S rRNA amplicon metagenomic approach, we examined the diversity of microorganisms obtained in the laboratory setting when a nutrient-limited or nutrient-rich media are used. Then, a microbial community derived from compost was grown in minimal medium with sugarcane bagasse as a sole carbon source. The substrate degradation was monitored and the metatranscriptome from the resulting cultures was sequenced; several target genes were selected and functional characterized. During a five-week time course, the microbial community grown in minimal medium showed greater diversity and enrichment in lignocellulose-degrading microorganisms than the one grown in nutrient rich medium. Metatranscriptomics analysis revealed the first glycoside hydrolase from family 11 with exo-xylanase activity (C21). C21 crystal structure, refined at 1.76 Å, explained the molecular basis of exo-xylanase activity due to two extra loops previously unseen in the other reported structures from members from glycoside hydrolase family 11. A supplementation of commercial enzyme mix with C21 showed improvement in Avicel hydrolysis in the presence of inhibitory xylooligomers. The combination of metagenomic and metatranscriptomic analysis of compost-derived microbial community showed that nutrient-limited medium may displace bacterial generalist species, leading to an enriched source for mining novel enzymes for biotechnology applications. It also unveiled a diversity of mechanisms involved in lignocellulose degradation in situ.

Fazemos parte de um cenário mundial em que o esgotamento das fontes de energias fósseis atrelado à poluição gerada por esse uso, preocupam os diferentes setores do comércio, da indústria, do governo e das instituições em defesa do meio ambiente. Nesse sentido, a busca por novas fontes energéticas renováveis tem dirigido diversas pesquisas, além de drenar bilhões de dólares em investimentos. Uma das linhas de pesquisa mais importantes é a da produção do etanol de segunda geração (2G), um etanol produzido a partir dos resíduos gerados na produção do etanol de primeira geração. No caso do Brasil, esses resíduos compreendem principalmente a palha e o bagaço de cana-de-açúcar; essa biomassa é formada majoritariamente por celulose (∼45%), hemicelulose (∼25%) e lignina (∼20), e sua hidrólise envolve pré-tratamentos adequados e uso de enzimas que agem especificamente em seus alvos. Dessa forma, a produtividade de etanol aumenta, sem necessariamente ampliar áreas de cultivo. Essa vertente é muito promissora, porém os custos ainda são relativamente altos e a aplicabilidade depende bastante de adaptações do setor industrial e aprimoramentos na produção em si (atividade específica das enzimas e sua ação sinérgica). O objetivo principal deste projeto é reconhecer e mapear as bases moleculares que comandam a atividade da enzima xilose isomerase (XI), que converte xilose (presença majoritária na hemicelulose) em xilulose, possibilitando a utilização desta por Saccharomyces cerevisiae (já que a xilose não é fermentescível), para obtenção do etanol de segunda geração como produto final. Para isso, foi realizada uma busca extensiva de genes de diversos microrganismos, que codifiquem para XI, e que essas ainda não possuam estruturas resolvidas publicadas. A maioria das ORFs (Open Reading Frame, do inglês), ou regiões codificadoras, foram amplificadas, clonadas em vetores específicos e transformadas em bactérias Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3). Parte dessas cepas transformadas resultaram na produção da XI de interesse. Com isso, foi possível obter cristais e iniciar a resolução de estruturas cristalográficas. Esses resultados foram cruzados e correlacionados com os de atividade enzimática, cinética química e estabilidade térmica, fornecendo boa perspectiva para o entendimento das bases moleculares que regem a atividade xilose isomerásica. / We are part of a world scenario in which the depletion of fossil energy sources linked to the pollution generated by this use, concern the different sectors of commerce, industry, government and institutions in defense of the environment. In this regard, the search for new renewable energy sources has headed many researches, besides generating billions of dollars in investments. One of the most important research lines is the production of second generation ethanol (2G), an ethanol produced from the waste generated in the production of the first generation one. In the case of Brazil, these residues mainly include sugar cane straw and bagasse. This biomass is mostly composed of cellulose (∼45%), hemicellulose (∼25%) and lignin (∼20), and its hydrolysis involves adequate pre-treatments and the use of enzymes that specifically act on their targets. In this way, ethanol productivity increases without necessarily expanding growing areas. This aspect is very promising, but the costs are still relatively high and the applicability badly depends on adaptations of the industrial sector and improvements in the production itself (specific activity of the enzymes and their synergistic action with others). The main goal of this project is to recognize and map the molecular bases that control the activity of the enzyme xylose isomerase (XI), which converts xylose (the mostly present carbohydrate in hemicellulose) into xylulose, allowing its use by Saccharomyces cerevisiae (since xylose is not fermentable), to obtain the second generation ethanol as final product. To reach this, an extensive search of genes of several microorganisms, that code for XI, and still do not have solved high resolution structures published are carried out. Most ORFs (Open Reading Frames) were amplified, cloned into specific vectors and transformed into Escherichia coli Rosetta (DE3) bacteria. Some of these transformed strains leaded to the production of XI of interest. Furthermore, it was possible to obtain protein crystals and to start trying to solve crystallographic structures. These results were cross - checked and correlated with those of enzymatic activity, chemical kinetics and thermal stability, providing a good perspective for understanding the molecular bases which govern isomerase activity.

A presente investigação tem como objetivo estabelecer a relevância da relação dos descendentes do Holocausto com a memória desse evento através da análise da obra Meu coração Ferido, escrita por Martin Doerry. Essa obra retrata a trajetória de uma mulher judia entre 1900 e 1944, mostrando como as medidas nazistas alteraram seu cotidiano, incluindo cartas escritas no período no qual esteve confinada em um campo de concentração. Ela possui um destaque dentro da literatura atual devido a sua narrativa, que mescla textos produzidos na época com a contextualização dos fatos feita pelo autor. Pretende-se apontar como ocorre a transferência desse tipo de memória com descendentes de vítimas do holocausto, mostrando como as gerações posteriores convivem com esse tipo de memória e escrevem sobre a mesma. / This research aims to analyze the Holocaust representation possibilities from a biography, \"Meu Coração Ferido,\" written by Martin Doerry, and seek to understand how occur the Nazi understanding of processes during installation and the prospect of separated families war, using as source letters exchanged in the period. During the writing process of this work, the author\'s purpose was to understand how his grandmother, Lilli Jahn, differed from others who suffered under Nazism, in their struggle for the liberation of the children and their peculiar character and the preservation and protection of the family. The research focuses on the study of how the descendants understand the Holocaust through in their search for an identity for many years silenced.

The recent controversy over the 2014 proposed Quebec Charter of Values suggests the integration of minorities is, at present, a fundamental social and political debate in such a multicultural nation as Canada. Yet, minimal consideration has been given to second-generation citizens who find themselves living between various dimensions of culture. This study examines the impact of legislated multiculturalism and how it has evolved to influence second-generation Canadians in this country. This qualitative research explores the contemporary challenges of multiculturalism by examining the phenomenological analysis of second-generation Canadian Ismaili Muslim men in Montreal, Quebec. In-depth interviews were conducted to expand their perspective of identity negotiation in Canada. Research findings suggest that a symbolic sense of identity is created by simultaneously being part of the cultures found in Quebec, Canada and the global Ismaili Muslim diaspora community. This study argues that research participants challenge fixed conceptions of cultural identity markers; that their sense of diaspora community is indispensable to their perception of home and belonging in Canada; and that the legislation of multiculturalism is a practical and positive influence for second-generation Canadians. This discussion of the second-generation identity, along with the literature review and findings, provides further insight into the Canadian approach of multiculturalism.

