Homegreens: Aquaponics and Education

The Homegreens project aims to develop small freshwater or saltwater aquaponic systems, which can be in-stalled in schools, serving as a pedagogical tool for the apprenticeship of subjects such as biology and sustaina-bility to the juvenile audience. A multidisciplinary team of designers, biologists, and agronomists was responsi-ble for the project’s research. The development and installation of experimental models, for qualitative analy-sis of user interaction, determined the methodology layout. This small-scale aquaponic system consists of two different grow beds, an aquarium with a capacity of 45L, a separating barrier for plants’ roots, a biofilter mesh with an integrated aerator, a valve for sediment cleaning, and two tripods. The involvement and the interaction with the Homegreens’ aquaponic system provides a group learning oppor-tunity, which contributes to environmental literacy in children with relevant values and experiences.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Thermally assisted interlayer magnetic coupling through Ba0.05Sr0.95TiO3 barriers

We report on the interlayer exchange coupling across insulating barriers observed on Ni80Fe20/Ba0.05Sr0.95TiO3/La0.66Sr0.33MnO3 (Py/BST0.05/LSMO) trilayers. The coupling mechanism has been analyzed in terms of the barrier thickness, samples' substrate, and temperature. We examined the effect of MgO (MGO) and SrTiO3 (STO) (001) single-crystalline substrates on the magnetic coupling and also on the magnetic anisotropies of the samples in order to get a deeper understanding of the magnetism of the structures. We measured a weak coupling mediated by spin-dependent tunneling phenomena whose sign and strength depend on barrier thickness and substrate. An antiferromagnetic (AF) exchange prevails for most of the samples and smoothly increases with the barrier thicknesses as a consequence of the screening effects of the BST0.05. The coupling monotonically increases with temperature in all the samples and this behavior is attributed to thermally assisted mechanisms. The magnetic anisotropy of both magnetic components has a cubic symmetry that in the case of permalloy is added to a small uniaxial component.Fil: Carreira, Santiago José. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Aviles Felix, Luis Steven. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Sirena, Martin. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; Argentina. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Gerencia del Área de Energía Nuclear. Instituto Balseiro; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Alejandro, Gabriela. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Bariloche; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; ArgentinaFil: Steren, Laura Beatriz. Comisión Nacional de Energía Atómica. Centro Atómico Constituyentes; Argentina. Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas; Argentin

A utilização da microcirurgia no desempenho de excelência nas diferentes especialidades clínicas da medicina dentária moderna

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas MonizA introdução e adopção generalizada do microscópio cirúrgico na Medicina Dentária foi, juntamente com o desenvolvimento de novos instrumentos e novos materiais, uma das etapas mais relevantes no desenvolvimento desta ciência, permitindo ao médico dentista realizar procedimentos até então classificados de impossíveis. O seu elevado custo e a necessidade de treino, com uma longa curva de aprendizagem, representam as principais limitações da utilização generalizada do microscópio cirúrgico na Medicina Dentária. Contudo, a sua aplicabilidade nas diversas áreas de especialização da Medicina Dentária como a Endodontia, a Periodontologia, a Dentisteria Restauradora, a Reabilitação Oral, a Implantologia, a Cirurgia Oral e a Ortodontia, tem sido largamente demonstrada através da publicação de inúmeros artigos em revistas científicas. Por permitir o acesso apropriado às estruturas originais preservando a arquitectura dos tecidos a intervencionar; a microcirurgia possibilita o maneio dos processos clínicos no campo do diagnóstico e do tratamento de um modo muito preciso e conservador associando-se sempre os conceitos de menor trauma, desconforto mínimo, maior rapidez de cicatrização, bons resultados estéticos e uma muito boa aceitação por parte do doente quando comparada com as técnicas convencionais. A Medicina Dentária moderna desenvolvida com o suporte de sistemas de ampliação da imagem sofisticados como o microscópio cirúrgico, apresenta-se como um trabalho pautado pelo detalhe e pela precisão dos seus procedimentos, expressando a excelência da arte

Relações anatomotopográficas cranioencefálicas para procedimentos neurocirúrgicos intracranianos em canídeos. A ultra-sonografia como técnica de neuronavegação para cirurgia em tempo real

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências Veterinárias especialidade de ClínicaA cirurgia intracraniana não é ainda uma prática corrente em Medicina Veterinária, apresentando limitações associadas à variabilidade morfológica craniana dos doentes, à dificuldade da técnica de intervenção cirúrgica inerente às estruturas envolvidas, ao acesso a sofisticados meios de diagnóstico e constituição de equipas especializadas. Um sólido conhecimento sobre as relações anatomotopográficas cranioencefálicas que apresentem repetibilidade, permite ao neurocirurgião desenhar mentalmente as afinidades existentes entre as estruturas superficiais e as mais profundas, assumindo ainda as que se interpõem ao longo da trajectória cirúrgica traçada, melhorando a orientação topográfica pré e intra-cirurgica em cada doente, diminuindo em muito os riscos da cirurgia e aumentando a probabilidade de êxito. O presente trabalho desenvolvido em 69 crânios e respectivos 138 hemisférios cerebrais (direito e esquerdo) considerando canídeos do tipo braquicéfalos, dolicocéfalos e mesacéfalos, permitiu concluir que o que os parece diferenciar mais é o esqueleto facial de cada um, mais do que a caixa craniana, já que as relações anatomotopográficas cranioencefálicas estudadas apresentaram uma repetibilidade evidente para os pontos craniométricos, suturas cranianas e estruturas/pontos encefálicos seleccionados, quanto à sua localização (distância e posição) em todos eles.ABSTRACT - ANATOMOTOPOGRAPHY CRANIOENCEPHALIC RELATIONSHIPS FOR INTRACRANIAL NEUROSURGERY PROCEDURES IN DOG. THE ULTRASOUND AS TECHNIQUE OF NEURONAVEGATION FOR SURGERY IN REAL TIME. - Despite intracranial surgery is still not a current practice in Veterinary Medicine, showing some limitations associated with cranial morphological variability of patients, the difficulty of interventional technique is inherent to work area and the access to sophisticated diagnostic methods. A solid knowledge about anatomotopography cranioencephalic relationships showing some repeatability, allows the neurosurgeon mentally draw the similarities between the surface and deeper structures, even assuming those that stands along the surgical pathway, improving the pre and intra-orientation topography in each patient, reducing the risks of surgery and increasing probability of success. The present work developed over 69 cranium and respectively 138 brain hemispheres (right and left) considering the brachy, dolico, and mesacephalic cranium dogs, concluded that which seems to further differentiate the 3 types of skull is the face of each one more than cranium, since all the anatomotopographic cranioencephalic relationships showed some evident repeatability for craniometric points, cranial sutures and encephalic structures/points considered, regarding their localization (distance and position

Characterization of weight-bearing compensation in dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis

Área de pesquisa: Veterinary SciencesTo describe the weight-bearing compensation in working dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA), 50 police working dogs were evaluated with a weight distribution platform at the initial evaluation and after intra-articular treatment (a negative control 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl), a platelet concentrate, Hylan G-F 20, triamcinolone hexacetonide or stanozolol). Six evaluation sessions were performed, over a 180-day period. Results were compared by breed, age, sex, weight and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hip grade scores with the Independent Samples T-Test, repeated samples Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient, P < .05. Animals had a mean age of 6.5 § 2.4 years and a bodyweight of 26.7 § 5.2kg. No significant differences were observed when comparing weight-bearing for different breeds, sex, hip grades or weight during the initial evaluation. Significant differences were observed in deviation (P < .01) and symmetry index (P < .01) between the control and treatment groups during the follow-up period. A weight shift from pelvic to thoracic limbs was observed, with a weak, although a significant, correlation between a pelvic limb and the opposing contralateral thoracic limb. Labrador Retrievers showed higher symmetry index and deviation from normal values during the follow-up period than German Shepherd Dogs and Dutch Shepherd Dogs. Male dogs also showed higher symmetry index and deviation compared with females. At this period, the symmetry index showed a weak, although significant, correlation with body weight. Weight-bearing of all limbs correlated with the remaining limbs, reflecting a more balanced weight distribution than the initial evaluation. The weight distribution platform can be used to evaluate patients, at the initial presentation and during the assessment of response to treatment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ultrafast deactivation of bilirubin: dark intermediates and two-photon isomerization

Bilirubin is a neurotoxic product responsible for neonatal jaundice, which is generally treated by phototherapy. The photoreaction involves ultrafast internal conversion via an elusive intermediate and Z–E isomerization with minor yield (less than 3% in solution). The structure of the intermediate remains unclear. Here, the combination of UV-vis and mid-IR ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy reports a comprehensive picture of the mechanism and provides essential structural information about the intermediate species. Thus, spectral dynamics during the earliest ps unveils a wavepacket travelling from the Franck–Condon region to the crossing point with a dark state. The latter shows a tighter molecular skeleton than the ground state and decays with 15 ps time constant. Remarkably, the relative contribution of a non-decaying component increases linearly with pump energy, suggesting that Z–E isomerization could also be triggered by two-photon excitation. Implications for the photochemistry of protein-bound open tetrapyrroles are discussedJLPL thanks the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation (MICINN) for funding through the grant CTQ2010-17026 (FEDER Funds) and the ‘‘Ramón y Cajal’’ Program 2009, as well as the Xunta de Galicia (Spain) for grants EM2012/091, GPC2013/052 and R2014/051. CCB thanks the Spanish Ministry of Education for a FPU doctoral grantS

