Double Perovskite Single-Crystal Photoluminescence Quenching and Resurge:The Role of Cu Doping on its Photophysics and Crystal Structure

Cs2AgBiBr6 is a potential lead-free double perovskite candidate for optoelectronic applications; however, its large and indirect band gap imposes limitations. Here, single crystals of Cs2AgBiBr6 are doped with Cu2+ cations to increase the absorption range from the visible region up to 0.5 eV in the near-infrared region. Inductively coupled plasma spectroscopy confirms the presence of 1.9% of copper in the Cs2AgBiBr6 structure. Structural and optical changes caused by Cu doping were studied by Raman spectroscopy combined with X-ray diffraction, heat capacity measurements, and low-temperature photoluminescence spectroscopy. Along with the 1.9 eV emission typical of the pristine Cs2AgBiBr6 single crystals, we report a novel low-energy emission at 0.9 eV related to deep defects. In the doped crystals, these peaks are quenched, and a new emission band at 1.3 eV is visible. This new emission band appears only above 120 K, showing that thermal energy is necessary to trigger the copper-related emission

The preyssler-type polyoxotungstate exhibits anti-quorum sensing, antibiofilm, and antiviral activities

The increase in bacterial resistance to antibiotics has led researchers to find new compounds or find combinations between different compounds with potential antibacterial action and with the ability to prevent the development of antibiotic resistance. Polyoxotungstates (POTs) are inorganic clusters that may fulfill that need, either individually or in combination with antibiotics. Herein, we report the ability of the polyoxotungstates (POTs) with Wells-Dawson P2W18, P2W17, P2W15, and Preyssler P5W30 type structures to differently affect Gram-negative and Gram-positive microorganisms, either susceptible or resistant to antibiotics. The compound P5W30 showed the highest activity against the majority of the tested bacterial strains in comparison with the other tested POTs (P2W15, P2W17 and P2W18) that did not show inhibition zones for the Gram-negative bacteria, A. baumanii I73775, E. coli DSM 1077, E. coli I73194, K. pneumoniae I7092374, and P. aeruginosa C46281). Generally, the results evidenced that Gram-positive bacteria are more susceptible to the POTs tested. The compound P5W30 was the one most active against S. aureus ATCC 6538 and MRSA16, reaching <0.83 mg·mL−1 (100 µM) and 4.96 mg·mL−1 (600 µM), respectively. Moreover, it was verified by NMR spectroscopy that the most promising POT, P5W30, remains intact under all the experimental conditions, after 24 h at 37 ◦C. This prompted us to further evaluate the anti-quorum sensing activity of P5W30 using the biosensor Chromobacterium violaceum CV026, as well as its antibiofilm activity both individually and in combination with the antibiotic cefoxitin against the methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus 16 (MRSA16). P5W30 showed a synergistic antibacterial effect with the antibiotic cefoxitin and chloramphenicol against MRSA16. Moreover, the antibiofilm activity of P5W30 was more pronounced when used individually, in comparison with the combination with the antibioticcefoxitin. Finally, the antiviral activity of P5W30 was tested using the coliphage Qβ, showing a dosedependent response. The maximum inactivation was observed at 750 µM (6.23 mg·mL−1 ). In sum, P5W30 shows anti-quorum sensing and antibiofilm activities besides being a potent antibacterial agent against S. aureus and to exhibit antiviral activities against enteric viruses.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Socio-demographic and behavioural risk factors associated with the high prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portuguese children

Objectives: Childhood obesity is a public health concern in Portugal. Socio-demographic and behavioral factors are highly associated with obesity but are not clearly understood. This article aims to update the prevalence of overweight and obesity in Portuguese children and to explore the influence and risks of socio-demographic factors and behavioral factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study of Portuguese children aged 3–10 years from all 18 mainland districts took place between March 2009 and January 2010. The sample was composed by 17,136 children, 3–10 years of age (8,455 boys; 8,681 girls). Height, weight, and other anthropometric measurements were obtained by trained technicians. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated along with other anthropometric variables. Data analyses took place between April and September 2012. The overweight/obesity classification was established by age-and sex-specific BMI cut-off points as defined by the International obesity task force (IOTF). Parents completed questionnaires about socio-demographic and behavioral characteristics of the family. Results: Almost 28% of the Portuguese children were overweight or obese (19.7% overweight; 8.2% obese). Prevalence was greater in girls than in boys. Logistic regression models found that the odds of childhood obesity were significantly affected by biological, socio-demographic, and behavioral factors. Conclusions: The protective factors against childhood overweight/obesity in this sample of Portuguese children are: (i) being male; (ii) having been breastfeed; (iii) having been born from mothers who did not smoke during pregnancy; (iv) engaging in little sedentary behaviors (TV, PC, and playing electronic games); (iv) performing at least 1 h of moderate physical activity every day; and (v) having parents with higher educational levels who also have their BMI within the healthy ranges

Aceitar, rejeitar ou questionar? Análise crítica de discursos de jovens sobre políticas de igualdade

(Excerto) No contexto português as iniciativas de análise dos discursos das/os recetoras/es de media, no que concerne as questões de género, não tem ainda sido uma prioridade de investigação. Este artigo pretende contribuir para a problematização crítica (e.g. Ferin-Cunha, 2007; Lobo e Cabecinhas, 2010) centrando-se na receção de conteúdos informativos sobre políticas de igualdade de género. Como refere Lígia Amâncio (2003), o facto da área dos estudos de género ter sido introduzida tardiamente por limitação do período ditatorial português de quase meio século marcou de forma indelével a invisibilização dos esforços da segunda vaga dos feminismos na luta pela igualdade de género. A investigação feminista dos media em Portugal, mais concretamente, dividia-se inicialmente em duas grandes áreas fundamentais: estudos feministas dos media e investigação da esfera pública (Silveirinha, 2001). Em virtude dos desenvolvimentos posteriores, esta proposta inicial veio a ser complementada passando a centrar-se em trabalhos de três grandes domínios: representação dos conteúdos; produção e institui- ções mediáticas; audiências, receção e identidades (Silveirinha, 2004)

Bioconversion of fish discards through the production of lactic acid bacteria and metabolites: sustainable application of fish peptones in nutritive fermentation media

In the current work, we study the capacity of 30 peptones obtained by enzyme proteolysis of ten discarded fish species (hake, megrim, red scorpionfish, pouting, mackerel, gurnard, blue whiting, Atlantic horse mackerel, grenadier, and boarfish) to support the growth and metabolite production of four lactic acid bacteria (LAB) of probiotic and technological importance. Batch fermentations of Lactobacillus plantarum, L. brevis, L. casei, and Leuconostoc mesenteroides in most of the media formulated with fish peptones (87% of the cases) led to similar growths (quantified as dry-weight biomass and viable cells) and metabolites (mainly lactic acid) than in commercial control broth (MRS). Comparisons among cultures were performed by means of the parameters obtained from the mathematical fittings of experimental kinetics to the logistic equation. Modelling among experimental and predicted data from each bioproduction was generally accurate. A simple economic assessment demonstrated the profitability achieved when MRS is substituted by media formulated with fish discards: a 3–4-fold reduction of costs for LAB biomass, viable cells formation, and lactic and acetic acid production. Thus, these fish peptones are promising alternatives to the expensive commercial peptones as well as a possible solution to valorize discarded fish biomasses and by-products.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Colloidal nanomaterials for water quality improvement and monitoring

Water is the most important resource for all kind forms of live. It is a vital resource distributed unequally across different regions of the globe, with populations already living with water scarcity, a situation that is spreading due to the impact of climate change. The reversal of this tendency and the mitigation of its disastrous consequences is a global challenge posed to Humanity, with the scientific community assuming a major obligation for providing solutions based on scientific knowledge. This article reviews literature concerning the development of nanomaterials for water purification technologies, including collaborative scientific research carried out in our laboratory (nanoLAB@UA) framed by the general activities carried out at the CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials. Our research carried out in this specific context has been mainly focused on the synthesis and surface chemical modification of nanomaterials, typically of a colloidal nature, as well as on the evaluation of the relevant properties that arise from the envisaged applications of the materials. As such, the research reviewed here has been guided along three thematic lines: 1) magnetic nanosorbents for water treatment technologies, namely by using biocomposites and graphite-like nanoplatelets; 2) nanocomposites for photocatalysis (e.g., TiO2/Fe3O4 and POM supported graphene oxide photocatalysts; photoactive membranes) and 3) nanostructured substrates for contaminant detection using surface enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), namely polymers loaded with Ag/Au colloids and magneto-plasmonic nanostructures. This research is motivated by the firm believe that these nanomaterials have potential for contributing to the solution of environmental problems and, conversely, will not be part of the problem. Therefore, assessment of the impact of nanoengineered materials on eco-systems is important and research in this area has also been developed by collaborative projects involving experts in nanotoxicity. The above topics are reviewed here by presenting a brief conceptual framework together with illustrative case studies, in some cases with original research results, mainly focusing on the chemistry of the nanomaterials investigated for target applications. Finally, near-future developments in this research area are put in perspective, forecasting realistic solutions for the application of colloidal nanoparticles in water cleaning technologies.publishe

Burden, coping, physical symptoms and psychological morbidity in caregivers of functionally dependent family members

Objectives: this study assessed burden, coping, physical symptoms and psychological morbidity in caregivers of functionally dependent family members. Methods: fifty family caregivers completed self-reported measures of burden, physical symptoms, psychological morbidity and coping strategies. Results: there was a significant negative correlation between coping strategies and the different clinical variables, as well as a significant positive correlation between coping strategies and duration of care. It appears that the stronger bond between caregiver and family member leads to a poorer use of adaptive coping strategies. It also appears that the deterioration of the relationship between them and the lower perceived self-efficacy are more prominente in caregivers of family members with cognitive impairment, indicating that caregivers with family members without cognitive impairment face fewer difficulties. Conclusion: these results emphasize the need for interventions to include coping strategies, since they are important in reducing caregivers’ burden, psychological morbidity and physical symptoms

A vigilância epidemiológica e a perspectiva de trabalho no território: Secretaria Municipal de Saúde ;-; Ribeirão Preto

This study aimed at analyzing the conformation of the Epidemiological Surveillance Service in Ribeirão Preto Municipal Health Secretariat under the orientation of the principles established by the Unified Health System and the perspective of Health Surveillance in face of the health care municipalization process occurring in the 1990s through the following dimensions: territory; problems; intersectoriality based on positive health concepts and on the paradigm of social health production. By means of a qualitative approach, bibliographical and documentation sources as well as 17 semi-structured interviews were used. Data were analyzed through the thematic analysis technique by which the following themes were identified: from "Monitoring" to "Educating and Preventing": practice in Epidemiological Surveillance -- a proposal to work in the territory. It was concluded that the potentiality of actions related to Epidemiological Surveillance is associated with the perspective of working in the territory for the construction of Health Surveillance in order to assure the technical content of those actions as well as the participation of different professional categories in the same work project, which will not necessarily be performed by all professionals in the same health production process, territory or time.Este estudio buscó analizar como se constituye la práctica de la Vigilancia Epidemiológica en la Secretaria Municipal de Salud (SMS-RP) bajo la orientación de los principios del SUS y de la perspectiva de la Vigilancia de cara al proceso de municipalización de la salud en la década del 90 utilizando las siguientes dimensiones: territorio, problemas, intersectorialidad, con base en el concepto positivo de salud y el paradigma de la producción social de la salud. A través de un abordaje cualitativo se utilizaron fuentes documentales, 17 entrevistas semi-estructuradas y la técnica de análisis temática, identificando los temas: de "vigilar" a "educar y prevenir": La práctica de la Vigilancia Epidemiológica -- Una propuesta de trabajo en el territorio. Se concluye que la potencialidad de las acciones de la Vigilancia Epidemiológica están relacionadas con la perspectiva de un trabajo en el territorio en la construcción de la Vigilancia en la Salud, asegurando el contenido técnico de esas acciones y la participación de diferentes categorías profesionales en un mismo proyecto de trabajo que no necesita ser ejecutada por todos los profesionales en el proceso de producción, espacio y tiempo.Este estudo procurou analisar como se conforma a prática na vigilância epidemiológica na Secretaria Municipal da Saúde (SMS-RP) sob a orientação dos princípios do SUS e da perspectiva da Vigilância em Saúde face ao processo de municipalização da saúde na década de 90, utilizando as seguintes dimensões: território; problemas; intersetorialidade, referenciada pelo conceito positivo de saúde e pelo paradigma da produção social de saúde. Através de uma abordagem qualitativa utilizou-se fontes documentais, 17 entrevistas semi-estruturadas e a técnica de análise temática, identificando os temas: De Vigiar a Educar e Prevenir: A prática na Vigilância Epidemiológica - Uma proposta de trabalho no território. Conclui-se que a potencialidade das ações de Vigilância Epidemiológica (VE) está relacionada à perspectiva de um trabalho no território na construção da Vigilância em Saúde assegurando o conteúdo técnico dessas ações e a participação de diferentes categorias profissionais em um mesmo projeto de trabalho, que não necessita ser executada por todos os profissionais no mesmo processo de produção, espaço e tempo