Liquid-based cytology (LBC) has replaced conventional smears in the UK. The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) recommended the use of LBC in 2003. ThinPrepTM (TP) and SurePathTM (SP) LBC systems were adopted for use in the National Health Service Cervical Screening Programme (NHSCSP) in the UK. NICE recommended further review of any other technologies or other liquid-based cytology systems in the future. For any second-generation LBC systems to be considered for cervical screening in the NHSCSP, there must be an evaluation of technical requirements and clinical data relating to their sensitivity, specificity and the percentage of inadequate samples.The objective of the work undertaken for this thesis was to provide evidence to enable an informed decision on the use of second-generation liquid-based cytology systems for cervical screening in the UK. The decision to accept the second-generation LBC system in the NHSCSP is based on its reliability, clinical effectiveness and cost implications. This work will determine the reliability, microscopic quality and reproducibility of slides of the second-generation LBC system, and the results of this work will form the platform for progression to the clinical evaluation of the system.Initially, four second-generation LBC systems were considered suitable for evaluation. They were Seroa CYTO-screen, Shandon Papspin, LGM Liqui-PREP and CellSolution 120. However, the specifications of only one system (CellSolution 120TM) met NHSCSP technical requirements to start the evaluation. One hundred random, electronically generated colposcopy patient samples were used to assess the technical reliability of the CellSolution 120TM system. The technical evaluation consisted of pre-phase I and phase I. The results of these phases will decide whether the CS 120TM liquid-based cytology system could be carried further for clinical evaluation (phase II) or not.This study was sponsored by the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency (PASA), the Centre for Evidence based Purchasing (CEP) on behalf of the NHSCSP. The Manchester Cytology Centre (MCC) was selected as the site for evaluation of CellSolution 120™ and the project was managed by Guildford Medical Device Evaluation Centre (GMEC) on behalf of CEP.

In the past decade, the Somali Canadian community has experienced a heightened rate of youth violence. Since 2005 several dozen young Somali men have lost their lives. Most of the incidents occurred in Edmonton and Toronto, with sporadic incidents in Ottawa as well. The violence, mostly concentrated in northern Alberta, attracted sustained media attention which, in turn, led to public and private discussions within the Somali community. This study explores the determinants of youth involvement in violence and related criminal activities, as well as the impact of that violence on the families of its victims and perpetrators, and the larger Somali community. The study’s design consisted of in-depth interviews with Somali Canadians and non-Somali key informants, in the three cities where the majority of the Somali population resides, to elicit their explanations of the violence, and their perceptions of its impact. Results indicate that the proximal determinant of the violence was the young men’s participation in the drug trade in northern Alberta. Distally, determinants of the violence link three intersecting themes: poverty, racialization and gender. Poverty and racism marked the early lives of the male youth and their families in Ontario. The resettlement barriers experienced by first generation Somali refugees, the racism that this community and its youth encountered in public institutions such as schools, the criminal justice system and the media, and the anti-poor posture of neoliberalism, combined to create vulnerabilities to risky behaviour in male youth. My analysis suggests that young men entered the drug trade and/or participated in criminal activities in order to fill material needs and enhance their self-esteem. The inequities that underpin the determinants of violence require remedy at multiple levels. I propose an evidence-based population health framework for the prevention of youth violence, and identify interactive levels (individual, community, institutional, societal) at which to target prevention and intervention efforts.

The vast rice production in some developing Asian countries like Indonesia raises expectation on poverty alleviation and energy diversification through second generation biofuel production from rice residues, specifically rice straw. This work attempts to estimate the potential environmental and socioeconomic benefits of rice straw-to-ethanol project in Indonesia. Literature research and interviews are performed to quantify several environmental and socioeconomic indicators that are considered as the major concerns inimplementing an energy project. Assuming all the technically available rice straw in Bali is used (~244-415 kilotonne/year), ethanol production may yield gasoline replacement, lifecycle GHG savings, GDP contribution, foreign exchange savings, and employment beneficiaries of 55-93 ML/year, 140-240 millionUSD/year, 19-32 kilotonne of CO2-equivalent/year, 100-180 million USD/year, and 2,200-3,700 persons, respectively. Sensitivity analyses are done for some parameters, showing that ethanol yield, total capital cost, feed-in-tariff for electricity, and imported crude oil price are the major factors affecting the viability of rice straw-to-ethanol project in Indonesia. / Harnessing agricultural feedstock and residues for bioethanol production - towards a sustainable biofuel strategy in Indonesia

In European countries, citizenship is mostly based on the principle of jus sanguinis, which means that citizenship is passed from parent to child. There are currently no European countries that apply unconditional jus soli, therefore there is no European country where a child becomes a citizen solely because he is born there, as it happens in the United States. There are countries that use conditional jus soli, which means that children become citizens if they fulfil certain requirements. Italy is one of the European countries with the strictest requirements. The relation between life experiences and citizenship status for the second generation is a topic that is not studied extensively, especially in regards to Europe.The aim of this paper is to find out if the citizenship law that is currently in force in Italy has effect for the second generation in regards to their legal status, their rights and their identity.  The method used is a qualitative approach. The data for this study was collected through five semi-structured interviews. The main findings are that current Italian citizenship law has effects on the legal status of the second generation and on their access to certain rights, while it does not have a major influence on their identity.

This study is about the first and second generation Assyrians in Sweden. It aims to understand what shapes their identity, and how they integrate in their host country Sweden. Previous studies have looked into the transformation of ethnic identity and integration of Assyrians in Sweden and the role that the collective memory plays. While these studies provided a good framework they have some limitations. Firstly they are not in English so do not have as much reach globally and there was no distinct comparison of first and second generation Assyrians. Lastly, there have been no contemporary studies conducted, considering the growth of the diaspora it is important to come back to these questions. It is the hope that our research can start to bridge the gap that is left from these limitations, thus providing the rationale for our study. By using different theories on ethnic, indigenous and situational identity, the impact of cultural trauma and the process of acculturation, we drafted a set of interview questions for each theory. Based on the empirical data collected from the interviews, we argue that first and second generation Assyrians both agree that they have multiple identities but that their Assyrian identity is the most important for them. Secondly, we argue that the collective memory is still very prevalent in the consciousness of these individuals but that it is more palpable in the first generation rather than the second because of their personal experiences linking the past to the present. The second generation are more removed from the trauma related to the collective memory as they themselves make their own identity and rituals in a new context that is Sweden by integrating both cultures they grew up in. And lastly, we argue that the collective memory is a driving factor for integration in Sweden for both first and second generation Assyrians as they appreciate greater freedoms and rights despite being an indigenous ethnic and religious minority.

Immigrant entrepreneurship is defined as business establishment and ownership among immigrants who arrive to a new host country. Immigrant entrepreneurship has become an important theme due to the increasing rates of immigration to developed countries, and its impact on their economic development. However it is also discredited and qualified as low value-added, rarely innovative, restricted to the ethnic communities and with stagnating growth potential. Following this debate, a new research stream affirms that immigrants should not be treated as one entity. Thus attention is shifting towards groups of immigrant entrepreneurs that were previously neglected in the literature. One such group consists of the second generation children of immigrants. Work to date provides ample investigation about immigrant entrepreneurs and their entrepreneurial process; however there is less research on similarities and differences in the entrepreneurial process experienced by first and second generation immigrant entrepreneurs. Despite some recent research on second generation immigrant entrepreneurs, this topic remains understudied. The objective of this study is to understand, from a multi-level perspective, how different generations of immigrant entrepreneurs experience the entrepreneurial process. Using a grounded theory approach and qualitative in-depth interviews, the findings indicate that first and second generation immigrant entrepreneurs experience the entrepreneurial process differently by facing different micro and macro level enablers and obstacles. They also recognize, evaluate and exploit opportunities differently. The extent to which they are embedded in specific environments affects their entrepreneurial experiences.