Experimental evaluation of dowel-type timber joints with wooden dowels

Dowel-type timber joints made of wood are of particular interest for interventions on built heritage because such heritage buildings often involve timber structures. Wooden dowels offer a lower cost when compared with other connectors and conform to the tendency for using wood-based solutions to retrofit timber structures. However, there is a significant lack of information regarding the modelling of these wooden connectors' responses, in terms of analytical expressions as numerical models. Therefore, this paper presents the results of an extensive experimental campaign of timber-to-timber joints using wooden dowels. Two wood species were considered: chestnut as a hardwood and spruce as a softwood. The wooden dowels were always made of massaranduba, a Brazilian hardwood. The aim of the experimental campaign was to obtain and analyse the response of this type of connection, and then to compare it with the load-carrying capacity accessed through the available analytical expressions to verify its accuracy. The test results highlighted the advantages of using wooden dowels in timber joints. Moreover, it became clear that further analysis and research studies are needed to suggest new expressions that are in accordance with the behaviour of the connection.- (undefined

Contextualization for undergraduates students in Chemistry. A look at the initial training of teachers

La contextualización en la enseñanza de la química ha sido un tema objeto de estudio a nivel nacional e internacional, ya que proporciona al estudiante un aprendizaje más significativo de los contenidos científicos. Se considera importante trabajar este aspecto de la enseñanza en los cursos de licenciatura, pues posibilita una mejor cualificación de los futuros docentes. Este estudio tiene como objetivo investigar las concepciones de los alumnos de un curso de licenciatura en Química en lo que respecta a la contextualización en la enseñanza. Las concepciones presentadas consisten principalmente en la ejemplificación de hechos y situaciones cotidianas como modo de contextualización, presentando además una discusión referente al abordaje del desarrollo histórico y sociocultural.The contextualization in the teaching of Chemistry has been discussed in the national and international level, as it provides the student with a more meaningful learning of scientific contents. It is considered important to work this aspect of teaching in undergraduate courses, as it allows a better qualification of future teachers. This study aims to investigate the students’ views in an undergraduate course in Chemistry with respect to contextualization in teaching. The views presented here consist mainly in the exemplification of facts and everyday situations as a way of contextualization, presenting also a discussion regarding the approach of the historical and socio-cultural development.A contextualização no ensino de Química vem sendo discutida no âmbito nacional e internacional, pois esta proporciona ao aluno uma aprendizagem mais significativa dos conteúdos científicos. Considera-se importante trabalhar esta vertente de ensino nos cursos de licenciatura, possibilitando uma melhor qualificação do futuro professor. Este trabalho tem como objetivo investigar a concepção dos alunos do curso de licenciatura em Química, quanto à contextualização no ensino. As concepções apresentadas consistem pricipalmente em exemplificações de fatos e situações cotidianas como forma de contextualização, apresentando ainda discussões quanto à abordagem do desenvolvimento histórico, e sóciocultural.peerReviewe

Preditores de bem-estar e qualidade de vida em homens submetidos à prostatectomia radical: estudo longitudinal

Objective: to identify socio-demographic, clinical and psychological predictors of well-being and quality of life in men who underwent radical prostatectomy, in a 360-day follow-up. Method: longitudinal study with 120 men who underwent radical prostatectomy. Questionnaires were used for characterization and clinical evaluation of the participant, as well as the instruments Visual Analog Scale for Pain, The Ways of Coping Questionnaire, Hospital Depression and Anxiety Scale, Satisfaction with Social Support Scale, Marital Satisfaction Scale, Subjective Well-Being Scale and Expanded Prostate Cancer Index. For data analysis, the linear mixed-effects model was used. Results: the socio-demographic factors age and race were not predictors of the dependent variables; time of surgery, problem-focused coping, and anxiety were predictors of subjective well-being; pain, anxiety and depression were negative predictors of quality of life; emotion-focused coping was a positive predictor. Marital dissatisfaction was a predictor of both variables. Conclusion: predictor variables found were different from the literature: desire for changes in marital relationship presented a positive association with quality of life and well-being; emotion-focused coping was a predictor of quality of life; and anxiety was a predictor of subjective well-being.Objetivo: identificar fatores preditores sociodemográficos, clínicos e psicológicos para o bem-estar e a qualidade de vida de homens submetidos à prostatectomia radical, em seguimento de 360 dias. Método: trata-se de um estudo longitudinal, com 120 homens submetidos à prostatectomia radical. Foram utilizados questionários para caracterização e avaliação clínica do participante, bem como os instrumentos Escala Visual Analógica de Dor, Inventário de Estratégias de Coping, Escala Hospitalar de Ansiedade e Depressão, Escala de Satisfação com o Suporte Social, Escala de Satisfação Conjugal, Escala de Bem-estar Subjetivo e o Expanded Prostate Cancer Index. Para análise dos dados, utilizou-se o modelo linear de efeitos mistos. Resultados: fatores sociodemográficos idade e raça não se mostraram preditores das variáveis dependentes; tempo de cirurgia, enfrentamento focado no problema e ansiedade foram preditores para bem-estar subjetivo; dor, ansiedade e depressão foram preditores negativos de qualidade de vida; estratégia de enfrentamento focado na emoção, positivo. A não satisfação conjugal foi preditora para ambas variáveis. Conclusões: foram identificados fatores preditores distintos da literatura: desejo de mudança nos níveis de satisfação conjugal apresentou relação positiva com qualidade de vida e bem-estar; modo de enfrentamento focado na emoção foi preditor de qualidade de vida; e ansiedade foi preditor de bem-estar subjetivo.Objetivo: identificar factores predictores sociodemográficos, clínicos y psicológicos para el bienestar y la calidad de vida de hombres sometidos a prostatectomía radical, en seguimiento de 360 días. Método: se trata de un estudio longitudinal, realizado entre 120 hombres sometidos a prostatectomía radical. Se utilizaron cuestionarios para caracterización y evaluación clínica del participante, así como los instrumentos Escala Visual Analógica de Dolor, Inventario de Estrategias de Afrontamiento, Escala Hospitalaria de Ansiedad y Depresión, Escala de Satisfacción con el Soporte Social, Escala de Satisfacción Marital, Escala de Bienestar Subjetivo y el Índice de Cáncer de Próstata Ampliado. Se utilizó el modelo lineal de efectos mixtos para el análisis de los datos. Resultados: los factores sociodemográficos tales como edad y raza no se mostraron predictores de las variables dependientes; tiempo de cirugía, enfrentamiento enfocado en el problema y en la ansiedad fueron predictores para el bienestar subjetivo; dolor, ansiedad y depresión fueron predictores negativos de calidad de vida; estrategia de enfrentamiento enfocado en la emoción, positivo. La no satisfacción marital fue predictora para ambas variables. Conclusiones: se identificaron factores predictores distintos de la literatura: el deseo de cambio en los niveles de satisfacción marital presentó una relación positiva con la calidad de vida y el bienestar; modo de enfrentamiento enfocado en la emoción fue predictor de calidad de vida; y ansiedad fue predictor de bienestar subjetivo

A DYNAMOMETRIC METHOD FOR THE EVALUATION OF HIKING IN LASER BOATS

This study aimed to develop a dynamometric method for the evaluation of hiking in Laser boats. The boat’s and sailor’s centres of mass, the hiking distance and the hiking moment were calculated from the ground reaction force, acquired by two force plates located under the boat hoof. Three sailors performed different hiking positions varying their hip and knee angles. Pearson’s coefficient was used to verify the correlation between the measures obtained through the dynamometric method and a kinematic method. A very high correlation was observed between the methods (r=0.99) and the mean error was approximately 1% for both hiking distance and moment. Thus, the new method seems to be valid and efficient since it measured the variables in a fast and precise way, facilitating the analysis and assisting sailors and coaches on decision taking

COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF TEMPORAL PARAMETERS OF DIFFERENT TECHNIQUES OF THE FREESTYLE FLIP TURN

This study aimed to describe and compare temporal parameters of four different turning techniques of Freestyle swimming flip turn. 17 national level swimmers participated in this study. After practicing sessions, the swimmers performed three times each of the four analyzed techniques. Performance was videotaped using six video cameras and the analyzed variables were: rolling time, wall contact time, pushing time, gliding time and total turn time. No differences were found between the techniques for any variable. Apparently, the choice of the technique can be made accordingly to the swimmer’s subjective preference, or based on the objective performance differences casuistically sustained. However, future studies are needed and additional performance indicators should be analyzed to provide a better understating regarding the different technique

Laser printing of micro-electronic communication systems for smart implants applications

Endow the implant with intrinsic communication system between sensors and actuators or between implant and patient is a key factor for its long-term success. The capacity of early diagnosis of failures and the ability to remedy them are necessary to minimize expensive complications and reducing revision procedures. Ti6Al4V is the most used titanium alloy for implant’s fabrication. In this sense, this work presents a promising approach to print communication systems by using laser technology, aiming integrate the smart components on titanium implants. Laser has been employed as a versatile tool to modify the surface in different ways, such as texturing, oxidizing and sintering. Silver wires have been printed on Ti6Al4V surface in order to conduct electrical current. To minimize current loss for the substrate, titanium oxide layer has been produced by different methods (laser and anodization). Laser sintering (LS) has been also compared to a conventional method (Hot-pressing- HP) to consolidate the silver powder into the cavities. In comparison to the conventional techniques, laser demonstrated to be a competitive approach to oxidizing the surface and also for consolidating the micro-wires on Ti6Al4V surface. Consequently, the micro-wires printed by laser approach presented satisfactory results in terms of electrical resistance, actuating as the conductor path for electrical current, with values of 0.0131 Ω, which is similar to the resistance of the wire printed in an insulator substrate.This work has been supported by FCT (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia -Portugal) in the scope of the projects UID/EEA/04436/ 2019 and NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000018-HAMaBICo and Add.Additive_Manufacturing to Portuguese Industry_POCI-01-0247- FEDER-024533. I wish to thank the CNPq (205791/2014-0)

Caspase-8 mediates inflammation and disease in rodent malaria

Earlier studies indicate that either the canonical or non-canonical pathways of inflammasome activation have a limited role on malaria pathogenesis. Here, we report that caspase-8 is a central mediator of systemic inflammation, septic shock in the Plasmodium chabaudi-infected mice and the P. berghei-induced experimental cerebral malaria (ECM). Importantly, our results indicate that the combined deficiencies of caspases-8/1/11 or caspase-8/gasdermin-D (GSDM-D) renders mice impaired to produce both TNFalpha and IL-1beta and highly resistant to lethality in these models, disclosing a complementary, but independent role of caspase-8 and caspases-1/11/GSDM-D in the pathogenesis of malaria. Further, we find that monocytes from malaria patients express active caspases-1, -4 and -8 suggesting that these inflammatory caspases may also play a role in the pathogenesis of human disease

GOOD WATER, BUT FOR WHOM? A STUDY ON THE PERCEPTION OF WATER QUALITY BY AMAZONIAN POPULATIONS

In Brazil different regions have inadequate water and sewage treatment facilities, which can be made worse by the installation of large enterprises. The perception of these populations about the scenario in which they live is of great relevance in this context, the present study has the objective of analyzing the socioenvironmental profile and the perception of the water quality and its relation to health damage by populations resident from the area of Belo Monte hydropower plant. A cross-sectional study was conducted with 268 residents of two cities in the interior of Pará-Brazil and the data were obtained from the application of a semi-structured questionnaire. The results showed that the interviewees had minimal education and were low income. Most interviewees reported having running water in their home. However, 63.1% of the interviewees considered the water provided as organoleptically altered and of poor quality. Of the interviewees, 92.5% stated that their water is mainly from wells; 94.8% perceived a relationship between decreasing water quality and increasing health problems. Of these, 85.2% related to the decrease in water quality with renal problems, 75% with liver problems and 28% with hypertension. About 61.6% of respondents reported concerns about lack of basic sanitation. It is concluded that the populations studied understand the importance of quality water consumption and relate water quality to health problems. Therefore, these results serve as an alert to managers regarding the urgent need to improve the quality of life of this population. Keywords: Pará, sewage systems, drinking water, health, chronic disease.    RESUMO :No Brasil, diferentes regiões têm instalações inadequadas de tratamento de água e esgoto, o que pode ser agravado pela instalação de grandes empresas. A percepção dessas populações sobre o cenário em que vivem é de grande relevância neste contexto, o presente estudo tem como objetivo analisar o perfil socioambiental e a percepção da qualidade da água e sua relação com danos à saúde por populações residentes da área. da usina hidrelétrica de Belo Monte. Um estudo transversal foi realizado com 268 moradores de duas cidades do interior do Pará-Brasil e os dados foram obtidos a partir da aplicação de um questionário semiestruturado. Os resultados mostraram que os entrevistados tinham educação mínima e baixa renda. A maioria dos entrevistados relatou ter água encanada em casa. No entanto, 63,1% dos entrevistados consideraram a água fornecida como organoléptica- mente alterada e de má qualidade. Dos entrevistados, 92,5% afirmaram que a água é proveniente principalmente de poços; 94,8% perceberam uma relação entre diminuir a qualidade da água e aumentar os problemas de saúde. Destes, 85,2% relacionaram-se à diminuição da qualidade da água com problemas renais, 75% com problemas hepáticos e 28% com hipertensão. Cerca de 61,6% dos entrevistados relataram preocupações sobre a falta de saneamento básico. Conclui-se que as populações estudadas entendem a importância do consumo de água de qualidade e relacionam a qualidade da água a problemas de saúde. Portanto, esses resultados servem de alerta para os gestores quanto à necessidade urgente de melhorar a qualidade de vida dessa população. Palavras-chave: Pará, sistemas de esgoto, água potável, saúde, doença crônic

Structure, computational and biochemical analysis of PcCel45A endoglucanase from phanerochaete chrysosporium and catalytic mechanisms of GH45 subfamily C members

FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORThe glycoside hydrolase family 45 (GH45) of carbohydrate modifying enzymes is mostly comprised of β-1,4-endoglucanases. Significant diversity between the GH45 members has prompted the division of this family into three subfamilies: A, B and C, which may d8FAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIORFAPESP - FUNDAÇÃO DE AMPARO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DE SÃO PAULOCNPQ - CONSELHO NACIONAL DE DESENVOLVIMENTO CIENTÍFICO E TECNOLÓGICOCAPES - COORDENAÇÃO DE APERFEIÇOAMENTO DE PESSOAL DE NÍVEL SUPERIOR10/52362-511/20505-411/21608-115/13684-0405191/2015-4303988/2016-9440977/2016-9sem informaçãoThe PcCel45A dataset was collected at the Brookhaven National Laboratory, during the RapiData course. This study was supported by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) via grants 10/52362-5, 11/20505-4, 11/21608-1 and 15/13684