Damage detection and quantification using transmissibility

Structures experience various types of loads along their lifetime, which can be either static or dynamic and may be associated to phenomena of corrosion and chemical attack, among others. As a consequence, different types of structural damage can be produced; the deteriorated structure may have its capacity affected, leading to excessive vibration problems or even possible failure. It is very important to develop methods that are able to simultaneously detect the existence of damage and to quantify its extent. In this paper the authors propose a method to detect and quantify structural damage, using response transmissibilities measured along the structure. Some numerical simulations are presented and a comparison is made with results using frequency response functions. Experimental tests are also undertaken to validate the proposed technique. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

Durability of a New Thermal Aerogel-Based Rendering System under Distinct Accelerated Aging Conditions

The widespread application of innovative thermal enhanced facade solutions requires an adequate durability evaluation. The present work intends to assess the durability of a new aerogel cement-based rendering system through the adaptation of different accelerated aging cycles, such as heating-freezing, freeze-thawing, and heat-cold. Several mechanical properties and also capillary and liquid water absorptions were tested for uncoated and coated specimens. A decrease in the mechanical strength, especially after freeze-thaw cycles, was observed. However, the water action promoted the late hydration of the cement paste contributing to the densification of the matrix and, consequently, the increase of the adhesive strength. Additionally, a decrease in the dynamic modulus of elasticity and an increase in the Poisson's ratio were observed after aging, which indicates a higher capacity of the render to adapt to substrate movements, contributing to a reduction of cracking

Rhenium mixed-ligand complexes with S,N,S-tridentate thiosemicarbazone/thiosemicarbazide ligands

Rhenium(V) complexes containing tridentate thiosemicarbazones/thiosemicarbazides (H2L1) derived from N-[N′,N′-dialkylamino(thiocarbonyl)]benzimidoyl chlorides with 4,4-dialkylthiosemicarbazides have been synthesized by ligand-exchange reactions starting from [ReOCl(L1)]. The chlorido ligand of [ReOCl(L1)] (4) is readily replaced and reactions with ammonium thiocyanate or potassium cyanide give [ReO(NCS)(L1)] (6) and [ReO(CN)(L1)] (7), respectively. The reaction of (NBu4)[ReOCl4] with H2L1 and two equivalents of ammonium thiocyanate, however, gives in a one-pot reaction [ReO(NCS)2(HL1)] (8), in which the pro-ligand H2L1 is only singly deprotonated. An oxo-bridged, dimeric nitridorhenium(V) compound of the composition [{ReN(HL1)}2O] (11) is obtained from a reaction of (NBu4)[ReOCl4], H2L1 and sodium azide. The six-coordinate complexes [ReO(L1)(Ph2btu)] (12), where HPh2btu is N,N-diphenyl-N′-benzoylthiourea, can be obtained by treatment of [ReOCl(L1)] with HPh2btu in the presence of NEt3. Studies of the antiproliferative effects of the [ReOX(L1)] system (X = Cl−, NCS− or CN−) on breast cancer cells show that the lability of a monodentate ligand seems to play a key role in the cytotoxic activity of the metal complexes, while the substitution of this ligand by the chelating ligand Ph2btu− completely terminates the cytotoxicity

Virtual reality and associated technologies in disability research and intervention

This paper concerns the application of virtual reality and associated technologies (VRAT) in the disability research and intervention field. By reviewing a 144 studies presented at the International Conference Series on Disability, Virtual Reality and Associated Technologies (1996-2006), our analytic work examine the underlying conceptual frameworks of disability and methodological rationales used in selected papers. In the last 15 years, there was a paradigmatic shift from the medical to the biopsychosocial model of disability. Yet, our analyses indicate that such shift is not clearly reflected in the way VRAT have been addressing disability issues. The present manuscript offers recommendations regarding definition of goals, methodological procedures, and assessment rationales in order to stimulate discussions on how the use of VRAT can be improved in the field of disability research and practic

Development of cross-resistance by Aspergillus fumigatus to clinical azoles following exposure to prochloraz, an agricultural azole

Background: The purpose of this study was to unveil whether azole antifungals used in agriculture, similar to the clinical azoles used in humans, can evoke resistance among relevant human pathogens like Aspergillus fumigatus, an ubiquitous agent in nature. Additionally, cross-resistance with clinical azoles was investigated. Antifungal susceptibility testing of environmental and clinical isolates of A. fumigatus was performed according to the CLSI M38-A2 protocol. In vitro induction assays were conducted involving daily incubation of susceptible A. fumigatus isolates, at 35°C and 180 rpm, in fresh GYEP broth medium supplemented with Prochloraz (PCZ), a potent agricultural antifungal, for a period of 30 days. Minimal inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of PCZ and clinical azoles were monitored every ten days. In order to assess the stability of the developed MIC, the strains were afterwards sub-cultured for an additional 30 days in the absence of antifungal. Along the in vitro induction process, microscopic and macroscopic cultural observations were registered. Results: MIC of PCZ increased 256 times after the initial exposure; cross-resistance to all tested clinical azoles was observed. The new MIC value of agricultural and of clinical azoles maintained stable in the absence of the selective PCZ pressure. PCZ exposure was also associated to morphological colony changes: macroscopically the colonies became mostly white, losing the typical pigmentation; microscopic examination revealed the absence of conidiation. Conclusions: PCZ exposure induced Aspergillus fumigatus morphological changes and an evident increase of MIC value to PCZ as well as the development of cross-resistance with posaconazole, itraconazole and voriconazole.IFR and IMM are supported by FCT (Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia). IFR is supported by FCT PhD grant (SFRH/BD/91155/2012). I.MM is supported by FCT, Ciência 2008 and co-financed by the European Social Fund. The authors would like to thank Isabel Santos for the excellent technical assistance. Part of the results was presented at the 52nd Interscience Conference on Antimicrobial Agents and Chemotherapy, ICAAC, held San Francisco, USA, September 2012.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Environmental azole fungicide, prochloraz, can induce cross-resistance to medical triazoles in Candida glabrata

Acquisition of azole resistance by clinically relevant yeasts in nature may result in a significant, yet undetermined, impact in human health. The main goal of this study was to assess the development of cross-resistance between agricultural and clinical azoles by Candida spp. An in vitro induction assay was performed, for a period of 90 days, with prochloraz (PCZ) - an agricultural antifungal. Afterward, the induced molecular resistance mechanisms were unveiled. MIC value of PCZ increased significantly in all Candida spp. isolates. However, only C. glabrata developed cross-resistance to fluconazole and posaconazole. The increased MIC values were stable. Candida glabrata azole resistance acquisition triggered by PCZ exposure involved the upregulation of the ATP binding cassette multidrug transporter genes and the transcription factor, PDR1. Single mutation previously implicated in azole resistance was found in PDR1 while ERG11 showed several synonymous single nucleotide polymorphisms. These results might explain why C. glabrata is so commonly less susceptible to clinical azoles, suggesting that its exposure to agricultural azole antifungals may be associated to the emergence of cross-resistance. Such studies forward potential explanations for the worldwide increasing clinical prevalence of C. glabrata and the associated worse prognosis of an infection by this species.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dectin-1-Mediated Production of Pro-Inflammatory Cytokines Induced by Yeast β-Glucans in Bovine Monocytes

Yeast-derived products containing β-glucans have long been used as feed supplements in domesticated animals in an attempt to increase immunity. β-glucans are mainly recognized by the cell surface receptor CLEC7A, also designated Dectin-1. Although the immune mechanisms elicited through Dectin-1 activation have been studied in detail in mice and humans, they are poorly understood in other species. Here, we evaluated the response of bovine monocytes to soluble and particulate purified β-glucans, and also to Zymosan. Our results show that particulate, but not soluble β-glucans, can upregulate the surface expression of costimulatory molecules CD80 and CD86 on bovine monocytes. In addition, stimulated cells increased production of IL-8 and of TNF, IL1B, and IL6 mRNA expression, in a dose-dependent manner, which correlated positively with CLEC7A gene expression. Production of IL-8 and TNF expression decreased significantly after CLEC7A knockdown using two different pairs of siRNAs. Overall, we demonstrated here that bovine monocytes respond to particulate β-glucans, through Dectin-1, by increasing the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Our data support further studies in cattle on the induction of trained immunity using dietary β-glucans.This work received financial support from PT national funds (FCT/MCTES, Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Ministério da Ciência, Tecnologia e Ensino Superior) through the project UIDB/info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB/50006/2020/PT. AP was supported by FCT phD grant PD/BDE/135540/2018. AC was supported by FCT Individual CEEC 2017 Assistant Researcher Grant CEECIND/01514/2017. MM was supported by FCT through program DL 57/2016 – Norma transitória (SFRH/BPD/70716/2010)

Thyroid nodules and differentiated thyroid cancer: Brazilian consensus

Thyroid nodules are a common manifestation of thyroid diseases. It is estimated that ~10% of adults have palpable thyroid nodules with the frequency increasing throughout life. The major concern on nodule evaluation is the risk of malignancy (5-10%). Differentiated thyroid carcinoma accounts for 90% of all thyroid malignant neoplasias. Although most patients with cancer have a favorable outcome, some individuals present an aggressive form of the disease and poor prognostic despite recent advances in diagnosis and treatment. Here, a set of clinical guidelines for the evaluation and management of patients with thyroid nodules or differentiated thyroid cancer was developed through consensus by 8 member of the Department of Thyroid, Sociedade Brasileira de Endocrinologia e Metabologia. The participants are from different reference medical centers within Brazil, to reflect different practice patterns. Each committee participant was initially assigned to write a section of the document and to submit it to the chairperson, who revised and assembled the sections into a complete draft document, which was then circulated among all committee members for further revision. All committee members further revised and refined the document. The guidelines were developed based on the expert opinion of the committee participants, as well as on previously published information.Os nódulos tireoidianos constituem a principal manifestação clínica de uma série de doenças da tireóide com uma prevalência de aproximadamente 10% na população adulta. O maior desafio é excluir o câncer da tireóide, que ocorre em 5 a 10% dos casos. Os carcinomas diferenciados respondem por 90% dos casos de todas as neoplasias malignas da tireóide. A maioria dos pacientes com carcinoma diferenciado apresenta, geralmente, um bom prognóstico quando tratada adequadamente, com índices de mortalidade similares à população geral. No entanto, alguns indivíduos apresentam doença agressiva, desafiando o conhecimento atual e ilustrando a complexidade do manejo dessa neoplasia. No presente trabalho, reunimos 8 membros do Departamento de Tireóide da Sociedade Brasileira de Endocrinologia & Metabologia, para elaborarmos, por consenso, as diretrizes brasileiras no manejo dos nódulos tireoidianos e do câncer diferenciado da tireóide. Os membros participantes representam diferentes Centros Universitários do Brasil, refletindo diferentes abordagens diagnósticas e terapêuticas. Inicialmente, cada participante ficou responsável pela redação de determinado tema a ser enviado ao Coordenador, que, após revisão editorial e elaboração da primeira versão do manuscrito, enviou ao grupo para sugestões e aperfeiçoamentos. Quando concluído, o manuscrito foi novamente enviado e revisado por todos. A elaboração dessas diretrizes foi baseada na experiência dos participantes e revisão pertinente da literatura.Sociedade Brasileira de Endocrinologia e Metabologia Departamento de TireóideUniversidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre Serviço de EndocrinologiaUNICAMP Faculdade de Ciências Médicas Departamento de Clínica MédicaUniversidade Federal do Paraná Serviço de Endocrinologia e MetabologiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina Departamento de MedicinaUniversidade de São Paulo Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto Departamento de Clínica MédicaSanta Casa de Belo Horizonte Serviço de Endocrinologia Departamento de TireóideUniversidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro Faculdade de Medicina Hospital Universitário Clementino Fraga FilhoUNIFESP, EPM, Depto. de MedicinaSciEL

Avaliação da temperatura média prevista pelos modelos climáticos globais no sudeste do Brasil.

Os modelos climáticos globais são considerados a melhor ferramenta para gerar cenários prováveis de alterações climáticas futuras, apesar das incertezas. As projeções são diferentes para cada região e variam ao longo das estações do ano. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar a similaridade entre projeções dos modelos climáticos globais do IPCC-AR4 para temperatura média na região Sudeste do Brasil, no período de 2071 a 2100, cenário A2. Para tanto, foram realizadas análise de componentes principais e análise de agrupamento hierárquico para agrupar os modelos de comportamentos semelhantes. Adotando-se quatro grupos de modelos, os valores médios de temperatura variaram de 23,7°C a 25,4°C