Desenvolvimento de um sistema de aquisição e processamento de sinais eletromiográficos de superfície

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia BiomédicaEsta dissertação descreve o desenvolvimento de um sistema para a deteção, aquisição e processamento de sinais eletromiográficos de superfície, bem como sinais oriundos de um acelerómetro de três eixos solidário com o módulo de aquisição. O conjunto destes quatro sinais permite caracterizar o movimento que deu origem a cada ativação muscular. Os quatro sinais por módulo são enviados para um computador e apresentados em conjunto por meio de um módulo de software desenvolvido em Java. O utilizador pode não só ver os dados em tempo real, mas também guardá-los para posterior análise, tanto no domínio temporal como no domínio da frequência. Estas gravações podem ser utilizadas para fazer um historial clínico de pacientes sob recuperação de lesões musculares caracterizando e validando deste modo ações terapêuticas ou pura e simplesmente para caracterização da melhoria de desempenho muscular em ginásios.This work describes the development of a system for the detection, acquisition and processing of surface EMG signals as well as signals from an accelerometer with three axes integrated in the module. Together these four signals allow the characterization of the movement originated by muscles activation. The four signals are sent to a computer and presented together by using a software module developed in Java. The user is allowed not only to see the data in real time, but also to save them for later analysis, both in time and frequency domains. These recordings can be used to make a clinical history of patients undergoing recovery from muscle damage, characterizing and validating therapeutic or simply characterizing the improvement of muscle performance in gymnasiums

PRUNING SYSTEM EFFECT ON GREENHOUSE GRAFTED TOMATO YIELD AND QUALITY

This study aimed to evaluate the effects on tomato yield and quality of three pruning systems (2, 3 and 4 stems) of grafted plants (cv. Vinicio and Multifort) used to prevent the incidence of soil diseases. It was also investigated if the two stems from nodes of the cotyledon leaves improved crop performance compared to the two stems from the first true leaves nodes. The experiment was conducted in the spring/summer season, under greenhouse conditions at NW Portugal, with a randomized block design with 3 blocks and the four pruning crop treatments. Total yield was significantly increased for the double-stem tomato crop, without significant differences between both stem nodes position (26.5 kg m-2), compared to plants with 3 and 4 stems (19.5 kg m-2). The fruit grade between 57-102 mm represented 96.3% of total yield and this was similar for all plant treatments. Fruit quality was not influenced by the pruning systems and mean characteristics were: fruit firmness (1.0 kg), content of soluble solids (5.1°Brix), acidity (1.0 g 100 g-1), pH (4.4), dry mater content (4.9%), and unblemished fruits (90.9%). Higher yield and fruit quality from double-stem tomato plants offset the increased planting labour and higher plant cost, compared to the 3 and 4 stems grafted plants. The similar results obtained with double-stem plants from cotyledon leaves nodes and from the first true leaves suggest that the former plants should not be recommended due to the higher nursery pruning care they need

Obesity-related knowledge and body mass index : a national survey in Portugal

© 2019 Springer Nature Switzerland AG. Part of Springer Nature.Purpose: Obesity-related knowledge predicts weight control but previous studies only comprise individuals with excessive weight and assess very specific aspects of knowledge. This study aims to evaluate several domains of obesity-related knowledge according to the body mass index (BMI) in a representative sample of Portuguese-speaking dwellers in mainland Portugal. Methods: A sample of 1624 participants aged 16–79 years was analyzed. Eighteen questions comprising eight obesity domains were asked: prevalence, physical activity, number of calories, adiposity location, causes, diagnosis, treatment and consequences; each one was dichotomized into correct/incorrect knowledge. Results: The majority of Portuguese-speaking dwellers recognized the benefits of physical activity, the risks of abdominal obesity and most consequences of excessive weight, independently of their BMI. However, knowledge gaps were identified regarding prevalence, calories and BMI diagnosis. BMI influenced specific obesity-related knowledge: participants with a normal BMI knew the BMI formula more often, identified 22 as normal BMI more frequently and had the highest proportion of correct knowledge regarding the number of calories an adult should eat; obese individuals identified natural products as not being good treatments for obesity more often. After adjusting for age, sex and educational level, obese individuals identified natural products and supplements as not being good obesity treatments more often. Conclusions: Obesity-related knowledge gaps (prevalence, calories, and diagnosis) were identified among Portuguese adults. Moreover, correct knowledge does not necessarily translate into a healthier BMI. Besides the dissemination of accurate information, public health interventions should focus on the transfer of knowledge to behaviors that will guarantee better weight management. Evidence-based medicine rankings: Level V: Opinions of respected authorities, based on descriptive studies, narrative reviews, clinical experience, or reports of expert committees.This study was supported by FEDER funds through Operational Programme Competitiveness and Internationalization and by national funding from The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology—FCT (Portuguese Ministry of Education and Science) within the project (HMSP-IISE/SAU-ICT/0004/2009) and within the Epidemiology Research Unit—Institute of Public Health, University of Porto (EPIUnit) (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-006862; Ref. UID/ DTP/04750/2013). Additionally, we gratefully acknowledge the FCT Investigator contract IF/01674/2015 (Susana Silva) and also a Scientifc Employment Stimulus contract CEECIND/01793/2017 (Ana Henriques). The funding source had no role in the study design, collection, analysis, or interpretation of data, writing the manuscript, or the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Symmetries and Asymmetries in Collective Management: Comparing Effects on Resilience and Rural Development in Galician Common Lands and the Brazilian Extractive Reserves

This study aims to comparatively analyse cases involving Galician common lands (MVMC) in Spain and the Extractive Reserves (RESEX) in Brazil, from the new perspective of community resilience in sustainable rural development. We studied the role of the state in legal transformations regarding land use and management to understand changes in access to and use of common resources, as well as to describe how relationships are established among user groups. The results are based on the analysis of 55 semi-structured interviews with people from seven communities with common lands in Spain and information gathered through Rapid Rural Appraisal (RRA) techniques and interviews at the Riozinho da Liberdade Extractive Reserve in Acre (Brazil). Field work for the study was done in May 2013, April to June 2014 and February 2015. The research uncovers the frailties and strengths of the main management patterns in each reality. The two cases are marked by strong state intervention to regulate conditions of use and the implementation of management models in these areas. In both, the perceived economic importance of natural resources as a source of revenue was also a common point, though tenure of these resources became effective in different ways. The importance of ensuring access to land as a way of maintaining the freedom and autonomy of the user group was also prominent in both cases and should be seen as a crucial factor for economic and social development. Finally, the normative and practical arrangements found in MVMCs and RESEX areas present a good strategy for rural development based on relationships among user groups and shared land management organization patternsThe first author acknowledges the financial support given by the CAPES (Brazil)S

O papel dos articuladores na configuração da revista “A Escola” (1906-1910)

O presente artigo tem por objetivo analisar o papel dos articuladores que publicavam na revista “A Escola”. Esse periódico (1906-1910), fonte primária dessa investigação, será analisado na perspectiva da totalidade da história, pois é parte de um projeto maior denominado de Imprensa e Educação. A utilização do vocábulo “articuladores” deve-se ao fato de que não se pretende entrar na história dos intelectuais sobre os quais há diversos estudos.  A revista em foco é um periódico de cunho educacional que apresenta dois arranjos ideológicos: educação e imprensa. É por meio desses arranjos que se pretende concretizar o objetivo do artigo em tela, que é apresentar como se processa a construção da cidadania[i] no contexto do Paraná, por meio dos principais articuladores da revista educacional “A Escola”, na formação do professor. Os exemplares da Revista “A Escola” se encontram, atualmente, na Biblioteca Pública do Paraná (Divisão Estadual) e na Hemeroteca Digital do Rio de Janeiro (disponível em: bndigital.bn.gov.br/hemeroteca-digital). A fonte primária é a revista “A Escola”

Biocompatible ammonium-based ionic liquids/ZIF-8 composites for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 separations

The authors thank Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, FCT/ MCTES (Portugal), for financial support through PhD grant SFRH/BD/ 139627/2018 (T. J. F.), FCT Investigator contract (IF/00621/2015 – P. M. R). Additionally, the work was also partially supported by the Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry, LAQV, which is funded by national funds from FCT/MCTES (LA/P/0008/2020).The development of sorbent materials with high carbon dioxide (CO2) selectivity is of vital importance to minimize the impact of global warming by separating and capturing this major greenhouse gas. In this work, for the first time five ammonium-based ionic liquids (ILs) were impregnated into the metal-organic framework (MOF) ZIF-8 for gas sorption applications. Characterization results showed that the produced IL@ZIF-8 composites are thermally stable and of microporous nature. IL impregnation was successfully accomplished and did not affect the crystalline structure of ZIF-8. Sorption-desorption equilibrium isotherms of different gases, including CO2, methane (CH4) and nitrogen (N2) were measured at 303 K for the pristine MOF and the composites. Given the careful choice of the ILs, the anion and cation effects were studied in terms of their impact on the sorption capacity and selectivity performance of each composite. Acetate-based composites showed high CO2 selectivity when compared to ZIF-8; specifically, the composite [N2 1 1 4][Ac]@ZIF-8 showed 51% increase, at 1 bar and for flue gas conditions. Because of the good CO2/N2 selectivity of the acetate-based composites, sorption-desorption equilibrium isotherms of the above-mentioned gases were also measured at 323 K, along with ZIF-8. Ideal selectivities were thus calculated to study the temperature impact on the selectivity performance of the materials. It can be observed that the higher the temperature, the less selective the materials are. Nevertheless, at 323 K and when compared to ZIF-8, the composite [N2 1 1 4][Ac]@ZIF-8 showed 56% increase, at 1 bar and for flue gas conditions. Finally, the isosteric heats of adsorption of ZIF-8 and the acetate-based ILs were calculated revealing that all gases are physisorbed by the three materials.publishersversionpublishe

Atmospheric plasma immobilization of antimicrobial Zeolite loaded silver nanoparticles on medical textiles

1. Introduction Nosocomial infections, in particular problematic chronic wounds, are a ubiquitous general concern. This apprehension was acuted by the prevalence of multidrug resistant bacteria and emergence of Pandemics. Therefore, the development of novel and highly effective antimicrobial wound dressing comprising marginal or absent cytotoxicity to the patient is crucial. Plasma plays a key role in improving the functionalization of surfaces, in particular of textiles [1]. Thus, in this work we used atmospheric double dielectric discharge (DBD) plasma activated woven polyester (PES) functionalized with silver nanoparticles (AgNPs), enzymes as antimicrobial agents, immobilized using mordenite (MOR) zeolites and polysaccharide-based matrixes to mitigate cytotoxicity. 2. Methodology and results MOR was used with the objective of improving the concentration, stability, and immobilization efficiency of AgNPs and enzymes in the functionalized fabric. Therefore, a solution combining the AgNPs, and/or antimicrobial enzymes was prepared. Afterwards, this solution was mixed with a polysaccharide matrix, consisting of alginate or chitosan. Woven PES surface was activated using DBD and was impregnated with the prepared formulation. The antimicrobial activity of the functionalized fabrics was characterized using bacteria commonly associated to nosocomial infections as well as a virus that is a potential surrogate of severe acute respiratory coronavirus 2 (SARS-COV-2). The antimicrobial tests performed comprised the evaluation of antimicrobial efficacy when in contact with the composites during 1 to 2 hours, by adapting the following standards: AATCC TM100-100 and ISO18184. The microorganisms used were S. aureus, E. coli, and bacteriophage MS2. The formulated composites containing alginate as matrix displayed a high antibacterial activity (higher than 99.999 %) which was stable for over than 15 days of storage. However, it did not exhibit any antiviral activity. The alginate composites also did not hinder the activity of protease, which may have an important antifouling activity. Whereas, the composites containing chitosan exhibited a highly effective antimicrobial activity against the bacteria and the virus (higher than 99.9999 %) when zeolite was present in the formulation

How gamma-rays and electron-beam irradiation would affect the antimicrobial activity of differently processed wild mushroom extracts?

Aims: The effects of irradiation (gamma-rays and electron-beams), up to 10 kGy, in the antimicrobial activity of mushroom species (Boletus edulis, Hydnum repandum, Macrolepiota procera and Russula delica) differently processed (fresh, dried, freeze) were evaluated. Methods and Results: Clinical isolates with different resistance profiles from hospitalized patients in Local Health Unit of Mirandela, Northeast of Portugal, were used as target micro-organisms. The mushrooms antimicrobial activity did not suffer significant changes that might compromise applying irradiation as a possible mushroom conservation technology. Conclusions: Two kGy dose (independently of using gamma-rays or electron-beams) seemed to be the most suitable choice to irradiate mushrooms. Significance and Impact of the Study: This study provides important results in antimicrobial activity of extracts prepared from irradiated mushroom species.The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) and COMPETE/QREN/EU for financial support to CIMO (PEst-OE/AGR/UI0690/2011), Â. Fernandes (SFRH/BD/76019/2011) and J.C.M. Barreira (SFRH/BPD/72802/2010). They also thank to the Local Health Unit of Mirandela, Northeast of Portugal, for all the support and to INCT - Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology, in Warsaw, Poland for electron-beam irradiation

Paramagnetic Ionic Liquid/Metal Organic Framework Composites for CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 Separations

IF/01016/2014 SFRH/BD/139627/2018 PTDC/CTMCTM/30326/2017 PTDC/EQU-EQU/32050/2017 PTDC/FIS-MAC/28157/2017 UIDB/50006/2020 UIDP/50006/2020Global warming is arguably the biggest scientific challenge of the twenty-first century and its environmental consequences are already noticeable. To mitigate the emissions of greenhouse gases, particularly of CO2, there is an urgent need to design materials with improved adsorbent properties. Five different magnetic ionic liquids were impregnated into the metal–organic framework ZIF-8. The composites were produced by a direct-contact method, and their performance as sorbents for gas separation applications was studied. The impact of the ionic liquid anion on the sorption capacity and ideal CO2/CH4 and CO2/N2 selectivities were studied, focusing on understanding the influence of metal atom and ligand on the adsorbent properties. Reproducible methodology, along with rigorous characterization, were established to assess the impact of the ionic liquid on the performance of the composite materials. Results show that the ionic liquid was well-impregnated, and the ZIF-8 structure was maintained after ionic liquid impregnation. The produced composites were of microporous nature and were thermally stable. CO2, CH4, and N2 adsorption–desorption isotherms were obtained at 303 K and between 0 and 16 bar. The adsorption-desorption data of the composites were compared with that obtained for original ZIF-8. The general trend in composites is that the increased gas uptake per available pore volume compensates the pore volume loss. Adsorption data per unit mass showed that composites have reversible sorption, but inferior gas uptake at all pressure ranges. This is due to the observed total pore volume loss by the ionic liquid pore occupation/blockage. In most cases, composites showed superior selectivity performance at all pressure range. In particular, the composite [C4MIM]2[MnCl4]@ZIF-8 shows a different low-pressure selectivity trend from the original MOF, with a 33% increase in the CO2/N2 selectivity at 1 bar and 19% increase in the CO2/CH4 selectivity at 10 bar. This material shows potential for use in a post-combustion CO2 capture application that can contribute to greenhouse gas mitigation.publishersversionpublishe

Relações entre Pares e Violência na Escola: Percepções de Estudantes Paraenses

This study investigated young people’s perceptions of support at school and peer relationships as well as situations of violence, characterizing the main perpetrators and types of violence. Participants included 658 youths between the ages of 13 and 24, both boys and girls, between the 7th grade and the 3rd year of high school in 10 public schools in Belém. The results indicated that the perceptions about school relations were positive, in contrast, the variable I trust in my schoolmates appears with the lowest average. As for exposure to community violence, data showed that schoolmates excelled in three of the five variables on types of violence: threat or humiliation, punching or punching, and moved my body against my will, respectively. It is hoped that the results can help to understand the exposure to community violence and contribute to the reflection and reconstruction of school practice, with specific policies in this context, which is an important micro-system for the development of adolescents and young people. Recebido em: 30/08/2016.Aprovado em: 27/03/2018.Este estudo investigou as percepções de jovens sobre o apoio na escola e sobre as relações entre seus pares, bem como as situações de violência, caracterizando os principais autores e tipos de violência. Participaram 658 jovens de 13 a 24 anos, de ambos os sexos, que cursavam entre a 7ª série do ensino fundamental e o 3º ano do ensino médio de 10 escolas públicas de Belém. Os resultados indicaram que as percepções sobre as relações com a escola se dão de forma positiva, em contrapartida a variável confio nos colegas da escolaaparece com a média mais baixa. Quanto à exposição à violência na comunidade, os dados demonstraram que os colegas de escola se destacam em três das cinco variáveis acerca dos tipos de violência, a saber: ameaça ou humilhação, soco ou surra e mexeu no meu corpo contra a vontade, respectivamente. Recebido em: 30/08/2016.Aprovado em: 27/03/2018