Characterization of Weight-bearing Compensation in Dogs With Bilateral Hip Osteoarthritis

To describe the weight-bearing compensation in working dogs with bilateral hip osteoarthritis (OA), 50 police working dogs were evaluated with a weight distribution platform at the initial evaluation and after intra-articular treatment (a negative control – 0.9% sodium chloride (NaCl), a platelet concentrate, Hylan G-F 20, triamcinolone hexacetonide or stanozolol). Six evaluation sessions were performed, over a 180-day period. Results were compared by breed, age, sex, weight and Orthopedic Foundation for Animals hip grade scores with the Independent Samples T-Test, repeated samples Analysis of variance and Pearson correlation coefficient, P < .05. Animals had a mean age of 6.5 ± 2.4 years and a bodyweight of 26.7 ± 5.2kg. No significant differences were observed when comparing weight-bearing for different breeds, sex, hip grades or weight during the initial evaluation. Significant differences were observed in deviation (P < .01) and symmetry index (P < .01) between the control and treatment groups during the follow-up period. A weight shift from pelvic to thoracic limbs was observed, with a weak, although a significant, correlation between a pelvic limb and the opposing contralateral thoracic limb. Labrador Retrievers showed higher symmetry index and deviation from normal values during the follow-up period than German Shepherd Dogs and Dutch Shepherd Dogs. Male dogs also showed higher symmetry index and deviation compared with females. At this period, the symmetry index showed a weak, although significant, correlation with body weight. Weight-bearing of all limbs correlated with the remaining limbs, reflecting a more balanced weight distribution than the initial evaluation. The weight distribution platform can be used to evaluate patients, at the initial presentation and during the assessment of response to treatmen

Understanding male (con)tradi(c)tions through an in-depth interview study

This study aims to explore the diversity of male attitudes towards, and experiences of, sexual problems in the context of their relationships, through a qualitative approach on the historically and culturally specific patterns of change in sexual pleasures and experiences over the life course.Merck Sharp & Dohme Foundationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Relationship between Mediterranean Diet Adherence and Saliva Composition

Dietary polyphenol exposure is known to change protein saliva composition in rodents, but less is known in humans. The present study aimed to assess the relationship between saliva protein composition and adherence to Mediterranean Diet (MD) and polyphenol intake levels. Participants were assessed for their dietary habits, which were converted in Mediterranean adherence level, according to Mediterranean Diet Adherence Score (MEDAS) score. Total polyphenol and total flavanol intakes were extrapolated from dietary data, using Phenol explorer database. Whole saliva was collected, and proteins were separated by SDS-PAGE. Salivary S-type cystatins were highly expressed in the group with medium adherence to MD, being positively correlated with wine intake in overweight individuals. The association between salivary amylase and MD adherence also depended on Body Mass Index (BMI), with a positive association only in normal weight individuals. Polyphenol intake was positively associated with S-type cystatins levels, particularly when flavanols were considered separately. These results show that saliva relationship with MD adherence depend on BMI, suggesting that normal weight and overweight individuals may have different salivary responses to diet. Moreover, these results reinforce the link between saliva and dietary polyphenols (flavanols) levels, leading to the hypothesis that salivary proteome can have a role in polyphenol-rich foods acceptance

Salivary Protein Profile and Food Intake: A Dietary Pattern Analysis

Saliva research has gained interest due to its potential as a source of biomarkers. One of the factors inducing changes in saliva, in the short term, is food intake, and evidence exist about changes in salivary proteome induced by some food components. Since this topic of research is in its early stages, it was hypothesized that saliva protein composition could be associated with different levels of adherence to dietary patterns that contain higher amounts of plant products. The aim of the present study was to test this hypothesis, in adults, by comparing salivary protein electrophoretic profiles of individuals with different diet characteristics, particularly dietary patterns (DP) that exhibit different proportions of animal and plant-based products. Dietary habits were assessed in 122 adults (61 from each sex, with ages ranging from 20 to 59 years) using Food Frequency Questionnaires. To identify the dietary patterns, a principal component analysis was used. Individual’s non-stimulated saliva was evaluated for flow rate, pH, protein concentration, α-amylase activity, and electrophoretic protein profiles. Seven dietary patterns (DP) were identified. Salivary amylase enzymatic activity was positively associated with animal-based and starchy foods DP, and with plant-based fatty foods without wine DP. At the same time, protein bands containing amylase and type S cystatins were positively associated with the cheese/yoghurt and wine DP. Our results support the association of salivary proteomics and different dietary patterns and highlight the need of considering food consumption habits in studies using saliva, since this is a factor associated with variations in the composition of this fluid.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio