Acoustic inversion of the cold water filaments off the Southwest coast of Portugal

Cold water filaments have important implications in the biological and chemical exchanges between the coastal and offshore ocean. The Cape São Vicente area in the Southwest coast of Portugal is a well know region where such phenomenon is observed. In October 2004, the multidisciplinary project ATOMS, involving oceanographers and acousticians, was conducted with the objective to complement the sea surface temperature (SST) satellite observation with a full water column characterization. Due to weather and technical conditions during the project sea trial, only CTD measurements in upper layers of the water column were performed. These at sea collected data together with archival data from the NODC database, allowed to establish realistic scenario of the 3D temperature distribution in the area, including deeper water layers. Archival data of temperature profiles suggest the occurrence of other important oceanic phenomena such as the subduction of warm Mediterrenean water, that should also influence the acoustic propagation. With the help of forward acoustic modelling the significance and signature of the individual oceanographic phenomena on the acoustic propagation, regarding different sampling strategies of the area by acoustic means is investigated. These investigations allowed to develop strategies to settle the main problem addressed by this work: invert the cold water filament structure by acoustic means in a complex environment where acoustic propagation is affected also by other important oceanic and bathymetric features. Since, the objective of this work, is to evaluate the ability to perform a 3D characterization of vertical structure of the ocean, a minimal transmit-receive acquisition composed of a suspended source from a ship and a drifting vertical array, is assumed. The spatial structure is obtained by a combination of inversions for ”mean” sound speed/temperature perturbations obtained for source-array cross-sections covering the area of interest. Matched-field and ray tracing based tomography techniques are used in the inversion for the ”mean” perturbations. The planned sampling strategies and necessary acoustic equipment to resolve such oceanic features is discussed having in mind future sea trials.ATOMS - POCTI/MAR/15296/1999; FCT Program POSI - QCA III

Spontaneous Intracranial Hypotension and Multi-Level Cervical and Lumbar Epidural Blood Patches: A Case Report

Spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) is a neurologic condition where the intracranial pressure is reduced due to a loss of cerebrospinal fluid from its reservoir, the intrathecal space, to surrounding tissues. It is commonly characterized by an incapacitating headache, phono-photophobia, nausea, and vomiting, commonly refractory to medical treatment and requires further investigation. We describe the case of a healthy young man who presented to the emergency room with a postural headache, accompanied by nausea, vomiting, and phono-photophobia. Brain computed tomography (CT) imaging study was unremarkable and he was initially treated symptomatically. Because of persisting pain even on medical treatment, additional imaging studies, including a myelo-CT scan, were performed and a diagnosis of multi-level cerebrospinal fluid fistulas was made. To treat the underlying cause, a first epidural blood patch (EBP) was initially performed at C7-T1 with 20 mL of autologous blood, but failed to provide complete symptomatic relief. Months later, a second EBP was conducted at C6-C7 with higher volume (30 mL) but as in the first EBP this procedure too did not result in total resolution of the headache and accompanying symptoms. Since there was no surgical indication from Orthopedics and Neurosurgery and the symptoms persisted, a third EBP was carried out, this time at a lumbar level (L2-L3) with infusion of 60 mL of blood so the upper dorsal and cervical epidural space was reached. This resulted in a better symptom relief, allowing the patient to now carry out his normal activities with only residual pain. The need for repeat procedures is one of the pitfalls of the blood patching technique. If possible, it should be performed at the level of the documented fistula, but always with safety in mind and by experienced hands, especially when cervical levels are concerned. A consensus has not been reached regarding the blood volume to be administered; however, any discomfort or pain reported by the patient should be seen as warning sign and the procedure should be interrupted. Although not being a perfect solution, EBP can completely or partially resolve SIH symptoms, without the need for surgical intervention.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sediment-matrix igneous breccias at the top contacts of felsic units in the IPB : implications for VHMS exploration

The Volcanic Sedimentary Complex of the Iberian Pyrite Belt is dominated by mudstone units and comprises felsic lavas/domes and pyroclastic units that define lava-cryptodome-pumice cone volcanoes. Sediment-matrix igneous breccias may outline the contacts of volcanic units, occur within them, or lie laterally to the volcanic centres. These breccias can form by several processes, each with its genetic implications, having nevertheless very similar final aspect. We have distinguished and characterized several sediment-matrix breccia types. The most abundant types are sediment-infill volcanic breccia and peperite; however other types of sediment-matrix breccia were also identified. The correct identification of these breccias is crucial to reconstruct the volcanic centres and to define the stratigraphy, which in mineralized volcanic provinces is a major issue both for metallogenic and mineral exploration models

Ensaios de integridade estrutural de placas angulares de fixação de fracturas ósseas do fémur

Neste trabalho descreve-se o projecto de um dispositivo mecânico desenvolvido para a realização de ensaios segundo a norma ASTM F384-00 (2000) de placas de osteossíntese anguladas. O dispositivo foi objecto de uma análise estrutural usando o método dos elementos finitos. Algumas placas foram ensaiadas estaticamente e suas características mecânicas, de acordo com a norma, determinadas

Facebook addiction and emerging adults: the influence of sociodemographic variables, family communication, and differentiation of self

The growing use of social networking sites places them among the most popular online activities. In particular, Facebook is gaining increasing numbers of users. For some individuals, such activity can develop into addictive online behaviour. The main objective of this study was to assess the influence of sociodemographic (e.g., gender, age), indi vidual (e.g., differentiation of self), and family (e.g., family communication) factors on Facebook addiction in Portu guese emerging adults aged between 18 and 30 years. The study included 403 participants, who followed a protocol in which several instruments were administered (e.g., COMPA, BSI, DSI-R, and BFAS). The results showed higher Face book use and a higher risk of addiction in individuals with the following characteristics: (1) female gender; (2) aged between 24 and 30 years; (3) lower differentiation of self; (4) physically or emotionally distanced from significant others (emotional cut-off); and (5) negative communication patterns with their parents. An association was also found between other psychopathological indicators (e.g., depression, anxiety, and interpersonal sensitivity) and Facebook use. Thus, the present study contributes to the field of research on online addictions and has implications for prevention and clinical intervention.El uso creciente de las redes sociales los ubica entre las actividades on-line más populares. Facebook, en particular, está ganando más y más usuarios y para algunas personas puede convertirse en un comportamiento adictivo on-line. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar la influen cia de factores sociodemográficos (e.g., género, edad), individuales (e.g., diferenciación del self) y familiares (e.g., comunicación familiar) en la adicción a Facebook, dentro de la población portuguesa de adultos emergentes (edad entre 18-30). Para este propósito, se recolectó una muestra de 403 participantes y se aplicó un protocolo con varios ins trumentos (por ejemplo, COMPA, BSI, DSI-R, BFAS). Los resultados mostraron que las personas: (1) mujeres, (2) con edades comprendidas entre 24 y 30 años, (3) con menor diferenciación del self, (4) que se distancian física o emocio nalmente de otras personas importantes (corte emocional) y ( 5) quienes usan un patrón negativo de comunicación con sus padres muestran un mayor uso de Facebook y un mayor riesgo de adicción. También se analizaron otros indicado res psicopatológicos (por ejemplo, depresión, ansiedad y sensibilidad interpersonal), revelando que están asociados con el adicción a Facebook. Por lo tanto, el presente estudio contribuye al campo de la investigación sobre las adicciones a internet y tiene repercusiones en la prevención y la inter vención clínica.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Physical oceanography of the western Iberia ecosystem: latest views and challenges.

The present review is focused on the mesoscale physical processes recognized in the Western Iberia Ecosystem, complementing earlier reviews dedicated to larger scales. Recent studies support the idea that the mesoscale processes, superimposed on the larger scale variability, are the major factor controlling the ecosystem functioning in the region. A complex structure of interleaved alongshore slope, shelf and coastal currents that interact with eddies, buoyant plumes, upwelling filaments and fronts, surface layer expressions of the subsurface circulation and internal waves is revealed by the latest research. All of these contribute in different ways to have an effect on the ecosystem. The supposedly less variable winter circulation also exhibits significant mesoscale activity, in the form of eddy shedding from the poleward slope current, intermittent upwelling events and transient nearshore poleward flows. The present incomplete knowledge of this complex system presents a number of challenges and questions that must be addressed if we are to arrive at a satisfactory understanding and predictive capability for the system as a whole

Necessidades dos familiares de doentes terminais em cuidados paliativos: Revisão crítica da literatura

Terminal illness and death are critical events that interfere in the family system. The knowledge about illness and death’s impact on the family is, still, scarce. Therefore, a critical review of literature was conducted with the general goal of determining the impact of terminal illness on the family and which are the family’s support needs. The findings suggest that terminal illness is one of the most difficult experiences for the family system and an inadequate or non-existent approach to the family’s problems can put that system in risk. Therefore, palliative care aims at the integration of the family in the care plan. However, the empirical production about this topic is insufficient, which compromises the development of new efficient family approaches that are sensitive to family needs. By this way, it is important to have more research that aims to determine the family needs of terminally ill patients and develop new family intervention strategies.A doença terminal e a morte são acontecimentos críticos que interferem no sistema familiar. Considerando a escassez de literatura sobre o assunto, procedeu-se a uma revisão crítica da literatura, com o objetivo geral de determinar o impacto que a doença terminal tem na família e quais as suas necessidades de suporte. Concluiu-se que a doença terminal constitui uma das experiências mais difíceis para o sistema familiar e que uma abordagem formal inadequada dos problemas emergentes o pode colocar em risco. Por isto, os cuidados paliativos visam a integração da família no plano de cuidados. Todavia, verificou-se que a produção empírica neste âmbito é insuficiente, comprometendo o desenvolvimento de modalidades de intervenção eficazes e sensíveis às necessidades que emergem na família. Urge desenvolver mais estudos que visem determinar as necessidades das famílias do doente terminal e desenvolver estratégias de intervenção dirigidas a essas mesmas famílias