Termite resistance, chemical and mechanical characterization of paulownia tomentosa wood before and after heat treatment

The introduction of new species in forest management must be undertaken with a degree of care, to help prevent the spread of invasive species. However, new species with higher profitability are needed to increase forest products value and the resilience of rural populations. Paulownia tomentosa has an extremely fast growth. The objective and novelty of this work was to study the potential use of young Paulownia trees grown in Portugal by using heat treatment to improve its properties, thereby allowing higher value applications of the wood. The average chemical composition of untreated and heat-treated wood was determined. The extractive content was determined by successive Soxhlet extraction with dichloromethane (DCM), ethanol and water as solvents. The composition of lipophilic extracts was performed by injection in GC-MS with mass detection. Insoluble and soluble lignin, holocellulose and α-cellulose were also determined. Physical (density and water absorption and dimensional stability) and mechanical properties (bending strength and bending stiffness) and termite resistance was also determined. Results showed that extractive content increased in all solvents, lignin and α-cellulose also increased and hemicelluloses decreased. Compounds derived from the thermal degradation of lignin were found in heat-treated wood extractions. Dimensional stability improved but there was a decrease in mechanical properties. Resistance against termites was better for untreated wood than for heat-treated wood, possibly due to the thermal degradation of some toxic extractives.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Influence of Age on the Wood Properties of Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud.

Forests in Portugal are highly dependent on a short number of wood species, and new species with higher profitability are needed. The Paulownia species has generated great interest due to its fast-growing and relatively good wood properties. However, environmental factors have shown that Paulownia grows differently in each case. This study intends to determine the properties of young Paulownia trees from Portuguese plantations to determine the best age to cut the trees according to their use. The chemical composition (extractives in dichloromethane, ethanol and water, lignin, α-cellulose, and hemicelluloses), heating value, elemental analysis (CHNO), inorganic elements and thermogravimetric analyses (TGA), and the most important mechanical and physical properties (density, MOE, bending strength, water absorption equilibrium, moisture content, and dimensional changes) were determined for 1-, 3-, and 5-year-old trees. The results show that, chemically, the extractives increased while hemicelluloses decreased with age, and no trend was found for lignin and α-cellulose. The physical and mechanical properties increased with age, except for the MOE and bending strength. The 5-year-old samples presented the best features for pellet production, namely, calorific power, elemental composition CHNO and sulfur, and inorganic elements.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Genetic variants of vascular endothelial growth factor predict risk and survival of gliomas

The vascular endothelial growth factor regulates angiogenesis that is increased in glioma. VEGF polymorphisms are thought to modulate vascular endothelial growth factor plasma levels and therefore may be implicated in glioma risk. We aimed to clarify the role of VEGF and von Willebrand factor polymorphisms in glioma susceptibility and prognosis. A case-control study of 126 glioma patients and 180 cancer-free controls was performed. Using Sequenom MassARRAY platform, 11 VEGF and 1 VWF polymorphisms were genotyped. Unconditional multivariate logistic regression models were used to calculate odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The associations between polymorphisms and survival were evaluated using a Cox regression model. Bonferroni's adjustment was used to correct for multiple testing. The VEGF polymorphism rs833061 was strongly associated with increased risk for glioma (odds ratio = 164.85) and glioblastoma (odds ratio = 155.66), confirmed after Bonferroni correction. Also, the VEGF polymorphisms rs3024994, rs2010963, and particularly the homozygous carriers of rs1005230 were associated with a worse prognosis for glioma and glioblastoma. Our data support a role of VEGF and VWF polymorphisms as glioma biomarkers, with additional potential relevance for molecular stratification of patients for anti-angiogenic therapies.FCT -Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia(NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Particleboard Production from Paulownia tomentosa (Thunb.) Steud. Grown in Portugal

Paulownia wood has raised high attention due to its rapid growth and fire resistance. The number of plantations in Portugal has been growing, and new exploitation methods are needed. This study intends to determine the properties of particleboards made with very young Paulownia trees from Portuguese plantations. Single layer particleboards were produced with 3-year-old Paulownia trees using different processing parameters and different board composition in order to determine the best properties for use in dry environments. The standard particleboard was produced at 180 °C and a 36.3 kg/cm2 pressure for 6 min using 40 g of raw material with 10% urea-formaldehyde resin. Higher particle size lead to lower-density particleboards, while higher resin contents lead to higher density of the boards. Density has a major effect on board properties with higher densities improving mechanical properties such as bending strength, modulus of elasticity (MOE) and internal bond, lower water absorption but higher thickness swelling and thermal conductivity. Particleboards meeting the requirements for dry environment according to NP EN 312 standard, could be produced with young Paulownia wood with acceptable mechanical and thermal conductivity properties with density around 0.65 g/cm3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.115 W/mK.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Polución por materia orgánica y autodepuración de los cursos de agua: impactos de este estudio en el sector productivo

Atualmente, o cenário competitivo organizacional exige das empresas a melhor utilização de seus recursos, assim como a otimização constante dos processos que permeiam suas atividades. Além disso, temas como sustentabilidade e responsabilidade ambiental estão cada vez mais presentes na indústria, se transformando, inclusive, em mais uma ferramenta para o aprimoramento dos processos. Analisando a produção por essa ótica, este artigo propõe uma discussão sobre a aplicabilidade dos estudos da poluição por matéria orgânica e autodepuração dos cursos d'água, utilizando de conhecimentos matemáticos, pelo modelo de Streeter-Phelps, para validação dos resultados e projeção da inserção deste estudo no ramo de reaproveitamento de água, por estações de tratamento, com a finalidade de eliminação de desperdícios e otimização da produção.The current organizational competitive landscape requires companies to make better use of their resources, as well as constantly optimizing the processes that permeate their activities. In addition, issues such as sustainability and environmental responsibility are increasingly present in the industry, becoming even more a tool for process improvement. Analyzing the production from this point of view, this article proposes a discussion about the applicability of studies on organic matter pollution and autodepuration of water courses, using mathematical knowledge, by the Streeter-Phelps model, for validation of the results and projection of the insertion of this study in the field of reuse of water by treatment plants, with the purpose of eliminating waste and optimizing production.Actualmente, el escenario competitivo organizacional exige de las empresas la mejor utilización de sus recursos, así como la optimización constante de los procesos que permean sus actividades. Además, temas como sostenibilidad y responsabilidad ambiental están cada vez más presentes en la industria, transformándose, incluso, en otra herramienta para el perfeccionamiento de los procesos. En este artículo se propone una discusión sobre la aplicabilidad de los estudios de la contaminación por materia orgánica y autodepuración de los cursos de agua, utilizando de conocimientos matemáticos, por el modelo de Streeter-Phelps, para validación de los resultados y proyección de la inserción de este estudio en el ramo de reaprovechamiento de agua, por estaciones de tratamiento, con la finalidad de eliminación de desperdicios y optimización de la producción.

Locke's legacy

A organização de um colóquio em torno da “herança de Locke” foi uma ideia que nasceu no Centro de Estudos Anglísticos da Universidade de Lisboa, no âmbito do núcleo de investigação dedicado aos estudos de cultura inglesa. Vários textos de Locke são regularmente incluídos nos programas de graduação e de pósgraduação em Estudos Anglísticos, além de objecto de estudo especializado no Centro de Estudos Anglísticos. Assim, fazia todo o sentido comemorar, no ano de 2004, a passagem de mais um centenário sobre a morte de Locke, e celebrar a vitalidade da sua obra ao longo de três séculos reunindo especialistas que, publicamente, apresentassem e discutissem aspectos dessa obra que continuam activos no presente. O volume que agora se publica reúne as comunicações apresentadas em Janeiro de 2004. A variedade dos temas abordados e a manifesta relevância de que se revestem para o estudo da modernidade demonstram que a herança de Locke continua a produzir riqueza, e que constitui património cultural a ser herdado por novas gerações.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologi

Genetic ablation of inositol 1,4,5-Trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) fails to modify disease progression in a mouse model of Spinocerebellar Ataxia type 3

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) is a rare neurodegenerative disease caused by an abnormal polyglutamine expansion within the ataxin-3 protein (ATXN3). This leads to neurodegeneration of specific brain and spinal cord regions, resulting in a progressive loss of motor function. Despite neuronal death, non-neuronal cells, including astrocytes, are also involved in SCA3 pathogenesis. Astrogliosis is a common pathological feature in SCA3 patients and animal models of the disease. However, the contribution of astrocytes to SCA3 is not clearly defined. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor type 2 (IP3R2) is the predominant IP3R in mediating astrocyte somatic calcium signals, and genetically ablation of IP3R2 has been widely used to study astrocyte function. Here, we aimed to investigate the relevance of IP3R2 in the onset and progression of SCA3. For this, we tested whether IP3R2 depletion and the consecutive suppression of global astrocytic calcium signalling would lead to marked changes in the behavioral phenotype of a SCA3 mouse model, the CMVMJD135 transgenic line. This was achieved by crossing IP3R2 null mice with the CMVMJD135 mouse model and performing a longitudinal behavioral characterization of these mice using well-established motor-related function tests. Our results demonstrate that IP3R2 deletion in astrocytes does not modify SCA3 progression.This work has been funded by National funds, through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)—project UIDB/50026/2020 and UIDP/50026/2020, PTDC/NEUNMC/3648/2014 and COMPETE-FEDER (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-016818); fellowships to DCG (2021.08121.BD), DMF (SFRH/BD/147947/2019), JSC (SFRH/BD/140624/2018), ANC (SFRH/BPD/118779/2016), AVF (UMINHO/BIL-CNCG/2022/11), SGG (SFRH/BD/101298/2014), and JFV (2020.05109.BD); FCT Scientific Employment Stimulus (CEEC)—Individual Call position to SDS (CEECIND/00685/2020); grants from the Bial Foundation (037/18) and “the la Caixa” Foundation (LCF/PR/HR21/52410024) to JFO; and by the projects NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000013 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000023, supported by the Norte Portugal Regional Operational Programme (NORTE 2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). It was also supported by grants from the ICVS Scientific Microscopy Platform, a member of the national infrastructure PPBI—Portuguese Platform of Bioimaging (PPBI-POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022122 and national funds through the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT)

Portugal e a defesa europeia

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A política comum de segurança e defesa e o Conselho Europeu de Dezembro de 2013

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio