Conservation of underwater archaeological organic materials

The main proposal of the thesis "Conservation of Underwater Archaeological Organic Materials" is to present to archaeologists and archeology technicians, in an understandable way, the principles and procedures of the conservation of underwater archaeological organic materials, thus maximizing the efforts and results of the preservation of underwater cultural heritage. The aim to this study is, also, to define new interventional procedures concerning the conservation and restoration of underwater archaeological heritage and combine these with information and training. In this sense, after the characterization of the type of organic materials, commonly found in underwater archaeological sites, the identification of conservation status is followed. From this, the causes and theirlevels of degradation are recognized and understood. This step provides information and is also essential to ensure the future integrity of organic archaeological remains. From critical research-based methods and laboratory tests, specific methodologies are presented for the preservation oforganic materials from underwater contexts, which can be implemented by the various technicians and experts in the field of underwater archeology and thus contribute to thesafeguarding of heritage

Steps to enhance bone regeneration the role of dendritic cells on mesenchymal stem cells recruitment

Tese de Mestrado Integrado. Bioengenharia. Área de Especialização de Biotecnologia Molecular. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 201

Group intervention with victims of domestic violence: a review of their effectiveness

Após o reconhecimento social, a violência doméstica tem adquirido progressivamente uma expressão significativa nas estatísticas criminais no nosso país. Paralelamente, atendendo aos elevados custos que habitualmente estão associados a esta experiência (e.g., saúde física e psicológica), a actuação de profissionais especializados nesta área foi assumindo cada vez mais relevância, constituindo-se a mulher vítima como um dos principais alvos da intervenção. Nesse contexto, assistiu-se nos últimos anos ao desenvolvimento de diferentes modalidades psicoterapêuticas dirigidas a essa população, entre as quais a intervenção em grupo. O objectivo deste trabalho consiste, pois, em sistematizar o conhecimento actual sobre a eficácia da intervenção em grupo com mulheres vítimas desse tipo de violência, reflectindo criticamente sobre as suas potencialidades. Após uma revisão da literatura internacional (e.g., Cox & Stolberg, 1991; McBride, 2001; Rinfret-Raynor & Cantin, 1997; Tutty, Bidgood, & Rothery, 1993), constata-se que essa é uma das mais comuns modalidades de intervenção facultadas às vítimas, revelando-se útil e com grande impacto junto dessas mulheres (e.g., Trimpey, 1989, citado por McBride, 2001; Tutty et al., 1993). Finalmente, a partir dos estudos disponíveis, apontamos os principais desafios no desenvolvimento de estudos empíricos neste contexto, bem como algumas implicações práticas para a implementação de intervenções em grupo com esta população.After being socially recognized, domestic violence has been having a significant expression in Portuguese surveys. Moreover, due to the high costs associated with this problem (e.g., physical and mental health), the intervention by specialized professionals in this area is now more relevant, being the woman victim the main target. Within the last years, several psychotherapeutic modalities addressing women victims were developed, being group intervention one of those. The aim of the present work is to give a clear picture of the state of the art concerning research on efficacy of group intervention with women victim of domestic violence, as well as critically reflect on its’ potential. After reviewing international literature (e.g., Cox & Stolberg, 1991; McBride, 2001; Rinfret-Raynor & Cantin, 1997; Tutty, Bidgood, & Rothery, 1993), it is possible to recognize group intervention as one of the most common intervention with victims, often assessed as being useful and with a positive impact (e.g., Trimpey, 1989, as cited in McBride, 2001; Tutty et al., 1993). Finally, major challenges on the development of empirical studies on this intervention are pointed out, as well as implications for practitioners in order to develop group intervention with women victim of domestic violence.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Historical Stained Glass Painting Techniques Technology and preservation

The aim of this project is the study of the painting techniques applied on stained glass, namely blue enamels, sanguine red and grisaille. The research and interpretation of several historical treatises dated to between the 12th and the 18th centuries was performed, with a study of the production technology of the selected painting techniques, from the preparation of the pigment to the preparation of the paint. With this in mind, selected raw materials used in the productions of blue enamels were characterized, followed by the reproduction of selected historical recipes of blue enamels, sanguine red and grisaille. Parameters such as firing temperature, grinding and binding agents used to apply the paint on glass were considered. The methodology selected was based on the chemical and morphological characterization of both reproduced powder and paint samples by means of a multi-analytical approach. In addition to the reproduction of the selected painting techniques, corrosion studies of blue enamel powder and paint samples were performed in order to provide new insights on the corrosions mechanisms involved. The results obtained were compared with selected painted stained-glass fragments from Portuguese collections, mainly the ones located in Batalha Monastery, Charola from Convento de Cristo in Tomar and Pena National Palace in Sintra. The present study concluded that the choice of the raw materials to the production of the paint, the binder used to apply the paint, and parameters such as firing temperature and heating rate, had an impact on the outcome, resulting on a better adhesion of the paint layer to the base glass. The use of zaffer as a colouring agent does not allow determination of the outcome of the paint, while adding powdered glass such as smalt gives to the glass painter the opportunity to know the final result before firing. As for sanguine red paint, it is concluded that the final outcome of the paint is strongly influenced by the heating rate. In addition, the use of gum arabic as a binder, or in the pigment itself, provides a better adhesion of the paint layer to the base glass. Regarding the grisaille painting, the main differences between the recipes lay on the composition of the lead-based glass and on the ratios between this and the colouring agents. Furthermore, it was also possible to conclude that there is an evolution of the morphology of the grisailles towards a higher homogeneity of the surface. The corrosion studies performed on blue enamels allowed to conclude that with the lixiviation of the alkaline components of the enamel, cobalt will be influenced by other neighbouring ions, leading to a change of colour. In some cases, Pb2+ ions may also be the responsible for this colour change, with the formation of lead white. The results obtained were in a good agreement with the characterization of the selected case studies, evidencing the importance of the intersection between the written sources and the laboratory work

SELEÇÃO DIRECIONAL DE NUMEROSIDADE: UM ESTUDO EXPLORATÓRIO

The experiment examined how pigeons differentiate response patterns along the dimension of number. Seven pigeons received food after pecking the left key at least N times and then switching to the right key (Mechner’s Fixed Consecutive Number schedule). Parameter N was set according to a percentile schedule, which is a form of automatic shaping. Our aim was twofold: on the empirical side to determine how run length on the left key would evolve under this shaping procedure and how it would change during a subsequent extinction phase; and on the theoretical side to compare the data with the predictions of a theoretical model of response differentiation. Results showed that during shaping, run length on the left key increased and then, for some pigeons, it stabilized, whereas for others pigeons it remained variable. Some pigeons ceased to respond when average run length reached a highvalue. There were substantial within-session trends in run length. In extinction, before the pigeons ceased to respond altogether, they emitted the same distribution of run lengths as during the last sessions of shaping with the exception, in some birds, of a large number of runs of length zero. These results are interpreted at the light of the theoretical model of numerosity differentiation.Keywords: Mathematical Model, Response Numerosity, Percentile Schedule, Shaping, PigeonO presente estudo analisa a diferenciação numérica de padrões de resposta. Em uma caixa de Skinner com duas teclas, sete pombos receberam comida após bicarem pelo menos N vezes na tecla esquerda e depois uma vez na tecla direita (programa “Fixed Consecutive Number” de Mechner). Em cada ensaio, o parâmetro N era ajustado por um programa de reforço percentil (uma forma de shaping automático). O estudo teve dois objetivos. Primeiro, determinar como é que varia o tamanho das corridas na tecla da esquerda durante o procedimento de modelagem (shaping) e durante uma fase de extinção que se seguiu. Segundo, comparar os dados obtidos com as previsões de um modelo teórico de diferenciação da resposta. Os resultados mostraram que, durante a modelagem, o tamanho das corridas na tecla esquerda aumentou e depois, para alguns pombos, estabilizou, enquanto para outros pombos permaneceu variável. Alguns pombos pararam de responder quando o tamanho médio da corrida atingiu valores elevados. Observaram-se ainda variações sistemáticas nos tamanhos das corridas no interior de cada sessão como, por exemplo, o aumento do tamanho da corrida ao longo da sessão. Durante a fase de extinção os pombos produziram distribuições de tamanhos de corrida semelhantes às distribuições produzidas durante as últimas sessões de modelagem com exceção, em alguns sujeitos, do elevado número de corridas de tamanho zero. Estes resultados são interpretados à luz do modelo teórico de diferenciação numérica das respostas. Palavras-chave: Modelo matemático, numerosidade, esquema percentil, modelagem, pomb

Consumo de tabaco na população portuguesa - análise de efeitos de idade-período-coorte

INTRODUÇÃO: O consumo de tabaco é um importante factor de risco para várias doenças. Em Portugal tem-se verificado uma diminuição da prevalência de consumo entre os homens e aumento entre as mulheres, tendo sido sugerido um efeito de coorte. O objectivo deste trabalho é avaliar a existência de efeitos de idade-período-coorte na prevalência de consumo de tabaco. MÉTODOS: Dados dos Inquéritos Nacionais de Saúde (INS) disponíveis foram analisados (1987, 1995/96, 1998, 2005/06). Foram calculadas coortes com base na idade reportada à data do inquérito. Analisaram-se prevalência por idade (com períodos e coortes conectados), por período e por coorte, estratificadas por sexo. RESULTADOS: Nos homens verifica-se sobreposição na distribuição de prevalências por idade (ligada por período), excepto no período de 25-34 anos em que ocorre diminuição ao longo dos vários INS [prevalências 25-29 anos: 53,7% (1987) a 39,6% (2005)]. O mesmo se verifica na análise por período, com distribuição constante em cada faixa etária (excepto 25-34 anos). A análise por idade ligada por coorte apresenta sobreposição de prevalências na maioria das idades, enquanto a análise por coorte mostra linhas paralelas mas com prevalências decrescentes nos grupos etários (máximo 54,3% - 25-29 anos, coorte 1956-1960; mínimo nos ≥65 anos - 12,6%-15,0%). Nas mulheres não se verifica sobreposição nas prevalências por idade (ligada por período), com prevalências crescentes para os diferentes inquéritos e um desvio para a direita da faixa etária com maior prevalência (em 1987, 20-24 – 18.9%; em 2005, 30-35 – 20,2%). O mesmo se verifica por período, com aumento das prevalências nas várias idades (maior aumento nos 40-44, 14,5%). A análise por idade (ligada por coorte) não apresenta sobreposição de prevalências, verificando-se maiores prevalências nas coortes de 1961-65 e 1966-70 (em particular nesta última 35-39 anos - 20,2%). A análise por coorte mostra aumento progressivo em cada faixa etária, crescimento que se verifica até à coorte 1961, altura em que se verifica uma estabilização. DISCUSSÃO/CONCLUSÕES: Verificam-se diferentes padrões nos homens e mulheres: a análise sugere um efeito de idade para os homens e efeito de coorte-período para as mulheres. Apesar de limitada pelos períodos irregulares entre os inquéritos a presente análise permite perceber a dinâmica de evolução do consumo de tabaco, contribuindo para estabelecimento de intervenções mais dirigidas

Socio-demographic factors associated with tobacco consumption and cessation in Portugal

Background: Smoking is a significant risk factor for several diseases. Social inequalities have been described for tobacco consumption and though to a lesser extend for tobacco cessation. Objectives: Describe sociodemographic factors associated with tobacco consumption and cessation. Methods: Data from the 2005/2006 Portuguese National Health Interview Survey was analysed. A multinomial log-linear model was fitted considering 3 groups: present smokers, former smokers and never smokers. Relative Risk Ratios (RRR) were obtained. Men and women were analysed separately. RRR adjusted for age and comparatively with reference categories (Centre for regions, married for marital status, student for professional situation and higher education for education) are presented. RRR of present smokers compare to never smokers and RRR of former smokers to present smokers. Results: Men from groups that have higher RRR of present smoking also have lower RRR of stopping. The lowest risk of cessation and higher of consumption was observed in Azores [RRR (95 % Confidence Interval (CI 95)) 0.53 (0.46, 0.61) and 1.89 (1.64, 2.18), respectively]. Divorcees, unemployed, and men with lower secondary education all had lower risk of cessation and higher of consumption, [respectively RRR (IC 95): 0.50 (0.41, 0.61) and 2.01 (1.64, 2.46); RRR (IC 95): 0.16 (0.13, 0.20) and 6.29 (5.00, 7.91); RRR (IC 95): 0.65 (0.56, 0.77) and 1.53 (1.30, 1.79)]. Similar results were observed in women (higher RRR of smoking and lower RRR of stop). Exceptions were found in the non-unemployed women and those with less that upper secondary. Taking region into consideration women in Madeira had a lower RRR of stop smoking and in Lisbon they had the higher risk of smoking [RRR (IC 95) 0.40 (0.27, 0.58) and 2.11 (1.74, 2.57), respectively]. The same was observed for divorced women [RRR (IC 95) 0.54 (0.41, 0.69) and 3.21 (2.69, 3.84), respectively]. Unemployed had the lower risk of quitting smoking and the highest of smoking [RRR (IC 95) 0.83 (0.51, 1.38) and 4.23 (3.20, 5.58), respectively], while the other groups had highest RRR of stop smoking and smoking, comparatively with reference group. Less educated women (lower secondary or less) had lower risk of cessation but also lower risk of smoking. Conclusions: Unfavourable sociodemographic characteristics are associated with higher risks of being a current smoker and lower risks of being an ex-smoker. Different/further cessation measures are needed in these less prone to quit group of individuals, namely men from Azores, divorced, unemployed and with lower secondary education and for divorced and unemployed women