Mineral inventory of the algares 30-level adit, aljustrel mine, iberian pyrite belt, portugal

INTERREG POCTEP GEO-FPI-(Ref. 0052-GEO-FPI-5-E) ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000025 UID/CTM/50025/2019 Project (PA 18111)Mining activity in Algares (Aljustrel Mine, Portuguese sector of the Iberian Pyrite Belt, IPB) stems prior to Roman times. As the orebody is vertical and relatively thin, mining was carried out mainly along underground adits (galleries). Nowadays, the deposit is considered exhausted and the area is being rehabilitated for a different use. The Algares +30 level adit intersects two volcanic units of the IPB Volcano-Sedimentary Complex. The massive sulphide and related stockwork zone are hosted by the Mine Tuff volcanic unit and are exposed in the walls of the gallery, showing intense hydrothermal alteration. Along the mine adit, the geological sequence is affected by strong oxidation and supergene alteration, giving rise to the formation of secondary minerals through the oxidation of the sulphides. The most common minerals found were melanterite (FeSO4·7H2O) and chalcanthite (CuSO4·5H2O), forming essentially massive or crystalline aggregates, ranging from greenish to bluish colours. Melanterite from the walls revealed to be Cu-rich by opposition to that from stalactites/stalagmites formed below the old ore storage silo revealing the low-copper-grade ores exploited underground. The mineralogy of the efflorescent salts was used to ascertain the processes involved in their formation, and moreover, the inventory of minerals is presented, as well as their principal characteristics.publishersversionpublishe

Orange pickeringite from the algares 30-level adit, aljustrel mine, iberian pyrite belt, portugal

Funding Information: Funding: Funding from FEDER (Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional)/INTERREG POCTEP GEO-FPI - (Ref. 0052-GEO-FPI-5-E) and EXPLORA, Op ALT20-03-0145-FEDER-000025. Funding by Alentejo 2020, Portugal 2020 and the European Union (ERDF) is acknowledged. J.P. Veiga acknowledges FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through the FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology under the project UID/CTM/50025/2019, and SFRH/BD/145308/2019 (F.Carvalho) plus UIDP/50025/2020 (U.D. Menda), and funding from the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT), a body of the European Union, under Horizon 2020, the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation, through the MineHeritage Project (PA 18111).The sheltered environment of the Algares +30 level adit (underground mine gallery) contributes to the preservation of secondary water-soluble minerals formed on the tunnel walls. The massive sulphide and related stockwork zone are hosted by the Mine Tuff volcanic unit and are exposed in the walls of the gallery, showing intense oxidation and hydrothermal alteration. Minerals from the halotrichite group were identified on the efflorescent salts, typically white fine-acicular crystals but also on aggregates with dark orange/brownish colour. Mineral characterization was performed using several methods and analytical techniques (XRD, XRF-WDS, SEM-EDS, DTA-TG), and the chemical formulas were calculated maintaining the ratio A:B∼= 1:2 in accordance with the general formula of the halotrichite group, AB2 (SO4 )4·22H2 O. This methodology allowed the assignment of the orange colour to the presence of trivalent iron on iron-rich pickeringite in partial substitution of aluminium.publishersversionpublishe

Linhagem celular RC-IAL: sensibilidade de crescimento do vírus da rubéola

OBJECTIVE: The rapid growth of the rubella virus in RC-IAL² with development of cytopathic effect, in response to rubella virus infection, is described. For purposes of comparison, the rubella virus RA-27/3 strain was titered simultaneously in the RC-IAL, Vero, SIRC and RK13 cell lines. METHODS: Rubella virus RA-27/3 strain are inoculated in the RC-IAL cell line (rabbit Kidney, Institute Adolfo Lutz). Plates containing 1.5x10(5) cells/ml of RC-IAL line were inoculated with 0.1ml s RA-27/3 strain virus containing 1x 10(4)TCID50/0.1ml. A 25% cytopathic effect was observed after 48 hours and 100% after 96 hours. The results obtained were compared to those observed with the SIRC, Vero and RK13 cell lines. Rubella virus was detected by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: With the results, it was possible to conclude that the RC-IAL cell line is a very good substrate for culturing rubella virus. The cells inoculated with rubella virus were examined by phase contrast microscopy and showed the characteristic rounded, bipolar and multipolar cells. The CPE in RC-IAL was observed in the first 48 hours and the curve of the increased infectivity was practically the same as observed in other cell lines. CONCLUSIONS: These findings are important since this is one the few cell lines described in the literature with a cytopathic effect. So it can be used for antigen preparation and serological testing for the diagnosis of specific rubella antibodies.OBJETIVO: Descreve-se o crescimento do vírus-padrão da rubéola RA-27/3 na linhagem celular RC-IAL, com desenvolvimento de efeito citopático em resposta à infecção viral. Para este propósito, o vírus-padrão foi titulado simultaneamente nas linhagens celulares Vero, SIRC e RK13. MÉTODOS: O vírus-padrão da rubéola RA-27/3 foi inoculado na linhagem celular RC-IAL (rim de coelho, Instituto Adolfo Lutz). Placas contendo 1,5x10(5) células/ml foram inoculadas com 0,1 ml do vírus contendo 1x10(4) DICT50/0,1 ml. O efeito citopático correspondente a 25% foi observado após 48 h e 100% após 96 h. Os resultados obtidos foram comparados com o crescimento do vírus nas linhagens celulares SIRC, Vero e RK13. O vírus da rubéola na linhagem celular RC-IAL foi detectado por imuno-histoquímica. RESULTADOS: As células inoculadas com o vírus da rubéola apresentaram efeito citopático nas primeiras 48h. As células apresentaram aspecto arredondado, com formação de alguns prolongamentos citoplasmáticos e sincícios, produzindo células multinucleadas. A curva do crescimento da infectividade do vírus foi praticamente a mesma que a observada nas outras linhagens celulares. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados obtidos mostram que a linhagem celular RC-IAL é um ótimo substrato para crescimento do vírus da rubéola, pois poucas linhagens celulares descritas na literatura apresentam efeito citopático considerável e podem ser utilizadas para preparação de antígenos e nos testes de diagnóstico sorológico para o vírus da rubéola

Single-Objective Front Optimization: Application to RF Circuit Design

This paper proposes a new algorithm which promotes well distributed non-dominated fronts in the parameters space when a single- objective function is optimized. This algorithm is based on ǫ-dominance concept and maxmin sorting scheme. Besides that, the paper also presents the results of the algorithm when it is used in the automated synthesis of optimum performance CMOS radiofrequency and microwave binary-weighted differential switched capacitor arrays (RFDSCAs). The genetic synthesis tool optimizes a fitness function which is based on the performance parameter of the RFDSCAs. To validate the proposed design methodology, a CMOS RFDSCA is synthesized, using a 0.25 μm BiCMOS technology.N/

Reusable and highly sensitive SERS immunoassay utilizing gold nanostars and a cellulose hydrogel-based platform

This work was funded by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programme and National Funds through the FCT---Fun-dação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I. P., under the scope of the project. This work also received funding from the European Community’s H2020 program under grant agreement No. 716510 (ERC-2016-STG TREND), 640598 (ERC-StG-2014, NEWFUN), and 685758 (1D-Neon). This work was supported by the Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit – UCIBIO and Associate Laboratory for Green Chemistry – LAQV which are financed by Portugal national funds from /2016 and SFRH/BD/132057/2017 from the FCT/MCTES and MIT Portugal PhD Program (to I. C. and M. J. O., respectively). Professor César Laia (LAQV-REQUIMTE, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal) is acknowledged for permitting the use of DLS equipment. Professor Ludwig Krippahl (NOVA LINCS, Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia, Universidade NOVA de Lisboa, Portugal) is acknowledged for developing the gel analysis application eReuss. M. J. O. acknowledges Rocío Palomares Jurado PhD for visualisation/data presentation support and continued interest in the project. M. J. O. acknowledges David Peitinho MSc for help and advice in Python script. Diego Wiechers de Carvalho BSc is acknowledged for purifying the recombinant Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2 sample and Daniela Gomes PhD for providing SEM images. Publisher Copyright: © The Royal Society of Chemistry 2021.The development of robust and sensitive point-of-care testing platforms is necessary to improve patient care and outcomes. Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS)-based immunosensors are especially suited for this purpose. Here, we present a highly sensitive and selective SERS immunoassay, demonstrating for example the detection of horseradish peroxidase (HRP), in a sandwich format. The strength of our biosensor lies in merging: (i) SERS-immunotags based on gold nanostars, allowing exceptional intense SERS from attached Raman probes, covalent attachment of anti-HRP antibodies by a simple chemical method providing exceptional antigen binding activity; (ii) the ease of preparation of the capture platform from a regenerated cellulose-based hydrogel, a transparent material, ideal for microfluidics applications, with low background fluorescence and Raman signal, particularly suited for preserving high activity of the covalently bound anti-HRP antibodies. The sandwich complexes formed were characterised by atomic force microscopy, and by scanning electron microscopy coupled with electron diffraction spectroscopy; and (iii) the robustness of the simple Classical Least Squares method for SERS data analysis, resulting in superior discrimination of SERS signals from the background and much better data fitting, compared to the commonly used peak integral method. Our SERS immunoassay greatly improves the detection limits of traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay approaches, and its performance is better or comparable to those of existing SERS-based immunosensors. Our approach successfully overcomes the main challenges of application at point-of-care, including increasing reproducibility, sensitivity, and specificity, associated with an environmentally friendly and robust design. Also, the proposed design withstands several cycles of regeneration, a feature absent in paper-SERS immunoassays and this opens the way for sensitive multiplexing applications on a microfluidic platform.preprintpublishe

Spreading Algorithm for Single-Objective Problems

This paper addresses the problem of finding several different solutions with the same optimum performance in single objective real-world engineering problems. In this paper a parallel robot design was proposed. Thereby, this paper presents a genetic algorithm to optimize uni-objective problems with an infinite number of optimal solutions. The algorithm uses the maximin concept and -dominance to promote diversity over the admissible space. The performance of the proposed algorithm is analyzed with three well-known test functions and one function obtained from practical realworld engineering optimization problems. A spreading analysis is performed showing that the solutions drawn by the algorithm are well dispersed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

SIGLuz-EE: aplicação WebSIG para gestão de uma rede de iluminação pública camarária, desenvolvida num contexto de aprendizagem baseada em projectos

As redes de iluminação pública camarárias encontram-se mal cadastradas, com duplicação de informação pelos vários actores da sua gestão. Neste artigo descreve-se o desenvolvimento de uma aplicação SIG para gestão deste tipo de infraestruturas para um dos concelhos líderes no sector da iluminação (Águeda), que permite a caracterização e localização dos seus elementos de cadastro. A aplicação é baseada no paradigma de software aberto, em ambiente Web, desenvolvida num contexto de aprendizagem baseada em projectos.The city council public lighting networks are barely registered, with duplication of information by various actors in their management. This paper describes the development of a GIS application for managing such an infrastructure for the county leaders in the lighting sector (Aveiro), which allows the characterization and localization of its elements of registration. The application is based on the paradigm of open source software in the Web environment, developed in the context of projectbased learning

Lifelong exposure to a low-dose of the glyphosate-based herbicide RoundUp® causes intestinal damage, gut dysbiosis, and behavioral changes in mice

RoundUp® (RUp) is a comercial formulation containing glyphosate (N-(phosphono-methyl) glycine), and is the world’s leading wide-spectrum herbicide used in agriculture. Supporters of the broad use of glyphosate-based herbicides (GBH) claim they are innocuous to humans, since the active compound acts on the inhibition of enzymes which are absent in human cells. However, the neurotoxic effects of GBH have already been shown in many animal models. Further, these formulations were shown to disrupt the microbiome of different species. Here, we investigated the effects of a lifelong exposure to low doses of the GBH-RUp on the gut environment, including morphological and microbiome changes. We also aimed to determine whether exposure to GBH-RUp could harm the developing brain and lead to behavioral changes in adult mice. To this end, animals were exposed to GBH-RUp in drinking water from pregnancy to adulthood. GBH-RUp-exposed mice had no changes in cognitive function, but developed impaired social behavior and increased repetitive behavior. GBH-Rup-exposed mice also showed an activation of phagocytic cells (Iba-1–positive) in the cortical brain tissue. GBH-RUp exposure caused increased mucus production and the infiltration of plama cells (CD138-positive), with a reduction in phagocytic cells. Long-term exposure to GBH-RUp also induced changes in intestinal integrity, as demonstrated by the altered expression of tight junction effector proteins (ZO-1 and ZO-2) and a change in the distribution of syndecan-1 proteoglycan. The herbicide also led to changes in the gut microbiome composition, which is also crucial for the establishment of the intestinal barrier. Altogether, our findings suggest that long-term GBH-RUp exposure leads to morphological and functional changes in the gut, which correlate with behavioral changes that are similar to those observed in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders

A atitude do educador de infância e a participação da criança como referenciais de qualidade em educação

Neste artigo, fundamentado em dois estudos de caso em jardim de infância, refletiu- -se sobre como e com quais ferramentas de apoio se pode avaliar e promover qualidade e intervenção educativa adequada nos contextos. Selecionou-se um grupo de crianças (entre 3 e 6 anos) e desenvolveram-se estratégias com a finalidade de escutar e compreender o modo como elas participam. Ainda, em diversos tempos da rotina de cada contexto, identificaram-se interações e atitudes do educador, analisando-se o respetivo impacto no nível da participação das crianças. Os resultados revelaram que, quando as crianças desenvolvem um sentimento de pertença ao contexto e lhes são oferecidas oportunidades de participação, mais facilmente se envolvem, revelam bem-estar emocional e motivação para aprender, explorar e participar nos processos de tomada de decisão. A escuta ativa, o questionamento e o encorajamento do diálogo assumem-se, por parte do adulto, competências essenciais para a qualidade da intervenção educativa.This paper, based on two case studies in a kindergarten context, describes a reflection on the most appropriate method and tools for the assessment and promotion of quality and context intervention. A group of children (between 3 and 6 years old) was selected and strategies were developed in order to listen to the children’s voices and understand how they were participating. Moreover, in different routine times within each context, interactions and attitudes of educators were identified, with the corresponding analysis of the impact on children’s participation. The results revealed that when children develop a sense of belonging in the context and they are offered opportunities to participate, they more easily get engaged, reveal emotional wellbeing and motivation to learn, explore and participate in decision-making processes. For the adult, active listening, questioning and encouragement of dialogue appear as essential skills to promote quality in educational intervention.En el presente artículo, basado en dos estudios de caso en un jardín de infancia, se reflexionó sobre cómo y con qué herramientas de apoyo se puede evaluar y promover calidad e intervención educativa apropiada en los contextos. Se seleccionó un grupo de niños (entre los 3 y 6 años de edad) y se desarrollaron estrategias con la finalidad de escuchary comprender el modo como dichos niños participan. Además, en diversos momentos de la rutina de cada contexto, se identificaron interacciones y actitudes del educador, analizando el respectivo impacto en la participación de los infantes. Los resultados revelaron que, cuando los niños desarrollan un sentido de pertenencia al contexto y se les ofrece la oportunidad de participar, más fácilmente se envuelven, revelan bienestar emocional y motivación para aprender, explorar y participar en la toma de decisiones. La escucha activa, el cuestionar y fomentar el diálogo constituyen, para el adulto, competencias esenciales para la calidad de la intervención educativa