Chemical composition of different morphological parts from ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ banana plant and their potential as a non-wood renewable source of natural products

The study on chemical composition and structure of components from different morphological parts of ‘Dwarf Cavendish’ banana plant (petioles/midrib, leaf blades, floral stalk, leaf sheaths and rachis) have been carried out aiming to evaluate their potential as eventual raw materials for the chemical processing. Macromolecular components were analysed using solid-state NMR, ATR-FTIR and wet chemistry methods. Mineral components were assessed by ICP analysis of ashes obtained after raw material calcinations. It was verified that chemical composition of the studied fractions of banana plant varies significantly. The major extremes were found in the contents of cellulose (37.3% in leaf sheaths and only 15.7% in floral stalk), starch (26.3 in floral stalk and 0.4% in petioles/midrib), lignin (24.3% in leaf blades and 10.5% in rachis) and lipophilic extractives (5.8% in leaf blades and 1.2% in petioles/midrib). All morphologic parts of banana plant contained considerable amounts of ashes (from 11.6 to 26.8%) composed mainly by potassium, calcium and silicium salts. The hemicelluloses in banana plant are proposed to be mainly glucuronoxylan and xyloglucan (from 5.5% in floral stalk to 21.5% in petioles/midrib). Rather significant amount of proteins was found in leaf blades (8.3%). Lignin analysis revealed that it is of HGS type with H:G:S proportion ranged of (5–17):(18–54):(35–71). The significant variation of lignin structure among the different morphological parts of banana plant was highlighted. Results of this study allowed some propositions about possible applications of banana plant residues as non-wood renewable source of natural products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Proposal for a Time-Dependent Dynamic Identification Algorithm for Structural Health Monitoring

This paper describes the design, test and validation processes of a dynamicidentification algorithm aimed at the time-dependent assessment of modern structures and heritage buildings for civil and seismic engineering purposes. Full validation of the algorithm is performed through analysis of numerically simulated data from an idealized masonry tower. Making use of output-only vibration measurements, the non-parametric algorithm can generate dynamic features results as time-dependent functions for the complete observation period. The algorithm can work in the presence of different dynamic loads and non-linear structural behaviours, close spectral frequency components and noisecontaminated data. Time-dependent structural dynamic parameters that can be computed are modal frequencies, modal displacements, modal curvatures, and higher derivatives of mode shapes. The proposed algorithm aims to be used as the core estimator of timedependent identification methods devoted to the health monitoring of structures and infrastructures, being suitable for a multitude of tasks ranging from the simple operational modal analysis (in pre and post-event condition) to the complex online assessment of the structural response during seismic events for rapid damage identification

Structural Performance and Durability Issues of Vernacular Schist Masonry

Stone masonry is recognized as one of the most used vernacular construction techniques around the world. Although centuries of proven resilience and high adaptability to context, stone masonry has been progressively replaced in construction industry in the last decades, namely in countries as Portugal, by industrial and concrete-based materials and building systems. Nowadays, with the lack of traditional masons, an important part of traditional stone masonry constructive know-how is endangered. In face of growing concerns regarding heritage preservation, researchers are aware of the need to scientifically know such structures. Being less studied, vernacular schist rubble masonry was selected as case study and tested to characterize its mechanical behaviour and durability parameters. The potential of retrofitting of such structures was also assessed [1]. Eighteen double-leave wallets were built following local building traditions [2] and prepared according to 3 different setups of 6 specimens each: i) non-coated; ii) coated with commercial lime coating; iii) coated with commercial lime coating and injected with lime-based grout. The experimental campaign was designed and implemented in stages for a period of three years: i) experimental characterization of stones and mortars; ii) axial compression testing of reference specimens; iii) salt-based accelerated aging following wet-dry procedures [3]; iv) axial compression testing. Damage progression was monitored by visual inspection, mass variation and sonic testing [4]

Numerical Development of a Strengthened Wall-to-Diaphragm Seismic Connection: Calibration and Application on a Building Prototype

Effective wall-to-floor connections are crucial components of historical buildings to avoid dangerous mechanisms under seismic actions. Existing buildings often present poor friction-based links between timber floor and masonry wall and are not able to ensure the so called “box behavior”, necessary for the correct distribution of seismic forces. Nonlinear static analysis is one of the most common tools for the seismic assessment of unreinforced masonry buildings considering advanced nonlinear materials description and allowing for different approaches. The selection of a proper control node, for the definition of the pushover curve, is fundamental and sometimes controversial. Moreover, connections are modelled as simply fixed or absent at all. Dynamic nonlinear analysis seems preferable even suffering from a higher computational effort. On the bases of previous experimental campaign developed at the University of Minho, the pull out behavior of a strengthened and unstrengthened masonry-to-timber connection was simulated numerically using OpenSees software. The connection model considers strength degradation and pinching, in agreement with the experimental behavior, and is validated from the energetic point of view, suitable for being included in a global finite element model to study the influence of the hysteretic energy dissipated within the connections on the overall seismic response. This paper describes the calibration process and the application of the connection model into a unreinforced masonry prototype using nonlinear dynamic analysis under real seismic inputs. Both strengthened and unstrengthened configurations are implemented and results compared. The selected model is part of the blind prediction competition organised within the SERA-AIMS project involving the shaking table test of a half-scaled aggregate

Associação da prática de atividade física e do estado de saúde sobre a qualidade de vida de mulheres com fibromialgia

This study analyzed the association between physical activity, health status and life quality among women with fibromyalgia. Cross-sectional study based on the clinical information of 177 women (42.1 ± 8.6 years old) diagnosed with fibromyalgia and assisted in rheumatology clinics of the private sector of the Unified Health System (UHS) in the city of Maringá-PR, Brazil. The instruments were the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) and the WHOQOL-Bref. Data analysis was conducted through Mann-Whitney test, Spearman correlation and Structural Equation Analysis (p<0.05). Results showed positive correlations between physical activity and life quality domain. Health status showed negative correlation life quality domains. Structural Equation Analysis revealed days of walking per week showed positive association with life quality domains. Model 3 showed that the impact of fibromyalgia on the health status showed a moderate negative association with life quality domains. Based on the results obtained, the conclusion is that light physical activity, characterized as walking, represents a positive factor in the domains of quality of life in women with fibromyalgia and also, the impact of this disease on the health status of the patients is associated negatively areas of quality of life.301Este estudo analisou a associação entre atividade física, estado de saúde e qualidade de vida de mulheres com fibromialgia. Estudo transversal baseado na informação clínica de 177 mulheres (42,1 ± 8,6 anos) diagnosticadas com fibromialgia e auxiliadas em clínicas de reumatologia do setor privado do Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) na cidade de Maringá-PR, Brasil. Os instrumentos utilizados foram o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (IPAQ), o Questionário de Impacto da Fibromialgia (FIQ) e o WHOQOL-Bref. A análise dos dados foi realizada através do teste de Mann-Whitney, correlação de Spearman e Análise de Equações Estruturais (p <0,05). Os resultados mostraram correlações positivas entre a atividade física e o domínio da qualidade de vida. O estado de saúde apresentou correlações negativas com a qualidade de vida. A Análise de Equação Estrutural revelou que os dias de caminhada por semana se associou positivamente com domínios de qualidade de vida. O modelo 3 mostrou que o impacto da fibromialgia no estado de saúde apresentou associação negativa e moderada com os domínios de qualidade de vida. Com base nos resultados obtidos, conclui-se que a atividade física leve, caracterizada pela caminhada, representa um fator positivo nos domínios da qualidade de vida em mulheres com fibromialgia e também, o impacto desta doença sobre o estado de saúde dos pacientes está associado negativamente domínios da qualidade de vida

Factors influencing depression markers in elderly primary healthcare center patients in Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, 2017

Analisar os fatores intervenientes nos indicativos de depressão em idosos das unidades básicas de saúde (UBS) do município de Maringá, Paraná, Brasil, em 2017. Estudo transversal, realizado com idosos usuários das UBS de Maringá; utilizou-se um questionário com questões sociodemográficas, a Escala de Depressão Geriátrica (Geriatric Depression Scale [GDS]) e o Questionário Internacional de Atividade Física (International Physical Activity Questionnaire [IPAQ]); foram analisadas as associações e comparações do indicativo de depressão com as variáveis sociodemográficas e as condições de saúde. 654 idosos participaram do estudo; apresentaram maior indicativo de depressão aqueles com menor renda mensal, percepção de saúde ruim, histórico de quedas e três ou mais comorbidades, enquanto os fisicamente ativos apresentaram menor indicativo de depressão. Renda mensal e condições de saúde parecem ser fatores intervenientes nos indicativos de depressão; a prática de atividades físicas leves está associada a menor tendência de depressão na terceira idade283To analyze factors influencing depression markers in elderly patients at primary healthcare centers (PHC) in the city of Maringá, Paraná, Brazil, in 2017. METHODS: this was a cross-sectional study carried out with elderly individuals at PHCs in Maringá city; we used a questionnaire comprising sociodemographic questions, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ); we analyzed associations and compared depression markers with sociodemographic variables and health conditions. RESULTS: 645 elderly people took part in the study; those with the highest depression markers had lower income, poor health perception, a history of falls and three or more comorbidities; the physically active elderly had lower depression markers. CONCLUSION: monthly income and health conditions are factors that influence depression markers; doing light physical activities is associated with lower tendency of depression in the elderl

Inquérito Sobre A Funcionalidade Do Joelho Em Mulheres Praticantes De Bodypum™

This study aimed to examine the knee functionality exclusively BODYPUMP ™ practitioners women. 40 women were evaluated. The investigation of knee functionality was through the Cincinatti adapted questionnaire, which varies from 0 to 100 scores, and the closer to 100, more functional knee. In general, women had a median score of 88.5 of knee functionality. It was also found that most women did not have falseio knee (60%) showed no limitation to perform the walk (65%) and stairs (60%). It was observed that 45% of women reported no limitation for the race and, for the jumps and spins; most women did not have limitation (37.5%) or had mild disability (30%). Most women reported that they do not feel pain during the BODYPUMP ™ exercises (52.5%), however, 45% reported pain during the execution of the squat and sink in this mode. There was a significant difference (p> 0.05) in the comparison of the knee of BODYPUMP ™ practitioners women functionality due to the practice time, indicating that women who practice this sport for more than five years had higher scores, ie better knee functionality when compared to women practitioners between three months and one year (p = 0.048). It is concluded that BODYPUMP ™ practitioner's women have good functionality of the knee, considered the highest score of the instrument used.40219920

High prevalence of HPV 18 and multiple infections with oncogenic HPV genotypes in women at risk of cervical cancer examined in Manaus, Brazil

Cervical cancer is a serious public health problem in Brazil, especially in Manaus (Amazonas), the city with the highest incidence rate of cervical cancer in the country. Persistent infection with oncogenic human papillomavirus (HPV) genotypes is the cause of disease development. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of oncogenic genotypes in women at high risk for cervical precancer examined in two policlinics in Manaus. One hundred and two patients who underwent colposcopy took part in the research. The DNA samples obtained from the cervical epithelium were analyzed by PCR with type-specific primers for the detection of eight oncogenic genotypes, which were chosen based on previous studies. The presence of HPV virus was detected in all samples. The most prevalent oncogenic genotypes were 18 (47.1%) and 16 (45.1%). Interestingly, HPV 18 was considered uncommon in this region. In addition to these, genotypes 31 (19.6%), 58 (19.6%), 33 (18.6%), and 45 (15.7%) also had a relatively high frequency in this population. Fifty-six women (54.9%) had multiple infections with up to five oncogenic types. Also, the presence of genotypes other than 16 and 18 was observed in most samples (57.8%), which also deserves attention since they are not covered by currently available vaccines against HPV in Brazil. The high prevalence and multiple infections with several oncogenic HPV genotypes in association with precursor lesions for cervical cancer highlighted the need to improve strategies to prevent this disease in Amazonas

Survival of elderly outpatients: effects of frailty, multimorbidity and disability

sem informaçãoO objetivo deste estudo foi analisar o impacto da fragilidade, da multimorbidade e da incapacidade funcional na sobrevida de idosos assistidos em ambulatório de geriatria e identificar os fatores clínicos de risco associados ao óbito. Estudo longitudinal,241137146sem informaçãosem informaçãosem informaçã

Digitization of Cultural Heritage Buildings for Preventive Conservation Purposes

This work aims at presenting the experimental results obtained by the application of one of the digital protocols developed during the European project HeritageCare: Monitoring and preventive conservation of historical and cultural heritage. These protocols are devoted to the preventive conservation of heritage constructions and its assets. More specifically, the application of the second level of services of the HeritageCare system is presented through two complementary case studies: a large Neo-Manueline church situated nearby Guimarães, Portugal, and a small Romanesque church located in Palencia, Spain. In each case study a different set of digital technologies was employed with the aim of evaluating the flexibility of the developed protocols. This set of technologies comprises the use of in-house apps for enhancing the visual inspection together with geomatic techniques based on static and wearable laser scanners as well as digital single-lens reflex and as-built 360º cameras. The results obtained by the application of these digital tools have allowed the creation of a Web- GIS platform for ensuring the proper documentation of cultural heritage and streamlining the management of their conservation process according to a proactive approach