A review on thermoplastic or thermosetting polymeric matrices used in polymeric composites manufactured with banana fibers from the pseudostem

Recent manufacturing advancements have led to the fabrication of polymeric composites (PC) reinforced with fibers. However, to reduce the impact on the environment, efforts have been made to replace synthetic fibers (SF) by natural fibers (NF) in many applications. NF, e.g., as banana fibers (BF) possess higher cellulose content, a higher degree of polymerization of cellulose, and a lower microfibrillar angle (MFA), which are crucial factors for the mechanical properties (MP), namely tensile modulus (TM) and tensile strength (TS), and many other properties that make them suitable for the reinforcement of PC. This review paper presents an attempt to highlight some recent findings on the MP of PC reinforced with unmodified or modified BF (UBF, MBF), which were incorporated into unmodified or modified (synthetic (SPM) or a bio (BPM)) polymeric matrices (UPM, MPM). The experimental results from previous studies are presented in terms of the variation in the percentage of the MP and show that BF can improve the MP of PC. The results of such studies suggest the possibility to extend the application of PC reinforced with BF (PCBF) in a wide range, namely from automotive to biomedical fields. The meanings of all the acronyms are listed in the abbreviations section.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Privacy-Preserving Content-Based Image Retrieval in the Cloud (Extended Version)

Storage requirements for visual data have been increasing in recent years, following the emergence of many new highly interactive multimedia services and applications for both personal and corporate use. This has been a key driving factor for the adoption of cloud-based data outsourcing solutions. However, outsourcing data storage to the Cloud also leads to new challenges that must be carefully addressed, especially regarding privacy. In this paper we propose a secure framework for outsourced privacy-preserving storage and retrieval in large image repositories. Our proposal is based on IES-CBIR, a novel Image Encryption Scheme that displays Content-Based Image Retrieval properties. Our solution enables both encrypted storage and searching using CBIR queries while preserving privacy. We have built a prototype of the proposed framework, formally analyzed and proven its security properties, and experimentally evaluated its performance and precision. Our results show that IES-CBIR is provably secure, allows more efficient operations than existing proposals, both in terms of time and space complexity, and enables more reliable practical application scenarios

Notas sobre a biologia de Centrolabrus caeruleus Azevedo, 1999 (Teleostei: Labridae)

Centrolabrus caeruleus is a recently described littoral fish whose biology is poorly known, despite the fact that it is very abundant in the Azores. This paper presents general information about the age and growth, food and reproduction of this species. Males grow to larger sizes than females, and there are sexual differences in colour and behaviour. Preliminary von Bertalanffy growth curves are given for both sexes, based on modal analysis of the monthly length-frequency distributions. The length-weight relationship is also given. Food is dominated by small phytal invertebrates. Reproduction occurs mainly between March and June. Young of the year are seen from July on. Territorial males build algal nests where females spawn. Details of nest building, and of the courtship and spawning behaviours are given

External approach to bilaterally septated maxillary sinuses: a case report

Communication abstract: Proceedings of the 5th International Congress of CiiEM - Reducing inequalities in Health and Society, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from June 16th to 18th, 2021.This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.The careful planning of a sinus lift procedure is the key to avoiding surgical complications. In this clinical case, a female patient, 59 years old and totally edentulous in the maxilla, was referred to Egas Moniz’s Dental Clinic Implantology consultation with indication for bilateral external sinus lift of the maxillary sinuses prior to implant placement. Both orthopantomography and cone-beam computed tomography were used to show the anatomy of the maxillary sinuses, which presented multiple sinus septa. A multiple anterolateral window approach was applied in order to avoid perforation of the Schneiderian membrane while accessing it.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Farming systems in mountain regions of NE Portugal: conversion from conventional production to organic production

The energy efficiency of a mountain mixed-farming system in NE Portugal was analysed for the period 2002-2003. The energy calculation included the energy of all inputs (fertilizers, fuels, concentrates for cattle) on farm production and the energy of outputs (bovine meat). The energy values were calculated by multiplying the quantities of inputs, indoor system production and outputs by their energy content. The efficiency of the farm (output/input) was 0.12. The results showed a low efficiency of the farm. However, these results were not due to the high inputs required by the farm (as in intensive systems) but it was due to the low use of available feed

Unsupervised algorithms to identify potential under-coding of secondary diagnoses in hospitalisations databases in Portugal

Quantifying and dealing with lack of consistency in administrative databases (namely, under-coding) requires tracking patients longitudinally without compromising anonymity, which is often a challenging task. This study aimed to (i) assess and compare different hierarchical clustering methods on the identification of individual patients in an administrative database that does not easily allow tracking of episodes from the same patient; (ii) quantify the frequency of potential under-coding; and (iii) identify factors associated with such phenomena. We analysed the Portuguese National Hospital Morbidity Dataset, an administrative database registering all hospitalisations occurring in Mainland Portugal between 2011–2015. We applied different approaches of hierarchical clustering methods (either isolated or combined with partitional clustering methods), to identify potential individual patients based on demographic variables and comorbidities. Diagnoses codes were grouped into the Charlson an Elixhauser comorbidity defined groups. The algorithm displaying the best performance was used to quantify potential under-coding. A generalised mixed model (GML) of binomial regression was applied to assess factors associated with such potential under-coding. We observed that the hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) + k-means clustering method with comorbidities grouped according to the Charlson defined groups was the algorithm displaying the best performance (with a Rand Index of 0.99997). We identified potential under-coding in all Charlson comorbidity groups, ranging from 3.5% (overall diabetes) to 27.7% (asthma). Overall, being male, having medical admission, dying during hospitalisation or being admitted at more specific and complex hospitals were associated with increased odds of potential under-coding. We assessed several approaches to identify individual patients in an administrative database and, subsequently, by applying HCA + k-means algorithm, we tracked coding inconsistency and potentially improved data quality. We reported consistent potential under-coding in all defined groups of comorbidities and potential factors associated with such lack of completeness. Our proposed methodological framework could both enhance data quality and act as a reference for other studies relying on databases with similar problems.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Novel magnetic stimulation methodology for low-current implantable medical devices

Recent studies highlight the ability of inductive architectures to deliver therapeutic magnetic stimuli to target tissues and to be embedded into small-scale intracorporeal medical devices. However, to date, current micro-scale biomagnetic devices require very high electric current excitations (usually exceeding 1 A) to ensure the delivery of efficient magnetic flux densities. This is a critical problem as advanced implantable devices demand self-powering, stand-alone and long-term operation. This work provides, for the first time, a novel small-scale magnetic stimulation system that requires up to 50-fold lower electric current excitations than required by relevant biomagnetic technology recently proposed. Computational models were developed to analyse the magnetic stimuli distributions and densities delivered to cellular tissues during in vitro experiments, such that the feasibility of this novel stimulator can be firstly evaluated on cell culture tests. The results demonstrate that this new stimulative technology is able to deliver osteogenic stimuli (0.1-7 mT range) by current excitations in the 0.06-4.3 mA range. Moreover, it allows coil designs with heights lower than 1 mm without significant loss of magnetic stimuli capability. Finally, suitable core diameters and stimulator-stimulator distances allow to define heterogeneity or quasi-homogeneity stimuli distributions. These results support the design of high-sophisticated biomagnetic devices for a wide range of therapeutic applications.This work was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT), through the grant references SFRH/BPD/117475/2016, SFRH/BD/129340/2017 and IF/01089/2015, and by the European Structural and Investment Funds, through the project reference POCI-01-0145-FEDER-031132 and POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007679. It was also support by the TEMA - Centre for Mechanical Technology & Automation (UID/EMS/00481/2013-FCT and CENTRO-01-0145-FEDER-022083) and CICECO - Aveiro Institute of Materials (UID /CTM /50011/ 2013).in publicatio

PUBERDADE PRECOCE ASSOCIADA A TUMOR DE CÉLULAS DA GRANULOSA, EM MENINA DE 3 ANOS: RELATO DE CASO

Introdução: Os tumores ovarianos são raros na infância, sendo mais freqüentes os de origem germinativa e que se apresentam clinicamente com dor abdominal aguda ou crônica e massa pélvica. Os tumores da granulosa perfazem 4% dos tumores ovarianos na criança e, por serem produtores de esteróides, manifestam-se mais comumente como puberdade precoce isossexual. Relato de caso: Menina de 3 anos de idade, apresentando desenvolvimento das mamas e pelos, assim como aumento abdominal. Presença de massa abdominal e elevação de estradiol. Foi realizado tratamento cirúrgico com resultado de tumor de células da granulosa. Discussão: Alguns marcadores tumorais podem ser encontrados dentro da normalidade, neste tipo de tumor o Ca 125 pode estar normal, visto que não é marcador de tumores da linhagem estromal ou de células germinativas. A alfafeto-proteina neste caso se encontrava acima dos valores normais. Sempre diante de puberdade precoce isossexual atentar para a possibilidade de tumor ovariano. Conclusão: No caso que apresentamos, o manejo endocrino e oncológico permitiram o diagnóstico precoce para o sucesso do tratamento

rethinking the health technology assessment framework in Portugal

Funding Information: MEA and MIP. These methods might be a relevant mechanism to improve access. However, they should be supported by an improved registry database. Participants identified the possibility of these databases being (partially) funded by the pharmaceutical industry. MIP implementation must be assured by accurate prescription tracking. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 The Author(s). Published by S. Karger AG, Basel on behalf of NOVA National School of Public Health.Introduction: Health technology assessment (HTA) aims to provide decision makers with relevant data to make informed choices. Recent changes in the Portuguese HTA framework have altered substantially the assessment methodology with regard to economic evaluation, with potential impacts on access and process efficiency. The HTA Reshaping Project had as its main objective informing the debate on HTA in Portugal, thereby identifying improvement opportunities and solutions to the HTA framework that address future challenges. Methods: The project comprised several phases, i.e., (1) mapping and evaluation of different HTA frameworks across Europe, identifying best practices and key variables to consider in future frameworks; (2) conduction of in-depth interviews with relevant stakeholders (n = 11); and (3) development of 2 workshops - one with young professionals (n = 12) and another with relevant HTA stakeholders (n = 19) - to consolidate and further explore vital elements of HTA, aimed at brainstorming ideas and developing solutions to improve some of the most critical points, with a view to addressing future challenges. Results: The comparison of HTA frameworks showed that their purpose and sophistication vary across European countries. For example, the need for economic evidence is not unanimous, and reimbursement agreements vary considerably. Among the stakeholders interviewed there was a high level of agreement on priorities that should be addressed, e.g., expanding and creating national level registries and assuring patient participation throughout the HTA process. The possibility of using managed entry agreements to enhance patients' access, applying multi-indication pricing for medicines with different therapeutic values per indication, and improvement of registry/system interoperability gathered a moderate level of agreement. Conclusions: The Portuguese HTA framework might be further adapted to upcoming challenges and should evolve to improve access to innovative therapies. There is still a long path towards the convergence of HTA frameworks in EU member states.publishersversionpublishe