Prototype of an axial flux permanent magnet generator for wind energy systems applications

Small scale wind power applications require a cost effective and mechanically simple generator in order to be a reliable energy source. The use of direct driven generators, instead of geared machines, reduces the number of drive components, which offers the opportunity to reduce costs and increases system reliability and efficiency. For such applications, characterized by low speed of rotation, the axial flux permanent magnet generator is particularly suited, since it can be designed with a large pole number and high torque density. This paper presents a double-sided axial flux permanent magnet low-speed generator, with internal rotor and slotted stators. Such a structure gives a good compromise between performance characteristics and feasibility of construction. Test results obtained from the prototype are reported.FC

An axial flux permanent magnet synchronous generator for a gearless wind energy system

In low speed applications such as wind energy conversion systems, the use of direct driven generators, instead of geared machines, reduces the number of drive components, which offers the opportunity to reduce costs and increases system reliability and efficiency. The Axial Flux Permanent Magnet (AFPM) generator is particularly suited for such application, since it can be designed with a large pole number and a high torque density. This paper presents the design, construction and experimental validation of a double-sided AFPM synchronous generator prototype, with internal rotor and slotted stators. Design objectives embrace achieving a good compromise between performance characteristics and feasibility of construction, which results in a cost competitive machine

Concentrations levels and effects of 17alpha-Ethinylestradiol in freshwater and marine waters and bivalves: a review

Pharmaceutical drugs are contaminants of emerging concern and are amongst the most frequent in the aquatic environment. Even though a vast literature indicate that pharmaceuticals exert negative impacts towards aquatic organisms, mainly in vertebrates, there is still limited information regarding the effects of these drugs in freshwater and marine bivalves. Marine bivalves have a high ecological and socio-economic value and are considered good bioindicator species in ecotoxicology and risk assessment programs. Furthermore, another lacking point on these studies is the absence of bioconcentration data, with no clear relationship between the concentration of drugs on tissue and the biological effects. 17alpha-ethinylestradiol (EE2) is a synthetic hormone with high estrogenic potency that was added to the Watch List adopted by the European Commission stating the priority substances to be monitored. Thus, this review summarizes the current knowledge on the concentration levels and effects of EE2 on freshwater and marine bivalves. The inclusion in the Watch List, the presence in freshwater and marine systems, and the impact exerted on aquatic biota, even at trace concentrations, justify the review devoted to this pharmaceutical drug. Globally the available studies found that EE2 induces individual and sub-individual (e.g. tissue, cellular, biochemical and molecular levels of biological organization) impacts in bivalves. Essentially, this estrogenic compound, even in trace concentrations, was found to have accumulated in wild and laboratory exposed bivalves. The most common effects reported were changes on the reproductive function and energy metabolism. The studies used in this review support keeping the EE2 on the Watch List and highlight the need to increase the number of monitorization studies since clear negative effects were exerted on bivalves by this drug.publishe

Towards a sanitation safety plan in the city of braga

A gestão integrada das infra-estruturas urbanas de água e saneamento constitui um desafio das cidades ambientalmente sustentáveis. Alguns avanços no controlo de qualidade dos sistemas de abastecimento de água para consumo humano, baseado em avaliação e gestão de riscos para a saúde pública, têm sido conseguidos através da implementação de planos de segurança da água. Com base nesta metodologia propõem-se, neste trabalho, contributos para a implementação de planos de segurança de saneamento, cobrindo-se, desta forma, todo o ciclo urbano da água com princípios de gestão de riscos. Com esta abordagem, estrutura-se um plano de segurança de saneamento onde são identificados eventos perigosos, avaliados e priorizados riscos para a saúde pública e para o ambiente, assim como se estabelecem medidas de controlo ao longo de todo o sistema de saneamento, percorrendo todas as etapas que o constituem: recolha, tratamento, lançamento no ambiente e reutilização segura de águas residuais. Estes conceitos foram aplicados ao sistema de saneamento da área central da cidade de Braga, para o qual se criou expressamente uma ferramenta informática de suporte, focada nos módulos principais da estrutura de um plano de segurança de saneamento.The integrated management of urban water and sanitation infrastructure is a challenge for environmentally sustainable cities. Positive developments in quality control in drinking water supply systems, based on risk assessment and risk management for public health, have been achieved through the implementation of water safety plans. Based on this methodology, the present work gives contributions for sanitation safety plans implementation. In this way, the urban water cycle is covered with risk management principles. With this approach, a sanitation safety plan is structured in which hazardous events to public health and environment are identified. Also risk assessment, risk prioritization and control measures are established throughout the sanitation system, covering all its steps: collection, treatment, disposal in receiving waters and safe reuse of treated wastewater. These concepts have been applied to the sanitation system of the central area of the city of Braga, for which a support software tool was expressly created, focusing in the core structural modules of a sanitation safety plan

Dilemas implicativos e ajustamento psicológico: um estudo com alunos recém-chegados à Universidade do Minho

Neste artigo apresentamos uma investigação focalizada no ajustamento psicológico e na experiência pessoal de alunos recém-chegados à Universidade. O nosso objectivo consistiu, por um lado, em analisar as dificuldades no ajustamento psicológico que estes alunos manifestam, quer através da presença de sintomatologia psicopatológica quer através das dificuldades na resolução de problemas de vida, e por outro, analisar se estas dimensões estão relacionadas com a presença de dilemas implicativos. Participaram neste estudo 48 alunos que frequentavam pela primeira vez a Universidade do Minho. Os dilemas implicativos foram identificados através da grelha de repertório (Kelly, 1955), os sintomas psicopatológicos foram avaliados através do SCL-90-R (Derrogatis,1977) e as dificuldades na resolução de problemas foram identificadas com o Inventário de Resolução de Problemas (Vaz-Serra, 1989). Os resultados indicam uma correlação negativa e altamente significativa entre a presença de sintomatologia psicopatológica e as competências de resolução de problemas. Os resultados sugerem, ainda, que a relação entre a presença de dilemas e a sintomatologia psicopatológica, e a relação entre presença de dilemas e dificuldades na resolução de problemas, embora não significativas, são no sentido esperado. Discutimos as implicações destes resultados para a compreensão dos desafios que a transição para a Universidade pode constituir no ajustamento psicológico dos estudantes.This descriptive transversal study presents a research about the psychological adjustment and personal experience of first-year students at the University. The first goal was to analyse if psychological symptoms and difficulties in problem solving skills manifested by these students are related. Secondly we were interested in analysing if these dimensions are, each of them, related to the presence of implicative dilemmas. Forty eight students completed a Kelly Repertory grid technique, the SCL-90-R, and a Problem Solving Inventory. Results showed that difficulties in problems solving skills were associated with highest levels of psychological symptoms. However, associations between implicative dilemmas and sychological symptoms, on one hand, and problem solving skills, on the other, were not significant. Still they were on the expected direction. Implications of these results for understanding the challenges of transition to University in Psychological adjustment of students are discussed.En este artículo se presenta una investigación centrada en el ajuste psicológico y en la experiencia personal de alumnos recién llegados a la Universidad. El objetivo fue, por un lado, analizar las dificultades en el ajuste psiclógico que manifestan estos alumnos, tanto a través de lapresencia de sintomatología psicopatológica como a través de las dificultades en la resolución de problemas vitales y, por otro, analizar asi estas dimensiones se relacionam con la presencia de dilemas implicativos. En este estudio descriptivo transversal participaron 48 alumnos que aistían por primera vez a la Universidad de Minho. Los dilemas implicativos se identificaron por medio de la Regilla de Repertorios de Kelly, los síntomas psicopatógicos se evaluaron con el SCL-90-R y las difiltades en la resolución de problemas se identificaron mediante el Inventario de Resolución de Problemas. Los resultados indican una correlación negativa y altamente significativa entre la presencia de sintomatología psicopatógica y las competencias de resolución de problemas. Admás, los resultados sugieren que la relación entre presencia de dilemas e la sintomatología, así como la relación entre presencia de dilemas y dificultades en la resolución de problemas, a pesar de no ser significativas, muestran la relación esperada. Se discuten las implicaciones de estos resultados para la comprensión delos desafíos que el ingreso en la Universidad supone en el ajuste psicológico de los estudantes.Centro de Investigação em Psicologia da Universidade do Minho

Long-term Negative Psychological Impact of Presymptomatic Testing on Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy: Efecto psicológico negativo a largo plazo de las pruebas genéticas presintomáticas en la polineuropatía amiloide familiar

http://sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/search.php?issn=2174-0550This study addresses the profile of at-risk subjects whose long-term psychological impact of presymptomatic testing (PST) for Familial Amyloid Polyneuropathy (FAP) TTR V30M is negative. The sample consisted of 177 subjects, aged over 20 years that were 50% at-risk for FAP, and performed the PST at least three years ago. Participants were contacted by mail, one time only, to answer the sociodemographic questionnaire and the Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale of Zung (SAS), and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI). From the sample, 22.6% (BSI), 16.4% (SAS), and 9% (BDI) subjects presented negative psychological impact, after having performed the PST for more than 3 years. Subjects with clinically significant values in BSI, SAS, and BDI have an overlapping profile concerning the total sample, except regarding age, since clinically depressed subjects have a higher mean age. Married women or living in unmarried unions, aged between 30 and 45 years, employed, carriers, and having performed the PST test for 6-7 years are a group raising higher concern and requiring a more active role with respect to the psychological impact of the PST for FAP. The role of the clinical and health psychologist with these patients is critical in the adjustment to the presymptomatic test result as well as in adherence to the available treatments conducive to a better quality of life, in carriers.Este estudio aborda el perfil de sujetos en riesgo cuyo impacto psicológico a largo plazo de las pruebas presintomáticas (PST) para la polineuropatía amiloide familiar (FAP) TTR V30M es negativo. La muestra consistió en 177 sujetos mayores de 20 años que tenían un 50% de riesgo de FAP, que habían realizado el PST hacía al menos tres años. Se contactó con los participantes por correo, solo una vez, para responder el cuestionario sociodemográfico y el Inventario de síntomas breves (BSI), la Escala de ansiedad de autoclasificación de Zung (SAS) y el Inventario de depresión de Beck (BDI). El 22.6% (BSI), el 16.4% (SAS) y el 9% (BDI) de los sujetos de la muestra presentaron un impacto psicológico negativo después de haber realizado el PST durante más de 3 años. Los sujetos con valores clínicamente significativos en BSI, SAS y BDI tienen un perfil superpuesto con respecto a la muestra total, excepto con respecto a la edad, ya que los sujetos clínicamente deprimidos tienen una edad media más alta. Las mujeres casadas o que viven en pareja, con edades entre 30 y 45 años, que trabajan, son portadoras y han realizado la prueba PST durante 6-7 años son un grupo que suscita una mayor preocupación y requiere un papel más activo con respecto al impacto psicológico del PST para FAP. El papel del psicólogo clínico y de la salud con estos pacientes es decisivo en el ajuste del resultado de la prueba presintomática, así como en la adhesión a los tratamientos disponibles que conducen a una mejor calidad de vida en los portadores.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Phytochemical composition and bioactive effects of Salvia africana, salvia officinalis 'Icterina' and Salvia mexicana aqueous Extracts

In the present study, aqueous extracts of Salvia africana, Salvia o cinalis ‘Icterina’ and Savia mexicana origin were screened for their phenolic composition and for antibacterial, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and cytotoxic properties. The three aqueous extracts contained distinct phenolic compounds, with S. africana presenting the highest total levels (231.6 7.5 g/mg). Rosmarinic acid was the dominant phenolic compound in all extracts, yet that of S. africana origin was characterized by the present of yunnaneic acid isomers, which overall accounted for about 40% of total phenolics. In turn, S. o cinalis ‘Icterina’ extract presented glycosidic forms of apigenin, luteolin and scuttelarein, and the one obtained from S. mexicana contained several simple ca eic acid derivatives. S. africana aqueous extract exhibited high antioxidant potential in four methods, namely the DPPH (2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl) scavenging ability, iron-reducing power, inhibition of -carotene bleaching and of thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (TBARS), for which EC50 values were equal or only 1.3–3.1 higher than those of the standard compounds. Moreover, this extract was able to lower the levels of nitric oxide (NO) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated RAW 264.7 macrophages (EC50 = 47.8 2.1 g/mL). In addition, the three sage aqueous extracts showed promising cytotoxic e ect towards hepatocellular HepG2, cervical HeLa, and breast carcinoma cells MCF-7. Overall this study highlights the potential of three little-exploited Salvia species, with commercial value for applications in food or pharmaceutical industries.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the European Union, the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), and Operational Programme Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE), for funding the Organic Chemistry Research Unit (QOPNA) (FCT UID/QUI/00062/2019) and Mountain Research Center (CIMO) (UID/AGR/00690/2019), through national funds and where applicable co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. A. Fernandes and R. Calhelha thank the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract. Project AgroForWealth (CENTRO-01–0145-FEDER-000001), funded by Centro2020, through FEDER and PT2020, financed the research contract of Susana M. Cardoso. APC was sponsored by MDPI.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The health-benefits and phytochemical profile of Salvia apiana and Salvia farinacea var. Victoria blue decoctions

Salvia apiana and Salvia farinacea var. Victoria Blue decoctions were screened for diverse bioactivities, including the ability to counteract oxidative and inflammatory events, as well as to act as cytotoxic and antimicrobial agents. Both extracts showed good activities and that of S. apiana origin was particularly effective regarding the ability to prevent lipid peroxidation and to prevent nitric oxide (NO ) production in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-activated murine macrophage RAW 264.7 cell line (EC50 = 50 µg/mL). Moreover, it displayed high cytotoxic capacity against hepatocellular carcinoma HepG2, cervical carcinoma HeLa, and breast carcinoma cells MCF-7, but comparatively low effects in porcine liver primary cells, which highlights its selectivity (GI50 = 41–60 µg/mL vs. 362 µg/mL, respectively). Further, it exhibited inhibitory and lethal potential against a panel of Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria. It is possible that the bioactive properties of the two Salvia extracts are associated to their phenolic components and, in the particular case of S. apiana, to its richness in phenolic terpenes, namely in rosmanol, hydroxycarnosic acid and a derivative of sageone, which were found in the extract.Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), the European Union, the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER), and Operational Programme Competitiveness Factors (COMPETE), for funding the Organic Chemistry Research Unit (QOPNA) (FCT UID/QUI/00062/2019) and Mountain Research Center (CIMO) (UID/AGR/00690/2019), through national funds and where applicable co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. A. Fernandes and R. Calhelha thank the national funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract. Project AgroForWealth (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-000001), funded by Centro2020, through FEDER and PT2020, financed the research contract of Susana M. Cardoso.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) protein-rich extract as a natural emulsifier for oil-in-water emulsions: optimization through a sequential experimental design strategy

Spirulina (Arthrospira platensis) proteins have been proven to present emulsifying properties. In this work, a Spirulina protein-rich extract obtained by ultrasound extraction (SpE) was tested to stabilize oil-in-water (O/W) emulsions. For this purpose, a sequential experimental design strategy (Fractional Factorial Design (FFD) 24–1 followed by a Central Composite Rotatable Design (CCRD) 22)) was applied. The effect of four variables, SpE concentration, O/W weight ratio, pH and storage time, on emulsions’ zeta potential and number-mean droplet diameter was considered for the FFD 24–1, indicating SpE concentration and storage time as the relevant variables for the CCRD 22. According to zeta potential and number-mean droplet diameter evaluation, for the studied SpE concentration range (2–5 wt%), quite stable emulsions were obtained along the tested 30-days period. Even so, for 5%, visual inspection revealed extract segregation after 20-days. The optimal solution comprised 4 wt% of SpE, for an O/W weight ratio of 30/70 and a pH of 7.0 (number-mean droplet diameter of 55.66 nm and zeta potential of -43.83 mV). Overall, SpE has proven to be an excellent emulsifier, offering the potential to substitute animal-based proteins and synthetic emulsifiers. In addition, no signs of contamination by microorganisms were observed, suggesting that the SpE may also act as an antimicrobial agent.CIMO (Centro de Investigação de Montanha, Portugal) (UIDB/00690/2020), LSRE-LCM (Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering – Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Portugal) (UIDB/50020/2020; UIDP/50020/2020), and ALiCE (Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Portugal) (LA/P/0045/2020), funded by national funds through Fundação para Ciência e a Tecnologia/Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior (FCT/MCTES) (PIDDAC). National funding by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (Portugal), P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program contract with A. Santamaria-Echart, L. Barros, and A. Fernandes. FCT for the PhD research grant of Samara Cristina da Silva (SFRH/BD/148281/2019) and Giovana Colucci (2021. 05215. BD).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A tetravalent dengue nanoparticle stimulates antibody production in mice

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Dengue is a major public health problem worldwide, especially in the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. Infection with a single <it>Dengue virus </it>(DENV) serotype causes a mild, self-limiting febrile illness called dengue fever. However, a subset of patients experiencing secondary infection with a different serotype progresses to the severe form of the disease, dengue hemorrhagic fever/dengue shock syndrome. Currently, there are no licensed vaccines or antiviral drugs to prevent or treat dengue infections. Biodegradable nanoparticles coated with proteins represent a promising method for in vivo delivery of vaccines.</p> <p>Findings</p> <p>Here, we used a murine model to evaluate the IgG production after administration of inactivated DENV corresponding to all four serotypes adsorbed to bovine serum albumin nanoparticles. This formulation induced a production of anti-DENV IgG antibodies (p < 0.001). However, plaque reduction neutralization assays with the four DENV serotypes revealed that these antibodies have no neutralizing activity in the dilutions tested.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>Our results show that while the nanoparticle system induces humoral responses against DENV, further investigation with different DENV antigens will be required to improve immunogenicity, epitope specicity, and functional activity to make this platform a viable option for DENV vaccines.</p