Sputter deposition of MgO thin films: the effect of cation substitution

The importance of thin films relies on their ability to modify in an easy and, in most cases, cost efficient way the surface properties of bulk materials and thus, their functionality. Thin films have been deposited already for a long time. Sputter deposition is a widely used technique since it combines versatility, control over the composition and microstructure, relatively high deposition rates and conceptual simplicity. Most of the new technologically interesting materials have complex chemistry and crystalline structure. An example of the increased complexity is the ternary metal oxides of the group Mg-M-O, where M represents a metal other than Mg. This class of materials has gained considerable research attention the last years and Mg-M-O films find application in catalysis and surface protection, as well as in high-k dielectrics, ionic conductors, high Tc superconductors, and thin film batteries. The goal of the present thesis is to contribute towards understanding the fundamental growth mechanisms of sputter deposited ternary oxide films with the general formula Mg-M-O (where M is a metal different than Mg). The key objectives of the study are: (i) To establish the relation between the deposition conditions and the chemical composition in the Mg-M-O films and through this, achieve an efficient and accurate control over the film stoichiometry. (ii) To understand the effect of the deposition conditions and the chemical composition on the structure formation and crystallographic properties of Mg-M-O films. (ii) To elucidate the effect of chemistry and microstructure on a number of functional properties of the Mg-M-O films. Films are deposited employing reactive magnetron sputtering (in an Ar-O2 atmosphere) from two (Mg and M) confocally arranged magnetron sources. This multisource approach facilitates a large flexibility with respect to the chemical compositions that can be accessed. In addition, the confocal arrangement of the sources leads to an off-normal deposition flux providing a tool to control and tune the crystallographic properties of the films. The metals (M) Al, Cr, Ti, Y and Zr are chosen to systematically vary key physical parameters of the substituting element in the metal sublattice of the Mg-M-O films, i.e. the valence electron number and the atomic size, and to study their largely unexplored effect on the film microstructure and crystallographic properties

Deep and shallow water effects on developing preschoolers’ aquatic skills

The aim of the study was to assess deep and shallow water teaching methods in swimming lessons for preschool children and identify variations in the basic aquatic skills acquired. The study sample included 32 swimming instructors (16 from deep water programs and 16 from shallow water programs) and 98 preschool children (50 from deep water swimming pool and 48 from shallow water swimming pool). The children were also studied regarding their previous experience in swimming (6, 12 and 18 months or practice). Chi-Square test and Fisher's exact test were used to compare the teaching methodology. A discriminant analysis was conducted with Λ wilk's method to predict under what conditions students are better or worse (aquatic competence). Results suggest that regardless of the non-significant variations found in teaching methods, the water depth can affect aquatic skill acquisition - shallow water lessons seem to impose greater water competence particularly after 6 months of practice. The discriminant function revealed a significant association between groups and all predictors for 6 months of swimming practice (p <0.001). Body position in gliding and leg displacements were the main predictors. For 12 and 18 months of practice, the discriminant function do not revealed any significant association between groups. As a conclusion, it seems that the teaching methodology of aquatic readiness based on deep and shallow water programs for preschoolers is not significantly different. However, shallow water lessons could be preferable for the development of basic aquatic skills

HERA - Environmental Risk Assessment of a contaminated estuarine environment: a case study

Sado River estuary is located in the west coast of Portugal. Previous environmental studies identified industrial contamination, non-point anthropogenic sources and contamination coming from the river, all promoting accumulation of polluted sediments with known impacts on the ecological system. Surrounding human populations have intense economic fishery activities. Together with agriculture, estuary fishing products are available to local residents. Food usage previously characterized through ethnographic studies suggests exposure to estuarine products, farming products, and water in daily activities, as potential routes of contamination. It is well established that long term exposure to heavy metals are associated with renal and neurological diseases, most heavy metals are classified as carcinogenic and teratogenic.Instituição Financiadora: FCT; Instituições participantes: IMAR -Instituto do Mar (coord.)e PRÓ-INSA, Associação para a Promoção da Investigação em Saúde, Instituto Nacional de Saúde Doutor Ricardo Jorg

O PERFIL DE SENSIBILIZAÇÃO ACERCA DO DESCARTE E REUTILIZAÇÃO DE RESÍDUOS SÓLIDOS NA CIDADE UNIVERSITÁRIA, UNIVERSIDADE FEDERAL DO MARANHÃO.

An important aspect the still absent in many universities is planning of disposal, storage and reuse of solid waste. The identification ofsituations faced by academic community regarding generation of waste is essential to the elaboration of programs, projects, systems andpolicies for sustainable management of generated waste. This study aimed to understand how aware of this issue is academic communityof the University City, Federal University of Maranhão (UFMA), through a profile of the production of solid waste and its impacts on theenvironment. The methodology was based on the application of 509 questionnaires during the year 2011 in four different campuses centers,including 33 undergraduate and graduate departments from various fields, and six administrative centers. The questionnaires consisted ofquestions about recycling policies and waste sorting. According to our results, 67.97 % of respondents know the 3Rs (reduce, reuse andrecycle) and 92.32 % said they would participate in a program for waste management if the university were to do so. However, over 60 % ofrespondents do not separate their household waste. Thus, it is important to note that, although encouraged by the university administration,an effective campaign should include the individual awareness of the academic body.Identificar situações com as quais a comunidade acadêmica se defronta quanto à geração de resíduos é imprescindível para que haja uma elaboração de programas e políticas de gestão sustentável em universidades. Este trabalho visou compreender como se dá a sensibilização da comunidade acadêmica da Cidade Universitária/ UFMA, acerca da produção de resíduos sólidos e seus devidos impactos ambientais. A metodologia baseou-se na aplicação de 509 questionários, com perguntas acerca de políticas de reciclagem e coleta seletiva, abrangendo 33 cursos de graduação e pós-graduação de diversas áreas e seis instâncias administrativas. De acordo com os resultados, 67,97% dos entrevistados conhecem as políticas de reaproveitamento, reutilização e reciclagem de resíduos e 92,32% afirmou que participaria de um programa interno caso houvesse incentivo para tal. Assim, é importante ressaltar que ainda que incentivado pelas instâncias administrativas, uma campanha efetiva deve incluir a sensibilização dos integrantes da comunidade acadêmica em questão

Open innovation in public management: analysis of the Brazilian action plan for Open Government Partnership

Este estudo objetivou analisar o Plano de Ação brasileiro para o Governo Aberto, baseado na teoria da inovação aberta na gestão pública. Utilizou-se de uma pesquisa documental, com vistas a aprofundar o conhecimento do fenômeno em questão. O documento foi escolhido intencionalmente, por ser exemplo basilar das políticas públicas relacionadas à inovação aberta brasileira. Os resultados mostram que os compromissos firmados pelo governo brasileiro estão consoantes com o processo de inovação aberta pública. As ações previstas no Plano estão especificamente relacionadas a transparência, abertura de dados e preparação do corpo estatal para o processo aberto de inovação. _________________________________________________________________________________________ RESUMEN: Este estudio tuvo como objetivo analizar el Plan de Acción de Brasil para el Gobierno Abierto con base en la teoría de la innovación abierta en la gestión pública. Se utilizó una investigación documental, con el fin de profundizar el conocimiento en el fenómeno en cuestión. El documento fue elegido intencionadamente porque es fundamental para las políticas públicas relacionadas con la innovación abierta brasileña. Los resultados muestran que los compromisos asumidos por el gobierno brasileño son compatibles con el proceso de innovación abierta pública. En concreto, las acciones contenidas en el plan están relacionados con la transparencia, los datos abiertos y preparación de la estructura de gobierno para el proceso abierto de innovación. _________________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACT: This study aims to analyze the Brazilian action plan for Open Government, based on the theory of open innovation in public management. Documentary research was used, in order to deepen of the knowledge the phenomenon being discussed . The document was intentionally chosen because it is essential for public policies related to Brazilian open innovation The results show that the commitments made by the Brazilian government are compatible with the public open innovation process. The actions in the Plan are related specifically to transparency, open data and preparation of the governance body for the open innovation process

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease