Modelação numérica da interação maré astronómica-maré meteorológica e a sua influência nos padrões de inundação estuarina

Mestrado em Ciências do Mar e da AtmosferaSeveral problems related with coastal flooding depend on tidal properties and on sea level rise induced by meteorological effects (storm surge). The water levels during storms are consequently determined by tidal and storm surge levels as well as by their non-linear interaction. Herein, shallow coastal systems are particularly important, since the local bathymetry is a crucial mechanism controlling the interaction between tide and storm surge. Thus, the main concern of this dissertation is to give new insights about the effect of tide-surge interaction on the inundation patterns of a flood prone shallow estuarine system located in the northwest Portuguese coast, the Ria de Aveiro. The methodology adopted comprised two fundamental steps: 1) statistical analysis of sea level data collected at the lagoon inlet between 1979 and 2013, in order to infer about the frequency distributions of positive residual events and their relation with tidal phase; 2) implementation, calibration, validation and exploitation of a numerical application based on Delft3D hydrodynamic model, in order to describe the local estuarine circulation (including the marginal areas potentially flooded during adverse conditions), and explore inundation conditions and tidesurge interactions under the scenarios arising from the previous task. The statistical analysis revealed that the frequency distributions do not depend on the threshold used, as well as on the minimum number of hours to an event be assigned. The results highlighted a tendency for storm surge events to occur most frequently on the falling tide, with a principal mode of occurrence 3 hours after high water. Besides that, the highest storm surge peaks have occurred at the beginning of rising tide and at the end of falling tide. The numerical model results evidence that the model is able to reproduce tidal and storm surge propagation more accurately than previous numerical applications developed for Ria de Aveiro. Once calibrated the model, a set of numerical experiments (hypothetical scenarios) were designed to assess the effect of tide on storm surge propagation along Ria de Aveiro and its influence in local inundation patterns. Thus, it was found that storm surge characteristics are modulated by the state of the tide, where the effect of nonlinear terms is to reduce the storm tide peak. However, at the upper reaches of the main channels the storm tide peak is controlled by the storm surge, since it is higher than tide. Concerning to the lagoon flooded area, the different scenarios showed that the most threatened areas are the upper reaches of São Jacinto channel and the vicinity of Laranjo bay, resulting this from the increase of storm tide peak in these regions. The adjacent margins of Baixo Vouga Lagunar and the margins of Mira/Ílhavo channel are also threatened when the tidal range is increased. This results from an increase on nonlinear tide-surge interaction and also on the maximal residual levels.Diversos problemas relacionados com a inundação de zonas costeiras dependem das características da maré e da sobre-elevação do nível do mar devido a factores meteorológicos (storm surge). Durante episódios de tempestade, a altura da água é determinada pelos níveis de maré e da storm surge, assim como pela sua interacção não-linear. Esta, revela-se mais importante em sistemas costeiros relativamente pouco profundos devido ao efeito da batimetria. Deste modo, o principal objectivo desta dissertação é explicar a interacção entre a maré e a storm surge, e a sua influência nos padrões de inundação da Ria de Aveiro. Localizado a Noroeste da costa portuguesa, este sistema lagunar, caracterizado por regiões pouco profundas, é vulnerável a inundações. A metodologia adoptada baseou-se em dois passos fundamentais: 1) análise estatística da elevação da superfície livre registada no marégrafo localizado à entrada da laguna entre 1979 e 2013, de modo a perceber as distribuições de frequência de eventos de storm surge positivos e a sua relação com a fase da maré; 2) implementação, calibração, validação e exploração de uma aplicação numérica baseada no modelo hidrodinâmico Delft3D, para descrever a circulação estuarina local (incluindo as áreas marginais potencialmente inundadas durante condições meteorológicas adversas), e explorar condições de inundação e interacções entre a maré e a storm surge através de cenários que resultam do passo anterior. A análise estatística revelou que as distribuições de frequência não dependem do threshold utilizado, assim como do número mínimo de horas para que um evento seja considerado. Os resultados evidenciaram uma tendência para os eventos de storm surge ocorrerem mais frequentemente na vazante, com um modo principal de ocorrência 3 horas depois da preia-mar. Além disso, a magnitude dos eventos foi maior no início da enchente e no final da vazante. Os resultados do modelo numérico evidenciaram que o modelo é capaz de reproduzir a propagação da maré e da storm surge com uma maior precisão do que as implementações anteriores desenvolvidas para a Ria de Aveiro. Uma vez calibrado o modelo, realizou-se um conjunto de cenários hipotéticos para avaliar o efeito da maré na propagação da storm surge e o seu efeito nos padrões de inundação locais. Deste modo, verificou-se que os níveis da storm surge são influenciados pelo estado da maré, onde o efeito dos termos não lineares foi reduzir o pico da tempestade de maré. Contudo, nas extremidades dos canais principais o pico da tempestade de maré é controlado pela storm surge uma vez que esta é maior do que a maré. As regiões mais afectadas por inundações correspondem às extremidades do canal de São Jacinto, arredores da bacia do Laranjo e margens adjacentes do Baixo Vouga Lagunar, sendo o aumento do pico da tempestade da maré, associado a uma amplificação do residual e dos termos não lineares nestas regiões a principal explicação

Modelling fiber flow in fiberboard manufacturing

Resin weighs substantially on the costs associated with the manufacturing of MDF (medium-density fiberboard). It is thus important to ensure the efficiency of resin usage in production lines with the purpose of ensuring a given internal bond strength (IB) for specific products. Sonae has two MDF production lines using similar technologies and materials but which need different resin percentages to reach the same IB. It was asked of the study group to find out what were the determining factors responsible for this difference and, if possible, suggest alternatives which will improve resin efficiency

Chronic low back pain and fatigue: a clinical study in the Portuguese population

Introdução - A dor lombar crónica determina um elevado nível de incapacidade sendo atualmente um problema de Saúde Pública que afeta uma grande percentagem da população ativa na Europa. A fadiga, embora subjetiva e complexa, parece ser um dos principais sintomas dos doentes com dor lombar crónica. A prevalência e a patogenia da fadiga não estão completamente esclarecidas, porém sabe-se que a fadiga interfere de forma decisiva na percepção de bem-estar e na qualidade de vida. Este estudo pretende avaliar a prevalência da fadiga em doentes com dor lombar crónica não específica e o seu impacto na funcionalidade. Material e Métodos - Estudo clínico, transversal não-randomizado, em 30 adultos portugueses com dor lombar crónica que incluiu a aplicação dos seguintes instrumentos: questionário de caracterização individual, escala visual analógica para dor, escala de impacto da adiga e questionário de Roland e Morris. Resultados - Verificou-se uma duração longa da dor (média de 10,6 anos) e valor moderado a alto de incapacidade na população estudada. Constatou-se uma relação estatisticamente significativa entre intensidade da dor e fadiga (p ≤ 0,05) e entre fadiga e incapacidade (p ≤ 0,001). Discussão - A fadiga é um sintoma prevalente nos doentes com dor lombar crónica e está associada à intensidade da dor e à incapacidade. Este facto realça a necessidade de uma abordagem clínica do elemento nociceptivo, entendido como gerador de limitação à atividade e à participação. Sublinha também a necessidade de um programa de reabilitação funcional que identifique e aborde de forma objectiva as variáveis dor, fadiga e função.ABSTRACT - Introduction: Chronic low back pain causes a high level of disability and is a public health problem that currently affects a large percentage of the working population in Europe. Fatigue, although subjective and complex, seems to be one of the main symptoms of patients with chronic low back pain. The prevalence and pathogenesis of fatigue are not completely understood, but it is well known that fatigue interferes decisively in the perception of wellness and quality of life. This study aims to assess the prevalence of fatigue in patients with nonspecific chronic low back pain and its impact on functionality. Material and Methods: This was a transversal, non-randomized clinical study, with 30 Portuguese adults suffering from chronic low back pain, and included the following instruments: an individual characterization questionnaire, visual analogue scale for pain, fatigue impact scale and Roland Morris questionnaire. Results: The study showed a long duration of pain (mean 10.6 years) and moderate to high value of disability in this population. We found a significant relationship between pain intensity and fatigue (p ≤ 0.05) and between fatigue and disability (p ≤ 0.001). Discussion: Fatigue is a prevalent symptom in patients with chronic low back pain and increases with the intensity of pain. In these patients more fatigue means greater functional disability. This underlines the need for comprehensive clinical management of the nociceptive environment, understood as a potential generator of limitation on activity and participation. It emphasizes also the need for a functional rehabilitation program to identify the variables of pain, fatigue and function objectively.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Numerical and experimental studies on ship motions induced by passing ship

To investigate the ability of numerical models to simulate the behavior of moored ships subjected by ship-wake waves, use is made of scale model tests where a ship model sails with constant speed along a straight path at a constant distance from an otherwise motionless ship. The tests were carried out at one of the wave tanks of the Portuguese Civil Engineering Laboratory (LNEC). The moving ship is a self-propelled scale model of the "Aurora" chemical ship whereas the otherwise motionless ship is a scale model of the "Esso Osaka" tanker. The free-surface elevation was measured with a set of resistive wave gauges and ADVs. The tanker's movements, induced by the wake waves, were measured along the six degrees of freedom with a gyroscope deployed inside the ship. The numerical model WAMIT provides, in the frequency domain, the quantities required to estimate the hydrodynamic forces associated to the interaction of a free-floating ship with waves. The BAS model uses those hydrodynamic forces to study in the time domain the ship interaction with any sea-waves acting on it. Wind and current actions can also be accounted for. The results of these numerical models are compared to the measurements made in the several repeats of one of those scale model tests, in terms of the response amplitude to several wave components. These comparisons enabled the evaluation and validation of the numerical models parameters' calibration process.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

MONITORIA ACADÊMICA EM ZOOLOGIA DOS INVERTEBRADOS: UM RELATO DE EXPERIÊNCIA

In the discipline of zoology of invertebrates, it is up to the monitor, in the practical part, to perform its functions of assisting, mediating, socializing, teaching and researching. The article aims to report the experiences experienced in the academic monitoring of zoology of invertebrates, reporting, mainly, on the methodologies developed. Thus, to facilitate the understanding of the contents of zoology, a practical class was made available after the theoretical study of each phylum of the animal kingdom. Most of these practices were developed in the multidisciplinary laboratory of the university and in this article, five of them were described, related to the following contents: Protozoa. Porifera, Mollusca and Arthropoda. Students enrolled in the zoology disciplines of invertebrates I and II participated in the classes, these students showed interest, curiosity and attention during the moments of visualization under the microscope, revision, dissection and mount of the arthropod collection. Therefore, it is concluded that monitoring contributes both to the academic training of monitors and to a better progress of the discipline, favoring the development of applied methodologies.En la disciplina de zoología de los invertebrados, corresponde al monitor, en la parte práctica, desempeñar sus funciones de auxiliar, mediación, socialización, enseñanza e investigación. El artículo tiene como objetivo informar experiencias experimentadas en el seguimiento académico de la zoología de los invertebrados, principalmente sobre las metodologías desarrolladas. En este sentido, se puso a disposición una clase práctica después del estudio teórico de cada filo del reino animal. La mayoría de estas prácticas se desarrollaron en el laboratorio multidisciplinario de la universidad y en este artículo, cinco de ellos fueron descritos, relacionados con los siguientes contenidos: Protozoa. Porifera, Mollusca y Arthropoda. Los estudiantes matriculados en las disciplinas de zoología de los invertebrados I y II participaron en las clases, estos mostraron interés, curiosidad y atención durante los momentos de visualización bajo el microscopio, revisión, disección y montaje de la colección de artrópodos. Por lo tanto, se concluye que el monitoreo contribuye tanto a la formación académica de los monitores como a un mejor progreso de la disciplina, favoreciendo el desarrollo de las metodologías aplicadas.Na disciplina de zoologia dos invertebrados, compete ao monitor, na parte prática, exercer suas funções de auxiliar, mediar, socializar, lecionar e pesquisar. O artigo objetiva relatar experiências vivenciadas na monitoria acadêmica de zoologia dos invertebrados, discorrendo, principalmente, acerca das metodologias desenvolvidas. Nesse sentido, foi disponibilizada uma aula prática após o estudo teórico de cada filo do reino animal. A maioria dessas práticas foram desenvolvidas no laboratório multidisciplinar da universidade e neste artigo foram descritas cinco delas, relacionadas com os seguintes conteúdos: Protozoa, Porifera, Mollusca e Arthropoda. Participaram das aulas os alunos matriculados nas disciplinas de zoologia dos invertebrados I e II. Estes mostraram interesse, curiosidade e atenção durante os momentos de visualização no microscópio, revisão, dissecação e montagem da coleção dos artrópodes. Portanto, conclui-se que a monitoria contribui tanto para a formação acadêmica dos monitores quanto para um melhor andamento da disciplina, favorecendo o desenvolvimento das metodologias aplicadas

Prototype of an affordable pressure-controlled emergency mechanical ventilator for COVID-19

We present a viable prototype of a simple mechanical ventilator intended as a last resort to ventilate COVID-19 patients. The prototype implements the pressure-controlled continuous mandatory ventilation mode (PC-CMV) with settable breathing rates, inspiration/expiration time ratios and FiO2 modulation. Although safe, the design aims to minimize the use of technical components and those used are common in industry, so its construction may be possible in times of logistical shortage or disruption or in areas with reduced access to technical materials and at a moderate cost, affordable to lower income countries. Most of the device can be manufactured by modest technical means and construction plans are provided.Comment: This version differs from version 2 in that it includes toxicological and bio-safety tests and updated electronic

Gastroesophageal Foreign Bodies in Dogs - Endoscopy and Surgical Removal

Background: Gastroesophageal foreign bodies (GFD) are commonly diagnosed in dogs and are considered an endoscopic emergency that, although not resulting in serious clinical sequelae or mortality, can compromise the health and well-being of the patient. The use of the digestive endoscopy for the diagnosis and treatment of GFD can be a valuable and viable alternative. There are cases of GFD in dogs for which the indicated treatment is surgery, which can be performed using minimally invasive or conventional techniques, associated or not with flexible endoscopy. The objective of this work is to describe 16 cases of GFD removal in dogs demonstrating the efficiency of upper digestive endoscopy. Cases: Of the 16 GFD cases, 63% (10/16) were male and 37% (6/16) female. Most aged under 1 year (63%), puppies (5/16) and juveniles (5/16). The patient with the lowest body weight was a miniature pinscher weighing 0.8 kg (Case 14) and the heaviest was an American Pit Bull Terrier weighing 28 kg (Case 11), the mean body weight of patients diagnosed with GFD was 10.2 ± 6.7 kg. Small and medium breeds were more affected, 44.7% (7/16) and 44.7% (7/16), respectively, and large breeds (Golden Retrievier and Bull Terrier), from cases 1 and 4, the least affected, 12.6% (2/16) of the cases. The 16 patients underwent a 12 h food fast and a 4 h water fast, as gastrointestinal emptying in these cases of GFD can be influenced by these foreign bodies. All underwent general inhalation anesthesia with monitoring of physiological parameters (temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, oxygen saturation and blood pressure) before, during and after EGD, being positioned in left lateral decubitus. The 16 canine patients with suspected GFD underwent EGD for diagnostic confirmation and removal of foreign bodies. Five esophageal FB were diagnosed, 31% (5/16), and 11 gastric FB, 69% (11/16). The most frequently diagnosed foreign bodies were bone and tissue, 37.5% (6/16) and 31% (5/16). Other foreign bodies were materials such as plastics, metals, rubber, foam and stone. Of the 16 cases of GFD, EGD efficiently treated 88% (14/16) without the need for hospitalization, with only supportive treatment for the remission of complications caused by the presence of foreign bodies in the gastroesophageal tract. The main complications related to the presence of GFD were esophagitis in 25% (4/16) of cases, gastritis in 38% (6/16) and both alterations in 13% (2/16). Discussion: In this work, we can observe that more than a third of the clinical cases of treated dogs were diagnosed with GFD, demonstrating that these cases are common in the veterinary clinic. Most of these animals were males less than 1 year old. The improvement of learning in this category can lead these animals to exacerbated oral exploration of new objects. Most FBs were found in the stomach because they were of adequate size, consistency and shape for their passage through the esophagus, whereas esophageal FBs were all bone fragments of rigid consistency with diameters and sizes larger than the esophageal lumen. The interval between the ingestion of the object and the veterinary care can be decisive for the removal of the FB in the esophagus or stomach. Most gastric FBs removed were fabrics and plastics, flexible objects that can pass through the esophageal lumen more easily. Removal of GFD by endoscopy was performed with a high success rate, with only 2 cases being resolved by esophagostomy and gastrotomy. Flexible endoscopy proved to be an efficient technique for removing treated GFD, which can help remove FB during esophagotomy and be associated with rigid endoscopy. Patients recovered quickly and without complications, but it is important to emphasize that inadequate maneuvers and conducts can determine other outcomes. The use of endoscopy for GFD removal needs to be more popularized, as it can ensure better results for dogs treated with GFD. Keywords: digestive tract, endoscopic extraction, flexible endoscopy, ingested object, rigid endoscopy

The effects of chronic stress on hippocampal adult neurogenesis and dendritic plasticity are reversed by selective MAO-A inhibition.

Online first version - Oct 14, 2014There is accumulating evidence that adult neurogenesis and dendritic plasticity in the hippocampus are neuroplastic phenomena, highly sensitive to the effects of chronic stress and treatment with most classes of antidepressant drugs, being involved in the onset and recovery from depression. However, the effects of antidepressants that act through the selective inhibition of monoamine oxidase subtype A (MAO-A) in these phenomena are still largely unknown. In the present study, adult neurogenesis and neuronal morphology were examined in the hippocampus of rats exposed to chronic mild stress (CMS) and treated with the selective reversible MAO-A inhibitor (RIMA) drug, pirlindole and the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), fluoxetine. The results provide the first demonstration that selective MAO-A inhibition with pirlindole is able to revert the behavioural effects of stress exposure while promoting hippocampal adult neurogenesis and rescuing the stress-induced dendritic atrophy of granule neurons.This research was funded by a collaborative research project established between ICVS and Grupo Tecnimede

Absence of Tau triggers age-dependent sciatic nerve morphofunctional deficits and motor impairment

Dementia is the cardinal feature of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet the clinical symptoms of this disorder also include a marked loss of motor function. Tau abnormal hyperphosphorylation and malfunction are well-established key events in AD neuropathology but the impact of the loss of normal Tau function in neuronal degeneration and subsequent behavioral deficits is still debated. While Tau reduction has been increasingly suggested as therapeutic strategy against neurodegeneration, particularly in AD, there is controversial evidence about whether loss of Tau progressively impacts on motor function arguing about damage of CNS motor components. Using a variety of motor-related tests, we herein provide evidence of an age-dependent motor impairment in Tau-/- animals that is accompanied by ultrastructural and functional impairments of the efferent fibers that convey motor-related information. Specifically, we show that the sciatic nerve of old (17-22-months) Tau-/- mice displays increased degenerating myelinated fibers and diminished conduction properties, as compared to age-matched wild-type (Tau+/+) littermates and younger (4-6months) Tau-/- and Tau+/+ mice. In addition, the sciatic nerves of Tau-/- mice exhibit a progressive hypomyelination (assessed by g-ratio) specifically affecting large-diameter, motor-related axons in old animals. These findings suggest that loss of Tau protein may progressively impact on peripheral motor system.The work was supported by grants 'PTDC/SAU-NMC/113934/2009,' 'PTDC/SAU-NSC/118194/2010,' 'SFRH/BPD/97281/2013,' PTDC/SAU-NSC/118194/2010,' 'SFRH/BPD/80118/2011,' 'SFRH/BD/89714/2012' funded by FCT-Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology and project DoIT-Desenvolvimento e Operacionalizacao da Investigacao de Translacao (No do projeto 13853), funded by Fundo Europeu de Desenvolvimento Regional (FEDER) throughout the Programa Operacional Fatores de Competitividade (POFC). In addition, this work was also co-financed by European Union FP7 project SwitchBox (NS) and the Portuguese North Regional Operational Program (ON.2 - O Novo Norte) under the National Strategic Reference Framework (QREN), through the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sweets and Jams

This manual aims to assist the Work Health and Safety Assessment Tool – Horticultural Products – Sweets and Jams user, in carrying out a simplified and easy-to-use occupational risk assessment with a view to adopting risk control solutions at workplaces. The design of this tool trie to provide an instrument capable of being used without internet access or specific software installation. In addition to its main purpose, this tool can also be used for workers consultation or training actions, provided as a complement of the other instruments developed within the scope of this project. The tool is organized in three distinct parts (see Figure 1): the first, where a checklist is filled out, from which a graphical overview is obtained, which will give the overview of the level of risk control (second part). This synthesis of results allows the user to immediately visualize the level of control of the main risks and in which will have to make major interventions. Finally, the third part appears, where a report is generated with solutions, particularized for each one of the risks in which the adoption of measures proves necessary.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio