The engineering design of the Tua rail track : evidence from the archives

This paper intends to give a detailed overview of the different phases of the Tua line focused on the changes in the longitudinal and transversal outline and on the definition of the project of special structures (tunnels, bridges, aqueducts and stone walls). For this, a detailed investigation was carried on the archives of REFER, the company in charge of the management of the infrastructure of the national Portuguese railways. The Tua line fit the Nacional railways plan, defining the connection between the Douro region in Foz Tua and Mirandela in a first phase (1987) and Bragança in a second phase (1906). The construction of the Tua line aimed at flowing the products derived from the Douro region. Its construction was not an easy process, mainly in the first 20km due to the severe relief, composed of narrow valleys with impressive ravines, precipices and waterfalls. This difficulty was also associated to the lack of accessibilities and to the scarce technological resources, resulting in several accidents and human losses and to a huge physical effort. The first studies related with the Tua line date back to 1880 and the last ones are from 1883. However, due to changes imposed by the in situ geomorphological conditions, amendments to the project were made and presented in 1885. Several changes are identified between the previous studies, the project and rectified project

OSB sandwich panel with undulated core of balsa wood waste

The production of wood-based materials is currently being expanded by the furniture industry and civil construction sector. In order to find new alternatives for the panel market, new configuration possibilities (geometry) of panels and the use of renewable raw materials must be explored. In this scope, the objective of this research was to evaluate OSB sandwich panels with an undulated core and flat faces (OSBUC panels) made of Balsa wood waste strands (Ochroma pyramidale) bonded with two-component castor oil polyurethane resin for use in civil construction. Two types of panels were produced with 13 % resin and varying the density of the core (OSBUC-T1 - faces 550 kg/m³ and core 400 kg/m³) and (OSBUC-T2 - faces 550 kg/m³ and core 500 kg/m³). The water absorption and thickness swelling of the face panels were determined based on the Brazilian standard NBR 14810 and the bending test properties of the OSBUC panels determined by the recommendations of the ASTM C393 standard. The results obtained were compared with the specifications of the PS-2-10 –“Performance Standard for Wood-Based Structural-Use Panels” that provides bending stiffness (EI) values and maximum bending moment (FbS) requirements for OSB panels according to different classes of use. The sandwich panels had maximum values of EI 6,48 x 106 N·mm²/mm and FbS 3065 N·mm/mm. The OSBUC-T1 treatment proved to be the most efficient, as it has mechanical properties that meet the normative recommendations for structural use and as flooring, with lower material consumption (lower density). &nbsp

Índices de ligações e setores chave na economia brasileira: 1959-1980

Recent exchanges in the literature on the identification and role of key sectors in national and regional economies have highlighted the difficulties of consensus regarding terminology, appropriate measurement as well as economic interpretation. In this paper, some new perspectives are advanced which provide a more comprehensive view of an economy and offer the potential for uncovering alternative perspectives about the role of linkages in input-output systems. The theoretical techniques are illustrated by reference to a set of input-output tables for the Brazilian economy (1959-1980). The paper thus provides a more comprehensive view than the ones proposed by Baer, Fonseca, and Guilhoto (1987), Hewings, Fonseca, Guilhoto, and Sonis (1989), and the recent contributions of Clements and Rossi (1991, 1992

Índices de ligações e setores chave na economia brasileira: 1959-1980

Recent exchanges in the literature on the identification and role of key sectors in national and regional economies have highlighted the difficulties of consensus regarding terminology, appropriate measurement as well as economic interpretation. In this paper, some new perspectives are advanced which provide a more comprehensive view of an economy and offer the potential for uncovering alternative perspectives about the role of linkages in input-output systems. The theoretical techniques are illustrated by reference to a set of input-output tables for the Brazilian economy (1959-1980). The paper thus provides a more comprehensive view than the ones proposed by Baer, Fonseca, and Guilhoto (1987), Hewings, Fonseca, Guilhoto, and Sonis (1989), and the recent contributions of Clements and Rossi (1991, 1992

Prediction of diffusion coefficients of chlorophenols in water by computer simulation

Intra-diffusion coefficients of seven chlorophenols (2-chlorophenol, 3-chlorophenol, 4-chlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, 2,6-dichlorophenol, 2,4,6-dichlorophenol and pentachlorophenol) in water were determined by computer simulation (molecular dynamics) for dilute solutions at three different temperatures and the corresponding mutual diffusion coefficients estimated. The mutual diffusion coefficients of 2-chlorophenol in water agree with the available experimental results from the literature for all the temperatures studied. From the dependence of the diffusion coefficients on temperature, diffusion activation energies were estimated for all the solutes inwater. Analyzing the radial distribution functions and spatial distribution functions of water around chlorophenols sites enable a discussion about intermolecular interactions (dominated by hydrogen bonding) between solute and solvent and its importance on the relative magnitude of diffusion coefficients. Finally the mutual diffusion coefficients obtained by simulation were correlated by the well-known Wilke–Chang equation

Hepatitis B e antigen status and hepatitis B DNA levels in women of childbearing age with chronic hepatitis B infection screening for clinical trials

BACKGROUND: Perinatal or mother-to-child transmission of hepatitis B virus (HBV) results in a high frequency of chronic infection. Risk of mother-to-child transmission is associated with maternal viral factors including hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) positivity and viral load. AIM: To investigate associations between age, HBeAg status, HBV DNA levels and genotype in female patients screened for inclusion into two contemporary, randomized HBV trials. METHODS: Retrospective analyses focused on differences between women of childbearing age (≤44 years) and older women. Female patients (N = 355; 18-69 years) were included in the analysis: 41.7% of patients were Asian. In total, 44.4% were HBeAg-positive. RESULTS: Significantly more women aged ≤44 years were HBeAg-positive compared to women ≥45 years (57.2% versus 27.5%, respectively, p108 copies mL: ≤44 years 46.0% vs ≥45 years 25.5%, respectively; p CONCLUSIONS: Women of childbearing age with CHB are more likely to have high HBV viral load and HBeAg positivity than older women; this likelihood decreases with age. Maternal serological and virological status should therefore be established early in pregnancy, taking into account age and genotype, and a risk-reducing strategy implemented in any patient who is HBeAg positive and has a high viral load

Assessing the efficiency of protected areas to represent biodiversity : a small island case study

Protected areas (PAs) have been selected using either subjective or objective criteria applied to an extremely limited subset of biodiversity. Improved availability of species distribution data, better statistical tools to predict species distributions and algorithms to optimize spatial conservation planning allow many impediments to be overcome, particularly on small islands. This study analyses whether 219 species are adequately protected by PAs on Pico Island (theAzores, Portugal), and if they are as efficient as possible, maximizing species protection while minimizing costs. We performed distribution modelling of species’ potential distributions, proposed individual conservation targets (considering the context of each species in the archipelago and their current conservation status) to determine the efficiency of current PAs in meeting such targets and identify alternative or complementary areas relevant for conservation. Results showed that current PAs do not cover all taxa, leaving out important areas for conservation. We demonstrate that by using optimization algorithms it is possible to include most species groups in spatial conservation planning in the Azores with the current resources. With increasing availability of data and methods, this approach could be readily extended to other islands and regions with high endemism levels.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Vitamin D Modulates Hematological Parameters and Cell Migration into Peritoneal and Pulmonary Cavities in Alloxan-Diabetic Mice

Background/Aims. The effects of cholecalciferol supplementation on the course of diabetes in humans and animals need to be better understood. Therefore, this study investigated the effect of short-term cholecalciferol supplementation on biochemical and hematological parameters in mice. Methods. Male diabetic (alloxan, 60mg/kg i.v., 10 days) and non diabetic mice were supplemented with cholecalciferol for seven days. The following parameters were determined: serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, phosphorus, calcium, urea, creatinine, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, red blood cell count, white blood cell count (WBC), hematocrit, hemoglobin, differential cell counts of peritoneal lavage (PeL), and bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluids and morphological analysis of lung, kidney, and liver tissues. Results. Relative to controls, cholecalciferol supplementation increased serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, calcium, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and red blood cell counts and decreased leukocyte cell counts of PeL and BAL fluids in diabetic mice. Diabetic mice that were not treated with cholecalciferol had lower serum calcium and albumin levels and hemoglobin, WBC, and mononuclear blood cell counts and higher serum creatinine and urea levels than controls. Conclusion. Our results suggest that cholecalciferol supplementation improves the hematological parameters and reduces leukocyte migration into the PeL and BAL lavage of diabetic mice.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)Pro-reitoria de Pesquisa da Universidade de Sao Paulo (PRP/USP, Projeto I and Novos Docentes)Univ Sao Paulo, Fac Pharmaceut Sci, Dept Clin & Toxicol Anal, Lab Immunoendocrinol,FCF, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilUniv Fed Sao Paulo, Dept Med, Rheumatol Div, Sao Paulo, SP, BrazilDepartment of Medicine, Rheumatology Division, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, SP, BrazilFAPESP: 2010/02272-0FAPESP: 2012/23998-4FAPESP: 2013/20904-1FAPESP: 2014/05214-1FAPESP: 2017/05100-4CNPq: 470523/2013-1CNPq: 301617/2016-3Web of Scienc

Nutritional status of schoolchildren according to school geographical localization in the city of Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of underweight, overweight and obesity in students of public schools from Sorocaba, São Paulo, Brazil. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled 11,290 children aged seven to ten from public schools in the city of Sorocaba. Underweight, overweight and obesity were defined as, respectively, 85th and >95th body mass index percentiles for sex and age, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention growth chart (CDC, 2000). The prevalence of nutritional alterations was assessed according to the geographical localization. RESULTS: Rates for underweight, overweight and obesity were respectively: Central area 3.4, 17.2 and 15.1%; Southern area, 4.2, 15.4 and 11.2%; Eastern area, 3.2, 14.7 and 12.7%; Northeast, 4.3, 11.9 and 10.7%; North, 5.8, 12 and 9.1%; Northwest 7.5, 11 and 9.1%; and Western regions 6, 11 and 9.2%. The differences between areas were significant (p85 e >95 do índice de massa corpórea por idade para sexo e idade propostos pelos Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC, 2000). Comparou-se a prevalência de alterações nutricionais de acordo com a localização da escola. RESULTADOS: A prevalência de baixo peso, sobrepeso e obesidade nas crianças avaliadas, segundo a região geográfica de Sorocaba foi, respectivamente: Centro 3,4, 17,2 e 15,1%; Sul 4,2, 15,4 e 11,2%; Leste 3,2, 14,7 e 12,7%; Nordeste 4,3, 11,9 e 10,7%; Norte 5,8, 12 e 9,1%; Noroeste 7,5, 11 e 9,1%; Oeste 6,0, 11 e 9,2%. Os meninos apresentaram 5,3, 12,1 e 11,9% e as meninas 5,9, 12,3 e 8,2% de baixo peso, sobrepeso e obesidade, respectivamente. Houve diferença significativa na prevalência de alterações nutricionais entre as regiões da cidade (p<0,001) CONCLUSÕES: O Centro e o Leste de Sorocaba apresentaram as maiores taxas de escolares com excesso de peso, as regiões Noroeste e Oeste, as maiores taxas de baixo peso. Na análise por sexo, os meninos apresentaram maiores taxas de obesidade. Esses resultados podem ajudar a planejar políticas públicas para a prevenção da obesidade em escolares556