Modelling of the seismic performance of connections and walls in ancient masonry buildings

Tese de Doutoramento em Engenharia CivilUnreinforced masonry construction is predominant in many urban areas world-wide. Many of these constructions are vulnerable to earthquakes, which are the main cause of damage and loss of cultural heritage. Lessons learned from earthquake surveys proved that a satisfactory seismic performance is attained when the structure behaves as a monolithic box. This thesis tackles the problem of earthquake-impact on heritage masonry construction, starting from the basic consideration that efficient protection and strengthening can only be achieved with the proper knowledge of the behaviour of the structural elements and its connections. A numerical approach is proposed aiming at studying and further characterize the behaviour of stone masonry walls and anchors injected in masonry walls (used to strengthen connections between structural components). The knowledge provided by these studies is then applied in the seismic assessment of a typical masonry building. The numerical study of the in-plane behaviour of masonry walls was carried out based on an experimental programme carried out at EUCENTRE. The finite element models, considering walls with distinct slenderness ratios and pre-compression levels, were calibrated against the experimental results. Good agreement between experimental and numerical results was achieved both considering the global force-displacement behaviour and failure mechanism. Moreover, the validated models were used to carry out parametric analyses varying the geometric wall configuration and pre-compression level and the influence of these parameters in the wall response was evaluated. The drift capacity of the walls numerically analysed was compared with the drift limits imposed by codes showing that drift limit recommended in codes for shear is not accomplished for all the walls. For this reason, some walls were analysed considering more realistic boundary conditions. In this cases, the drift limit was fulfilled for most of the walls. Finally, the usage of a simplified formulations to predict the strength capacity of walls is also addressed. The comparison between the numerical results with the lateral shear strength estimated by simplified models, demonstrated that these expressions can predict with very good approximation both the failure mode and the lateral resistance of a wall. The numerical study of injected anchors in masonry was supported by an experimental campaign carried out at University of Minho. This work resorted to a detailed finite element model, which reproduces the experimental test setup, validated against the experimental results. The modelling approach adopted allowed for an accurate characterization of the behaviour of all structural elements, both in terms of stress field and displacement distribution. Then, the numerical model was used as a “numerical laboratory”, where the sensitivity of the results to the input of material parameters, geometrical features and actions was analysed. Among all the conditions studied through the parametrical analyses, the anchor embedment depth was the parameter that most influences the structural behaviour of the system, increasing significantly the ultimate capacity. Finally, simplified analytical methods to estimate the strength capacity of injected anchors on masonry were reviewed and the achieved values and failure modes agreed reasonably well with the numerical analysis. Finally, the seismic assessment of a typical masonry building located in Lisbon was carried out. The seismic performance of this building was evaluated based on different assumptions related to the connections between structural components: lack of effective connections between elements, improved wall-to-wall connections and effective connections among all elements. Pushover analysis adopting the model that simulates the building response considering ineffective connections between structural elements showed rather low capacity when compared with the other models that include the strengthening of connections (either wall-to-wall or both wall-towall and wall-to-floor connections). These results demonstrated that the building seismic performance is significantly enhanced by the improvement of the connections behaviour, i.e. by accomplishing a monolithic box-like behaviour. Strengthening interventions for the improvement of the connections by installing injected anchors in masonry walls were also designed.A conservação de edifícios antigos é um tema que tem suscitado um interesse crescente na comunidade em geral, pela necessidade de preservação do património edificado. As construções antigas de alvenaria não reforçada são predominantes em muitas cidades mundiais, e devido à sua vulnerabilidade às ações sísmicas, a avaliação da sua segurança torna-se essencial. Do estudo e análise do comportamento dos efeitos da ação sísmica neste tipo de edifícios, conclui-se que uma adequada resposta sísmica é alcançada quando a estrutura apresenta um comportamento monolítico. Este trabalho aborda o impacto sísmico em edifícios antigos de alvenaria, com o pressuposto base de que um reforço eficiente apenas se consegue com o conhecimento do comportamento dos vários elementos estruturais e sua interligação. Através da abordagem numérica proposta neste trabalho, pretende-se estudar e caracterizar o comportamento de paredes de alvenaria e soluções de reforço com ancoragens injetadas nestes elementos, uma vez que os estudos existentes são maioritariamente experimentais. O conhecimento obtido a partir destes estudos numéricos é depois aplicado na avaliação sísmica de um edifício típico de alvenaria. O estudo numérico do comportamento de paredes de alvenaria sujeitas a cargas no seu plano, baseou-se num programa experimental desenvolvido no EUCENTRE. Os modelos de elementos finitos utilizados foram calibrados com os resultados experimentais relativos a paredes com diferentes configurações geométricas e níveis de carga. Os modelos numéricos validados foram posteriormente utilizados em análises paramétricas, variando a configuração geométrica e o nível de compressão na parede, o que permitiu avaliar a influência destes parâmetros na resposta da mesma. Foram também analisados os deslocamentos laterais das paredes e comparados com os limites regulamentares, constatando-se que estes limites nem sempre são cumpridos. Por este motivo, algumas paredes das foram reanalisadas numericamente considerando diferentes condições de fronteira na tentativa de aproximar o seu comportamento a uma situação mais real. Estes novos resultados demonstraram que os limites regulamentares são cumpridos para a grande maioria das paredes estudadas. Posteriormente os resultados numéricos foram comparados com obtidos através da aplicação de expressões analíticas. O estudo numérico de ancoragens injetadas em paredes de alvenaria teve como suporte a campanha experimental realizada na Universidade do Minho, tendo sido construído um modelo de elementos finitos detalhado, posteriormente calibrado com estes resultados experimentais. Dada a confiança no modelo numérico, este foi utilizado como laboratório numérico, onde foi avaliada a sensibilidade dos resultados aos parâmetros materiais, geométricos e ações, fornecendo informação importante na compreensão do comportamento deste sistema em diversas condições. De todas as condições estudadas, o comprimento de ancoragem foi o parâmetro que mais influenciou o comportamento global da parede. A capacidade das ancoragens foi estimada por métodos analíticos simplificados, que demonstraram razoável aproximação aos resultados numéricos. A avaliação sísmica de um edifício típico em alvenaria localizado em Lisboa foi realizada recorrendo a três modelos numéricos que incluem a adoção de diferentes considerações relativas às ligações entre elementos estruturais. A análise “pushover” adotando um modelo que simula a resposta do edifício considerando ineficientes as ligações entre elementos estruturais, revelou uma baixa capacidade sísmica quando comparada com os resultados dos modelos que incluem reforço de ligações. Deste modo, demonstra-se que a resposta sísmica do edifício é significativamente melhorada com o reforço das ligações, que conferem um comportamento monolítico à estrutura. Apresenta-se ainda o dimensionamento das soluções de reforço para as diversas ligações dos elementos estruturais do edifício, considerando a utilização de sistemas de ancoragem.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) by grant No. SFRH/BD/71599/201

Portuguese propolis: a source of valuable bioactivities

To FEDER/COMPETE/POCI– Operational Competitiveness and Internationalization Programme, under Project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006958 and FCT - Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, under the project UID/AGR/04033/2013

Protocolos em Medicina Interna - Serviço de Medicina lnterna do Hospital Central do Funchal

N/

MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL : A data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in P ortugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with 26% of all species being includedin the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associatedwith habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mam-mals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion formarine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems func-tionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is cru-cial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS INPORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublishedgeoreferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mam-mals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira thatincludes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occur-ring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live obser-vations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%),bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent lessthan 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrowsjsoil moundsjtunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animaljhairjskullsjjaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8),observation in shelters, (9) photo trappingjvideo, (10) predators dietjpelletsjpine cones/nuts, (11) scatjtrackjditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalizationjecholocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and100 m (76%). Rodentia (n=31,573) has the highest number of records followedby Chiroptera (n=18,857), Carnivora (n=18,594), Lagomorpha (n=17,496),Cetartiodactyla (n=11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n=7008). The data setincludes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened(e.g.,Oryctolagus cuniculus[n=12,159],Monachus monachus[n=1,512],andLynx pardinus[n=197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate thepublication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contrib-ute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting onthe development of more accurate and tailored conservation managementstrategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite thisdata paper when the data are used in publications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Nationwide access to endovascular treatment for acute ischemic stroke in portugal

Publisher Copyright: Copyright Ordem dos M dicos 2021.Introduction: Since the publication of endovascular treatment trials and European Stroke Guidelines, Portugal has re-organized stroke healthcare. The nine centers performing endovascular treatment are not equally distributed within the country, which may lead to differential access to endovascular treatment. Our main aim was to perform a descriptive analysis of the main treatment metrics regarding endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal and its administrative districts. Material and Methods: A retrospective national multicentric cohort study was conducted, including all ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal over two years (July 2015 to June 2017). All endovascular treatment centers contributed to an anonymized database. Demographic, stroke-related and procedure-related variables were collected. Crude endovascular treatment rates were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants for mainland Portugal, and each district and endovascular treatment standardized ratios (indirect age-sex standardization) were also calculated. Patient time metrics were computed as the median time between stroke onset, first-door, and puncture. Results: A total of 1625 endovascular treatment procedures were registered. The endovascular treatment rate was 8.27/100 000 inhabitants/year. We found regional heterogeneity in endovascular treatment rates (1.58 to 16.53/100 000/year), with higher rates in districts closer to endovascular treatment centers. When analyzed by district, the median time from stroke onset to puncture ranged from 212 to 432 minutes, reflecting regional heterogeneity. Discussion: Overall endovascular treatment rates and procedural times in Portugal are comparable to other international registries. We found geographic heterogeneity, with lower endovascular treatment rates and longer onset-to-puncture time in southern and inner regions. Conclusion: The overall national rate of EVT in the first two years after the organization of EVT-capable centers is one of the highest among European countries, however, significant regional disparities were documented. Moreover, stroke-onset-to-first-door times and in-hospital procedural times in the EVT centers were comparable to those reported in the randomized controlled trials performed in high-volume tertiary hospitalspublishersversionpublishe

Acesso a Tratamento Endovascular para Acidente Vascular Cerebral Isquémico em Portugal

Introduction: Since the publication of endovascular treatment trials and European Stroke Guidelines, Portugal has re-organized stroke healthcare. The nine centers performing endovascular treatment are not equally distributed within the country, which may lead to differential access to endovascular treatment. Our main aim was to perform a descriptive analysis of the main treatment metrics regarding endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal and its administrative districts. Material and Methods: A retrospective national multicentric cohort study was conducted, including all ischemic stroke patients treated with endovascular treatment in mainland Portugal over two years (July 2015 to June 2017). All endovascular treatment centers contributed to an anonymized database. Demographic, stroke-related and procedure-related variables were collected. Crude endovascular treatment rates were calculated per 100 000 inhabitants for mainland Portugal, and each district and endovascular treatment standardized ratios (indirect age-sex standardization) were also calculated. Patient time metrics were computed as the median time between stroke onset, first-door, and puncture. Results: A total of 1625 endovascular treatment procedures were registered. The endovascular treatment rate was 8.27/100 000 inhabitants/year. We found regional heterogeneity in endovascular treatment rates (1.58 to 16.53/100 000/year), with higher rates in districts closer to endovascular treatment centers. When analyzed by district, the median time from stroke onset to puncture ranged from 212 to 432 minutes, reflecting regional heterogeneity. Conclusion: The overall national rate of EVT in the first two years after the organization of EVT-capable centers is one of the highest among European countries, however, significant regional disparities were documented. Moreover, stroke-onset-to-first-door times and in-hospital procedural times in the EVT centers were comparable to those reported in the randomized controlled trials performed in high-volume tertiary hospitals.Introdução: A aprovação do tratamento endovascular para o acidente vascular cerebral isquémico obrigou à reorganização dos cuidados de saúde em Portugal. Os nove centros que realizam tratamento endovascular não estão distribuídos equitativamente pelo território, o que poderá causar acesso diferencial a tratamento. O principal objetivo deste estudo é realizar uma análise descritiva da frequência e métricas temporais do tratamento endovascular em Portugal continental e seus distritos. Material e Métodos: Estudo de coorte nacional multicêntrico, incluindo todos os doentes com acidente vascular cerebral isquémico submetidos a tratamento endovascular em Portugal continental durante um período de dois anos (julho 2015 a junho 2017). Foram colhidos dados demográficos, relacionados com o acidente vascular cerebral e variáveis do procedimento. Taxas de tratamento endovascular brutas e ajustadas (ajuste indireto a idade e sexo) foram calculadas por 100 000 habitantes/ano para Portugal continental e cada distrito. Métricas de procedimento como tempo entre instalação, primeira porta e punção foram também analisadas. Resultados: Foram registados 1625 tratamentos endovasculares, indicando uma taxa bruta nacional de tratamento endovascular de 8,27/100 000 habitantes/ano. As taxas de tratamento endovascular entre distritos variaram entre 1,58 e 16,53/100 000/ano, com taxas mais elevadas nos distritos próximos a hospitais com tratamento endovascular. O tempo entre sintomas e punção femural entre distritos variou entre 212 e 432 minutos. Conclusão: Portugal continental apresenta uma taxa nacional de tratamento endovascular elevada, apresentando, contudo, assimetrias regionais no acesso. As métricas temporais foram comparáveis com as observadas nos ensaios clínicos piloto

Mammals in Portugal: a data set of terrestrial, volant, and marine mammal occurrences in Portugal

Mammals are threatened worldwide, with ~26% of all species being included in the IUCN threatened categories. This overall pattern is primarily associated with habitat loss or degradation, and human persecution for terrestrial mammals, and pollution, open net fishing, climate change, and prey depletion for marine mammals. Mammals play a key role in maintaining ecosystems functionality and resilience, and therefore information on their distribution is crucial to delineate and support conservation actions. MAMMALS IN PORTUGAL is a publicly available data set compiling unpublished georeferenced occurrence records of 92 terrestrial, volant, and marine mammals in mainland Portugal and archipelagos of the Azores and Madeira that includes 105,026 data entries between 1873 and 2021 (72% of the data occurring in 2000 and 2021). The methods used to collect the data were: live observations/captures (43%), sign surveys (35%), camera trapping (16%), bioacoustics surveys (4%) and radiotracking, and inquiries that represent less than 1% of the records. The data set includes 13 types of records: (1) burrows | soil mounds | tunnel, (2) capture, (3) colony, (4) dead animal | hair | skulls | jaws, (5) genetic confirmation, (6) inquiries, (7) observation of live animal (8), observation in shelters, (9) photo trapping | video, (10) predators diet | pellets | pine cones/nuts, (11) scat | track | ditch, (12) telemetry and (13) vocalization | echolocation. The spatial uncertainty of most records ranges between 0 and 100 m (76%). Rodentia (n =31,573) has the highest number of records followed by Chiroptera (n = 18,857), Carnivora (n = 18,594), Lagomorpha (n = 17,496), Cetartiodactyla (n = 11,568) and Eulipotyphla (n = 7008). The data set includes records of species classified by the IUCN as threatened (e.g., Oryctolagus cuniculus [n = 12,159], Monachus monachus [n = 1,512], and Lynx pardinus [n = 197]). We believe that this data set may stimulate the publication of other European countries data sets that would certainly contribute to ecology and conservation-related research, and therefore assisting on the development of more accurate and tailored conservation management strategies for each species. There are no copyright restrictions; please cite this data paper when the data are used in publications

COVID-19 symptoms at hospital admission vary with age and sex: results from the ISARIC prospective multinational observational study

Background: The ISARIC prospective multinational observational study is the largest cohort of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. We present relationships of age, sex, and nationality to presenting symptoms. Methods: International, prospective observational study of 60 109 hospitalized symptomatic patients with laboratory-confirmed COVID-19 recruited from 43 countries between 30 January and 3 August 2020. Logistic regression was performed to evaluate relationships of age and sex to published COVID-19 case definitions and the most commonly reported symptoms. Results: ‘Typical’ symptoms of fever (69%), cough (68%) and shortness of breath (66%) were the most commonly reported. 92% of patients experienced at least one of these. Prevalence of typical symptoms was greatest in 30- to 60-year-olds (respectively 80, 79, 69%; at least one 95%). They were reported less frequently in children (≤ 18 years: 69, 48, 23; 85%), older adults (≥ 70 years: 61, 62, 65; 90%), and women (66, 66, 64; 90%; vs. men 71, 70, 67; 93%, each P < 0.001). The most common atypical presentations under 60 years of age were nausea and vomiting and abdominal pain, and over 60 years was confusion. Regression models showed significant differences in symptoms with sex, age and country. Interpretation: This international collaboration has allowed us to report reliable symptom data from the largest cohort of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19. Adults over 60 and children admitted to hospital with COVID-19 are less likely to present with typical symptoms. Nausea and vomiting are common atypical presentations under 30 years. Confusion is a frequent atypical presentation of COVID-19 in adults over 60 years. Women are less likely to experience typical symptoms than men

implementation and initial results

OBJECTIVE: To describe the implementation, main intervention areas and initial results of the Integrated Strategy for the Promotion of Healthy Eating (EIPAS) in Portugal. METHODS: EIPAS was published as a Law, in December of 2017, as a result of a collaboration between several ministries, including the Finance, Internal Affairs, Education, Health, Economy, Agriculture, and Sea Ministries, aiming at improving the dietary habits of the Portuguese population. The working group, led by the Ministry of Health, developed this strategy for over a year. The framework produced was based on WHO and European Commission recommendations as well as on relevant data from the last Portuguese dietary intake survey (2015/2016). EIPAS also reflects the results of a public hearing, including the food industry, among others, and the experience gathered, since 2012, through the National Programme for the Promotion of Healthy Eating. It considers the 'health in all policies' challenge set by WHO and has four different strategic areas, namely (1) creation of healthier food environments, (2) improvement of the quality and accessibility of healthy food choices for consumers, (3) promotion and development of literacy, in order to encourage healthy food choices, and (4) promotion of innovation and entrepreneurship. In order to achieve these goals, a set of 51 actions was established and assigned to the seven ministries involved. RESULTS: Under the scope of this strategy, Portugal has already implemented several actions, including (1) definition of standards for food availability at all public healthcare institutions; (2) implementation of a sugar tax on sweetened beverages; (3) implementation of a voluntary agreement with the food industry sector for food reformulation (work in progress); (4) design of a proposal for an interpretative model of front-of-pack food labelling; (5) improvement of the nutritional quality of food aid programmes for low-income groups; and (6) regulation of marketing of unhealthy foods to children. CONCLUSIONS: For the first time, Portugal has a nutrition policy based on the WHO concept of 'health in all policies' and on the national data on food intake. The implementing process of all 51 actions and the inherent complexities and difficulties found so far have made this process be an authentic political and social laboratory that deserves to be followed.publishersversionpublishe

Characterisation of microbial attack on archaeological bone

As part of an EU funded project to investigate the factors influencing bone preservation in the archaeological record, more than 250 bones from 41 archaeological sites in five countries spanning four climatic regions were studied for diagenetic alteration. Sites were selected to cover a range of environmental conditions and archaeological contexts. Microscopic and physical (mercury intrusion porosimetry) analyses of these bones revealed that the majority (68%) had suffered microbial attack. Furthermore, significant differences were found between animal and human bone in both the state of preservation and the type of microbial attack present. These differences in preservation might result from differences in early taphonomy of the bones. © 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved