Classificação Geotécnica do maciço rochoso da Pedreira do Monte das Flores – Évora (Portugal)

No âmbito da atualização do processo de homologação da Pedreira do Monte das Flores - Évora, como fornecedora de balastro ferroviário, procedeu-se à classificação geotécnica do maciço rochoso existente no local. Esta exploração possui 96,90 ha de área arrendada estando 70,70 ha concessionados à exploração. Geologicamente, a área estudada pertence à Zona de Ossa-Morena (Maciço de Évora), enquanto parte integrante do Maciço Ibérico que constitui o setor mais ocidental e contínuo da Cadeia Orogénica Varisca na Europa. Também os eventos tectonotérmicos alpinos se fizeram sentir neste maciço de forma atenuada, permitindo a preservação da história geológica mesozóica [Moita, 2008]. A unidade geológica onde se insere a exploração é constituída por litótipos ígneos e metamórficos de idade precâmbrica e paleozóica [Andrade et al., 1976], denotando-se um domínio das formações de rochas eruptivas. Na área estudada ocorre um afloramento de quartzodiorito e granodiorito de grão médio, não porfiróide, onde os minerais mais representativos da rocha são o feldspato potássico, a plagioclase e o quartzo, sem evidenciarem qualquer orientação à vista desarmada [Moita, 2008]. Neste estudo fez-se a descrição geotécnica da qualidade do maciço rochoso que ocorre na Pedreira do Monte das Flores. Por se tratar de um sistema de classificação generalista e correntemente utilizado na avaliação do comportamento geomecânico dos maciços rochosos, utilizou-se a Descrição Geotécnica Básica (“Basic Geotechnical Description”- BGD), proposta pela Sociedade Internacional de Mecânica das Rochas [ISRM, 1981]. O principal objetivo da aplicação desta classificação foi o de efetuar um zonamento geotécnico do maciço rochoso, quer do local atualmente em exploração, quer da área contígua para onde se prevê o alargamento da corta da exploração, com base no reconhecimento geológico e, na amostragem efetuada em locais selecionados para posterior realização de ensaios laboratoriais de caracterização mecânica. Este reconhecimento geológico de superfície permitiu identificar o tipo de rocha presente, determinar as características estruturais e caracterizar a alteração do maciço rochoso, assim como, definir as diferentes famílias de fraturas presentes e quantificar o espaçamento entre as descontinuidades nestas famílias. Com o objetivo de determinar as características mecânicas, tais como, a resistência à compressão uniaxial e o ângulo de atrito das fraturas, foi realizada uma campanha de ensaios laboratoriais e de campo, nomeadamente, o ensaio de resistência à compressão uniaxial, complementado pelo ensaio de carga pontual, de modo a determinar o valor daquela resistência. Realizou-se também o ensaio com o martelo de Schmidt dado ser um ensaio simples e rápido na caracterização de materiais [Pinho, 2003], que permite estimar o valor da resistência à compressão uniaxial dos planos das descontinuidades do maciço rochoso (JCS), nos diferentes locais de amostragem. O parâmetro JCS, o coeficiente de rugosidade da descontinuidade (JRC) e a tensão efectiva normal (’n ), foram necessários para obter o ângulo de atrito das diaclases (Øpico), de acordo com o método proposto pela Sociedade Internacional de Mecânica das Rochas [ISRM, 1978]. O estudo realizado permitiu concluir que o maciço apresenta boa qualidade, em regra, homogénea relativamente às suas características geológicas e geotécnicas. No entanto, distinguem-se duas zonas, ZG1 e ZG2, com base em pequenas diferenças nos valores da resistência à compressão uniaxial da rocha e do ângulo de atrito das fraturas

Theory of Vibrationally Inelastic Electron Transport through Molecular Bridges

Vibrationally inelastic electron transport through a molecular bridge that is connected to two leads is investigated. The study is based on a generic model of vibrational excitation in resonant transmission of electrons through a molecular junction. Employing methods from electron-molecule scattering theory, the transmittance through the molecular bridge can be evaluated numerically exactly. The current through the junction is obtained approximately using a Landauer-type formula. Considering different parameter regimes, which include both the case of a molecular bridge that is weakly coupled to the leads, resulting in narrow resonance structures, and the opposite case of a broad resonance caused by strong interaction with the leads, we investigate the characteristic effects of coherent and dissipative vibrational motion on the electron transport. Furthermore, the validity of widely used approximations such as the wide-band approximation and the restriction to elastic transport mechanisms is investigated in some detail.Comment: Submited to PRB, revised version according to comments of referees (minor text changes and new citations

A Scaling Approach for Interacting Quantum Wires -a Possible Explanation for the 0.7 Anomalous Conductance

We consider a weakly interacting finite wire with short and long range interactions. The long range interactions enhance the $4k_{F}$ scattering and renormalize the wire to a strongly interacting limit. For large screening lengths, the renormalized charge stiffness Luttinger parameter $K_{eff.}$ decreases to $K_{eff.}< {1/2}$, giving rise to a Wigner crystal at T=0 with an anomalous conductance at finite temperatures. For short screening lengths, the renormalized Luttinger parameter $K_{eff.}$ is restricted to ${1/2}\leq K_{eff.}\leq 1$. As a result, at temperatures larger than the magnetic exchange energy we find an interacting metal which for $K_{eff.}\approx {1/2}$ is equivalent to the Hubbard $U\to\infty$ model, with the anomalous conductance $G\approx\frac{e^2}{h}$ .Comment: 26 pages and 6 figure

Histogenesis and cell differentiation in the retina of Thunnus thynnus: a morphological and immunohistochemical study

This study examines the anatomical development of the visual system of Atlantic bluefin tuna, Thunnus thynnus, during the first 15 days of life at histological level, with emphasis in the immunohistochemical characterization of different cell types. As an altricial fish species, the retina was not developed at hatching. The appearance of eye pigmentation and the transformation of the retina from an undifferentiated neuroblastic layer into a laminated structure occurred during the first two days of life. At 16 days after hatching (DAH), the ganglion cells were arranged in a single row in the central region of the retina and the outer segments of the photoreceptors were morphologically developed. Furthermore, at this age, all the retinal cell types were immunohistochemically characterized. The presence of ganglion cell axons was confirmed with the TUJ1 antibody and the existence of functional synapses in the plexiform layers with antibodies against SV2. Cone opsins were immunostained with antibodies against visinin and CERN-922 immunoreactive rods were also identified. Different subpopulations of amacrine cells were immunostained with antibodies against αTH and PV. Highly GS-immunoreactive Müller cells were also detected at this age. These observations suggested that the T. thynnus retina was fully functional at the end of the second week of life. Basic studies on early morphology of the visual system and larval behaviour are necessary to support applied research on larval rearing. Furthermore, they may have implications for understanding larval ecology in the wild.Versión del edito

Green function techniques in the treatment of quantum transport at the molecular scale

The theoretical investigation of charge (and spin) transport at nanometer length scales requires the use of advanced and powerful techniques able to deal with the dynamical properties of the relevant physical systems, to explicitly include out-of-equilibrium situations typical for electrical/heat transport as well as to take into account interaction effects in a systematic way. Equilibrium Green function techniques and their extension to non-equilibrium situations via the Keldysh formalism build one of the pillars of current state-of-the-art approaches to quantum transport which have been implemented in both model Hamiltonian formulations and first-principle methodologies. We offer a tutorial overview of the applications of Green functions to deal with some fundamental aspects of charge transport at the nanoscale, mainly focusing on applications to model Hamiltonian formulations.Comment: Tutorial review, LaTeX, 129 pages, 41 figures, 300 references, submitted to Springer series "Lecture Notes in Physics

Anticancer potential of Thevetia peruviana fruit methanolic extract

Abstract Background: Thevetia peruviana (Pers.) K. Schum or Cascabela peruviana (L.) Lippold (commonly known as ayoyote, codo de fraile, lucky nut, or yellow oleander), native to Mexico and Central America, is a medicinal plant used traditionally to cure diseases like ulcers, scabies, hemorrhoids and dissolve tumors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the cytotoxic, antiproliferative and apoptotic activity of methanolic extract of T. peruviana fruits on human cancer cell lines. Methods: The cytotoxic activity of T. peruviana methanolic extract was carried out on human breast, colorectal, prostate and lung cancer cell lines and non-tumorigenic control cells (fibroblast and Vero), using the MTT assay. For proliferation and motility, clonogenic and wound-healing assays were performed. Morphological alterations were monitored by trypan blue exclusion, as well as DNA fragmentation and AO/EB double staining was performed to evaluate apoptosis. The extract was separated using flash chromatography, and the resulting fractions were evaluated on colorectal cancer cells for their cytotoxic activity. The active fractions were further analyzed through mass spectrometry. Results: The T. peruviana methanolic extract exhibited cytotoxic activity on four human cancer cell lines: prostate, breast, colorectal and lung, with values of IC50 1.91 ± 0.76, 5.78 ± 2.12, 6.30 ± 4.45 and 12.04 ± 3.43 μg/mL, respectively. The extract caused a significant reduction of cell motility and colony formation on all evaluated cancer cell lines. In addition, morphological examination displayed cell size reduction, membrane blebbing and detachment of cells, compared to non-treated cancer cell lines. The T. peruviana extract induced apoptotic cell death, which was confirmed by DNA fragmentation and AO/EB double staining. Fractions 4 and 5 showed the most effective cytotoxic activity and their MS analysis revealed the presence of the secondary metabolites: thevetiaflavone and cardiac glycosides. Conclusion: T. peruviana extract has potential as natural anti-cancer product with critical effects in the proliferation, motility, and adhesion of human breast and colorectal cancer cells, and apoptosis induction in human prostate and lung cancer cell lines, with minimal effects on non-tumorigenic cell lines. Keywords: Cytotoxic activity, Anti-proliferative activity, Motility, Apoptosis, Human cancer cells, Flavonoid, Cardiac glycoside

Elective Cancer Surgery in COVID-19-Free Surgical Pathways During the SARS-CoV-2 Pandemic: An International, Multicenter, Comparative Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19-free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19-free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS: Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19-free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19-free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score-matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19-free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION: Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19-free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: An international, multicenter, comparative cohort study

PURPOSE As cancer surgery restarts after the first COVID-19 wave, health care providers urgently require data to determine where elective surgery is best performed. This study aimed to determine whether COVID-19–free surgical pathways were associated with lower postoperative pulmonary complication rates compared with hospitals with no defined pathway. PATIENTS AND METHODS This international, multicenter cohort study included patients who underwent elective surgery for 10 solid cancer types without preoperative suspicion of SARS-CoV-2. Participating hospitals included patients from local emergence of SARS-CoV-2 until April 19, 2020. At the time of surgery, hospitals were defined as having a COVID-19–free surgical pathway (complete segregation of the operating theater, critical care, and inpatient ward areas) or no defined pathway (incomplete or no segregation, areas shared with patients with COVID-19). The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative pulmonary complications (pneumonia, acute respiratory distress syndrome, unexpected ventilation). RESULTS Of 9,171 patients from 447 hospitals in 55 countries, 2,481 were operated on in COVID-19–free surgical pathways. Patients who underwent surgery within COVID-19–free surgical pathways were younger with fewer comorbidities than those in hospitals with no defined pathway but with similar proportions of major surgery. After adjustment, pulmonary complication rates were lower with COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.2% v 4.9%; adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 0.62; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.86). This was consistent in sensitivity analyses for low-risk patients (American Society of Anesthesiologists grade 1/2), propensity score–matched models, and patients with negative SARS-CoV-2 preoperative tests. The postoperative SARS-CoV-2 infection rate was also lower in COVID-19–free surgical pathways (2.1% v 3.6%; aOR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.36 to 0.76). CONCLUSION Within available resources, dedicated COVID-19–free surgical pathways should be established to provide safe elective cancer surgery during current and before future SARS-CoV-2 outbreaks

Outcomes from elective colorectal cancer surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic

This study aimed to describe the change in surgical practice and the impact of SARS-CoV-2 on mortality after surgical resection of colorectal cancer during the initial phases of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic