A arte atlântica do Crastoeiro (Norte de Portugal) : contextos e significados

Basados en los resultados de las excavaciones arqueológicas realizadas en los complejos I y II del arte atlántico de Crastoeiro, localizados en el Monte de la Senhora da Graça y partiendo del supuesto de que los individuos no sólo viven en un espacio sino que también están inmersos o incorporados en el, este trabajo tiene como objetivo establecer algunas interpretaciones no sólo sobre la biografía de cada uno de estos loci, sino también, entender los diferentes procesos de interacción de las comunidades locales con el Monte da Senhora da Graça, especialmente aquellos que se relacionan con la elección, la construcción, la frecuencia y las acciones inherentes al uso de estos lugares que designamos arte rupestre

Chitosan and polyethylene glycol based membranes with antibacterial properties for tissue regeneration

The prevention of microbial infections associated with implantable medical devices and superficial wounds represents one of the main research strategies in the field of biomaterials. The present study reports on the development of composite membranes of Chitosan (CS)-Polyethylene glycol (PEG) matrix, incorporating particles of biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP), zinc oxide (ZnO) and copper oxide (CuO). The properties that are relevant for intended applications in tissue regeneration and antibacterial coatings of implants were assessed. It was found that the addition of 1% (w/w - relative to the mass of CS) of each metal oxide promoted satisfactory bacteriostatic activity and exhibited no cytotoxic effects towards the Vero cell line. The formation of bonds between the CS/PEG matrix and ionic species from the powders enhanced the cross-linking degree and mechanical properties of composite membranes in comparison to the non-doped membrane with the same polymer matrix (CS/PEG = 70/30%). A gradual degradation of the composite membranes over the immersion time in simulated body fluid (SBF) was accompanied by a continuous surface deposition of uniform apatite layer.publishe

Ciprofloxacin removal catalysed by conductive carbon materials

Current wastewater treatment technologies are not effective in the removal of pharmaceuticals. In anaerobic bioreactors, the electrons produced during the oxidation of organic matter can potentially be used for the biological reduction of pharmaceuticals. However, these reactions occur generally at a slow rate, due to electron transfer limitations, and might be accelerated through redox mediators (RM). Carbon nanomaterials (CM) have been effective RM in the biological reduction of other pollutants. For instance, CNT@2%Fe were found to increase 76-fold the biological reduction of Acid Orange 10. The magnetic properties of those composites allow their easier recover after the process by using a magnetic field. In this study, CNT and CNT@2%Fe were studied in the anaerobic removal of Ciprofloxacin (CIP). Furthermore, the potential contribution of adsorption and biodegradation processes for CIP removal was assessed. Toxicity assessment is highly important as it is desired that the products formed after the process are not more toxic than the initial compound. Moreover, the evaluation of the possible contribution of nanomaterials used in the process for the final toxic effect of threated solution, is crucial. In this sense, the detoxification of the treated solutions was evaluated towards Vibrio fischeri.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2019 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Yarrowia lipolytica is a promising oleaginous yeast for bio-oils production from volatile fatty acids

Every year, approximately 931 million tons of food waste (FW) are generated worldwide. The discharge of FW in the landfill has a negative environmental impact due to water and soil pollution and GHG emission. Volatile fatty acids (VFAs), produced by anaerobic fermentation of FW, can be used as a substrate by oleaginous yeasts to produce bio-oils. The bioconversion of pure VFAs into Y. lipolytica biomass and bio-oils was affected by oxygenation conditions in batch cultures carried out in a stirred-tank bioreactor. Approximately 3-fold enhancement in lipids concentration was obtained by increasing the agitation and aeration rates. Two-stage batch cultures (1st stage growth in glucose; 2nd stage bio-oils production in VFAs) proved to be an effective approach to improve lipids accumulation from pure VFAs. The highest lipid content was attained in conditions of dissolved oxygen concentration of 45% of saturation during the lipogenic phase. Y. lipolytica also accumulated lipids in food waste-derived VFAs, particularly in two-stage batch cultures (1st stage growth in VFAs; 2nd stage bio-oils production in crude glycerol). These bio-oils are promising feedstock for the biodiesel industry and the estimated fuel properties of biodiesel are in accordance with international standards.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Biodegradable nanocomposite for food packaging application

Biodegradable poly(lactic) acid (PLA)/clay nanocomposites were investigated to be used as food packaging material. Several techniques were used, rheology, mechanical, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), contact and biodegradability tests, to characterize the developed materials. The addition of organoclay improved PLA mechanical and biodegradable properties. Food contact test showed that the nanocomposites are able to be used as food packaging materials

Effectiveness of a combined surf and psychological preventive intervention with children and adolescents in residential childcare: A randomized controlled trial

Children and adolescents living in residential childcare have a higher prevalence of mental health problems as a result of a history of adverse childhood experiences. Therefore, this population should be a priority target for mental health preventive interventions. The current study analyses the effectiveness of the Wave by Wave surf therapy program, that combines surfing with a psychological group intervention, through a randomized controlled trial. Seventy-three youth (7-17 years) living in residential care participated in the study. Main mental health outcomes (adjustment problems, depression, anxiety, and wellbeing) and secondary outcomes (self-efficacy, self-regulation, sleep quality, physical activity, pro-social behavior, and social connectivity) were assessed at pre- and post-intervention. The results indicated a significant impact of the intervention on mental health outcomes reported by the key residential worker, with medium to large effect sizes. Specifically, after the intervention, there was a significant reduction in the total emotional and behavioural problems, and a significant increase of youth pro-social behaviour and quality of life that was not observed for the waiting list group. There were no significant effects on other measures reported by the children (e.g., depression and anxiety, self-esteem, emotion regulation, social connectedness, sleep quality, physical activity) and on executive functions measures. The Wave by Wave program seems to be an effective intervention to reduce behavior problems and to promote pro-social behavior in a high-risk sample. The absence of significant effects on other dimensions may indicate the need of some complementary support to address specific difficulties of this population.Efectividad de una intervención preventiva psicológica y de surf combinada con niños y adolescentes en cuidado residencial: Un ensayo controlado aleatorizado. Los niños y adolescentes que viven en acogimiento residencial tienen una mayor prevalencia de problemas de salud mental. Por lo tanto, esta población debe ser un objetivo prioritario para las intervenciones preventivas de salud mental. El estudio actual analiza la efectividad del programa Wave by Wave, que combina el surf con una intervención psicológica grupal, a través de un ensayo controlado aleatorio. Setenta y tres jóvenes (7-17 años) que viven en acogimiento residencial participaron en el estudio. Los principales resultados de salud mental (problemas de ajuste, depresión, ansiedad y bienestar) y los resultados secundarios (autoeficacia, autorregulación, calidad del sueño, actividad física, comportamiento prosocial y conectividad social) se evaluaron antes y después de intervención. Los resultados indicaron un impacto significativo de la intervención sobre los resultados de salud mental reportados por el cuidador en la residencia. Específicamente, después de la intervención, hubo una reducción significativa en los problemas emocionales y conductuales totales, y un aumento significativo del comportamiento prosocial de los jóvenes y de la calidad de vida que no se observó en el grupo control. No hubo efectos significativos en otras medidas reportadas por los niños (ex., depresión y ansiedad, autoestima) y en las medidas de las funciones ejecutivas. El programa Wave by Wave parece ser una intervención efectiva para reducir los problemas de comportamiento y promover el comportamiento prosocial en una muestra de alto riesgo. La ausencia de efectos significativos en otras dimensiones puede indicar la necesidad de algún apoyo complementario para abordar las dificultades específicas de esta población.

Toxicity abatement of wastewaters from tourism units by constructed wetlands

The present research intended to investigate the toxicity abatement of domestic wastewater after passing a biosystem composed of a constructed wetland (CW) followed by a pond. The wastewater was generated in a tourism house in a rural and mountainous context and passed through a septic tank before being diverted to a CW followed by a pond. A battery of ecotoxicological tests, comprising microalgae (Raphidocelis subcapitata), macrophytes (Lemna minor), cladocerans (Daphnia magna), and bacteria (Aliivibrio fischeri), was used to assess the toxicity of the wastewater collected before and after the CW and the water of the pond. Physicochemical parameters (pH, conductivity, chemical oxygen demand, biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids, phosphates, ammonium, and nitrate) were also determined. The CW was able to remove carbon and nutrients from the water with a concomitant reduction of its toxicity. This study, reinforced the added value of using toxicity tests as a complement to CW operational monitoring to validate the solution and to analyze possible readjustments that may be required to improve efficiency. This study lends further support to the claim that CWs can be a sustainable solution for treating small volumes of domestic wastewater in a rural context.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Synthesis of several precursors of glycoconjugates containing a 1,2,3-triazole unit

Preparation of some alkynyl amino acids (Gly, Phe, Tyr, Ala, Ser), alkynyl derivatives of hydroxycoumarins and acetylenic carbohydrate derivativesFundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and FEDER, for National NMR Network (Bruker Avance III 400

Evolutionary genetics of Mycobacterium tuberculosis and HIV-1: “The Tortoise and the Hare”

The already enormous burden caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis and Human Immunodeficiency Virus type 1 (HIV-1) alone is aggravated by co-infection. Despite obvious differences in the rate of evolution comparing these two human pathogens, genetic diversity plays an important role in the success of both. The extreme evolutionary dynamics of HIV-1 is in the basis of a robust capacity to evade immune responses, to generate drug-resistance and to diversify the populationlevel reservoir of M group viral subtypes. Compared to HIV-1 and other retroviruses, M. tuberculosis generates minute levels of genetic diversity within the host. However, emerging whole-genome sequencing data show that the M. tuberculosis complex contains at least nine human-adapted phylogenetic lineages. This level of genetic diversity results in differences in M. tuberculosis interactions with the host immune system, virulence and drug resistance propensity. In co-infected individuals, HIV-1 and M. tuberculosis are likely to co-colonize host cells. However, the evolutionary impact of the interaction between the host, the slowly evolving M. tuberculosis bacteria and the HIV-1 viral “mutant cloud” is poorly understood. These evolutionary dynamics, at the cellular niche of monocytes/macrophages, are also discussed and proposed as a relevant future research topic in the context of single-cell sequencing.This work has been funded by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020; by the projects NORTE-01- 0145-FEDER-000013 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023, supported by Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and by Gilead Génese PGG/009/2017. ASP, CM, and PMMA were funded by FCT PhD scholarships PD/BD/127827/2016, SFRH/BD/132797/2017 and PDE/BDE/113599/2015, respectively

Two-stage aeration fermentation strategy to improve bioethanol production by scheffersomyces stipitis

Hardwood spent sulfite liquor (HSSL) is a by-product from pulp industry with a high concentration of pentose sugars, besides some hexoses suitable for bioethanol production by Scheffersomyces stipitis. The establishment of optimal aeration process conditions that results in specific microaerophilic conditions required by S. stipitis is the main challenge for ethanol production. The present study aimed to improve the ethanol production from HSSL by S. stipitis through a two-stage aeration fermentation. Experiments with controlled dissolved oxygen tension (DOT) in the first stage and oxygen restriction in the second stage were carried out. The best results were obtained with DOT control at 50% in the first stage, where the increase of oxygen availability provided faster growth and higher biomass yield, and no oxygen supply with an agitation rate of 250 rpm, in the second stage allowed a successful induction of ethanol production. Fermentation using 60% of HSSL (v/v) as substrate for S. stipitis provided a maximum specific growth rate of 0.07 h−1 , an ethanol productivity of 0.04 g L h−1 and an ethanol yield of 0.39 g g−1 , respectively. This work showed a successful two-stage aeration strategy as a promising aeration alternative for bioethanol production from HSSL by S. stipitis.publishe