Seismic performance assessment of a timber log house

The current work presents a full scale shaking table test conducted on a twostoreyed timber log house, designed according to the state of the art on timber engineering. The test was performed within the framework of the SERIES Project “Multi-storey timber buildings” at LNEC, Lisbon, Portugal. Several tests and studies have been carried out by the University of Minho to characterize the behavior of the different components (logs, walls, slabs, connections, etc.) of log houses in the past few years for the European Technical Approval (ETA) of this construction system. The main results of the shaking table test are presented along with the preliminary analysis of the overall behavior of the log house. The analysis was carried out based on the shaking table tests and on a numerical model developed to estimate the main seismic parameters using the data obtained from the different individual studies on each component of the construction system performed within the framework of the ETA

Seismic analysis of a 2-storey log house

The current paper deals with the analysis of the results yielded by a series of tests performed to evaluate the seismic behaviour of a model log construction. The study was based on an experimental investigation performed to improve the existing knowledge on log houses subject to seismic events. The main part of the experimental work is based on a full scale shaking table test, conducted on a two-storey log house designed by the Portuguese company Rusticasa® in compliance with design rules for timber buildings. The test was performed by the University of Minho within the framework of the SERIES Project ‘Multi-storey timber buildings’ and was coordinated by the University of Trento, at LNEC, Lisbon, Portugal. The geometry of the specimen, the design of the test, the setup and the instrumentation layout are first presented in this paper. The test procedure was conducted in stages with maximum accelerations (bi-directional) of 0.07g, 0.28g and 0.5g. The experimental results of each test have been analyzed and the resultant values of inter-storey drift, wall slippage and uplift measurements, shear deformations and hold-down forces measured are presented. Most importantly, the dynamic properties (fundamental period and mode shapes) of the system have been determined

"Our interaction was very productive": levels of reflection in learners’ diaries in teletandem

This investigation aims to analyze what Brazilian participants say about teletandem interaction in their diaries and how (or if) they reflect upon it. Data are elicited from 350 diaries written in English and stored in MulTeC (Multimodal Teletandem Corpus) (Aranha, Lopes, 2019) and compiled by 333 fragments of text in which the most frequent word “interaction” (Leone et al., ongoing) occurs. The analytical framework is based on Moon´s (2004) reflective writing and Garcia et.al (2017) proposal of metacognitive operations. Results reveal that 41% of the fragments featured mere descriptions of the events that occurred during the interaction, while most (59%) of them presented some degree of reflection. In our data, reflection seems to be based on: (i) the assessment of the interaction, in line with Garcia et al. (2017)´s proposal that assessment represents a frequent metacognitive operation; (ii) recognition of different elements that are relevant for language learning in teletandem, i.e., partner’s collaboration and task specificities. Our findings also indicate that the other metacognitive operations (setting goals, planning, selecting resources, managing emotions) support or motivate the judgments made by learners. This finding corroborates the notion proposed in other research (Moon, 2004; 2010) that writing diaries may promote reflection, which is a fundamental aspect of autonomous learning

Hybrid nanoparticles to co-delivery drugs with improved properties for topical ocular application

The authors thank the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal for the financial support: projects UIDB/04138/2020 and UIDP/04138/2020 (iMed.Ulisboa), L. Gonçalves Principal Researcher grant (CEECIND/03143/2017).Background: There is an increasing of several eye diseases, which makes it necessary to develop formulations in this field. Despite this need, the permeation of drugs through the ocular membranes is impaired due to the anatomy and physiology of the human eye. Thus, the need arises to include permeation enhancers in topical ophthalmic formulations to increase the permeability of the drug in the ocular membranes(1). The combination of an anti-inflammatory and an antibiotic would also be very beneficial, as most eye pathologies have inflammation inherent in an infection. Aims: Develop lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (HyLPNs), with enhanced properties for topical ocular drug delivery. Methods: The HyLPNs formulations were produced accordingly to a published methodology of our research group(2). Precirol® at 0.05% (w/v) was used as lipid phase and Pluronic™ F-68 at 0.1% (w/v), a biocompatible non-ionic surfactant in aqueous phase. To produce hybrid nanoparticles, low molecular weight chitosan was added to the aqueous phase. Also, to improve the mucoadhesive properties and permeability of the nanoparticles, Gelucire® 48/16 and hyaluronic acid with an average molecular weight of 50 kDa were added, and HP-β-CD was added to the lipid phase. After optimizing the HyLPNs, an antibiotic (levofloxacin) and an anti-inflammatory (ibuprofen) were incorporated. Results: The final formulation has a size of 224.3 ± 5.0nm, a PDI of 0.304 ± 0.011 and zeta potential of -12.7 ± 0.3mV. The efficiency of encapsulation was 90.1 ± 0.6 % and 79.2 ± 5.6%, with a drug loading of 2.16 ± 0.12% and 1.87 ± 0.18% for levofloxacin and ibuprofen, respectively. In vitro assays with ARPE-19 cell line shown that HyLPNs are biocompatible, without affecting either the cell membrane integrity or the metabolic state. Conclusions: The results allow to showinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Shaking table tests of a two-storey log house

This paper presents the findings of an experimental campaign that was conducted to investigate the seismic behaviour of log houses. A two-storey log house designed by the Portuguese company Rusticasa® was subjected to a series of shaking table tests at LNEC, Lisbon, Portugal. The paper contains the description of the geometry and construction of the house and all the aspects related to the testing procedure, namely the pre-design, the setup, instrumentation and the testing process itself. The shaking table tests were carried out with a scaled spectrum of the Montenegro (1979) earthquake, at increasing levels of PGA, starting from 0.07g, moving on to 0.28g and finally 0.5g. The log house did not suffer any major damage and remained in working condition throughout the entire process. The preliminary analysis of the overall behaviour of the log house is also discussed.Acknowledgement to 'Series': the research leading to these results has received funding from the European Union's Seventh Framework Programme (FP7/2007-2013) under grant agreement no. 227887 (Series)

Effect of experimental parameters on alginate/chitosan microparticles for BCG encapsulation

The aim of the present study was to develop novel Mycobacterium bovis bacille Calmette-Guérin (BCG)-loaded polymeric microparticles with optimized particle surface characteristics and biocompatibility, so that whole live attenuated bacteria could be further used for pre-exposure vaccination against Mycobacterium tuberculosis by the intranasal route. BCG was encapsulated in chitosan and alginate microparticles through three different polyionic complexation methods by high speed stirring. For comparison purposes, similar formulations were prepared with high shear homogenization and sonication. Additional optimization studies were conducted with polymers of different quality specifications in a wide range of pH values, and with three different cryoprotectors. Particle morphology, size distribution, encapsulation efficiency, surface charge, physicochemical properties and biocompatibility were assessed. Particles exhibited a micrometer size and a spherical morphology. Chitosan addition to BCG shifted the bacilli surface charge from negative zeta potential values to strongly positive ones. Chitosan of low molecular weight produced particle suspensions of lower size distribution and higher stability, allowing efficient BCG encapsulation and biocompatibility. Particle formulation consistency was improved when the availability of functional groups from alginate and chitosan was close to stoichiometric proportion. Thus, the herein described microparticulate system constitutes a promising strategy to deliver BCG vaccine by the intranasal route

Olhar enquadrado: A Paisagem como regime estético representacional (Análise do filme Uma Viagem Extraordinária).

A geografia contemporânea, tem se aproximado cada vez mais da discussão sobre as imagens e pensado como estas influenciam em nossas narrativas sobre os lugares. Doreen Massey (2012) é uma das principais autoras que nos baseamos para problematizar a política espacial das imagens na contemporaneidade, mais incisivamente quando pensa as imagens como uma forma privilegiada de produzir narrativas, participando do processo de educação visual (MASSEY, 2012). Nesse mote, interessa-nos discutir, como o conceito de paisagem na geografia, se estabeleceu num regime estético representativo, através do qual a equivalência entre representação e espacialização pode ser confirmada (MASSEY, 2012, p.116). Ao pensarmos a importância da imagem para os estudos geográficos, estamos inseridos num debate recente desenvolvido pela nova geografia cultural. Nesse ínterim interessou-nos discutir as imagens do cinema como produto da cultura que refletem atualizam - uma estrutura de representação estética dominante. Discutimos o conceito de paisagem tido como exterioridade e como sinônimo de Natureza, tomando como referência autores como Cauquelin (2007), Besse (2006; 2014) e Roger (2009), cujos estudos nos ajudaram a pensar a estética hegemônica da paisagem representada pelos aspectos exteriores. Como desdobramento desses estudos, e baseados nas obras de Pessoa (1965), Queiroz Filho (2009) e Collot (2013) nos dispomos a pensar a paisagem como um estado de alma, como pertencente também a uma dimensão interior. Para isso, analisamos o filme Uma Viagem Extraordinária, tendo em vista o papel das imagens na profusão de imaginações sobre o espaço e na atualização de determinada forma de entender a paisagem. Os procedimentos analíticos ocorreram em três momentos. No primeiro tipificamos e categorizamos a paisagem como exterior e interior, destacando elementos recorrentes em cada uma destas. Posteriormente produzimos um plano de equivalência entre a paisagem (tipificada anteriormente) e a linguagem do cinema. No terceiro movimento, aplicamos essa metodologia a análise ao filme proposto, demonstrando esse padrão estético recorrente nas paisagens exteriores e interiores a partir das imagens do filme. Concluímos apontando que essa metodologia nos permitiu demonstrar como tais elementos recorrem na linguagem cinematográfica e na representação do conceito para a geografia, evidenciando a equivalência e a articulação da estética corrente

La búsqueda de información en la Red. El caso Google.

O jornal comunitário Voz do Nicéia é um projeto de extensão universitária desenvolvido por alunos do curso de jornalismo da Unesp, Câmpus de Bauru, e direcionado aos moradores da comunidade carente Jardim Nicéia, bairro localizado a três quadras da universidade, mas, ao mesmo tempo, isolado da cidade por suas condições sociais, políticas e econômicas. Até há alguns anos, tratava-se de um conjunto de casas completamente fora do centro urbano. Todavia, com a expansão imobiliária hoje é rodeado por condomínios de luxo. O objetivo da publicação é dar voz aos moradores, expondo seus problemas ao poder público e impulsionando a mobilização social na comunidade. O jornal possibilita aos estudantes o exercício pleno da atividade jornalística, visto que eles participam de todas as etapas de produção, desde a coleta de pautas à distribuição do produto aos moradores do bairro. Além disso, o exercício da responsabilidade é obrigatório porque o público alvo existe e fiscaliza o conteúdo dos jornais

In vitro cytocompatibility evaluation of poly(DL-lactic acid) scaffolds loaded with minocycline and voriconazole addressing osteomyelitis

Osteomyelitis or bone infection is an acute or chronic inflammatory process involving the bone and its structures, secondary to infection with pyogenic organisms, such as bacteria and fungi. Considering the associated high patient economic burden, morbidity, and mortality, it is essential to develop novel strategies for osteomyelitis management. Porous scaffolds based on biomaterials may locally deliver high concentrations of antibiotics, an effective strategy in eradicating bone infection. When incorporating bioactive bioglasses and bioresorbable polymers like poly(DL-lactic acid) (PDLLA), these structures exhibit biosafety, biodegradability, and the expected global structure to promote cell expansion and cell differentiation, being critical to consider and evaluate their biocompatibility compliance. As the encapsulation of more than one active pharmaceutical ingredient is an attractive approach, the present study focuses on the cytocompatibility evaluation of an innovative system based on the dual delivery of two antimicrobials, an antibiotic that enhances bone formation, minocycline (MH), and an antifungal agent with a broad spectrum of activity, voriconazole (VCZ), aiming bone infection therapeutics. Scaffolds were prepared by solvent casting/particulate leaching techniques and functionalized with bioglass. The scaffolds produced were adsorbed with 0.5 or 0.1 mg/mL of minocycline and also with 0.1 mg/mL of voriconazole. To test the bio-functionality and the biological safety of scaffolds, in vitro cell assays were achieved employing the MG-63 cell line (ATCC® CRL-1427TM human osteoblast cell line). The AlamarBlue® assay was used to measure cell proliferation in the scaffold. As osteoblast differentiation markers, the following were determined: alkaline phosphatase activity and mineralization using Alizarin red assay, an indicator of in vitro bone formation. All scaffolds sustained the proliferation of metabolically active cells, nonetheless, scaffolds adsorbed with the highest concentration of MH (0.5 mg/mL) presented a significant (p<0.05) cytotoxic effect. Matrix maturation assays supported early osteoblasts differentiation and the osteoinductive role of minocycline described in the literature was also highlighted. Matrix mineralization analysis showed the highest value associated with scaffolds with both antimicrobials adsorbed. Once the described scaffolds enhanced osteoblasts' differentiation, and matrix mineralization and evidenced no cytotoxic effects, they come to light as an auspicious alternative for local antimicrobial therapy addressing osteomyelitis prevention and therapeutics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

In vitro cytocompatibility evaluation of poly(DL-lactic acid) scaffolds loaded with minocycline and voriconazole addressing osteomyelitis

Purpose: In this work is proposed the cytocompatibility evaluation of an innovative system based on the dual delivery of minocycline (Min) and voriconazole (Vor), aiming for bone infection therapeutics.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio