Untersuchungen an mit Mauerwerk ausgefachten Stahlbetonrahmen und neue Lösungsvorschläge

The vulnerability of unreinforced masonry walls (URM) under seismic events, causing huge loss of money and human lives, has revealed the enormous need for an efficient strengthening material. In this context, the present paper presents the experimental research that has been carried out with the aim of a better insight of traditional masonry infill walls commonly built in Portugal. The experimental research includes: (1) shaking table tests on reduced scale reinforced concrete (rc) building with masonry infills with distinct typologies, from traditional to solutions with enhanced properties and solutions to improve the seismic behavior; (2) in-plane static cyclic tests on an representative one storey and one bay rc frame with masonry infills with distinct typologies but similar to the ones tested in the rc building models. It was concluded that the typology of masonry walls influences global behaviour of rc buildings, particularly if no connection exist between masonry infills and rc frames. If not appropriately designed, the masonry infill walls can have a harmful influence on the rc columns by inducing shear stresses. From the in-plane cyclic tests, t was concluded that rendering takes a central role on the lateral strength and stiffness. Additionally, it was observed that bed joint reinforcement and reinforced rendering are important measures to control damage but do not influence significantly the in-plane lateral strength and stiffness.INSYME project (Innovative systems for earthquake-resistant masonry enclosures in RC buildings (project ref. 606229

A estrada comercial. Interpretação morfológica de um novo elemento urbano na metrópole de Lisboa.

Tese de Mestrado para obtenção de grau de Mestre em Desenho Urbano e Projecto de Espaço Público

Antiviral edible coatings and films: A strategy to ensure food safety

Background Pathological viral transmission via food has been a problem throughout humankind's evolutionary history, impacting food safety and public health. Fresh produce can be contaminated at any stage from pre- to post-harvest and frequently goes through little to no processing, imposing a high risk for contamination by foodborne viruses. Also, due to the globalization of the food industry and supply networks, the spread of enteric virus-related foodborne disorders has worsened. The current understanding of the transmission of viruses through contaminated foods needs more information regarding the potential infectivity, and it is essential to have effective ways to prevent viral transmission and minimize its adverse effects on human and animal health. Scope and approach This review addresses the global public health issue related to foodborne viruses and the current challenges of food safety. It provides an overview of food-grade and naturally occurring antiviral compounds with good antimicrobial activity and emphasizes how edible films and coatings with embedded antiviral agents can reduce the transmission of foodborne illness. Key findings and conclusions Antiviral edible films and coatings can be developed using plant-based compounds and their derived-products, like essential oils and extracts, with bioactive properties. Their use in food products and food contact materials can contribute to developing strategies to contain infectious outbreaks. Results show that these compounds interact with the viral particle, causing some damage to the virus integrity and affecting its infectivity. The development of antiviral edible films and coatings containing these bioactive compounds showed great potential against enteric viruses that cause foodborne illness, specifically norovirus and hepatitis A virus. However, some antiviral agents have also been shown to be very effective against other pathogenic viruses of great importance, some of which are not typically foodborne but can also be dangerous to humans.This work received funding from EIT Food (Grant agreement ID: 20400), the innovation community on Food of the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the EU, under Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Elemental mapping of Portuguese ceramic pieces with a full-field XRF scanner based on a 2D-THCOBRA detector

UID/FIS/04559/2020In this work, we present a novel application of the full-field energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) imaging system based on a MicroPattern Gaseous Detector (2D-THCOBRA) in the cultural heritage field. The detector has an intrinsic imaging capability with spatial resolution of 400μmFWHM, and is energy sensitive, presenting an energy resolution of approximately 1keVFWHM at 5.9keV. The full-field XRF scanner based on the 2D-THCOBRA detector allows mapping the distribution of elements in large area samples with high detection efficiency (75 % at 5.9keV), being a very promising choice for elemental mapping analysis of large area cultural heritage samples. In this work, we have demonstrated the imaging capabilities of the full-field XRF scanner and used it to assess the restoration of a Portuguese faience piece.publishersversionpublishe

Tunning pectinase activity under the effects of electric fields in the enhanced clarification of wine must

Introduction: Pectinolytic enzymes are of great importance for the clarification process of “Vinho Verde” wine must, contributing to the reduction of haze development. During the last decade, a growing body of knowledge has been established about the effects of electric fields on the activation of important food enzymes. However, the influence of electrical parameters on catalytic activity is enzyme-dependent and should be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. This work describes, for the first time, the effects of electric fields and electrical frequency on the activity of pectinase (PEC) in the accelerated clarification of “Vinho Verde” must. Method: Moderate electric fields (MEF) with intensities below 20 V/cm and at electrical frequencies ranging from 50 to 20 kHz were applied at temperatures between 15 and 35°C. Enzymatic activity was measured for 25 min, and the initial rate of reaction was determined by the coefficient of the linear plot of galacturonic acid (GAL) production as a function of time. Results: The results show that electrical frequency can increase enzymatic activity depending on temperature conditions; at 20°C and with electrical frequencies of 2 and 20 kHz, enzymatic activity increased by up to 40 and 20%, respectively, when compared with the control sample (without the application of MEF). Temperature dependence was evaluated through the Arrhenius equation, showing that energy of activation (Ea) can be reduced from 9.2 to 6.6 kJ/mol at sub-optimal temperatures for PEC activity when MEF is applied. Discussion: Electrical parameters, when combined with temperatures below 20°C, reduced pectin concentration in “Vinho Verde” wine must by up to 42% of its initial content. This emergent treatment can be integrated in relevant environmental conditions, presenting an opportunity to increase enzyme efficiency even in low-temperature conditions, which favors the winemaking process.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit, LABBELSAssociate Laboratory in Biotechnology, Bioengineering and Microelectromechanical Systems, LA/P/0029/2020, and funded by BIOECONORTE (ref. NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000070) with a funding body from the Norte Portugal Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR-N), NORTE2020, Portugal 2020 and ESIF - European Structural and Investment Funds.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Doença de Lyme - uma revisão abrangente sobre a etiologia, epidemiologia, manifestações clínicas, estágios da doença, diagnóstico e tratamento

A doença de Lyme é provocada pela bactéria Borrelia burgdorferi e, geralmente, é transmitida através da picada de carrapatos do tipo Ixodes. Essa transmissão ocorre quando o carrapato infectado se agarra à pele humana por um tempo prolongado. Em relação à sua ocorrência, essa doença é mais comum em áreas específicas, como as regiões temperadas da América do Norte, Europa e Ásia. Do ponto de vista clínico, a doença de Lyme apresenta diferentes estágios de manifestação. Inicialmente, no estágio localizado, é comum observar o eritema migrans, uma mancha vermelha com um centro mais claro, além de sintomas como febre, cansaço e dores musculares. À medida que avança para o estágio disseminado, outros sistemas do corpo podem ser afetados, levando a complicações como meningite, paralisia facial e inflamações nas articulações. Caso não seja tratada adequadamente, a doença pode evoluir para um estágio mais crônico, que se manifesta através de sintomas persistentes como artrite e problemas neurológicos. Quanto ao diagnóstico, é essencial considerar tanto os sintomas clínicos quanto os antecedentes de exposição a carrapatos. Para confirmar a infecção, são realizados testes laboratoriais específicos. No que se refere ao tratamento, a abordagem varia conforme o estágio da doença. Para os estágios iniciais, a doxiciclina é frequentemente prescrita, tanto para adultos quanto para crianças. Em situações mais avançadas, podem ser necessários tratamentos mais prolongados ou combinações de antibióticos, dependendo da gravidade e das manifestações clínicas apresentadas. Por fim, entender a origem, o comportamento e as características da doença de Lyme é fundamental. Isso não só permite um tratamento mais eficaz, mas também destaca a importância da prevenção, conscientização pública e pesquisa contínua para lidar com os desafios associados a essa condição

Assessing the Diversity of Sea Beet (Beta vulgaris L. ssp. maritima) Populations

Beta vulgaris L. subsp. maritima (L.) Arcang., sea beet, is a morphologically and genetically variable species, belonging to beet primary gene-pool. This crop wild relative is a valuable genetic resource for resistance improvement in beets and could play an important role in crop yield sustainability. Eleven Madeiran sea beet populations were characterized using morphological descriptors and genetic markers. Our goal was to evaluate these populations as a potential source of valuable genetic material. Morphological characterization showed a high quantitative variation among populations. Plant height and inflorescence height parameters had the highest influence in the separation of populations. Molecular analysis was performed with polymorphic SSRs to determine genetic variability between populations. Both PCA and PCoA revealed three clusters that separated the populations according to morphological and genetic traits, respectively. This study contributes to the knowledge of sea beet diversity in Madeira’s archipelago and to the perception that the islands' specific environmental conditions influence its genetic variability, making these populations a possible gene source for sugar beet breeding program

ANÁLISE DA INTERNAÇÃO POR NEOPLASIA MALIGNA DO ENCÉFALO DO BRASIL NO PERÍODO DE 2011 A AGOSTO DE 2022

INTRODUÇÃO: A neoplasia maligna do encéfalo é uma forma de tumor cerebral caracterizado pela proliferação de células anormais no interior da região. Essa patologia está inserida dentro do grupo das neoplasias malignas do Sistema Nervoso Central (SNC), as quais representam entre 1,4 a 1,8% de todos os tumores malignos presentes no mundo. OBJETIVOS: Analisar a quantidade e as variáveis dos índices de internação por neoplasia maligna do encéfalo no Brasil. MÉTODO: Trata-se de um estudo quantitativo e retrospectivo com coleta de dados do Departamento de Informática do Sistema Único de Saúde - DATASUS. A pesquisa foi realizada mediante informações de estatísticas vitais no grupo de Morbidade Hospitalar do SUS (SIH/ SUS). Foram analisados os dados disponíveis pelo CID 10 de ambos os sexos, faixas etárias e região com maior incidência. RESULTADOS: Foram constatados no período analisado 161.269 casos de internação por neoplasia maligna do encéfalo. No tocante ao sexo, 52,28% dos casos são do sexo masculino e 47,72% do sexo feminino. Das faixas etárias, as internações são mais prevalentes entre 50 a 59 anos de idade com 19,22% dos casos totais de internação por neoplasia maligna do encéfalo, sendo 43,63% da região sudeste os maiores casos de notificações. CONCLUSÕES: Depreende-se, portanto, que o número de internações por neoplasia maligna do encéfalo é maior em pessoas do sexo masculino, sobretudo na faixa etária dos 50 a 59 anos, com destaque marcante para a região sudeste do país. PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Neoplasia. Cérebro. Internaçã

Identification of Eschweilenol C in derivative of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. and green synthesis of bioactive and biocompatible silver nanoparticles

A green synthetic route was developed to prepare silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) in aqueous solution for biological applications. Eschweilenol C, a compound derivative ellagic acid was identified as the main constituent of the aqueous fraction of the ethanolic extract of Terminalia fagifolia Mart. by NMR analysis. In the green synthesis, the ethanolic extract of T. fagifolia and its aqueous fraction were used to promote silver reduction and nanoparticle stabilization. The synthesized AgNPs presented a spherical or polygonal morphology shape by TEM analysis and AgNPs showed high levels of antioxidant and considerable antibacterial and antifungal activities. Synthesized nanoparticles presented significant antioxidant activity by sequestration of DPPH and ABTS radicals, in addition to iron reduction (FRAP assay) and measurement of antioxidant capacity in ORAC units, in addition, AgNP synthesized with the aqueous fraction also demonstrated antioxidant potential in microglial cells. Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria were susceptible to growth inhibition by the nanoparticles, among which the AgNPs formed by the ethanolic extract was the most effective. The data obtained by AFM images suggested that AgNPs could lead to the lysis of bacteria and subsequent death. The antifungal assays showed high efficiency against yeasts and dermatophytes. This work represents the first description of antifungal activity by AgNPs against Fonsecaea pedrosoi, the etiologic agent of chromoblastomycosis. In relation to biocompatibility, the AgNPs induced lower haemolysis than AgNO3.We thank Herbert Kogler and Reinhard Wimmer for the identification of Eschweilenol C. The NMR laboratory at Aalborg University is supported by the Obel Family, SparNord and Carlsberg foundations.The authors are grateful to Carla Eiras (LIMAV/CT/UFPI) and to FCT and EU for financial support through project UID/QUI/50006/2013– POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007265 from COMPETE and projectNORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000011 from COMPETE. Thanks to Andreia Pinto for help with the TEM measurements at Instituto de Medicina Molecular (IMM). This work was supported by the Histology and Comparative Pathology Laboratory of the IMMinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio