Effects of long term exposure to occupational noise on textile industry workers' lung function

Vibroacoustic disease is a pathology caused by long occupational exposure to large pressure amplitude and low frequency noise. It is a systemic disease, with evolvement of respiratory structures. The exposure workers to this noise of textile industry may favour alterations in lung function. We studied 28 women working more than ten years in cotton-mill rooms to evaluate their lung function, including Spirometry, forced oscillation technique (I.O.S.) and Diffusion capacity. These results were compared with those of 30 women of similar ages not exposed to similar noise and not presenting respiratory disease. Statistical significance (P<0.05) was found with FEV25, R5 and Delta Rs5-Rs20. There was a resistance frequency dependence in 36% of the population exposed to noise, not statistically confirmed. Neither restriction nor changes in diffusing capacity where detected. CONCLUSION: The analysis of global alterations of lung function parameters suggests small airways aggression by noise. However we cannot definitively exclude the influence of cotton dust inhalation in itself which effects could be increased by the loss of ciliated cells and impairment of airways clearance caused by noise

Digital health literacy in the training of informal caregivers - community intervention

Background: Health Literacy allows optimizing healthy lifestyles and preventive and health protective behaviors (DGS, 2019). Low literacy can lead to a greater number of hospitalizations, a more frequent use of emergency services and a lower prevalence of preventive attitudes in the field of health. Internet-based interventions could have a positive impact on informal caregivers, reducing the geographical barrier, promoting self-efficacy in managing their own emotions, reducing burden. Aim: Contribute to the training of informal caregivers of a primary health care unit in Lisbon, through the promotion of digital health literacy. Methods: The Community Intervention project was carried out in the context of a home visit, focusing on 11 informal caregivers, through the presentation of an interactive digital manual. It was based on the methodology of health planning, through the elaboration of a diagnosis of the situation, definition of priorities, setting of objectives, selection of strategies, operational preparation and evaluation (Imperatori & Giraldes, 1993).ResultsIt was found that not all informal caregivers have access to the internet or digital technologies, and it was necessary to deliver the printed manual. Caregivers who accessed the interactive digital manual rated its content as very important, having accessed the suggested links without difficulty. The possibility of forwarding the digital manual to other caregivers was valid for all. Conclusions:Digital technologies promote communication in terms of health promotion, contributing to universal access and digital training in health, giving individuals the opportunity to increase care for their own health. The creation of digital health tools must be directed to the characteristics of the population. For individuals with low digital literacy, simple technologies must be created and for those who cannot or do not want to use digital tools, adequate alternatives must be created.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Increased lung inflammation with oxygen supplementation in tracheotomized spontaneously breathing rabbits: an experimental prospective randomized study

BACKGROUND: Mechanical ventilation is a well-known trigger for lung inflammation. Research focuses on tidal volume reduction to prevent ventilator-induced lung injury. Mechanical ventilation is usually applied with higher than physiological oxygen fractions. The purpose of this study was to investigate the after effect of oxygen supplementation during a spontaneous ventilation set up, in order to avoid the inflammatory response linked to mechanical ventilation. METHODS: A prospective randomised study using New Zealand rabbits in a university research laboratory was carried out. Rabbits (n = 20) were randomly assigned to 4 groups (n = 5 each group). Groups 1 and 2 were submitted to 0.5 L/min oxygen supplementation, for 20 or 75 minutes, respectively; groups 3 and 4 were left at room air for 20 or 75 minutes. Ketamine/xylazine was administered for induction and maintenance of anaesthesia. Lungs were obtained for histological examination in light microscopy. RESULTS: All animals survived the complete experiment. Procedure duration did not influence the degree of inflammatory response. The hyperoxic environment was confirmed by blood gas analyses in animals that were subjected to oxygen supplementation, and was accompanied with lower mean respiratory rates. The non-oxygen supplemented group had lower mean oxygen arterial partial pressures and higher mean respiratory rates during the procedure. All animals showed some inflammatory lung response. However, rabbits submitted to oxygen supplementation showed significant more lung inflammation (Odds ratio = 16), characterized by more infiltrates and with higher cell counts; the acute inflammatory response cells was mainly constituted by eosinophils and neutrophils, with a relative proportion of 80 to 20% respectively. This cellular observation in lung tissue did not correlate with a similar increase in peripheral blood analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Oxygen supplementation in spontaneous breathing is associated with an increased inflammatory response when compared to breathing normal room air. This inflammatory response was mainly constituted with polymorphonuclear cells (eosinophils and neutrophils). As confirmed in all animals by peripheral blood analyses, the eosinophilic inflammatory response was a local organ event.The authors would like to thank Centro Hospitalar do Porto for funding regarding the purchase of animals, animal food, and other husbandry expenses. No funding was used to reimburse any of the authors, nor any of the persons who helped and are herein thanked. Funding for open access publication was supported by the Anesthesia Department at Centro Hospitalar do Port

Oxygen Increases Lung Inflammatory Response in Spontaneous One-Lung Ventilation in Rabbits: A Prospective Randomized Experimental Study

Study objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate if oxygen supplementation would increase lung inflammatory response in a spontaneous one-lung ventilation animal model, when compared to room-air oxygen fraction. Design: In vivo prospective randomized animal study Setting: University research laboratory Subjects: New Zealand rabbits Interventions: Rabbits (n=20) were randomly assigned to 2 groups (n=10 each group). Groups (OS – Oxygen Supplemented, and NOS – Non-Oxygen Supplemented) were submitted to spontaneous One-Lung Ventilation (OLV) during 60 minutes; OS group had a 2-liter/minute oxygen supplement, and NOS group was kept on roomair. Ketamine/xylazine was administered for induction and maintenance of anesthesia. One-lung ventilation was achieved by administration of air into interpleural space, and left lung collapse was visually confirmed through the center of diaphragm. Clinical monitoring and arterial blood gas analyses were performed in all rabbits. Measurements: Lung histology plates were observed under light microscopy for quantification of inflammatory response (light, moderate and severe). Main results: All subjects had at least light inflammatory response. However, rabbits submitted to oxygen supplementation had a statistically significant value for the occurrence of moderate inflammation (p<0.001). The inflammatory cells found were mainly eosinophils and neutrophils in an average proportion of 80/20. Oxygen partial pressure increased in both groups with a higher proportion in OS group (p<0.001). Conclusion: In this spontaneous OLV model, the use of oxygen supplementation was associated with a greater inflammatory response.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Avaliação do efeito fertilizante de um composto.

Comunicação da qual só está disponível o resumo.O presente trabalho foi desenvolvido na Escola Superior Agrária e teve como principal objetivo efetuar a validação de um composto como matéria fertilizante. O composto foi obtido pela compostagem dos seguintes resíduos de origem orgânica: lamas de depuração urbanas provenientes de ETAR e estruturante, que consiste essencialmente de casca de pinho e madeira triturada (serrim). Para concretizar este objetivo realizaram-se os seguintes trabalhos experimentais: 1- Caracterização analítica do composto; 2- Ensaio de germinação, com a finalidade de demonstrar que o composto, após incorporação no solo, não afeta negativamente a germinação das sementes (1) ; 3- Ensaio em vasos, com um solo representativo das condições edáficas em Portugal e utilizando como cultura uma espécie forrageira (azevém, Lolium spp.). Este ensaio teve com o objetivo avaliar o efeito fertilizante do composto sobre as propriedades do solo e sobre a produção e qualidade da cultura. Verificou-se que o composto está conforme os valores exigidos pelo Decreto-Lei nº103/2015 de 15 de junho (2) para a colocação no mercado de matérias fertilizantes do Grupo 5- Corretivos orgânicos, Classe II podendo ser utilizado em agricultura. Os resultados obtidos nos ensaios permitem concluir que o composto não apresentou efeitos de fitotoxicidade sobre a germinação das sementes e apresentou um efeito positivo no teor de matéria orgânica do solo, possuindo assim características de matéria fertilizante como corretivo orgânico. A produção da cultura, quer de matéria verde quer de matéria seca, foi semelhante entre as modalidades com aplicação de composto e com adubação mineral. A utilização de composto apesar de não veicular quantidades significativas de P revela ter um efeito positivo na fitodisponibilidade em fósforo do solo. Da aplicação do composto não resultou uma acumulação de micronutrientes e metais pesados (Cu, Zn, Mn, Pb, Cd, Cr e Ni), quer no solo quer nas plantas. Este ensaio demonstrou, que a dose 10 t ha-1 de composto complementado com cerca de 50 kg de azoto mineral permitiu ultrapassar os efeitos negativos da imobilização de azoto, e simultaneamente demonstrou um efeito positivo quer no teor de matéria orgânica do solo, quer na disponibilização de N e P originando uma mais adequada nutrição da cultura. Esta modalidade conduziu a uma poupança de 68% na utilização exclusiva de azoto mineral.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Industrial noise and tooth wear – Experimental study

"Tooth wear is a complex multifactorial process that involves the loss of hard dental tissue. Parafunctional habits have been mentioned as a self-destructive process caused by stress, which results in hyperactivity of masticatory muscles. Stress manifests itself through teeth grinding, leading to progressive teeth wear. The effects of continuous exposure to industrial noise, a “stressor” agent, cannot be ignored and its effects on the teeth must be evaluated. Aims: The aim of this study was to ascertain the effects of industrial noise on dental wear over time, by identifying and quantifying crown area loss. Material and Methods: 39 Wistar rats were used. Thirty rats were divided in 3 experimental groups of 10 animals each. Animals were exposed to industrial noise, rich in LFN components, for 1, 4 and 7 months, with an average weekly exposure of 40 hours (8h/day, 5 days/week with the weekends in silence). The remaining 9 animals were kept in silence. The areas of the three main cusps of the molars were measured under light microscopy. Statistical analysis used: A two-way ANOVA model was applied at significance level of 5%. Results: The average area of the molar cusps was significantly different between exposed and non-exposed animals. The most remarkable differences occurred between month 1 and 4. The total crown loss from month 1 to month 7 was 17.3% in the control group, and 46.5% in the exposed group, and the differences between these variations were significant (p<0.001). Conclusions: Our data suggest that industrial noise is an important factor in the pathogenesis of tooth wear.

Performance as a classification criterion of tourist origins and destinations

The definition of performance variables, which can be used as indicators of the results obtained/to be obtained, is a fundamental prerequisite in the carrying out of any evaluation process. Portfolio analysis has been used as a tool for the study of market segments, namely of tourist destinations. However, a review of the literature did not identify a single case where the performance variable is adjusted to the nature of the object. In fact, contrary to many other situations, the use of performance variables in absolute terms does not appear to be the most recommendable solution given that the total volume is conditioned by the size of the territory and, above all, by the number of inhabitants. In other words, for a certain level of socio-economic development, larger countries (in terms of size and number of inhabitants) will tend to have higher absolute values. Besides this, the empirical studies reviewed contain little, or no, information about competition, being temporally static. Although in some cases growth rate is used as a variable, thus presupposing the consideration of two magnitudes in two different moments in time, more than one register per object is never considered, meaning that evolutive analyses are not viable. Consequently, a performance proxy was developed which enables a direct comparison between generating countries (origins) and between destinations, regardless of the number of inhabitants. The selection of the performance proxy can depend on the object of study. In any case, it should always permit the evaluation, in general terms, of the results obtained by the destination for the set of origins under analysis and the results generated by the origin for the set of destinations under study. The proposed tool is a component of a model for the identification of priority market segments, and is constituted by a system of orthogonal axes which produces four quadrants that are distinct in terms of intensity (axis OY) and growth (axis OX) of tourist flows. The tool, like the model, can be applied to any type of destination (city, region or country) and to any market segmentation criterion (geographic, demographic, behavioural, psychographic or other). In the study reported here, the instrument is applied to the 15 Member States of the European Union (before its expansion on May 1st 2004), for the period from 1996 to 2001. Eurostat was the sole source of data for the study. The UK and Ireland are the countries classified as ‘Progressing Origins’. With 16.8% of the population, they increased their contribution from 17.7% to 21.9% and are responsible for 38.7% of the growth that occurred between 1996 and 2001. Spain, Greece and Ireland are the countries classified as ‘Progressing Destinations’. With 14.4% of the population, they increased their share of the market from 21.5% to 24.2%, capturing 35.1% of the growth that occurred between 1996 and 2001

An integrated approach for assessing the bioreceptivity of glazed tiles to phototrophic microorganisms

18 páginas.-- 7 figuras.-- 5 tablas.-- 63 referenciasA laboratory-based methodology was designed to assess the bioreceptivity of glazed tiles. The experimental set-up consisted of multiple steps: manufacturing of pristine and artificially aged glazed tiles, enrichment of phototrophic microorganisms, inoculation of phototrophs on glazed tiles, incubation under optimal conditions and quantification of biomass. In addition, tile intrinsic properties were assessed to determine which material properties contributed to tile bioreceptivity. Biofilm growth and biomass were appraised by digital image analysis, colorimetry and chlorophyll a analysis. SEM, micro-Raman and micro-particle induced X-ray emission analyses were carried out to investigate the biodeteriorating potential of phototrophic microorganisms on the glazed tiles. This practical and multidisciplinary approach showed that the accelerated colonization conditions allowed different types of tile bioreceptivity to be distinguished and to be related to precise characteristics of the material. Aged tiles showed higher bioreceptivity than pristine tiles due to their higher capillarity and permeability. Moreover, biophysical deterioration caused by chasmoendolithic growth was observed on colonized tile surfaces.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) [grant SFRH/BD/46038/2008; project UID/EAT/00729/2013]. A.Z. Miller acknowledges support from a Marie Curie Intra-European Fellowship of the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme [PIEF-GA-2012-328689]. J.P. Veiga and H. Águas acknowledge funding by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT [project UID/ CTM/50025/2013]. This work was supported by the European Commission’s 7th Framework Programme, through the Marie Curie International Research Staff Exchange Scheme [NANO_GUARD (PIRSES-GA-2010-269138)].Peer reviewe

Decay products of historical cements from the Palace of Knossos, Crete, Greece

This work was supported by the FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project ref. UIDB/50025/2020-2023,and H2020 EIT Raw Materials MineHeritage Project (PA 18111). Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Author(s)The Palace of Knossos, located on the island of Crete, Greece, is one of Europe's most important archaeological sites, serving as a testament to the Minoan civilization. Situated near the Mediterranean Sea, it is in close proximity to the seaport, airport, and industrial areas. Decay products commonly found in historical monuments within or near urban areas, such as black crusts and salt efflorescence, are also prevalent at the Palace of Knossos. To better understand the characteristics of the type of deterioration compounds found on cement in historical reconstruction zones, as well as their possible relationship with factors influencing the deterioration process, a multi-analytical approach was designed for the study of these materials. The results indicate that the black crusts primarily consist of gypsum and carbonaceous matter. However, the efflorescence salts are predominantly composed of thenardite instead of halite, despite the palace's proximity to the coastal area. These results may contribute to ongoing and future maintenance and preservation efforts for the monument.publishersversionpublishe

Mortars from the palace of Knossos in Crete, Greece: A multi-analytical approach

The study of building materials constituting cultural heritage is fundamental to understand their characteristics and predict their behavior. When considering materials from archaeological sites, their characterization can provide not only relevant information for a broader understanding of the site and its importance and significance but can also increase knowledge about ancient materials and their performance. The Palace of Knossos is a very important archaeological site in the European history context, and its preservation benefits from the characterization of the constituent materials. Samples of mortars from this monument were collected under the scope of the H2020 HERACLES project, where a multi-analytical approach was chosen using established protocols for the different sample typologies. Instrumental techniques such as optical microscopy (OM), X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and simultaneous thermogravimetry and differential thermal analysis (TG–DTA) were used for the chemical, mineralogical, and morphological characterization of these mortar samples. The results indicate that the majority are lime mortars, both aerial and hydraulic, but gypsum-based mortars were also identified. Differences in the chemical composition of the samples in distinct areas of the monument allowed us to reflect on the variety of materials used in the construction of the Palace of Knossos.publishersversionpublishe