Influence of DMSO non-toxic solvent on the mechanical and chemical properties of a PVDF thin film

Piezoelectric materials such as PVDF and its copolymers have been widely studied in different areas and with promising applications, such as haptic feedback actuators or deformation sensors for aided-mobility scenarios. To develop PVDF-based solutions, different protocols are reported in the literature; however, a toxic and harmful solvent is commonly used (dymethilformamide (DMF)). In the present study, a non-toxic solvent (dymethilsulfoxide (DMSO)) is used to dissolve PVDF powder, while a specific ionic liquid (IL), [PMIM][TFSI], is used to enhance piezoelectric properties. A PVDF/IL thin film is characterized. The physical material characterization is based on optical analysis (to ensure the sample’s homogeneity) and on mechanical linear behaviour (Young’s modulus of 144 MPa and yield stress of 9 MPa). Meanwhile, a chemical analysis focuses on the phase modifications introduced by the addition of IL (β phase increase to 80% and a degree of crystallinity, χ, of 30%). All the results obtained are in good agreement with the literature, which indicates that the proposed experimental protocol is suitable for producing PVDF-based thin films for biomedical applications

Análise do impacto do merchandising no comportamento do consumidor

Mestrado em GestãoExame Público realizado em 22 de Dezembro de 2021Este estudo tem como principal objetivo avaliar o impacto das ações e técnicas de Merchandising no comportamento do consumidor e identificar, comparando, quais os fatores de merchandising que influenciam, e de que maneira, o comportamento do consumidor no processo de compra, analisando as quatro principais dimensões em estudo: Atratividade do Merchandising, Compra por Impulso, Fidelização à Marca e Indiferença quanto ao Branding. Foi realizada uma revisão de literatura centrada no tema Merchandising, bem como estratégia promocional e material do ponto de venda, mas também com enfoque no comportamento do consumidor e nos fundamentos de Marketing e Comunicação. Recorreu-se a uma pesquisa quantitativa e uma amostragem não probabilística por conveniência, com recurso ao inquérito por questionário online, obtendo-se uma amostra válida de 412 inquiridos, de forma a compreender a sua perceção quanto ao seu comportamento em loja. Através da realização desta dissertação foi possível concluir que as dimensões que mais beneficiam no Impacto do Merchandising são a Fidelização à Marca/Local e a Atratividade do Merchandising, sendo as dimensões que menos se ajustam a Indiferença ao Branding e a Compra por Impulso. Ficou ainda evidenciado que o Género é a variável mais influente nas dimensões Compra por Impulso e Fidelização à Marca/Local, contrariamente à variável Rendimento, que é apenas preditora da dimensão Atratividade do Merchandising. Foi ainda possível verificar uma boa correlação entre as dimensões Atratividade do Merchandising e Fidelização à Marca/Local.This study aims to evaluate the impact of Merchandising actions and techniques on consumer behavior and identify, comparing, which merchandising factors influence - and how - consumer behavior in the purchase process, analyzing the four main dimensions under study: Merchandising Attractiveness, Impulse Purchase, Brand Loyalty and Indifference to Branding. A literature review was carried out focused on the Merchandising theme, as well as promotional strategy and point of sale material, but also focusing on consumer behavior and on the fundamentals of Marketing and Communication. A quantitative survey and a non-probabilistic convenience sampling were used, using an online questionnaire survey, obtaining a valid sample of 412 respondents, in order to understand their perception of their behavior in the store. Through the completion of this dissertation, it was possible to conclude that the dimensions that most benefit the Merchandising Impact are Brand/Local Loyalty and Merchandising Attractiveness, with the dimensions that least fit being Indifference to Branding and Impulse Purchase. It was also evidenced that Gender is the most influential variable in the Impulse Purchase and Brand/Location Loyalty dimensions, contrary to the Income variable, which is only a predictor of the Merchandising Attractiveness dimension. It was also possible to verify a good correlation between the Merchandising Attractiveness and Brand/Place Loyalty dimensions

