Evaluation of structural intervention in the Quartel das Esquadras, Almeida (Portugal)

The Quartel das Esquadras is an 18th century infantry barrack located within the limits of the bulwarked fortress of Almeida, in Portugal. An ongoing adaptive reuse project of the building aims to recover its full capacity and also its importance to the fortified village of Almeida, by implementing a variety of new uses. While adaptive reuse projects of historical buildings are a very recommendable solution for maintaining those constructions whose use has become obsolete, these projects demand careful study because they may introduce changes in the structural behaviour of the buildings to preserve. The architectural intervention results in the need of the structure to withstand new and diverse imposed loads, as well as inserting passages and communication systems to enable a proper contemporary use of the building, fulfilling architectural requirements and current building codes. As the current configuration of the structure will be altered, the main objective of this paper is to evaluate the suitability of some of the proposed structural interventions. Such evaluation requires a good understanding of the current state of the structure and the alterations proposed by the project. The current condition has been characterized following a multidisciplinary approach comprising historical research, visual inspection, non-destructive testing and structural analysis. The alterations proposed by the project have been described, identifying possible sources of major structural problems. A portion of the building particularly affected by the alterations has been selected to carry out structural analysis. A comparative safety assessment of the selected area in both current and altered condition has been done through finite element modelling and nonlinear static analysis, resulting in an identification of the weaker points against the new implemented loads and alterations. Finally, proposals for the implementation of the studied intervention, as well as recommendations for future research and analyses, have been given.This work was financed by FEDER funds through the Competitiveness Factors Operational Programme - COMPETE and by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology within the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007633

Characterisation of High Temperature Oxidation Phenomena during AISI 430 Stainless Steel Manufacturing under a Controlled H-2 Atmosphere for Bright Annealing

Localised-in-the-edge oxidation of four AISI 430 alloys was investigated after an industrial bright annealing process. The oxidised surface of each specimen was characterised by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), Raman-spectroscopy and SEM. The results showed that the selective oxidation of Cr and Mn took place at the coil edges of AISI 430. This led to the formation of an oxide scale based on Cr2O3 and MnCr2O4. On the other hand, the formation of Cr(OH)(3) and MnOOH in the outer part of the oxide scale was related to the effect of the H-2-N-2 environment on the annealing furnace. The results concluded that the composition of Cr and Mn in the alloy determined the composition of the oxidation products. However, the effect of annealing time was minor in this oxidation mechanism, which slightly contributed to an increase in the cation diffusion from the steel to the oxide. Finally, the results obtained indicate that the colouration of the coil edges displayed in each studied material varies according to the alloy chemical composition and annealing time.This research was funded by the "Proyectos de I+D Individuales" programme, Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnologico Industrial (CDTI), Ministerio de Economia y Competitividad from the Spanish Government-project "FERRINOP"

Is there Long Memory in Stock Markets, or Does it Depend on the Model, Period or Frequency?

This paper analyses the existence of long memory in the major stock markets in the world, and if this is the case, whether it’s due to the type of econometric models used, the period of study or the frequency of data (intraday, daily, weekly, etc.)? To do this, we perform a comparative analysis between the empirical results of ARFIMA and GARCH models. The stock markets that showed consistent results of long memory, regardless of the method, the period and the frequency were China and South Korea. The first one exhibits long memory, and the other a short one

Isoterma de langmuir y freundlich como modelos para la adsorción de componentes de ácido nucleico sobre wo3 | langmuir and freundlich isotherms as model for the adsorption of nucleic acid components on wo3

En este trabajo, se estudió el efecto del pH (3-10) en la adsorción de los constituyentes de ácidos nucleicos; nucleobases, nucleósidos y nucleótidos, sobre el trióxido de tungsteno (WO3). Se utilizaron las isotermas de Langmuir y Freundlich para describir los procesos de adsorción. Se observó que el pH neutro favoreció la adsorción de los componentes de ácidos nucleicos. Los datos de adsorción sugieren que existe una considerable diferencia en la capacidad de enlace de las nucleobases y sus derivados sobre el WO3, la cual depende de la arquitectura molecular de las especies adsorbidas. Se encontró que la adsorción de las biomoléculas sobre el catalizador sigue el siguiente orden: Nucleótidos > Nucleósidos > Nucleobases. Los mayores valores de la capacidad máxima de adsorción (Xm) se obtuvieron para los nucleótidos, encontrándose a pH 7 que el CMP’5 (Xm = 64,94 mg/L) > UMP’5 (Xm = 54,64 mg/L) @ GMP’5 (Xm = 54,35 mg/L) > AMP’5 (Xm = 45,05 mg/L). Las constantes de Freundlich (KF) oscilaron entre 4 y 7. Para todos los pH, los nucleósidos y nucleótidos poseen valores de n (constante de intensidad de adsorción) cercanos a la unidad, indicando que los sitios activos del catalizador son equivalentes energéticamente, excepto el AMP’5 a pH 7 (n = 2,16). El pH neutro es óptimo para modificar químicamente la superficie del WO3.Palabras clave: Nucleótido, nucleósido, base nitrogenada, biomoléculas.ABSTRACTIn this paper, we studied the effect of pH (3-10) in the adsorption of nucleic acid constituents; nucleobases, nucleosides and nucleotides, on tungsten trioxide (WO3). Isotherms of Langmuir and Freundlich were used to describe adsorption processes. It was noted that neutral pH favors the adsorption of nucleic acid components. The adsorption date suggests that there is a considerable difference in the binding capacity of the nucleobases and their derivatives on WO3, which depends on the molecular architecture of the adsorbed species. It was found that adsorption of biomolecules onto the catalyst has following sequence: Nucleotide > Nucleoside > Nucleobase. The highest values of the maximum adsorption capacity (Xm) were obtained for nucleotides, finding that at pH 7 the CMP'5 (Xm = 64.94 mg/L) > UMP'5 (Xm = 54.64 mg/L) @ GMP'5 (Xm = 54.35 mg/L) > AMP'5 (Xm = 45.05 mg/L). Freundlich constants (KF) ranged between 4 and 7. For all pH, nucleosides and nucleotides have values of n (constant of adsorption intensity) close to unity, indicating that the active sites of catalyst are energetically equivalent, except the AMP'5 at pH 7 (n = 2.16). The neutral pH is optimum to chemically modify the surface of the WO3.Key words: Nucleotide, nucleoside, nitrogenous base, biomolecules.

The September 2019 floods in Spain: An example of the utility of satellite data for the analysis of extreme hydrometeorological events

Major floods in Spain in September 9–13, 2019 resulted in seven casualties and massive losses to agriculture, property and infrastructure. This paper investigates the utility of satellite data to: (1) characterize the event when input into a hydrological model, and to provide an accurate picture of the evolution of the floods; and (2) inform meteorologists in real time in order to complement model forecasts. It is shown that the precipitation estimates from the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) Core Observatory (GPM-CO, available since 2014) and the merged satellite estimates provide an extraordinary improvement over previous technologies to monitor severe hydrometeorological episodes in near real time. In spite of known biases and errors, these new satellite precipitation estimates can be of broad practical interest to deal with emergencies and long-term readiness, especially for semi-arid areas potentially affected by ongoing global warming. Comparisons of satellite data of the September event with model outputs and more direct observations such as rain gauges and ground radars reinforce the idea that satellites are fundamental for an appropriate management of hydrometeorological events.Funding from projects PID2019-108470RB-C21, PID2019-108470RB-C22 (AEI/FEDER, UE), CGL2016-80609-R, and 1365002970/KMA2018-00721 (Korean Meteorological Agency, Korea) is gratefully acknowledged

Estudio comparativo de propiedades funcionales de variedades comerciales y autóctonas de manzana (Malus domestica Borkh)

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Cardiometabolic characterization in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease

BackgroundTo better understand the patient's heterogeneity in fatty liver disease (FLD), metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) was proposed by international experts as a new nomenclature for nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). We aimed to evaluate the cardiovascular risk, assessed through coronary artery calcium (CAC) and epicardial adipose tissue (EAT), of patients without FLD and patients with FLD and its different subtypes. MethodsCross sectional study of 370 patients. Patients with FLD were divided into 4 groups: FLD without metabolic dysfunction (non-MD FLD), MAFLD and the presence of overweight/obesity (MAFLD-OW), MAFLD and the presence of two metabolic abnormalities (MAFLD-MD) and MAFLD and the presence of T2D (MAFLD-T2D). MAFLD-OW included two subgroups: metabolically healthy obesity (MHO) and metabolically unhealthy obesity (MUHO). The patients without FLD were divided into 2 groups: patients without FLD and without MD (non-FLD nor MD; reference group) and patients without FLD but with MD (non-FLD with MD). EAT and CAC (measured through the Agatston Score) were determined by computed tomography. ResultsCompared with the reference group (non-FLD nor MD), regarding EAT, patients with MAFLD-T2D and MAFLD-MUHO had the highest risk for CVD (OR 15.87, 95% CI 4.26-59.12 and OR 17.60, 95% CI 6.71-46.20, respectively), patients with MAFLD-MHO were also at risk for CVD (OR 3.62, 95% CI 1.83-7.16), and patients with non-MD FLD did not have a significantly increased risk (OR 1.77; 95% CI 0.67-4.73). Regarding CAC, patients with MAFLD-T2D had an increased risk for CVD (OR 6.56, 95% CI 2.18-19.76). Patients with MAFLD-MUHO, MAFLD-MHO and non-MD FLD did not have a significantly increased risk compared with the reference group (OR 2.54, 95% CI 0.90-7.13; OR 1.84, 95% CI 0.67-5.00 and OR 2.11, 95% CI 0.46-9.74, respectively). ConclusionMAFLD-T2D and MAFLD-OW phenotypes had a significant risk for CVD. MAFLD new criteria reinforced the importance of identifying metabolic phenotypes in populations as it may help to identify patients with higher CVD risk and offer a personalized therapeutic management in a primary prevention setting

Ammonia levels in different kinds of sampling sites in the central Iberian Peninsula

Ponencia presentada en:2nd Iberian Meeting on Aerosol Science and Technology (RICTA 2014) celebrado en Tarragona del 7 al 9 de julio de 2014.Ammonia is the Secondary Inorganic Aerosol (SIC) gaseous precursor which has been studied to a lesser extent in the Madrid Metropolitan Area up to date. A study conducted in the city of Madrid with the aim of characterizing levels of ammonia took place in 2011. These campaigns formed part of a larger study conducted in 6 Spanish cities. A time series of weekly integrated ammonia measurements available at an EMEP rural site (Campisábalos) has been used to obtain information on the ammonia rural background in the region. The results point to traffic and waste treatment plants as the main ammonia sources in Madrid. Relevant seasonal differences have not been observed in the Metropolitan Area. The explanation can be related to the fall in the rural background levels during July 2011, which might conceal urban summer emission increases observed in other cities

El estudio PROPRESE: resultados de un nuevo modelo organizativo en atención primaria para pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica crónica basado en una intervención multifactorial

ResumenObjetivoComparando los resultados obtenidos en los estudios EUROASPIRE I y EUROASPIRE III en pacientes con cardiopatía isquémica se muestra que el grado de control de los factores de riesgo mayores es mejorable. El objetivo de este estudio es evaluar la eficacia de una intervención multifactorial orientada a la mejora del grado de control en estos pacientes en el ámbito de la atención primaria.MétodosEn este estudio de intervención aleatorizado, con 1 año de seguimiento, se reclutó a pacientes con diagnóstico de cardiopatía isquémica (145 en el grupo de intervención y 1.461 en el grupo control). Se aplicó una intervención organizativa mixta basada en la mejora de la relación profesional sanitario-paciente (de acuerdo a los modelos del Chronic Care, el Stanford Expert Patient Programme y el Kaiser Permanente) y en la formación profesional continuada. Los principales resultados fueron el efecto sobre el tabaquismo, el colesterol unido a lipoproteínas de baja densidad (cLDL), la presión arterial sistólica (PAS) y la presión arterial diastólica (PAD) a través de un análisis multivariable.ResultadosLas características de los pacientes fueron: edad (68,4±11,8 años), varones (71,6%), diabetes mellitus (51,3%), dislipemia (68,5%), hipertensión arterial (76,7%), no fumadores (76,1%); cLDL < 100mg/dl (46,9%); PAS < 140mmHg (64,5%); PAD < 90 (91,2%). El análisis multivariable mostró que el riesgo para el buen control en el grupo de intervención fue tabaquismo, riesgo relativo ajustado (RRa): 15,7 (intervalo de confianza del 95% [IC95%], 4,2–58,7); p < 0,001; cLDL, RRa: 2,98 (IC95%, 1,48–6,02); p < 0,002; PAS, RRa: 1.97 (IC95%, 1,21–3,23); p < 0,007, y PAD; RRa: 1,51 (IC95%, 0,65–3,50); p < 0,342.ConclusionesUna intervención multifactorial basada en el modelo de paciente crónico centrada en atención primaria y que facilite la toma de decisiones compartidas con los pacientes y la formación de los profesionales mejora el grado de control de los factores de riesgo cardiovascular (tabaquismo, cLDL y PAS). Las estrategias de mejora en la atención de la cronicidad pueden ser una herramienta eficaz para conseguir mejores resultados.AbstractObjectiveComparison of the results from the EUROASPIRE I to the EUROASPIRE III, in patients with coronary heart disease, shows that the prevalence of uncontrolled risk factors remains high. The aim of the study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a new multifactorial intervention in order to improve health care for chronic coronary heart disease patients in primary care.MethodsIn this randomized clinical trial with a 1-year follow-up period, we recruited patients with a diagnosis of coronary heart disease (145 for the intervention group and 1461 for the control group). An organizational intervention on the patient-professional relationship (centered on the Chronic Care Model, the Stanford Expert Patient Programme and the Kaiser Permanente model) and formative strategy for professionals were carried out. The main outcomes were smoking control, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). A multivariate analysis was performed.ResultsThe characteristics of patients were: age (68.4±11.8 years), male (71.6%), having diabetes mellitus (51.3%), dyslipidemia (68.5%), arterial hypertension (76.7%), non-smokers (76.1%); LDL-C < 100mg/dL (46.9%); SBP < 140mmHg (64.5%); DBP < 90 (91.2%). The multivariable analysis showed the risk of good control for intervention group to be: smoking, adjusted relative risk (aRR): 15.70 (95% confidence interval [95%CI], 4.2–58.7); P < .001; LDL-C, aRR: 2.98 (95%CI, 1.48–6.02); P < .002; SPB, aRR: 1.97 (95%CI, 1.21–3.23); P < .007, and DBP: aRR: 1.51 (95%CI, 0.65–3.50); P < .342.ConclusionsAn intervention based on models for chronic patients focused in primary care and involving patients in medical decision making improves cardiovascular risk factors control (smoking, LDL-C and SBP). Chronic care strategies may be an efficacy tool to help clinicians to involve the patients with a diagnosis of CHD to reach better outcomes