55 research outputs found
The Contribution of Online Social Networks for Drug Abuse Treatment Referral: a Pilot Study
Background: The consumption of psychoactive drugs is growing in Brazil, as well as the access of social networks. This study is a preliminary short report about the contribution of online social networks for drug abuse treatment. The study aimed to evaluate the role of an online social network to engage psychoactive drug users in treatment. Methods: A descriptive study was undertaken from July to September 2015. The study population were psychoactive drugs users who accessed voluntarily the webpage “Stay Free of Drugs” (SFD) from the social network Facebook. Results: A total of 25 psychoactive drug users were enrolled in the study, and 16 (64%) accessed a healthcare centre seeking treatment. The average from the users’ online contact to their visit to the healthcare centre was 8.4 days. Half of the participants were exclusive alcohol users and accessed the webpage at night (65%). Conclusions: The use of a social network showed a potential importance in referring drug users to treatment, also acting as health education strategy
Computational model of a Calcium-looping fluidized bed calcination reactor with imposed concentrated solar irradiance
ABSTRACT: The Calcium-looping process is a promising option for thermochemical energy storage in concentrating solar power plants. A crucial element of this process is the solar calcination reactor, where the endothermic reaction of CaCO3 calcination occurs with formation of CaO and CO2. The solar energy that is chemically stored in the reaction products can be retrieved by the exothermic reaction of CaO carbonation when needed. In this article, a new computational model is developed for the solar calcination reactor in this Calcium-looping process. The calcination reaction takes place in the riser of a continuous circulating fluidized bed that corresponds to an absorber tube exposed to concentrated solar radiation, which allows the reaction chamber to be indirectly heated. A core-annulus heat transfer model and a modified version of the Kunii-Levenspiel fluid dynamics model are used. In contrast to previous models found in the literature, the change in the mass flow rate of the species and in the density of the phases due to the reaction is considered. Simulation studies are performed with a fixed and imposed concentrated solar irradiance on the reactor wall, which varies in both the axial and angular directions. Wall conduction in the angular direction is also considered. The results show that nearly complete calcination can be achieved with a reactor of 4 m of height. A sensitivity analysis with respect to the model parameters and inlet conditions shows that the calcination conversion is mostly affected by the solids mass flow rate and the bed temperature at the inlet.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Variabilidade espacial da emissão de CO2, temperatura e umidade do solo em área de pastagem na região Amazônica, Brasil
Knowledge of the spatial distribution of temperature, soil moisture and CO2 emissions is essential to understand the soil as a source or drainage of CO2, as changes in use and management influence this dynamic. This study aimed to investigate the temperature, soil moisture and CO2 emissions in an area under pasture in Humaitá, AM. An area was demarcated at 70 x 70 m, with regular spacing of 10 m, totaling 64 points, measurements were carried out in both the rainy and dry season. CO2 emissions and soil temperature were recorded using portable flow chamber and temperature sensor LI-COR system (LI-8100). Moisture was assessed using portable system TDR, with subsequent descriptive statistical and geostatistical analysis. The pasture had higher emission of soil CO2 in the first collection period, characterized as rainy season. Spatial variations of CO2 emissions are closely related to climatic variables between dry and rainy periods.O conhecimento da distribuição espacial da temperatura, umidade do solo e emissão de CO2 é fundamental para entender o solo como fonte ou dreno de CO2, pois as alterações quanto ao uso e manejo influenciam esta dinâmica. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo investigar, a temperatura, umidade do solo e emissão de CO2 em uma área sob pastagem na região de Humaitá, AM. Demarcou-se uma área de 70 x 70 m, com espaçamento regular de 10 m, totalizando 64 pontos, as medições foram realizadas no período chuvoso e seco. Emissão de CO2 e a temperatura do solo foram registradas utilizando-se de câmara de fluxo portátil e sensor de temperatura do sistema LI-COR (LI-8100). A umidade foi avaliada utilizando sistema portátil TDR, em seguida foram realizadas análises estatísticas descritivas e geoestatísticas. A área de pastagem apresentou maior emissão de CO2 do solo no primeiro período de coleta, caracterizado como período chuvoso. Variações espaciais da emissão de CO2 estão intimamente relacionadas com as variáveis climáticas entre os períodos seco e chuvoso
Movimentos de vertente no norte de Portugal: importância do comportamento hidrológico das formações superficiais
A ocorrência de movimentos de vertente no Norte de Portugal tem motivado o
desenvolvimento de vários estudos de caso, ensaiando-se diversas metodologias
que visam defi nir e caracterizar os factores condicionantes que maior infl uência
exercem sobre os processos de instabilidade. Neste trabalho apresentam-se os resultados obtidos para o fl uxo de detritos de Frades (Arcos de Valdevez),
discutindo-se a importância do contexto morfo-estrutural, das formações
superfi ciais e do seu comportamento hidrológico, analisados através de ensaios
laboratoriais e in situ, designadamente, granulometria, composição mineralógica,
condutividade hidráulica, resistência à penetração e refracção sísmica. O estudo
desenvolvido, para além de demonstrar a existência de caminhos preferenciais
da circulação interna da água, em associação com condicionamentos ligados
às características das formações superfi ciais, revela que a rede de drenagem
subsuperfi cial tem uma ligação evidente com o escoamento que se processa à
superfície, embora possa sofrer alterações motivadas por estruturas subjacentes.The occurrence of landslides in northern Portugal has motivated the development of several case studies, rehearsing
different methodologies that seek to defi ne and characterize the conditioning factors with the greatest infl uence over
the geomorphologic instability processes. This paper presents the results obtained for Frades (Arcos de Valdevez)
debris fl ow, discussing the importance of morphostructural context, surfi cial formations and their hydrological
behavior, analyzed by in situ and laboratory tests, namely, grain size, mineralogy, hydraulic conductivity, penetration
resistance and seismic refraction. The developed study shows the existence of preferential paths of internal water
circulation, in combination with constraints linked to the characteristics of the surfi cial formations, revealing also
that the subsurface drainage network has an obvious link with the fl ow that takes place at the surface, although it
may present changes motivated by underlying structures.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
The RNA-binding protein hnRNP K mediates the effect of BDNF on dendritic mRNA metabolism and regulates synaptic NMDA receptors in hippocampal neurons
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is an important mediator of long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. The local effects of BDNF depend on the activation of translation activity, which requires the delivery of transcripts to the synapse. In this work, we found that neuronal activity regulates the dendritic localization of the RNA-binding protein heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) in cultured rat hippocampal neurons by stimulating BDNF-Trk signaling. Microarray experiments identified a large number of transcripts that are coimmunoprecipitated with hnRNP K, and about 60% of these transcripts are dissociated from the protein upon stimulation of rat hippocampal neurons with BDNF. In vivo studies also showed a role for TrkB signaling in the dissociation of transcripts from hnRNP K upon high-frequency stimulation (HFS) of medial perforant path-granule cell synapses of male rat dentate gyrus (DG). Furthermore, treatment of rat hippocampal synaptoneurosomes with BDNF decreased the coimmunoprecipitation of hnRNP K with mRNAs coding for glutamate receptor subunits, Ca2+- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIβ (CaMKIIβ) and BDNF. Downregulation of hnRNP K impaired the BDNF-induced enhancement of NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-mediated mEPSC, and similar results were obtained upon inhibition of protein synthesis with cycloheximide. The results demonstrate that BDNF regulates specific populations of hnRNP-associated mRNAs in neuronal dendrites and suggests an important role of hnRNP K in BDNF-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity.publishe
Agroecological Mutirões Network consolidation experience at Viçosa-MG
A extensão rural agroecológica surge como uma alternativa ao modelo difusionista de assistência técnica convencional, estabelecendo o diálogo entre o saber científico e os conhecimentos populares das comunidades rurais. Este artigo é um relato de experiência de ação extensionista, rural, agroecológica e universitária na Zona da Mata de Minas Gerais, da Rede de Mutirões Agroecológicos da Zona da Mata (REMA-ZM). A REMA é um projeto de extensão universitária, da Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), em parceria com a Rede Agroecológica Raízes da Mata e com o Núcleo ECOA/UFV, e tem o objetivo de aproximar os/as estudantes universitários/as de agricultores/as agroecológicos/as da região de Viçosa, MG. O projeto foi criado em março de 2019, e desde sua criação, a REMA tem desenvolvido atividades diversas, especialmente adaptadas durante o período da pandemia, como a elaboração de cartilhas e vídeos, mas o enfoque de atuação da REMA é o trabalho agrícola, e coletivo, em propriedades familiares agroecológicas. Atualmente, avalia-se que as famílias agricultoras que integram as ações da REMA, estabeleceram uma dinâmica de confiança com o coletivo, criando uma forma de “aprender fazendo”, com diálogo e autonomia dos processos práticos e pedagógicos que envolvem a agricultura. Amizade, confiança, respeito, horizontalidade de saberes, na experiência da REMA, não são atributos externos, impostos ao trabalho; mas emergem das experiências, dos laços que agricultores/as e estudantes estabelecem, e constituem-se como pilar central de uma prática extensionista educativa, dialogada entre sujeitos.
Palavras-chave: Agroecologia, Extensão Rural, Agricultura Familiar
Agroecological Mutirões Network consolidation experience at Viçosa-MG
Abstract: The agroecological rural extension emerges as an alternative to the diffusionist model, establishing a dialog between scientific and traditional knowledge of rural communities. This article is an experience report of the extensionist, rural, agroecological, and academic action in the Zona da Mata region in Minas Gerais state, the Project Agroecological Mutirões Network from Zona da Mata (REMA-ZM). REMA is an academic extension project from the Federal University of Viçosa (UFV), in partnership with the Agroecological network Raízes da Mata and the ECOA/UFV center, and has the intent to bring university students into closer contact with agroecological farmers in Viçosa region. The Project was created in March 2019. Since its creation, REMA has developed diverse activities specifically adapted during the pandemic’s remote period, such as the elaboration of booklets and videos. However, REMA’s main field is the agricultural and collective work in familiar agroecological properties. Currently, it is evaluated that the farmers’ families that integrate REMA’s actions have established a collective trust dynamic, creating a way of “learning by doing” with dialogue and autonomy in the practical and pedagogical agriculture processes. Friendship, trust, respect, and knowledge’s horizontality in REMA’s experience are not external attributes imposed on the work. However, they emerge from experiences and bonds between farmers and students and constitute the main point of an educative extensionist practice dialogued between subjects.
Keywords: Agroecology, Rural Extension, Familiar Agricultur
Ser ou não ser praxado? A teoria da ação planeada como modelo para compreender a participação dos caloiros na praxe académica
The main goal of this study was to investigate the predictors of the freshmen’s intentions to participate in academic hazing. With this goal, we used the theory of planned behavior (Azjen, 1991) which allows an analysis of the relative weight of attitudes, subjective norm, and perceived behavioral control in the intentions to participate in academic hazing. The freshmen who participated in this study (N = 353) filled in a questionnaire. The results supported the theory of planned behavior predictive power, with the attitude and perceived behavioral control as significant predictors of the freshmen’s intentions to participate in academic hazing. The subjective norm was not a significant predictor. The theoretical and social implications of these results are discussed.Com este estudo pretendemos investigar quais são os preditores da intenção de participação dos caloiros na praxe académica. Para tal, recorremos à teoria da ação planeada (Ajzen, 1991) que permite analisar o peso relativo das atitudes, da norma subjetiva, e do controlo comportamental percebido nas intenções de ser praxado. Os participantes, estudantes universitários (N = 353) a frequentar o 1º ano de uma Licenciatura, preencheram um questionário. Os resultados confirmaram o valor preditivo da teoria, tendo sido a atitude e o controlo comportamental percebido preditores significativos da intenção dos caloiros em serem praxados. A norma subjetiva não se mostrou um preditor significativo. As implicações teóricas e sociais destes resultados são discutidas
A Prospective Study from the IoMum Cohort
Cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) are essential trace elements (ETEs) and important cofactors for intermediary metabolism or redox balance. These ETEs are crucial during pregnancy, their role on specific pregnancy outcomes is largely unknown. This prospective study (#NCT04010708) aimed to assess urinary levels of these ETEs in pregnancy and to evaluate their association with pregnancy outcomes. First trimester pregnant women of Porto and Lisbon provided a random spot urine sample, and sociodemographic and lifestyle data. Clinical data were obtained from clinical records. Urinary ETEs were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). A total of 635 mother:child pairs were included. Having urinary Zn levels above the 50th percentile (P50) was an independent risk factor for pre-eclampsia (PE) (aOR [95% CI]: 5.350 [1.044-27.423], p = 0.044). Urinary Zn levels above the P50 decreased the risk of small for gestational age (SGA) birth head circumference (aOR [95% CI]: 0.315 [0.113-0.883], p = 0.028), but it increased the risk SGA length (aOR [95% CI]: 2.531 [1.057-6.062], p = 0.037). This study may provide valuable information for public health policies related to prenatal nutrition, while informing future efforts to de-fine urinary reference intervals for ETEs in pregnant women.publishersversionpublishe
Essential trace elements status in portuguese pregnant women and their association with maternal and neonatal outcomes: A prospective study from the IoMum Cohort
Cobalt (Co), copper (Cu), manganese (Mn), molybdenum (Mo), and zinc (Zn) are essential trace elements (ETEs) important in cellular chemical reactions and antioxidant defense. Ingestion of ETEs during pregnancy is crucial but their role in specific pregnancy outcomes is largely unknown. This study aimed to quantify urinary levels of these ETEs in pregnancy and to evaluate their role in pregnancy health. First trimester pregnant women of Porto and Lisbon regions provided a urine sample, and sociodemographic and lifestyle data. Clinical data were obtained from clinical records. Urinary ETEs were quantified by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Our results show that having urinary Zn levels above the 50th percentile (P50) increases the risk of pre-eclampsia (PE). On the other hand, urinary Zn levels above the P50 decreased the risk of being born with head circumference small for gestational age but it increased the risk having length small for gestational age at birth. This study may provide valuable information for public health policies related to prenatal nutrition, while informing future efforts to de-fine urinary reference intervals for ETEs in pregnant womeninfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
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