Developing an integrated communication plan in the digital age

Marketers are constantly exploring the best communication channels to deliver the best possible message to their targets. Therefore, technological advances are continuously shaping communications, especially in digital environments. Bidirectional and interactive dimensions characterize digital media communications. This study explores relevant literature on integrated marketing communications and communication in digital environments, including child-oriented marketing communications. As a result, theoretical framework on digital communication is provided for academics and practitioners.Research : "MoBeyBOU: Moving Beyond Boundaries - Designing Narrative Learning in the Digital Era", referência: POCI-01-0145-FEDER-032580, financiado pela Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia—FCT, e o Fundos Europeus Estruturais e de Investimento FEDER através do Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização. The authors are grateful to the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for financial support by national funds FCT/MCTES to UNIAG (UIDB/04752/2020)

Mechanical Behaviour of Human and Porcine Urethra: Experimental Results, Numerical Simulation and Qualitative Analysis

Low urinary tract dysfunctions and symptoms (LUTS) affect both men and woman, with the incidence increasing with age. Among the LUTS, urinary incontinence (UI) is a common dysfunction, characterised by the involuntary loss of urine. These medical conditions become debilitating, with a severe impact on patients’ routines and overall well-being. To mitigate LUTS-associated symptoms, the mechanical behaviour of both normal and LUTS-affected urethrae can be an important tool. The current work approaches the porcine urethra as a mechanical replacement candidate for the human urethra. It aims to provide a framework based on in silico (numerical) simulations and experimental data, to compare the candidate’s mechanical behaviour against the human urethra. Porcine urethral samples were mechanically evaluated through low-cycle fatigue tests in both circumferential and longitudinal orientations. The specimens were collected from porcine urethrae from crossbred pigs raised for human consumption. The experimental results were compared with human references found in the literature, with similar experimental conditions. The experimental data were used as the input for the mechanical properties estimation (nonlinear fitting to hyperelastic constitutive models) and for the simulation of the urethral tensile behaviour, using those models. In the longitudinal orientation, the results for the porcine and human urethra were in good agreement, while in the circumferential direction, the differences increased with deformation. Previous data on the mechanical behaviour of the equine urethra is in line with these findings. The nonlinear mechanical behaviour of a porcine urethra was modelled using the finite element method (FEM) and hyperelastic constitutive models. For the longitudinal urethra, the simulation results approximate experimental data for stretches up to λ≈1.5 (50% deformations), whereas for the circumferential urethra, the same was true for stretches up to λ≈1.35 (35% deformations). The hyperelastic models with a higher number of parameters performed better with the third-order Ogden model (six parameters), displaying the best performance among the studied models. The pig urethra is a suitable candidate for an implant targeted at human urethra replacement or as a model to study the human urinary system. Nevertheless, the data available on the circumferential mechanical behaviour need to be consolidated with additional mechanical tests. The tensile behaviour of the porcine urethra over large deformations can be modelled using the third-order Ogden model; however, to extend the modelling capabilities to larger deformations requires the use of hyperelastic models more adequate to soft tissue behaviour

Deposição de gotas proporcionadas por pontas hidráulicas em função da velocidade do vento durante a aplicação de agrotóxicos

The aim of this study was to estimate the distance of droplets deposition as a function of wind seed using a computational program. It was used a representative sample of 10 spray nozzles ULD015F120, LD02F110 and VP11002 in the procedure of characterization of droplets spectrum in the working pressure of 3 bar being performed 3 replications. The values of D0.9, D0.1 and D0.5 of each nozzle were inserted into software to simulate the effect of wind speed of 2, 4 and 6 m s-1 in the drift distance on the droplet spectrum generated by nozzles. As result it was observed that the wind speed is an important factor to be considered in the spray nozzle choice. The nozzles ULD02F120 are capable to be used as a drift reducer. During the use of the nozzle VP11002 greater care must be taken due to the higher percentage of droplets with diameter inferior to 100 μm for the simulated conditions.El objetivo de este estudio fue estimar la distancia de deposición de gotas en función de la velocidad del viento mediante un programa informático. Una muestra representativa de 10 boquillas de pulverización, ULD015F120, LD02F110 y VP11002 en la caracterización del espectro de gotas en la presión de trabajo de 3 bar, con 3 réplicas. Los valores de D0,9; D0,1 y D0,5 de cada una de las boquillas fueran insertados en un programa informático para simular el efecto de la velocidad del viento de 2, 4 y 6 m s-1 en la distancia de deriva del espectro las gotas generadas. Como resultado se observó que la velocidad del viento es un factor importante a considerar en la elección de la boquilla de pulverización. Las boquillas ULD02F120 son adecuados para su uso como herramientas de reducción de la deriva. Durante el uso de la boquilla VP11002 se debe tener mayor cuidado debido al mayor porcentaje de gotas con diámetro de menos de 100 μm en las condiciones simuladas.O objetivo deste trabalho foi estimar a distância de deposição de gotas em função da velocidade do vento utilizando programa computacional. Foi utilizada uma amostra representativa de 10 pontas de pulverização, ULD015F120, LD02F110 e VP11002, no procedimento de caracterização do espectro de gotas na pressão de trabalho de 3 bar, sendo realizada 3 repetições. Os valores de D0,9; D0,1 e D0,5 de cada uma das pontas foram inseridos em um programa computacional para simular o efeito da velocidade do vento de 2, 4 e 6 m s-1 na distância de deriva sobre o espectro de gotas gerado pelas pontas. Como resultado observou-se que a velocidade do vento é um fator importante a ser considerado na escolha da ponta de pulverização. As pontas de pulverização ULD02F120 são aptas a serem utilizadas como ferramentas de redução de deriva. Durante a utilização da ponta VP11002 maior cuidado deve ser tomado devido à maior porcentagem de gotas com diâmetro inferior a 100 μm nas condições simuladas

Análise espaço-temporal da correlação entre focos de queimada, áreas de pastagem e produção bovina no estado de rondônia entre os anos de 2002 e 2016

The unsustainable model of land use and occupation in the State of Rondônia is a threat to biodiversity balance, to the biological cycles and to the provision of ecosystem services provided by forests. In this sense, this article presents an analysis of correlation between burn hotspots, pasture areas and bovine production for the State of Rondônia. Research products were deployed such as maps to demonstrate spatial relationship, graphs to demonstrate the historical series and charts to demonstrate the correlation between the variables. Due to the non-adherence of data to normality, Spearman's correlation coefficient was used. Softwares ArcGis version 10.1 and Jamovi version 1.6 were used. The correlation between fires and bovine production in the State was significant, positive and with a week/moderate tendency, with evidence values ranging from 0.282 to 0.400; while for correlation between pasture areas and forest fires was significant with a trend ranging from 0.485 to 0.633; between bovine production and pasture areas, there is a strong correlation with a significative positive trend from 0.833 to 0.914. It is possible to verify an increase in the values of the variables throughout the time series, and correlation between them. In this scenario, it is urgent to adopt public policies for territorial planning and strengthening of fiscalization agencies.O modelo insustentável de uso e ocupação do solo no Estado de Rondônia é uma ameaça ao equilíbrio da biodiversidade, ciclos biogeoquímicos e prestação de serviços ecossistêmicos proporcionados pela floresta. Neste sentido, este artigo apresenta análises de correlação entre focos de calor, áreas de pastagem e produção bovina para o Estado de Rondônia. Foram elaborados produtos cartográficos para demonstrar as correlações espaciais, gráficos para demonstrar a série histórica e gráficos para demonstrar a correlação entre as variáveis. Devido a não aderência dos dados à normalidade, foi utilizado o coeficiente de correlação de Spearman (rho). Foram utilizados os programas ArcGis versão 10.1 e Jamovi versão 1.6. A correlação entre os focos de calor e produção bovina no Estado foi significativa, positiva e com tendência para fraca/moderada, sendo os valores de correlação 0,282 a 0,400; enquanto a correlação para as áreas dedicadas a pastagem em relação a focos de calor foi significativa, positiva e com tendência moderada, variando entre 0,485 a 0,633; na correlação entre produção bovina e área de pastagem observa-se uma correlação significativa, e com tendência positiva forte de 0,833 a 0,914. Pode-se concluir um aumento dos valores das variáveis ao longo da série histórica, bem como, observa-se correlação entre as mesmas. Neste cenário, é urgente a adoção de políticas públicas de planejamento territorial e fortalecimento das agências de fiscalização

Photon-number-resolving segmented avalanche-photodiode detectors

We investigate the feasibility and performance of photon-number-resolved photodetection employing avalanche photodiodes (APDs) with low dark counts. The main idea is to split n photons over m modes such that every mode has no more than one photon, which is detected alongside propagation by an APD. We characterize performance by evaluating the purities of positive-operator-valued measurements (POVMs), in terms of APD number and photon loss.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures, submitted for publicatio

The interaction of La3+ complexes of DOTA/DTPA-glycoconjugates with the RCA120 lectin : a saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopic study

The study of ligand-receptor interactions using high resolution NMR techniques, namely the Saturation Transfer Difference (STD), is presented for the recognition process between La(III) complexes of DOTA mono(amide) and DTPA bis(amide) glycoconjugates and the galactose specific lectin Ricinus Communis agglutinin (RCA120). This new class of Gd(III)-based potential targeted MRI contrast agents (CAs), bearing one or two terminal sugar (galactosyl or lactosyl) moieties, has been designed for in vivo binding to ASGPR (the asialoglycoprotein receptor), which is specifically expressed at the surface of liver hepatocytes, with the aim of leading to a new possible diagnosis of liver pathologies. The in vitro affinity constants of the divalent La(III)- glycoconjugate complexes to RCA120, used as a simple, water soluble receptor model, were higher than those of the monovalent analogues. The combination of the experimental data obtained from the STD NMR experiments with molecular modelling protocols (Autodock 4.1) allowed us to predict the binding mode of mono and divalent forms of these CAs to the galactose 1 binding sites of RCA120. The atomic details of the molecular interactions allowed corroborating and supporting the interaction of both the sugar moieties and the linkers with the surface of the protein and thus, their contribution to the observed interaction stabilities.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

Early Inflammatory Biomarkers as Predictive Factors for Freedom from Infection after Colorectal Cancer Surgery: A Prospective Cohort Study

Different biomarkers are useful in diagnosing infections. The aim of this work was to clarify the relation between different inflammatory biomarkers (white blood cell [WBC] count, C-reactive protein [CRP], procalcitonin [PCT], and C-reactive protein-to-albumin ratio [CAR]) and early infectious complications after colorectal surgery.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effect of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) peduncle bagasse extract on Streptococcus mutans and its biofilm

This study investigated the antimicrobial activity of cashew (Anacardium occidentale L.) peduncle bagasse extract. Cashewpeduncle bagasse extract was prepared, and its minimal inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimal bactericidal concentration(MBC), and effect on biofilm formation were determined against the strain Streptococcus mutans UA159. The bagasse extractshowed MIC at a concentration of 500 μg/mL and MBC at 1000 μg/mL against S. mutans. At 250 μg/mL, the extract significantlyreduced the biofilm formation of S. mutans, possibly associated with its effect on planktonic cells. The results of this study showedthat cashew peduncle residue has biomedical potential as an antimicrobial agent against an important pathogen responsible forthe formation of biofilm and subsequent dental caries.(Efeito do extrato do bagasso do pedúnculo do caju (Anacardium occidentale L.) sobre Streptococcus mutans e seubiofilme). Este estudo investigou a atividade antimicrobiana do extrato do bagaço do pedúnculo do caju (Anacardium occidentaleL.). O extrato do bagasse do caju foi preparado e sua concentração inibitória mínima (CIM), concentração bactericida mínima(CBM) e seu efeito sobre a formação de biofilme foram determinadas sobre a estirpe Streptococcus mutans AU 159. O extratodo bagaço apresentou CIM a uma concentração de 500 μg/mL e CBM a 1000 μg/mL contra S. mutans. A 250 μg/mL, o extratoreduziu significantemente a formação de biofilme de S. mutans, possivelmente associado ao seu efeito sobre células planctônicas.Os resultados desse estudo mostraram que o resíduo do pedúnculo do caju tem potencial biomédico como agente antimicrobianocontra um importante patógeno responsável pela formação de biofilme e subsequentemente carie dental