A parametric composition based on cork morphogenesis

Inspired in nature’s production system, the generative design processes enable designers to rethink architecture design procedures. The objective of this paper is to describe a geometrical composition based on cork biological constitution and growth. This research was developed within the framework of the CEAAD course, at ISCTE-IUL, during the 2012/2013 academic year. The goal was to develop a parametric, customable and adaptive geometric definition, using as starting point standard industrial products of expanded cork agglomerate and the biological morphogenesis of cork. The reported work combines a rational and practical understanding of the micro-structural and compositional properties of the raw material - cork - and its derivate - expanded cork. The result is a generative geometrical definition tool that is able to generate new products, totally adaptable to specific environmental conditions, personalized for its use and therefore, easily commercialized! From micro-structural composition to macro-scale construction, this research explores new geometrical application possibilities through the implementation of design principles from biology - biomimicry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

CORK'EWS From micro structural composition into macro structural performance

The main goal of this research was to develop a new, adaptable and personalized cork industrial product for environmental performance applications. The project started with the standard insulation products from Amorim Insulation Industries. Inspired on natural growth and performance, it found its basis on the observation of the properties and composition of natural cork, and explored cork anisotropy in a digital form-finding process to design and fabricate. A full scale prototype was designed and produced by a personalized parametric definition, using the form-finding processes based on cork anisotropy to program the physical matter and the digital fabrication for an improved acoustical behavior. The results obtained contribute to an increasing and more diverse offer of expanded cork products, within the scope of the natural and sustainable products of Amorim Insulation Industries

KINE[SIS]TEM’17 From Nature to Architectural Matter International Conference

With nature as a starting point, KINESISTEM’17 was the first International Conference held in Portugal aiming to share and debate research and design work related to the integration of natural geometries, mechanics and systems fundamentals applied to the scale, function and aesthetics of architecture. Four prominent guest keynote speakers set the pace of the conference: Manuel Kretzer, Alex Haw, Bob Sheil and Alberto Estévez. Gathering academics, students and designers, a significant set of research and practice works was presented and the interplay between diverse scientific fields was also a strong feature at the conference, with attendants coming from areas such as architecture, design, electronics, mechanics, computer science, biology and sociology. This report summarizes the KINE[SIS]TEM’17–From Nature to Architectural Matter International Conference hosted by ISCTE-Instituto Universitário de Lisboa in June 19th–20th, 2017.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Responsiveness based material - [a] passive shading control system

During the last decades Architecture has been looking to its basic principles, finding in nature a natural and obvious inspiration. Materials and environment have been playing an important and essential role in this process. Recovering the ideals of the 1950’s intellectually movement Performative Turn, performance-oriented design finds its fundaments on the understanding that architecture unfold their performative capacity by absorbing the complexity conditions and processes. Following this premise, architecture and environment are simultaneously set at a spatial, material and temporal level. The following article has the goal to describe a methodology to find the material and environmental driven parameters to be considered in the design and construction of a passive shading system. This research aims to develop a universal parametric definition, based on cork material and environmental essential and determinant driven parameters that could enable us to design a totally personalized passive shading system to any location and time.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

A living system - Discursive wall

We feel and perceive the built environment through our senses and our body's interactive movement (Diniz 2008). In this paper we propose a DiscursiveWall that physically responds to movement, interacting spatially and temporally with the environment and its inhabitants. In addition, we intend to solve spatial acoustical issues related to sound reverberation. Based on the theory of Autopoiesis (Maturana & Varela 1980), the discursive wall acts as a self producing system. In response to movement sensors installed in the room, the cork surface elements of the wall move back and forth. Therefore, the inhabitants of the room make the wall mutate continuously, thus redesigning itself. This is produced by several components like sensors, bearing systems and test motors. A set of arduinos processes and distributes the information received from the sensors and receives back the animation data generated by Grasshopper and Firefly (plug-ins for Rhino software). The methodology that supports this prototype explores the real possibility of the architecture to enter into a direct dialog with its inhabitants and surrounding space.info:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Diagnóstico molecular de hipercolesterolemia familiar: uma ferramenta importante para a estratificação do risco cardiovascular

Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is associated with an increased risk of premature coronary heart disease. Molecular identification of these patients can reduce the burden of mortality from cardiovascular disorders simply by the correct identification of the disease early in life, followed by counseling and appropriate lifestyle modifications, and therapeutic measures when required. Recent studies show that, in Portugal, this disease is severely under-diagnosed. After more than 10 years of research through the Portuguese FH Study, it is now possible to translate the original research results into clinical application. AIMS: The main aims of the present work were to determine whether clinical characterization is sufficient to identify these individuals at high risk of developing CHD and to evaluate the clinical applicability of molecular diagnosis for FH. METHODS: All patients described in this study were recruited for the Portuguese FH Study. The diagnostic criteria used to select the index patients were adapted from the Simon Broome Heart Research Trust. To analyze the usefulness of the molecular diagnosis, graphs of total and LDL cholesterol values by age were constructed for 622 possible FH patients. The lipid profile of patients genetically identified as having FH, before and under medication, were analyzed to assess whether these patients were receiving appropriate treatment. The data are shown separately for children and adults and for female and male propositi (index cases and hypercholesterolemic relatives), both with and without a detectable mutation in the LDLR gene. RESULTS: The Portuguese FH Study has already genetically identified 404 individuals (171 index patients and 233 relatives) among more than one thousand individuals sent for study. A total of 78 different mutations in the LDLR gene were found in 171 index patients, 2 different mutations were found in the apoB gene of 4 patients and 2 patients had a unique PCSK9 mutation. Statistical analysis revealed that there are significant differences between total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and apoB (p = 0.026) values in the group of children (male and female) with and without a mutation in LDLR. For female children LDL values were also significantly different (p < 0.001) between subgroups but for male children this difference did not reach statistical significance. In adult women there is a statistically significant difference for total cholesterol (p = 0.049), LDL cholesterol (p = 0.031) and apoB (p = 0.003) values in the subgroups with and without a LDLR mutation. In adult males there is a statistical difference for total cholesterol (p = 0.002). LDL cholesterol (p = 0.003) and apoB (p = 0.0023) in subgroups with and without an LDLR mutation. Nevertheless there was considerable dispersion of values and individually it is not possible to distinguish between patients with and without a mutation in the LDLR gene, based only on lipid profile. CONCLUSIONS: By analysis of the clinical data of 696 possible FH patients, the present report shows evidence that clinical characterization is not sufficient to distinguish between patients with genetic or environmental dyslipidemia, and so molecular diagnosis is useful in clinical practice, allowing correct identification of FH patients and their relatives, and the early implementation of therapeutic measures to reduce the elevated cardiovascular risk of these patients. In general, molecular diagnosis of FH is feasible and could be obtained in 1-2 months if the technology is available. In Portugal the test will be offered to the population by our Institute at a cost of about 500 euros, like many other genetic tests or exams such as nuclear magnetic resonance

Cardiovascular risk profile of high school students: A cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Disease prevention should begin in childhood and lifestyles are important risk determinants of cardiovascular disease. Awareness and monitoring of risk is essential in preventive strategies. AIM: To characterize cardiovascular risk and the relationships between certain variables in adolescents. METHODS: In a cross-sectional study, 854 adolescent schoolchildren were surveyed, mean age 16.3±0.9 years. Data collection included questionnaires, physical examination, charts for 10-year relative risk of mortality, and biochemical assays. In the statistical analysis continuous variables were studied by the Student's t test and categorical variables by the chi-square test and Fisher's exact test, and each risk factor was entered as a dependent variable in logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Physical activity was insufficient in 81% of students. The daily consumption of soup, salad or vegetables, and fruit was, respectively, 37%, 39% and 21%. A minority (6%) took ≤3 and 77% took ≥5 meals a day. The prevalence of each risk factor was as follows: overweight 16%; smoking 13%; hypertension 11%; impaired glucose metabolism 9%; hypertriglyceridemia 9%; and hypercholesterolemia 5%. Out-of-school physical activity, hypertension and overweight were more prevalent in males (p<0.001). Females had higher levels of cholesterol (p<0.005) and triglycerides (p<0.001). A quarter of the adolescents had a relative risk score for 10-year cardiovascular mortality of ≥2. Overweight showed a positive association with blood pressure, changes in glucose metabolism and triglycerides, and a negative association with number of daily meals. CONCLUSIONS: The results demonstrate the need for action in providing and encouraging healthy choices for adolescents, with an emphasis on behavioral and lifestyle changes aimed at individuals, families and communitie

Resultados de las llamadas recibidas por el Servicio de Información Telefonica sobre Teratogenos Español (SITTE) y por el Servicio de Informacion Telefónica para la Embarazada (SITE) durante el año 2002

Resultados de otras actividades del ECEMCWe present the results of the Spanish Teratology Information Services (SITTE addressed to health professionals and SITE addressed to the general population) during 2002. The total number of calls received in both services was 5,587 (1,416 of them by the SITTE and 4,171 by the SITE). As in the last years, the most frequent enquiry in both services was the drugs exposure during pregnancy. However, we would like to point out that questions on environmental and working chemicals products are increasing. Probably this is so because of a higher concern in this area on primary prevention of congenital malformations.N

A study of referral bias in NMOSD and MOGAD cohorts.

BACKGROUND: Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) and myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) are rare disorders often seen in highly specialized services or tertiary centres. We aimed to assess if cohort characteristics depend on the origin of the referral catchment areas serviced by our centre (i.e. local, regional or national). METHODS: Retrospective cohort study using a national referral service database including local (Oxfordshire), regional (Oxfordshire and neighbouring counties), and national patients. We included patients with the diagnosis of NMOSD, seronegative NMOSD or MOGAD, followed at the Oxford Neuromyelitis Optica Service. RESULTS: We included 720 patients (331 with MOGAD, 333 with aquaporin-4 antibody (AQP4)-NMOSD, and 56 with seronegative NMOSD. The distribution of diagnoses was similar across referral cohorts. There were no significant differences in the proportion of pediatric onset patients, sex, or onset phenotype; more White AQP4-NMOSD patients were present in the local than in the national cohort (81 % vs 52 %). Despite no differences in follow-up time, more relapsing MOGAD disease was present in the national than in the local cohort (42.9 % vs. 24 %, p = 0.029). CONCLUSION: This is the first study assessing the impact of potential referral bias in cohorts of NMOSD or MOGAD. The racial difference in the AQP4-NMOSD cohorts likely reflects the variation in the population demographics rather than a referral bias. The over representation of relapsing MOGAD patients in the national cohort probably is a true referral bias and highlights the need to analyze incident cohorts when describing disease course and prognosis. It seems reasonable therefore to compare MOGAD and NMOSD patients seen withing specialised centres to general neurology services, provided both use similar antibody assays