A LINEAR STUDY OF HIGH-DRAG STATES AND FLOW STAGNATION PRODUCED BY MOUNTAIN WAVES

A linear model of gravity waves generated by stratified airflow over mountains is developed. The model provides simple, closed-form formulas for the surface drag in a situation where conditions for wave resonance exist. The wind is constant near the surface and decreases linearly above. The drag normalized by its value in the absence of shear is found to depend on two parameters: the height of the interface where the shear is discontinuous and the Richardson number, Ri, in the region above. This drag attains maxima when the height of the interface induces constructive interference between the upward and downward propagating reflected waves, and minima when there is destructive interference. The amplitude of the drag modulation becomes larger for lower Ri. It is also shown that, for Ri<2.25, the locations where wave breaking is first predicted to occur in flow over a 2D ridge become displaced horizontally and vertically by an amount depending on Ri

Does Eating Slowly Influence Appetite and Energy Intake when Water Intake is Controlled?

Background: Slow eating has been associated with enhanced satiation, but also with increased water intake. Therefore, the role of water ingestion in regard to eating rate needs to be discerned. This study examined the influence of eating rate on appetite regulation and energy intake when water intake is controlled. Methods: In a randomized design, slow and fast eating rates were compared on two occasions, in 30 women (22.7±1.2y; BMI=22.4±0.4kg/m2) who consumed an ad libitum mixed-macronutrient lunch with water (300 mL). Satiation was examined as the main outcome by measuring energy intake during meals. At designated times, subjects rated hunger, satiety, desire-to-eat, thirst, and meal palatability on visual analogue scales. Paired t-tests were used to compare hypothesis-driven outcomes. Appetite ratings were compared across time points and conditions by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) using a within-subject model. Results: Energy intake and appetite ratings did not differ between conditions at meal completion. However, subjects rated less hunger and tended to rate lower desire-to-eat and greater satiety at 1 hour following the slow condition. Conclusions: Results tend to support a role of slow eating on decreased hunger and higher inter-meal satiety when water intake is controlled. However, the lack of significant differences in energy intake under these conditions indicates that water intake may account for the effects of eating rate on appetite regulation

Analysis of partitioning of organic compounds and proteins in aqueous polyethylene glycol-sodium sulfate aqueous two-phase systems in terms of solute-solvent interactions

Partition behavior of nine small organic compounds and six proteins was examined in poly(ethylene glycol)-8000-sodium sulfate aqueous two-phase systems containing 0.5 M osmolyte (sorbitol, sucrose, trehalose, TMAO) and poly(ethylene glycol)-10000-sodium sulfate system, all in 0.01 M sodium phosphate buffer, pH 6.8. The differences between the solvent properties of the coexisting phases (solvent dipolarity/polarizability, hydrogen bond donor acidity, and hydrogen bond acceptor basicity) were characterized with solvatochromic dyes using the solvatochromic comparison method. Differences between the electrostatic properties of the phases were determined by analysis of partitioning of sodium salts of dinitrophenylated (DNP-) amino acids with aliphatic alkyl side-chain. It was found out that the partition coefficient of all compounds examined (including proteins) may be described in terms of solutesolvent interactions. The results obtained in the study show that solutesolvent interactions of nonionic organic compounds and proteins in polyethylene glycol-sodium sulfate aqueous two-phase system differ from those in polyethylene glycol-dextran system.Nuno da Silva acknowledges the financial support by Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) of the Portuguese's Ministry for Science, Technology and Higher Education, in the framework of the Operational Program COMPETE (PTDC/EQU-FTT/120332/2010).Pedro P. Madeira acknowledges the financial support in part provided by (i) FCT/MEC, FEDER under Program PT2020 (Project UID/EQU/50020/2013) and (ii) QREN, ON2 and FEDER, under Program COMPETE (Project NORTE-07-0124-FEDER-0000011).Jose A. Teixeira and Nuno da Silva appreciate the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and financial support by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the Project RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462)

Multivariable approach on growth of microalgae

Despite the increasing interest in microalgal biomass and its high-value compounds, the number of products that successfully reach the market is still neglectable when compared to the high potential linked to these organisms. High production costs and low productivity both in terms of biomass and metabolites associated with microalgae growth are some of the causes hindering their widespread use and commercialization. The use of high-density cell cultures, for instance, is a strategy that arises as a potential solution to overcome these challenges. However, the optimization of growth parameters individually, may not be suitable since it does not take into account the interactions and synergies between different variables. This work aims at optimizing the culture conditions of a heterotrophic Chlorella vulgaris sp. in order to enhance both biomass concentration. For that purpose, a multivariable approach was developed envisaging the optimization of 24 independent variables simultaneously through Design of Experiment tools using the Protimiza Experimental Design software. The composition (i.e., concentration of 20 macro- and micronutrients, including the organic carbon source) and pH of the culture medium, starting inoculum, agitation, and temperature were the parameters studied. The variation of culture conditions allowed obtaining significant differences on growth kinetics. Biomass concentration ranged between 0.2 and 18.7 g.L-1, while biomass productivity presented a 52-fold variation when considering its minimum and maximum values. Besides the impact of different conditions on C. vulgaris growth, these trials also enabled to determine which variables played a statistically significant role on both biomass concentration and productivity, with a confidence level of 95 %. The concentration of the sources of nitrogen, organic carbon and magnesium have shown a significant impact over biomass concentration, being the source of nitrogen the most relevant parameter. On the other hand, the concentration of the sources of nitrogen and magnesium, as well as the pH of the culture medium, proved to be determinant to biomass productivity. However, in this case, the pH was found to have the dominant effect.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit. This work is funded by ERDF Funds through the Competitiveness factors Operational program – COMPETE and by National Funds through the FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology under the project AgriFood XXI (NORTE- 01-0145-FEDER-000041). This research work was supported by ALGAVALOR - Lisboa 01-0247-FEDER-035234, supported by Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalization (COMPETE2020), by Lisbon Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa 2020) and by Algarve Regional Operational Programme (Algarve 2020) under the Portugal 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). Filipe Maciel and Leandro Madureira acknowledge the Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for their fellowships (SFRH/BD/133005/2017 and SFRH/BD/151474/2021, respectively).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Comparison of force variables and dynamic strength index between age groups in elite young Brazilian football goalkeepers

Introduction: The application of muscle force is a determinant of football success as it is inherent to the motor control and sport. The aims of this study are: (1) to describe force variables Isometric Maximal Force (IMF), Concentric Peak Force (CPPF), and Dynamic Strength Index (DSI) in football goalkeepers from different age groups; (2) to compare these variables’ behavior between those groups. Methods: The sample was formed by 19 youth players (15.97 ± 1.55 years old) from a first-division Brazilian football team. The CPPF and IMF variables were obtained through the Countermovement jump and isometric squat tests, respectively. For data collection, a force plate (Cefise, Brazil) was used with an acquisition frequency of 600 Hz and mono-axial. The DSI was calculated using the ratio between CPPF and IMF. For data analysis, the sample was separated into clusters by age. After the grouping, a descriptive analysis of the data and a comparison between the groups with p < 0.05. Results: The sample was grouped into three groups (GA, GB, and GC) and one of the individuals did not enter the group, totaling 18 individuals in the analyzed sample. The comparison between the ages of the groups showed a significant difference and small and moderate effect size (ES), validating the cluster strategy. The CPPF and IMF variables showed increased values according to chronological age. CPPF showed a significant difference between GA-GB, (ES = very large) GA-GC (ES = very large), and GB-GC (ES = moderate). The IMF variable had significant differences between GA-GB (ES = moderate) and GA-GC (ES = very large). However, DSI showed significant differences only between GA GB (ES = small) and GB-GC (ES = very large). Conclusions: The CPPF and IMF variables had constant increases and distinct values with an increase according to age, and this did not occur for DSI. The difference between CPPF and IMF compared to DSI bring to light the variability in dynamics and proportionality between muscular force in the concentric phase and maximal force in the isometric regime during the developmental process over chronological age in soccer goalkeepers.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Deposition of ITO thin films onto PMMA substrates for waveguide based biosensing devices

Biosensors’ research filed has clearly been changing towards the production of multifunctional and innovative design concepts to address the needs related with sensitivity and selectivity of the devices. More recently, waveguide biosensors, that do not require any label procedure to detect biomolecules adsorbed on its surface, have been pointed out as one of the most promising technologies for the production of biosensing devices with enhanced performance. Moreover the combination of optical and electrochemical measurements through the integration of transparent and conducting oxides in the multilayer structures can greatly enhance the biosensors’ sensitivity. Furthermore, the integration of polymeric substrates may bring powerful advantages in comparison with silicon based ones. The biosensors will have a lower production costs being possible to disposable them after use (“one use sensor chip”). This research work represents a preliminary study about the influence of substrate temperature on the overall properties of ITO thin films deposited by DC magnetron sputtering onto 0,5 mm thick PMMA sheets.NANO/NMED-SD/0076/2007-"NanoMeDiag- Nanobioanalytical platforms for improved medical diagnosis of infections caused by pathogen microorganisms

a qualitative study in Portugal

H4A Primary Healthcare Research Network scholars programme for support of research. This article was supported by National Funds through FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia,I.P., within CINTESIS, R&D Unit (reference UIDB/4255/2020)OBJECTIVES: To translate and culturally adapt an English language patient decision aid addressing prostate cancer screening, so it can be used by Portuguese men. DESIGN: Qualitative study. We followed the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control's (ECDC) five-step, stakeholder-based approach to adapting health communication materials: (1) selection of materials and process coordinators, (2) early review, (3) translation and back translation, (4) comprehension testing with cognitive semi-structured interviews and (5) proofreading. Content analysis was performed using Ligre software. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: Cognitive interviews with 15 men to refine a decision aid after its translation. Eligible participants were Portuguese native-speaking men aged 55-69 years old recruited from the local community (urban and suburban) of Oporto district through advertisements in social media and senior universities between January and March 2019. A previous diagnosis of prostate cancer was the single exclusion criterion. RESULTS: Five main themes are presented: informational content, information comprehension, sociocultural appropriateness, feelings and main message and personal perspective concerning prostate cancer screening. Most men found the translated version of the decision aid to be clear, comprehensive and appropriate for its target population, although some suggested that medical terms could be a barrier. The data collected from men's interviews afforded the researchers the opportunity to clarify concepts and expand existing content. CONCLUSIONS: A decision aid was successfully translated and adapted to the Portuguese cultural setting. Our ECDC based approach can be replicated by other workgroups to translate and culturally adapt decision aids.publishersversionpublishe

A benchmark for validation of numerical results in sheet metal forming

Advances in FE codes for simulation of sheet metal forming processes have enabled its use during pre-production stage of a component. Some of recent developments include improvements and implementation of new material models of mechanical behaviour. However, these developments and corresponding results need to be validated, which means being compared with experimental results. On the other hand, in order that experimental results are a reference data, they need to be tested to repeatability and need to be obtained with such characteristic preferably by different institutions.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6TGJ-4CS4NXC-M/1/11b425ff3006b6fcdad85f1f6b4fa57