Geo-environmental mapping using physiographic analysis: constraints on the evaluation of land instability and groundwater pollution hazards in the Metropolitan District of Campinas, Brazil

Geo-environmental terrain assessments and territorial zoning are useful tools for the formulation and implementation of environmental management instruments (including policy-making, planning, and enforcement of statutory regulations). They usually involve a set of procedures and techniques for delimitation, characterisation and classification of terrain units. However, terrain assessments and zoning exercises are often costly and time-consuming, particularly when encompassing large areas, which in many cases prevent local agencies in developing countries from properly benefiting from such assessments. In the present paper, a low-cost technique based on the analysis of texture of satellite imagery was used for delimitation of terrain units. The delimited units were further analysed in two test areas situated in Southeast Brazil to provide estimates of land instability and the vulnerability of groundwater to pollution hazards. The implementation incorporated procedures for inferring the influences and potential implications of tectonic fractures and other discontinuities on ground behaviour and local groundwater flow. Terrain attributes such as degree of fracturing, bedrock lithology and weathered materials were explored as indicators of ground properties. The paper also discusses constraints on- and limitations of- the approaches taken

Suitability of PLLA as piezoelectric substrates for tissue engineering evidenced by microscopy techniques

Since the discovery of the piezoelectric character of bone, the suitability of some piezoelectric materials have been studied for bone repair; they are thought to act like transducers converting the mechanical energy of skeletal deformation in electrical stimuli capable of controlling osteogenic growth. The mechanisms underlying this process are far from being understood and systematic studies at a local scale are required. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) is a unique way to observe phenomena at the nanoscale and liquid imaging provides a unique tool to assess biological phenomena at the nanoscale. So in this study, aiming at a better understanding of the role of piezoelectricity in the osteogenic growth, the interaction between a poled piezoelectric material, in this case poly (L-lactic) acid and an adhesion promoting protein, the fibronectin, and bone-like cells is evaluated by scanning probe microscopy and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). © Microscopy Society of America 2012.(undefined

Association between physical activity levels and polypharmacy in hypertensive patients

Background: exercise reduces medication usage in hypertensive people. However, different domains of physical activity (PA) have not been studied in order to analyze their relationship with the use of multiple medications, known as polypharmacy. Purpose: To examine the association between PA in different domains (leisure-time, locomotion and occupational) and polypharmacy in hypertensive patients. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study carried out with 190 hypertensive patients. Polypharmacy was defined as simultaneous use of three or more drugs. The PA domains were the independent variables: Locomotion PA (LPA), Leisure Time PA (LTPA) and Occupational PA (OPA). The multiple logistic regression was performed to analyze the associations. The Mann Whitney test determined whether medications usage differ according to each domain of PA. Results: The total number of drugs used ranged from 0 to 7, which represents an average of 2.35 (±1.6) drugs per person. Scores of LTPA (OR: 3.25; CI95%:1.61-6.54) and LPA (OR: 2.15; CI95%:1.09-4.25) were inversely associated with polypharmacy in hypertensive patients, in the multiple logistic regression analysis (controlled by BMI, chronic diseases, smoking, alcohol consumption and skin color). Conclusions: lower PA in leisure time and locomotion were associated with polypharmacy in hypertensive peopleIntrodução: o exercício reduz o uso de medicamentos em indivíduos hipertensos. Contudo, diferentes domínios de atividade física (AF) não têm sido estudados no intuito de analisar suas relações com o uso de múltiplos medicamentos, conhecido como polifarmácia. Objetivo: analisar a associação entre AF em diferentes domínios (tempo livre, locomoção e ocupação) e polifarmácia em indivíduos hipertensos. Métodos: trata-se de um estudo transversal realizado com 190 hipertensos. Polifarmácia foi definida como o uso simultâneo de três ou mais drogas. As variáveis independentes foram os domínios de AF: Locomoção (AFL); Tempo Livre (AFTL) e Ocupacional (AFO). A regressão logística múltipla foi empregada para analisar as associações. O teste de Mann Whitney foi empregado para comparar se a média de medicamentos usados diferia entre domínios de AF. Resultados: o número total de drogas usadas variou de 0 a 7, com média de 2.35 (±1.6) por pessoa. Escores de AFTL (OR: 3.25; IC95%: 1.61-6.54) e AFL (OR: 2.15; IC95%: 1.09-4.25) foram inversamente associadas à polifarmácia em hipertensos (controlado por IMC, número de doenças crônicas, fumo, consumo de álcool e cor da pele). Conclusão: menor AF no tempo livre e de locomoção foi associada à polifarmácia em indivíduos hipertenso

Blood Group Antigen Studies Using Cdte Quantum Dots And Flow Cytometry.

New methods of analysis involving semiconductor nanocrystals (quantum dots [QDs]) as fluorescent probes have been highlighted in life science. QDs present some advantages when compared to organic dyes, such as size-tunable emission spectra, broad absorption bands, and principally exceptional resistance to photobleaching. Methods applying QDs can be simple, not laborious, and can present high sensibility, allowing biomolecule identification and quantification with high specificity. In this context, the aim of this work was to apply dual-color CdTe QDs to quantify red blood cell (RBC) antigen expression on cell surface by flow cytometric analysis. QDs were conjugated to anti-A or anti-B monoclonal antibodies, as well as to the anti-H (Ulex europaeus I) lectin, to investigate RBCs of A1, B, A1B, O, A2, and Aweak donors. Bioconjugates were capable of distinguishing the different expressions of RBC antigens, both by labeling efficiency and by flow cytometry histogram profile. Furthermore, results showed that RBCs from Aweak donors present fewer amounts of A antigens and higher amounts of H, when compared to A1 RBCs. In the A group, the amount of A antigens decreased as A1 > A3 > AX = Ael, while H antigens were AX = Ael > A1. Bioconjugates presented stability and remained active for at least 6 months. In conclusion, this methodology with high sensibility and specificity can be applied to study a variety of RBC antigens, and, as a quantitative tool, can help in achieving a better comprehension of the antigen expression patterns on RBC membranes.104393-440

Evaluation of the antibacterial activity and colouring capacity of two Hylocereus spp. Epicarps

Betalains are a group of secondary metabolites named chromoalkaloids that are synthesized from tyrosine. These compounds have gained some attention in the last few years mainly due to their interesting bioactive potential, namely antioxidant, antimicrobial, and other bioactive properties [1]. Their strong and vibrant colours are also one of the characteristics by which these compounds have gained visibility in the food and pharmaceutical industries [2]. Betalains can be divided in two groups regarding the colour range: betaxanthins in the orange to yellow range, and betacyanins in the purple to pink range. Thereby, these compounds can be used as natural colouring agents, providing alternatives to the massively used artificial counterparts [3]. Although there are already some natural options in the market, these are not enough to meet the needs of the food industry, due to the growing concern of consumers regarding what they eat.To FCT and FEDER under Programme PT2020 for financial support to CIMO (UID/AGR/00690/2019); C. Lobo Roriz (SFRH/BD/117995/2016) and T.C.S. Pires (SFRH/BD/129551/2017) grants and National funding by FCT- Foundation for Science and Technology, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for L. Barros contract. This work is funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) through the Regional Operational Program North 2020, within the scope of Project Mobilizador Norte-01-0247-FEDER-024479:ValorNatural®.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Hybridizing the electromagnetism-like algorithm with descent search for solving engineering design problems

In this paper, we present a new stochastic hybrid technique for constrained global optimization. It is a combination of the electromagnetism-like (EM) mechanism with a random local search, which is a derivative-free procedure with high ability of producing a descent direction. Since the original EM algorithm is specifically designed for solving bound constrained problems, the approach herein adopted for handling the inequality constraints of the problem relies on selective conditions that impose a sufficient reduction either in the constraints violation or in the objective function value, when comparing two points at a time. The hybrid EM method is tested on a set of benchmark engineering design problems and the numerical results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach. A comparison with results from other stochastic methods is also included

Promotion of mental health literacy and mental well-being in a Portuguese unemployed population sample : effectiveness assessment of a capacity building community-based intersectoral intervention

Copyright © 2017 Published by Elsevier Masson SASIntroduction: Economic crises have consequences on labor market, with impacts on mental health (MH) and psychological well-being (PWB). We describe the effectiveness of an intervention among unemployed, performed within EEA Grants Healthy Employment project.Objectives Evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention for MH literacy, PWB and resilience among unemployed. Aims MH and PWB promotion, common mental disorders prevention and inequalities reduction linked to unemployment.Methods A five modules intervention (life-work balance; impact of unemployment on PWB and MH; stigma; depression and anxiety; health promotion) distributed by 20 hours was developed based on literature reviews and a Delphi panel. It was delivered to unemployees from two public employment centers (PECs).Inclusion criteria: 18–65 years old; registration in PEC for less than a year; minimum of nine years of formal education. Control groups from the same PECs received the care-as-usual. Measures of psychological WB, MH self-reported symptoms, life satisfaction,resilience and mental health literacy were collected through an online survey before and one week after intervention.Results Overall, 87 unemployed participated,48% allocated to the intervention group (IG); 56% women (21–64 years old), average education was 15 years. Mixed measures ANOVA showed that the interaction between time and group was significant for PWB and MH literacy measures. The IG showed better self-reported PWB and improved MH literacy after intervention, compared to controls. No significant interactions were found for MH symptoms, life satisfaction and resilience.Conclusions This study shows the contribution of short-term community-based interventions in increasing MH literacy and PWB among unemployed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The stress responsive and morphologically regulated hsp90 gene from Paracoccidioides brasiliensis is essential to cell viability

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Paracoccidioides brasiliensis </it>is a dimorphic fungus that causes the most prevalent systemic mycosis in Latin America. The response to heat shock is involved in pathogenesis, as this pathogen switches from mycelium to yeast forms in a temperature dependent fashion that is essential to establish infection. HSP90 is a molecular chaperone that helps in the folding and stabilization of selected polypeptides. HSP90 family members have been shown to present important roles in fungi, especially in the pathogenic species, as an immunodominant antigen and also as a potential antifungal therapeutic target.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>In this work, we decided to further study the <it>Pbhsp90 </it>gene, its expression and role in cell viability because it plays important roles in fungal physiology and pathogenesis. Thus, we have sequenced a <it>Pbhsp90 </it>cDNA and shown that this gene is present on the genome as a single copy. We have also confirmed its preferential expression in the yeast phase and its overexpression during dimorphic transition and oxidative stress. Treatment of the yeast with the specific HSP90 inhibitors geldanamycin and radicicol inhibited growth at 2 and 10 μM, respectively.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>The data confirm that the <it>Pbhsp90 </it>gene encodes a morphologically regulated and stress-responsive protein whose function is essential to cell viability of this pathogen. This work also enforces the potential of HSP90 as a target for antifungal therapies, since the use of HSP90 inhibitors is lethal to the <it>P. brasiliensis </it>yeast cells in a dose-responsive manner.</p