Analytical characterization of ancient mortars from the archaeological roman site of Pisões (Beja, Portugal)

The analytical characterization of mortar samples from the roman archaeological site of Pisões, located in Southern Portugal, were carried out by means of X-ray diffractometry (XRD), thermogravimetry (TGADTA), optical and electron scanning microscopy (SEM-EDS), potentiometry and combustion analysis. The Pisões archaeological complex includes a villa rustica, characterized by well-preserved mosaics and thermal baths, as well as a mill and a mausoleum. Countryside villae epitomized the Romanization of the Iberian Peninsula for over six centuries (2nd century BCE–4th century CE). Nevertheless, most of the Roman villae identified in Portugal have not yet been systematically explored and studied. This study provides valuable data on the construction materials and techniques used in Roman times in the Iberian Peninsula. The careful selection of raw materials and the use of natural and artificial pozzolanic materials can explain the favourable state of conservation, mechanical strength and long-term durability of these mortars

Multi-criteria analysis of rehabilitation techniques for traditional timber frame walls in Pombalino buildings (Lisbon)

This research aims to evaluate the intervention techniques currently adopted for the traditional timber frame wall, using a case study in downtown Lisbon.Different rehabilitation solutions were identified and assessed through a multi-criteria decision analysis using dedicated software (M-Macbeth, Measuring Attractiveness by a Categorical-Based Evaluation technique).Five evaluation criteria, i.e. material compatibility and permanence, structural reliability and authenticity, and visual-tactile appearance, were selected for this specific context. A multidisciplinary panel of experts in conservation science were consulted for defining the performance descriptors, evaluation levels, and weightings of these criteria. Results show that Macbeth is a useful decision-aid capable of handling multiple outputs generated from qualitative expert judgments. Lastly, the predominance of five best-scoring interventions within three design-related scenarios is discussed.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BD/94980/2013, SFRH/BPD/99891/2014).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Durability assessment of external thermal insulation composite systems in urban and maritime environments

External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are multilayer solutions which provide an enhanced thermal performance to the building envelope. However, significant anomalies can be detected on ETICS facades, in some cases shortly after the application of these systems. This study intends to evaluate and compare the durability of six commercially available ETICS after two years of outdoor exposure at both urban and maritime conditions in Portugal. The systems were characterized by means of non-destructive testing (i.e., visual and microscopic assessment, water transport properties, thermal conductivity, surface roughness), thus allowing to evaluate the performance loss throughout natural aging. The bio-susceptibility and aesthetic properties (color and gloss) were also investigated. Results showed that the performance and durability of the complete system is significantly affected by the rendering system formulation. The lime-based specimens obtained the highest rate of mold development after one year of aging in a maritime environment, becoming considerably darker and with lower surface gloss. Fungal analysis of this darkish stained area indicated the presence of mold species of the genera Alternaria, Didymella, Cladosporium and Epicoccum, and yeasts of the genera Vishniacozyma and Cystobasidium. An increase of both capillary water absorption and water vapor permeability was also registered for the aged lime-based specimens. Acrylic-based systems obtained lower capillary water absorption after aging and greater dirt deposition on their surfaces, especially in urban conditions. These systems had also higher color variation and surface gloss decrease and slightly higher mold growth, when compared with those aged in a maritime environment. Finally, no mold growth was detected on the silicate-based specimens after two years of aging. However, these specimens obtained higher capillary water absorption and lower vapor permeability after aging, possibly leading to moisture accumulation within the system. Results contribute towards the development of ETICS with enhanced performance and durability.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Durability assessment of external thermal insulation composite systems in urban and maritime environments

Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for funding the research project PTDC/ECI-EGC/30681/2017 (WGB_Shield – Shielding building facades for cities revitalization. Triple resistance to water, graffiti and biocolonization of external thermal insulation systems), the research units CERIS ( UIDB/04625/2020 ), CERENA ( UIDB/04028/2020 ) and iBB ( UIDP/04565/2020 ), the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy – i4HB ( LA/P/0140/2020 ), and the Ph.D. scholarship 2020.05180.BD (J. L. Parracha). The authors also acknowledge CIN, Saint-Gobain and Secil for the material supply and the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) for the meteorological data. Funding Information: The authors acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for funding the research project PTDC/ECI-EGC/30681/2017 (WGB_Shield – Shielding building facades for cities revitalization. Triple resistance to water, graffiti and biocolonization of external thermal insulation systems), the research units CERIS (UIDB/04625/2020), CERENA (UIDB/04028/2020) and iBB (UIDP/04565/2020), the Associate Laboratory Institute for Health and Bioeconomy – i4HB (LA/P/0140/2020), and the Ph.D. scholarship 2020.05180.BD (J. L. Parracha). The authors also acknowledge CIN, Saint-Gobain and Secil for the material supply and the Portuguese Institute for Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) for the meteorological data. Publisher Copyright: © 2022 Elsevier B.V.External Thermal Insulation Composite Systems (ETICS) are multilayer solutions which provide an enhanced thermal performance to the building envelope. However, significant anomalies can be detected on ETICS facades, in some cases shortly after the application of these systems. This study intends to evaluate and compare the durability of six commercially available ETICS after two years of outdoor exposure at both urban and maritime conditions in Portugal. The systems were characterized by means of non-destructive testing (i.e., visual and microscopic assessment, water transport properties, thermal conductivity, surface roughness), thus allowing to evaluate the performance loss throughout natural aging. The bio-susceptibility and aesthetic properties (color and gloss) were also investigated. Results showed that the performance and durability of the complete system is significantly affected by the rendering system formulation. The lime-based specimens obtained the highest rate of mold development after one year of aging in a maritime environment, becoming considerably darker and with lower surface gloss. Fungal analysis of this darkish stained area indicated the presence of mold species of the genera Alternaria, Didymella, Cladosporium and Epicoccum, and yeasts of the genera Vishniacozyma and Cystobasidium. An increase of both capillary water absorption and water vapor permeability was also registered for the aged lime-based specimens. Acrylic-based systems obtained lower capillary water absorption after aging and greater dirt deposition on their surfaces, especially in urban conditions. These systems had also higher color variation and surface gloss decrease and slightly higher mold growth, when compared with those aged in a maritime environment. Finally, no mold growth was detected on the silicate-based specimens after two years of aging. However, these specimens obtained higher capillary water absorption and lower vapor permeability after aging, possibly leading to moisture accumulation within the system. Results contribute towards the development of ETICS with enhanced performance and durability.publishersversionpublishe

Farinhas integrais de banana verde prata e nanica: potencial de aplicação na alimentação humana.

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Federico Cesi's Mycological Codex and its copies

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Influence of different types of solvent on the effectiveness of nanolime treatments on highly porous mortar substrates

Historic calcareous structures suffer from weathering processes that result in the loss of some of their original properties. Nanolime products represent an attractive choice for the consolidation of these substrates containing calcite due to their high chemical compatibility with the original structure. The effectiveness of nanolime products has been widely proven for superficial consolidation treatments (e.g. plasters and wall-paintings). However, its consolidation mechanism in highly porous substrates (e.g. limestones or lime mortars) still needs to be fully understood. The aim of this paper is to study the influence of different types of solvent on the effectiveness of nanolime treatments on highly porous lime-mortars. The consolidation effectiveness is investigated by evaluating changes on superficial cohesion, porosity, drilling resistance, water absorption by capillarity, drying rate and aesthetic properties. Results showed that nanolime dispersed in a mixture of isopropanol (50%) and water (50%) yielded slightly better consolidation properties in terms of reduction in porosity, increase in strength and penetration within coarse lime-mortars than nanolime dispersed in other solvents

Mapping research activity on mental health disorders in Europe: Study protocol for the Mapping_NCD project

© 2016 The Author(s). Background: Mental health disorders (MHDs) constitute a large and growing disease burden in Europe, although they typically receive less attention and research funding than other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). This study protocol describes a methodology for the mapping of MHD research in Europe as part of Mapping_NCD, a 2-year project funded by the European Commission which seeks to map European research funding and impact for five NCDs in order to identify potential gaps, overlaps, synergies and opportunities, and to develop evidence-based policies for future research. Methods: The project aims to develop a multi-focal view of the MHD research landscape across the 28 European Union Member States, plus Iceland, Norway and Switzerland, through a survey of European funding entities, analysis of research initiatives undertaken in the public, voluntary/not-for-profit and commercial sectors, and expert interviews to contextualize the gathered data. The impact of MHD research will be explored using bibliometric analyses of scientific publications, clinical guidelines and newspaper stories reporting on research initiatives. Finally, these research inputs and outputs will be considered in light of various metrics that have been proposed to inform priorities for the allocation of research funds, including burden of disease, treatment gaps and cost of illness. Discussion: Given the growing burden of MHDs, a clear and broad view of the current state of MHD research is needed to ensure that limited resources are directed to evidence-based priority areas. MHDs pose a particular challenge in mapping the research landscape due to their complex nature, high co-morbidity and varying diagnostic criteria. Undertaking such an effort across 31 countries is further challenged by differences in data collection, healthcare systems, reimbursement rates and clinical practices, as well as cultural and socioeconomic diversity. Using multiple methods to explore the spectrum of MHD research funding activity across Europe, this project aims to develop a broad, high-level perspective to inform priority setting for future research