Digital-by-Default: Exclusion through Digital Public Service Channels

The use of digital channels has been promoted by governments as a way of improving services and reducing costs. This article aims to discuss how new forms of exclusion can be created by policies based on a digital-by-default orientation. To this end, more than 1.2 million service records are analyzed, as well as being considered socioeconomic indicators and spatial factors of the city of São Paulo. Results show that there is a statistically significant correlation between income and digital channels usage, as well as between digital channels usage and the requested service attendance time. It is also verified that the districts of the central region of the city tend to have high income, high rates of human development and high digital channels usage, while the periphery’s districts tend to have low income, lower rates of human development and high traditional channels usage. It is concluded that, by prioritizing digital service channels, new forms of social exclusion are being created and that a portion of the population may be forgotten by the government

Risk factors for human papillomavirus infection among women in Portugal: the CLEOPATRE Portugal Study

OBJECTIVE: To investigate demographic, socioeconomic, lifestyle, and medical factors that might predispose women to cervical human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. METHOD: A cross-sectional population-based study was performed. Women aged 18-64 years who attended selected obstetrics and gynecology or sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinics in mainland Portugal between February 2008 and March 2009 were recruited, according to an age-stratified sampling strategy. Liquid-based cytology samples were analyzed centrally for HPV genotype and for cytologic features. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses identified risk factors for HPV infection. RESULTS: Among the 2326 women evaluated, the crude prevalence of HPV infection was 19.4%. Lifetime number of sexual partners was a strong predictor of HPV infection (odds ratio 5.44 for 5-10 partners versus 1 partner; P<0.001). Other risk factors were young age (particularly among women aged 20-24 years; P<0.001); country of birth other than mainland Portugal (P=0.002); education up to secondary school level (P=0.010); smoking history (≤ 10 years; P=0.004); and any STD in the past 12 months (P=0.052). CONCLUSION: Data from the present study may aid identification of women at increased risk of HPV infection and target prevention strategies. TRIAL REGISTRATION: National Commission of Data Protection (CNPD) registration number 5346/2007; Sanofi Pasteur MSD study number HPV-E05.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

DINÂMICA DE CIANOBACTÉRIAS EM RESERVATÓRIOS EUTRÓFICOS DO SEMI-ÁRIDO DO RIO GRANDE DO NORTE

revista vol 13 nº 2.indd The present paper reports on the temporal dynamics of phytoplankton in six eutrophic water reservoirs in Rio Grande do Norte State, Brazil, during the dry and rainy periods between September/2002 and March/2004. The eutrophication state of the reservoirs oscillated between mesotrophic and hipertrophic, thus reflecting significant variation in the nutrient composition and local biomass of algae over time. Mean depth of the reservoirs, water specific conductance, and TN/TP ratio were determinant causes for the variation of phytoplankton species. The phytoplankton community was dominated by cyanobacteria, reflecting in poor species richness and elevated biomass. Most cyanobacteria were potentially toxin-producing species, and hepatotoxin-producing blooms were recurrent. The phytoplankton was basically composed by M-group species (SR- strategists -Microcystis spp.) during the rainy period, and of an association of S1 and Sn species (R-strategists - Planktothrix and Cylindrospermopsis) during the dry period. Alternation between dominant species were also observed, which took place with associated species H, H1 S1, (R-philamentous heterocystic algae - Anabaena spp. and Aphanizomenon), K species and Lo species (C-strategists) represented by small colonies of Aphanocapsa and Snowella, however with smaller relative biomass. Elevated cyanobacterial populations and hepatotoxin-producing blooms in these water reservoirs represent a threat to human health, and controlling these blooms is strongly recommended.revista vol 13 nº 2.indd Con el objetivo de conocer la dinámica de las cianobacterias e identificar los factores que influencian esa comunidad en una región tropical semi-árida. Las colectas (n=5) fueron realizadas trimestralmente, en seis represas en Rio Grande do Norte, en la cuenca hidrográfica del rio Piranhas-Assu (04º S e 36º W), entre septiembre/2002 y marzo/2004, abarcando períodos de sequia y lluvia. El estado trófico de las represas vario entre eutrófico (en la mayor parte de los muestreos), mesotrófico e hipertrófico. La profundidad media (Zmed), conductividad eléctrica y razón TN/TP (masa) explicaron una proporción significativa de la varianza de las especies de fitoplâncton. La comunidad fitoplanctonica fue dominada por cianobacterias, con baja riqueza de especies y alta biomasa. El fitoplancton fue representado básicamente por especies de asociación M (S/R estrategas-Microcystis spp.) en el período de lluvias y asociación S1 y Sn (R estrategas - Planktotrix y Cylindrospermopsis) en el periodo de sequia. Fue también observada alternancia en la dominancia de estas especies, co-ocurriendo con especies de asociación H, H1 S1, (S R-filamentosas heterocitadas - Anabaena spp. y Aphanizomenon), K y Lo (C-estrategas), representadas por pequeñas colonias de Aphanocapsa y Snowella, con menor importancia de contribución relativa. La dominancia de cianobacterias y la presencia de floraciones hepatotóxicas como consecuencia negativa de la eutrofización representan una amenaza constante y necesita medidas de mitigación, con el objetivo de proteger la salud humana y de los recursos hídricos.Visando conhecer a dinâmica de cianobactérias e identificar os fatores que influenciam essa comunidade em região tropical semi-árida, foram realizadas coletas trimestrais (n=5) em seis reservatórios do Rio Grande do Norte, situados na bacia hidrográfica do rio Piranhas-Assu (04º S e 36º W), entre setembro/2002 a março/2004, abrangendo períodos de estiagem e chuva. O estado trófico dos reservatórios variou entre a eutrofia (na maior parte das amostragens), mesotrofia e hipereutrofia. A profundidade média (Zm), a condutividade elétrica e a razão TN/TP explicaram uma proporção significativa da variância das espécies do fitoplâncton. A comunidade fitoplanctônica foi dominada por cianobactérias, com baixa riqueza de espécies e alta biomassa. O fitoplâncton foi representado basicamente por espécies de associação M (S/R estrategistas - Microcystis spp.) no período de chuvas e associação S1 e Sn (R estrategistas - Planktotrix e Cylindrospermopsis) na estiagem. Foi também observada alternância na dominância dessas espécies, co-ocorrendo com espécies de associação H, H1 S1, (SR-filamentosas heterocitadas - Anabaena spp. e Aphanizomenon), K e Lo (C estrategistas), representadas por pequenas colônias de Aphanocapsa e Snowella, com menor importância de contribuição relativa. A dominância de cianobactérias e a presença de florações hepatotóxicas como conseqüência negativa da eutrofização representa uma ameaça constante e necessita de medidas de mitigação, visando à proteção da saúde humana e dos recursos hídricos

Influence of fibre reinforcement on the post-cracking behaviour of a cement-stabilised sandy-clay subjected to indirect tensile stress

An experimental campaign was carried out to determine the influence of polypropylene fibre content and length on the post-cracking response of a sandy-clay stabilised with different cement contents. Three main sets of specimens were prepared: cement-stabilised specimens with two cement contents (5% and 10%); fibre-reinforced specimens with three fibre contents (0.1%, 0.2% and 0.3%) and cement-fibre-reinforced specimens combining the mentioned fibre and cement contents. Tensile tests on the fibres and indirect tensile tests and triaxial compression tests on the prepared specimens were conducted. Results show that the post-cracking behaviour is strongly affected by the combination of fibre and cement content as well as fibre length. Pull-out was the governing failure mode. Post-peak tension loss rate increased with fibre content, as a result of the loss of influence of the fibres on the post-peak behaviour. On the contrary, an increase in fibre content resulted in higher pre-peak strength gain rates and higher peak stresses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

[1-(2,5-Dichloroanilino)-5-methyl-1H-1,2,3-triazol-4-yl]methanol

In the title compound, C10H10Cl2N4O, the hy­droxy group and benzene ring are disposed to opposite sides of the central 1,2,3-triazolyl ring. The dihedral angle between the five- and six-membered rings is 87.51 (12)°, and the C-O bond of the hy­droxy group lies almost normal to the plane of the 5-membered ring [N-C-C-O = -93.2 (2)°]. An intra­molecular amino-N-H...Cl hydrogen bond is noted. In the extended structure, supra­molecular layers in the ab plane are formed via hy­droxy-O-H...N(ring) and amine-N-H...O(hy­droxy) hydrogen bonds. The layers are connected along the c axis by [pi]-[pi] contacts between benzene rings [inter-centroid distance = 3.7789 (13) Å] and by C-Cl...[pi] inter­actions

MPV17 Mutations Are Associated With a Quiescent Energetic Metabolic Profile

Funding: SJ was funded by Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian. TO was supported by the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG, German Research Foundation) under Germany’s Excellence Strategy - EXC 2067/1- 390729940). AR and TC-O were funded by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia and European Regional Development Fund (CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER000012- HealthyAging2020), (POCI-010145-FEDER-007440), and (POCI-01-145-FEDER-29297). MS and MG were funded by UID/NEU/04539/2019 (Strategic Plan CNC.IBILI).Mutations in the MPV17 gene are associated with hepatocerebral form of mitochondrial depletion syndrome. The mechanisms through which MPV17 mutations cause respiratory chain dysfunction and mtDNA depletion is still unclear. The MPV17 gene encodes an inner membrane mitochondrial protein that was recently described to function as a non-selective channel. Although its exact function is unknown, it is thought to be important in the maintenance of mitochondrial membrane potential (ΔΨm). To obtain more information about the role of MPV17 in human disease, we investigated the effect of MPV17 knockdown and of selected known MPV17 mutations associated with MPV17 disease in vitro. We used different approaches in order to evaluate the cellular consequences of MPV17 deficiency. We found that lower levels of MPV17 were associated with impaired mitochondrial respiration and with a quiescent energetic metabolic profile. All the mutations studied destabilized the protein, resulting in reduced protein levels. We also demonstrated that different mutations caused different cellular abnormalities, including increased ROS production, decreased oxygen consumption, loss of ΔΨm, and mislocalization of MPV17 protein. Our study provides novel insight into the molecular effects of MPV17 mutations and opens novel possibilities for testing therapeutic strategies for a devastating group of disorders.publishersversionpublishe

In-Situ Anaerobic Heating of Human Bones Probed by Neutron Diffraction

The first neutron diffraction study of in-situ anaerobic burning of human bones is reported, aiming at an interpretation of heat-induced changes in bone, which were previously detected by vibrational spectroscopy, including inelastic neutron scattering techniques. Structural and crystallinity variations were monitored in samples of the human femur and tibia, as well as a reference hydroxyapatite, upon heating under anaerobic conditions. Information on the structural reorganization of the bone matrix as a function of temperature, from room temperature to 1000 °C, was achieved. Noticeable crystallographic and domain size variations, together with O–H bond lengths and background variations, were detected. Above 700 °C, the inorganic bone matrix became highly symmetric, devoid of carbonates and organic constituents, while for the lower temperature range (<700 °C), a considerably lower crystallinity was observed. The present pilot study is expected to contribute to a better understanding of the heat-prompted changes in bone, which can be taken as biomarkers of the burning temperature. This information is paramount for bone analysis in forensic science as well as in archeology and may also have useful applications in other biomaterial studies.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Construction of a biocompatible and antioxidant multilayer coating by layer-by-layer assembly of -carrageenan and quercetin nanoparticles

The present work aimed at the construction and characterization of a multilayer coating based on -carrageenan and quercetin-loaded lecithin/chitosan nanoparticles (Np) by the layer-by-layer technique and the evaluation of its antioxidant capacity and potential cytotoxicity in vitro. The multilayered coating was successfully self-assembled, as confirmed by UV-Vis spectroscopy, contact angle, atomic force microscopy (AFM), and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Multilayered coatings showed to have antioxidant capacity, with a DPPH radical scavenging activity of 31.32±3.13% and a result of the FRAP assay of 799.41±95.39 M of ferrous ion (Fe2+) equivalent. These coatings were also shown to be devoid of cell toxicity, as evaluated by determination of nitric oxide production and 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl tetrazolium bromide (MTT) test. The alveolar macrophages culture was tested in the presence of the -carrageenan/quercetin-Np multilayer coating and showed a cell viability of 91.3±9.6%. These results suggest that this multilayered coating is adequate for surfaces modification in view of biomedical and food industry applications.This work was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit, and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006684) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The authors would also like to thank the Brazilian Government for support given by the Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq). Carneiro-daCunha, M.G. expresses her gratitude to the CNPq for research grant.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

O papel dos contos de fadas na educação da criança

A presente pesquisa trata do “Papel dos Contos de fadas na Educação da Criança” e tem-se como objetivo central investigar como tem sido utilizado os contos de fadas, compreendendo qual a influência dos mesmos no desenvolvimento intelectual e emocional das crianças nas séries iniciais do ensino fundamental. Para tanto, lançou-se mão da metodologia da pesquisa-ação onde relacionou-se a teoria estudada às informações obtidas por meio de entrevistas individuais e episódicas, observação participante registrada em um diário de campo, análise de fotografias realizadas em uma Escola Classe de Taguatinga-DF, por intermédio do projeto: “Quem Conta um Conto, Aumenta um Ponto” e teve como participantes o grupo de 25 (vinte e cinco) turmas de alunos de Educação Infantil (06 anos) à 4ª série do Ensino Fundamental e seus respectivos professores e a contadora de histórias que é uma das professoras pesquisadoras. Os resultados obtidos foram de acordo com a realidade que se conhece mesmo: professores usam os contos de fadas no seu cotidiano e conhecem sua importância, mas não exploram na sua potencialidade. Em fim, conclui-se que deve-se contar história porque elas desenvolvem habilidades cognitivas, afetivas, psicossocial, favorecendo suas relações intra-pessoal e interpessoal