Análise dos Incêndios Florestais num período de 30 anos (1990-2017). Caso de estudo Concelho de Mação (Portugal)

As mudanças climáticas globais são uma temática de grande destaque na nossa sociedade, surgindo, inevitavelmente, associado a esta preocupação, o aumento dos gases de efeito de estufa (GEE) presentes na atmosfera. Segundo Chuvieco et al. (2007) os incêndios florestais são responsáveis por quase 40% das emissões totais de CO2, aumentando significativamente na contribuição dos GEE na atmosfera. Uma forma de compreender os fluxos associados ao carbono é o estudo da quantificação da biomassa florestal, que atua como sumidouro. Ao ocorrer um incêndio florestal, esta dinâmica fica profundamente afetada (Celes et al., 2013).Este artigo é financiado por Fundos Nacionais através da FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia no âmbito do projeto UID/SOC/04020/2013.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of sympathectomy on cardiac remodeling in a doxorrubicin-induced dilated cardiomyopathy model

Introduction: The main cause of cardiac transplantation is dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM), in which there are ventricular dilation and systolic dysfunction, leading to congestive heart failure. Ventricular remodeling involves activation of the sympathetic nervous and renin-angiotensin- aldosterone systems. As such, classic treatments include angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI), beta-blockers and mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists. Once such treatments only delay the development of the disease, it is important to look for better therapeutic options. Experimental models demonstrated the benefits of sympathetic blockade on preserving ventricular function and preventing left ventricle remodeling after myocardial infarction. Objective: We evaluated the influence of bilateral thoracic sympathectomy on left ventricle remodeling and function in a rat model of doxorubicin induced DCM. Methodology: Animals were randomly divided into 4 groups of 7 rats each. DCM only, bilateral sympathectomy (BS) with DCM, ACEI with DCM and also a negative control group (SHAM). DCM was inducted in the experimental groups through weekly intraperitoneal injection of doxorubicin. Fifteen days after the beginning of DCM induction, bilateral sympathectomy was performed by chemical sclerosis of stellate ganglion with ethanol in the BS group. From this same time point until the end of experimental protocol, animals of the ACEI group received daily, through water ingestion, a enalapril maleate dilution. Ten weeks later, left ventricular function was evaluated with the use of a microtip pressureconductance catheter. Also, extracellular fibrosis were evaluated and BCL-2 expression on myocardial tissue were quantified. Partial Results: DCM group showed an increased left ventricular (LV) end-diastolic volume in relation to Sham group(p=0.034). Also, a significant decrease was observed in LV ejection fraction in DCM group, while bilateral sympathectomy were able to preserve this parameter (p=0,001). Furthermore, both treated groups showed an increased LV stroke work compared to DCM group (p=0,002). Myocardial extracellular fibrosis were more present in control group, whereas both BS and ACE inhibitor treatments reduced the areas of fibrotic tissue (p<0,0001), which can be associated with increased expression of anti-apoptotic BCL-2 in treated groups (p=0,0004). Discussion and Conclusion: Sympathetic blockade was able to suppress myocardial tissue fibrosis, most likely due to increasing anti-apoptotic BCL-2 expression. Moreover, LV function was maintained as observed through LV ejection fraction,stroke work and cardiac efficiency levels. Although ACE inhibitor was also able to inhibit extracellular fibrosis and increase BCL- 2 expression, cardiac function has not been preserved as in BS group. Therefore, we conclude that BS was able to decrease myocardial tissue deterioration and also to preserve LV in a doxorubicin model of DCM in rats. Keywords: Sympathectomy; Cardiomyopathy; Cardiac transplantation; Doxorubicin

Universidade do Minho. Instalações Definitivas - Braga. Estudo

Estudo técnico para implantação das Instalações definitivas em Braga.Projeto: “História da Universidade do Minho: da criação ao presente. Dinâmicas sócio históricas e expansão da rede universitária portuguesa”. Fundação Carlos Lloyd Braga/Reitoria da Universidade do Minho e CITCEM - Centro de Investigação Transdisciplinar Cultura, Espaço e Memória

Hydroisomerization of n-decane over SAPO-11 catalysts synthesized with methylamine as co-template

The present work deals with preliminary studies concerning a new synthesis approach to prepare SAPO materials with AEL structure and evaluate their catalytic behavior in the hydroisomerization of long paraffins. The new SAPO-11 catalysts were synthesized with the help of a small amine (methylamine, MA) added during the preparation of the initial gel. As MA incorporates into the structure of the final materials, it contributes, together with DPA (dipropylamine), to an increase in Si incorporation as isolated species, which results in Bronsted acid sites. Thus, this new and original synthesis strategy allows to obtain materials with enhanced Bronsted acidity when compared with free MA materials. The catalysts were tested in n-decane hydroisomerization (n-decane was used as a model molecule) and confirmed the effect of MA on the acidic properties of the catalysts. The samples synthesized with MA present a higher number of acid sites that increase the catalytic conversion but have a negative effect in the isomerization selectivity, i.e. a more significant amount of cracking products is formed

Incorporation of niobium in SAPO-11 materials: Synthesis and characterization

The present work concerns a new synthesis approach to prepare niobium based SAPO materials with AEL structure and the characterization ofNb species incorporated within the inorganic matrixes. The SAPO-11 materials were synthesized with or without the help of a small amine, methylamine (MA) as co-template, while Nb was added directly during the preparation of the initial gel. Structural, textural and acidic properties of the different supports were evaluated by XRD, TPR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, pyridine adsorption followed by IR spectroscopy and thermal analyses. Pure and well crystalline Nb based SAPO-11 materials were obtained, either with or without MA, using in the initial gel a low Si content of about 0.6. Increasing the Si content of the gel up to 0.9 led to an important decrease of the samples crystallinity. Niobium was found to incorporate the AEL pores support as small Nb2O5 oxide particles and also as extra framework cationic species (Nb5+), compensating the negative charges from the matrix and generating new Lewis acid sites. (C) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved

The training of reading children: the family as a reading mediator

Neste artigo, debate-se a questão da família e da sua formação, como mediadora de leitura, desenvolvida muitas vezes na escola. Os objetivos do artigo são: compreender como a família tem um papel fundamental como primeira mediadora de leitura/promotora de uma educação literária; debater a necessidade de formação da família; conhecer programas de formação da família. Após a compreensão da realidade, apresenta-se um conjunto de projetos de formação da família. Os resultados desse levantamento de dados apontam para a necessidade de um trabalho contínuo, organizado e sistemático, sustentado na escola, no que diz respeito à formação da família mediadora de leitura.In this article, we discuss the question of the family and their training, as a reading mediator, often developed in school. The objectives of this article are: to understand how the family has a fundamental role as the first reading mediator/promoter of literary education; to discuss the need for family training; to know about family training programs. After understanding reality, we present a set of family training projects. The results of this data collection point to the need for a continuous, organized and systematic work, sustained in the school, regarding the training of the family as a reading mediator.CIEC - Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança, IE, UMinho (UI 317 da FCT), PortugalEste trabalho foi financiado por Fundos Nacionais através da Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) e cofinanciado pelo Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER), através do COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI), no âmbito do Centro de Investigação em Estudos da Criança da Universidade do Minho (CIEC), com a referência POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007562.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

INTERFACE DO USUÁRIO BASEADA EM VOZ COMO FERRAMENTA PARA PROMOVER O ENSINO/APRENDIZAGEM DE LÍNGUA ESTRANGEIRA

Este artigo traz um estudo do uso de interfaces do usuário baseada em voz no auxílio ao aprendizado de língua estrangeira, inserida no contexto de melhorar atividades práticas de escutae compreensão de textos, bem como a pronúncia correta de palavras. Para tanto, através de técnicas de reconhecimento e síntese de voz, foi desenvolvida a aplicação VAL, que segue umametodologia específica para o desenvolvimento de aplicações VUI

Transtorno depressivo maior em agentes penitenciários

OBJECTIVE To identify factors associated with major depressive disorder (MDD) in detention officers. METHODS This cross-sectional study included all detention officers from the largest prison complex in the state of Bahia, Brazil. A self-reported questionnaire collected sociodemographic, occupational and health data. The outcome variable – MDD – was evaluated by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) and classified by the cut-off point ≥ 10 method and the algorithm method. The association measure used was the prevalence ratio (PR). Following Cox multivariate regression, the variables were divided into two blocks: sociodemographic characteristics and work, in that order. Only variables with adjusted PR (PRadj) ≥ 1.30 were selected to compose the final models. RESULTS The MDD prevalence by the cut-off point ≥ 10 (simple) and algorithm method in the 401 officers investigated was 18.8% and 9.3%, respectively. MDD prevalence by cut-off point ≥ 10 was higher in female officers (PRadj = 2.77), who suffered threat from factions (PRadj = 2.05), did not report institutional training for the position (PRadj = 1.38), stated that the environment and working conditions interfered in their physical health (PRadj = 3.51) and performed stress-generating activities (PRadj in increasing gradient). MDD prevalence by the algorithm method was higher in female agents (PRadj = 3.45), with tertiary education (PRadj = 1.71), who stated that the environment and working conditions interfered in their physical health (PRadj = 6.33), suffered threat from factions (PRadj = 2.14), did not report institutional training (PRadj = 1.50) and have frequent contact with inmates at work (PRadj = 1.48). CONCLUSION The high MDD prevalence in these detention officers was associated with sociodemographic factors and, especially, aspects of their work.OBJETIVO Identificar fatores associados a transtorno depressivo maior (TDM) em agentes penitenciários. MÉTODOS Este estudo de corte transversal incluiu todos os agentes penitenciários do maior complexo prisional do estado da Bahia (Brasil). Num questionário autoaplicado, coletaram-se informações sociodemográficas, ocupacionais e de saúde. A variável de desfecho – TDM – foi avaliada pelo Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) e classificada pelo método do ponto de corte ≥ 10 e pelo método de algoritmo. A razão de prevalência (RP) foi a medida de associação utilizada. Conforme regressão multivariada de Cox, as variáveis foram inseridas em dois blocos: características sociodemográficas e aspectos do trabalho, nessa ordem. Apenas as variáveis com RP ajustada (RPaj) ≥ 1,30 foram selecionadas para compor os modelos finais. RESULTADOS Nos 401 agentes investigados, a prevalência de TDM pelo ponto de corte ≥ 10 (simples) e pelo método de algoritmo foi de 18,8% e 9,3%, respectivamente. A prevalência de TDM pelo ponto de corte ≥ 10 foi maior em agentes do sexo feminino (RPaj = 2,77), que sofreram ameaça de facções (RPaj = 2,05), que não referiram treinamento institucional para o cargo (RPaj = 1,38), que afirmaram que o ambiente e as condições de trabalho interferiam na sua saúde física (RPaj = 3,51) e que exerciam atividades geradoras de tensão (RPaj em gradiente crescente). A prevalência de TDM pelo método de algoritmo foi mais elevada em agentes do sexo feminino (RPaj = 3,45), com escolaridade superior (RPaj = 1,71), que afirmaram que o ambiente e as condições de trabalho interferiam na sua saúde física (RPaj = 6,33), que sofreram ameaça de facções (RPaj = 2,14), que não referiram treinamento institucional (RPaj = 1,50) e que têm contato frequente com internos no trabalho (RPaj = 1,48). CONCLUSÃO A alta prevalência de TDM nesses agentes penitenciários associou-se a aspectos sociodemográficos e, principalmente, a aspectos do seu trabalho. &nbsp

An assessment of forest fires and CO2 gross primary production from 1991 to 2019 in Mação (Portugal)

Forest-fire rates have increased in Southern European landscapes. These fires damage forest ecosystems and alter their development. During the last few decades, an increase in fast-growing and highly fuel-bearing plant species such as bush, Eucalyptus globulus Labill., and Pinus pinaster Ait. has been observable in the interior of Portugal. This study aims to verify this assumption by the quantification of the biomass carbon sink in the forests of the Mação municipality. Maps of fire severity and forest biomass evolution after a wildfire event were produced for the period of 1991 to 2019. To quantify carbon retention in this region, this evolution was correlated with gross primary production (GPP) on the basis of satellite imagery from Landsat 5, Landsat 8, and MODIS MYD17A2H. Results show that wildfires in Mação increased in area and severity with each passing decade due to the large accumulation of biomass promoted by the abandonment of rural areas. Before the large fires of 2003, 2017, and 2019, carbon rates reached a daily maximum of 5.4, 5.3, and 4.7 gC/m2/day, respectively, showing a trend of forest-biomass accumulation in the Mação municipality.UIDB/04020/2020; UIDB/04292/2020info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio