Dissecting the function of the SpoIIIJ and YqjG membrane protein insertases during bacterial spore development

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biology, Microbial BiologySpoIIIJ and YqjG are the two members of the evolutionarily conserved YidC/Oxa1/Alb3 family of membrane protein insertases present in the Gram-positive bacterium Bacillus subtilis. Whilst either is capable of supporting viability, only SpoIIIJ is functional during sporulation, a carefully regulated developmental process that culminates in the formation of a dormant and highly resistant structure, the endospore. This partial functional overlap contrasts with the general picture of the family, for which trans-domain complementation is well documented.(...

Albumin and fibronectin adsorption and osteoblast adhesion on titanium oxides

Tese de doutoramento. Engenharia Metalúrgica e de Materiais. Faculdade de Engenharia. Universidade do Porto. 200

Racism and identity: a critical discourse analysis of Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah

This paper aims to analyze racist discourses and identity aspects in the novel Americanah (2013), written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The main objectives of this research are to identify the impacts immigration brought to the protagonist’s social and personal life and to determine how her identity construction was affected by stereotypes and social structure. The methodology used in this study was a bibliographical research. The work is divided into two sections: firstly, a literature review, explaining theories on Critical Discourse Analysis, identity and racism, developed by authors such as Beale (1970), Smit (1996), Fairclough (2009) and Feagin (2014); afterwards, a critical analysis of excerpts and dialogues extracted from the book.This paper aims to analyze racist discourses and identity aspects in the novel Americanah (2013), written by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie. The main objectives of this research are to identify the impacts immigration brought to the protagonist’s social and personal life and to determine how her identity construction was affected by stereotypes and social structure. The methodology used in this study was a bibliographical research. The work is divided into two sections: firstly, a literature review, explaining theories on Critical Discourse Analysis, identity and racism, developed by authors such as Beale (1970), Smit (1996), Fairclough (2009) and Feagin (2014); afterwards, a critical analysis of excerpts and dialogues extracted from the book

Centros de arte contemporânea em edifícios históricos : três casos de estudo

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Arquitectura, apresentada ao Departamento de Arquitectura da Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade de CoimbraA actualidade dos temas relacionados com os museus levou à realização de uma tese que desenvolve temas actuais como a importância da arquitectura dos edifícios dos Centros de Arte Contemporânea na sua projecção internacional e na revitalização das cidades onde se inserem, as suas novas funções, a sua comunicação e mediatização e o seu papel na sociedade e na cidade. A reabilitação de edifícios para Centros de Arte Contemporânea é um tema iniciado com uma reflexão internacional e desenvolvido nesta dissertação, através da analise de três casos de estudo representativos de museus e centros de arte contemporânea instalados em edifícios preexistentes, em Portugal, no princípio do século XXI. Os casos em estudo são o Centro de Memória em Vila do Conde, o Centro de Arte Contemporânea de Bragança e o Museu de Arte Contemporânea de Elvas. Na reflexão efectuada sobre cada caso de estudo é realizado um enquadramento histórico e arquitectónico do edifício antes da intervenção, uma descrição do programa a implementar e como este se insere no edifício, e por último uma reflexão sobre a intervenção e o enquadramento desta na obra do arquitecto, procurando compreender a continuidade e rotura com outras obras. 11 Abstract The relevance of the issues related to the museums led to the realization of a thesis that develops current topics such as the importance of building’s architecture in Centers of Contemporary Art, in its international projection and the revitalization of the cities where they are inserted, their new functions, their comunication and mediatization and their new role in society and in the city. The rehabilitation of buildings for Contemporary Art Centers is a topic that started with an international reflection and developed in this thesis through the analysis of three case studies of Contemporary Art Centers and centers installed in existing buildings in Portugal, in the begining of the XXI century. The case studies are the Memory Center in Vila do Conde, Bragança’s Contemporary Art Center and Elvas’s Contemporary Art Center. In the reflection made on each case study is done a historical and architectural background of the building before the intervention, a description of the program to be implemented and how it fits into the building, and finally a reflection on the intervention and the context in the work of the architect, trying to understand the continuity and rupture with other works

Characterization of bubbles in a bubble column by image analysis

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT); EC

Impacts of the shift from distressed pavements to low noise pavements in motorways – a case study in Portugal

Road traffic noise is a relevant environmental problem, resulting essentially from the contact mechanisms between tyre and pavement surface. According to the current legislation, noise management actions must primarily intervene at the source. BRISA is employing efforts to determine pavement influence as a parameter of source noise reduction in order to address the well-being of the population surrounding highways and simultaneously comply with European directives regarding Environmental Noise evaluation and management. This Project evaluates the environmental noise effects of replacing a wearing course of Porous and Bituminous Asphalt at end-of-life for a course of SMA12, using two different methodologies for tyre-road noise measurement: the Statistical Pass-By method and the Close Proximity method

A utilização de fontes jornalísticas na produção de jornalismo cultural em Portugal

Esta investigação analisa a utilização das fontes de informação na prática de jornalismo cultural em dois diários portugueses de referência. O conceito de cultura encerra em si inúmeras definições, provenientes de diferentes áreas de conhecimento que, por sua vez, moldaram a construção da definição de jornalismo cultural, cuja origem, associada à produção literária e a diferentes tipos de publicações, acarreta dificuldades na construção de uma definição universal. Partir-se-á daqui à descoberta da prática deste tipo de jornalismo em Portugal (objeto, funções, géneros, meios, principais características, entre outros aspetos), através de um estudo de caso a dois jornais portugueses de referência, incindindo na relação dessa prática com a utilização das fontes de informação

Introduction of Forage Legumes into Pastures of Three Different Grasses

It was evaluated the introduction of a mixture of calopo, galaxia, perennial soybean, guata and stylo broadcsted into marandu, setaria and tanzania half-plots already established in three cafeterias, each one located inside a paddock of each grass. The legumes were seeded in the end of the Spring (12/07/98), after the plots had been cut down and fertilized. The cafeterias were grazed intermittently by buffaloes maintained in the three paddocks. The occurrence of the five legume plants was avaluated by countings (#/m2) effected in the middle of Autumn, Winter and Spring of 1999 and Summer of 2000. Along with this last counting it was evaluated the forage remained after grazing and its N%. Marandu-grass presented the higher amount of forage remained after grazing but the lower presence of legumes along all countings. The contrary happened with Tanzania-grass. Significantly higher N% was found in the mixed grass half-plots compared with them without legumes

PARTICIPAÇÃO NAS AULAS DE EDUCAÇÃO FÍSICA E FATORES ASSOCIADOS AO NÍVEL DE ATIVIDADE FÍSICA DE ADOLESCENTES BRASILEIROS: UMA REVISÃO DE ESCOPO

To analyze participation in physical education (PE) classes and factors associated with the level of physical activity (PA) of Brazilian adolescents. Scope review study, with literature search carried out in the bases: PubMed, Scielo and Lilacs, from August to December 2021. In the 12 studies included, participation ranged from 41.9% to 84.7%. Of these, 4 were held in the South region and 3 in Brazilian Capitals. All evaluated, with questionnaires, public schools. The main associated factors were: gender, meeting PA recommendations, sports practice, health and physical fitness criteria, in addition to participation in PE classes. The promotion of PA in the school environment is indicated, with more PE classes offered, with active participation that contribute to the health of Brazilian adolescents.Analizar la participación en clases de educación física (EF) y los factores asociados al nivel de actividad física (AF) de adolescentes brasileños. Estudio de revisión de alcance, con búsqueda bibliográfica realizada en las bases: PubMed, Scielo y Lilacs, de agosto a diciembre de 2021. En los 12 estudios incluidos, la participación varió del 41,9% al 84,7%. De estos, 4 fueron realizados en la región Sur y 3 en Capitales Brasileñas. Todos evaluaron, con cuestionarios, escuelas públicas. Los principales factores asociados fueron: género, cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de AF, práctica deportiva, criterios de salud y condición física, además de la participación en clases de EF. Se indica la promoción de la AF en el ámbito escolar, con mayor oferta de clases de EF, con participación activa que contribuya a la salud de los adolescentes brasileños.Analisar a participação nas aulas de educação física (EF) e fatores associados ao nível de atividade física (AF) de adolescentes Brasileiros. Estudo de revisão de escopo, com busca na literatura realizada nas bases: PubMed, Scielo e Lilacs, de agosto a dezembro de 2021. Nos 12 estudos incluídos a participação variou entre 41,9% a 84,7%. Destes, 4 foram realizados na região Sul e 3 em Capitais Brasileiras. Todos avaliaram, com questionários, escolas públicas. Os principais fatores associados foram: sexo, atender as recomendações de AF, prática esportiva, critérios de saúde e aptidão física, além da participação nas aulas de EF. Indica-se a promoção da AF no ambiente escolar, com mais oferta de aulas de EF, de participação ativa que contribuam na saúde dos adolescentes brasileiros