Ultrasound as a method for early diagnosis of breast pathology

Introduction: Ultrasound is a non-invasive, low-cost technique that does not use ionising radiation and provides a “real-time” image, and for these reasons, this method is ideal in several situations. Purpose: To demonstrate breast ultrasound evaluation as a first-line diagnostic method and to evaluate the variation of breast characteristics with age. Material and Methods: A total of 105 women with a mean age of 30 years participated and were divided into three age groups: 18–39, 40–59, and 60–79 years, excluding participants subject to mastectomy. After completing the informed consent, all participants answered personal and sociodemographic questions, such as personal and family history, menstrual cycle, pregnancy, ultrasound, and mammography, among others. They were then submitted to a bilateral breast ultrasound examination. Subsequently, all the images and their data were analysed, and a technical report of the examination was given to all the participants. Results: A total of 105 women with a mean age of 30 years participated, 58 of whom underwent the examination for the first time. In 31, changes (of which only 7 were known) were diagnosed. It was verified that, according to age group, the density of the breast stroma varied; older women have less breast density. Conclusions: Ultrasound is a good method for breast evaluation and can be considered important for the early evaluation of breast pathology and follow-up of the pathology.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bioinspired architectures toward improving damage resistance on CFRP laminates

Carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) are widely used in advanced applications due to their high performance and low weight, however, under certain conditions, they tend to develop internal damages that may compromise the component performance in service. Low velocity impact (LVI) events are one of the most common and dangerous solicitations that CFRP laminates must face during their life time, under these conditions they tend to develop so-called barely visible impact damages (BVID) that may propagate in service. To improve damage tolerance to LVI events, three new bioinspired CFRP laminates were developed and their mechanical properties and impact behaviour were compared to a typical aeronautic standard laminate in this work. All these studied laminates, having approximately the same thickness of 4 mm, were produced by vacuum bag infusion and observed under scanning electron microscopes (SEM) for assessing their processing quality. Tensile, interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and LVI tests were performed in order to evaluate their Young’s modules, global delamination resistance and impact response. LVI tests were performed for all laminates at the four different impact energy levels of 13.5, 25, 40 and 80 J and damage shape and areas were subsequentially evaluated by ultrasonic C-scan. SEM observations and the good agreement between theoretical and experimental Young’s modules results demonstrated a processing quality. ILSS results have shown that the bioinspired hybrid laminate (HYB) presented better global resistance to delamination when compared to the other laminates. LVI tests and C-scan inspection have also demonstrated that HL and HL_S laminates exhibited higher resistance to damage propagation and smaller damaged area, respectively.FCT, Programa MIT Portugal, projeto “IAMAT – Introduction of advanced materials technologies into new product development for the mobility industries

Thin veils strategically interleaved to reduce low velocity damages on CFRP

Low velocity impact (LVI) events on carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) are one of the most problematic issues in composite applications for advanced markets, such as aeronautic, aerospace and army. Due to their own brittleness and layer-by-layer nature, when exposed to LVI solicitations, composites tend to develop internal damages that may be barely visible at naked eye. The high complex field of internal stresses developed in composite laminates during impact usually causes crack initiation and defects between layers, which may propagate (delamination) due to the low toughness that this unreinforced resin rich region exhibits. In this work, to try minimizing this propagation problem, thin veils of different materials (glass, carbon, aramid and polyester), were interleaved between different layers of a carbon/epoxy laminate typically used to produce aircraft components. In addition, to decide between which layers could be better interleave the above referred veils a theoretical study was carried out to evaluate the stresses distribution across laminate thickness when a bending moment is applied, on a carbon/epoxy laminate under study. The new carbon/epoxy laminates using the thin interleaved veils were produced by vacuum bag infusion and their mechanical characteristics and LVI responses compared with those obtained on a non-interleaved one produced in the same processing conditions. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and LVI tests at four different energy impact levels were performed in order to evaluate the respective characteristics of the laminates, their damage tolerance and impact response. All laminates studied were also observed under scanning electron microscopes (SEM) for assessing their processing quality.FCT, Programa MIT Portugal, projeto “IAMAT – Introduction of advanced materials technologies into new product development for the mobility industries

A new factorial approach for the portuguese version of the mother and baby scales (MABS)

INTRODUCCIÓN: Las relaciones tempranas madre-hijo son de gran importancia en varios dominios del desarrollo del niño. En los primeros días de vida, es importante evaluar el comportamiento de la madre y del bebé. Las escalas de MABS se han propuesto con el fin de obtener información acerca de las percepciones maternas sobre el comportamiento del bebé y sobre la confianza de la madre para cuidarlo. OBJETIVO: Aplicar la versión portuguesa de la MABS y estudiar su estructura factorial y su consistencia interna. MÉTODO: La versión en portugués del MABS se aplicó en dos muestras de madres recientes portuguesas durante su estancia en el hospital (N = 289). Los resultados fueron sometidos a análisis de componentes principales y de consistencia interna. RESULTADOS: Ocho factores emergieron. Varios de estos factores son similares a los originales: la interfaz de usuario, LCC, A, E, GC, y ADF. Un nuevo factor, CC, se opone a la LCC originales. Otro factor (FIL / LCF) los resultados de la asociación de elementos que pertenecen a dos de los factores originales (FDI y LCF). CONCLUSIÓN: Parece que las dimensiones de la versión portuguesa de la MABS pueden ser útiles para un uso clínico y de investigación en las madres portuguesas, sobre todo porque los aspectos culturales están jugando un papel en la nueva estructura factorial.INTRODUCTION: Early mother-infant relationships are of major importance for several domains of child development. At the first days of life, it is simultaneously important to assess the behavior of both baby and mother. The MABS scales have been proposed in order obtain information about maternal perceptions about the baby behavior and about mother’s confidence to take care of the baby. AIM:To apply the Portuguese version of the MABS and to study their factorial structure and internal consistency. METHOD: The Portuguese version of the MABS was applied in two samples of newly Portuguese mothers while staying in hospital (N = 289). Results were submitted to principal components and internal consistency analyzes. RESULTS : Eight factors emerged. Several of these factors are similar to the original ones: UI, LCC, A, E, GC, and ADF. A new factor, CC, opposes to the original LCC. Another factor (IDF/LCF) results of the association of items belonging to two of the original factors (IDF and LCF). CONCLUSION: It seems that dimensions of the Portuguese version of the MABS may be helpful for clinical use and for research with Portuguese mothers, especially because cultural aspects are playing a role at the new factorial structure.peerReviewe

Carbon nanotubes based multi-directional strain sensor

In this work a new carbon nanotubes (CNT) based multi-directional strain sensor capable of quantifying and indicate strain direction is foreseen. This work investigates the electromechanical behavior of an aligned CNT sensing patch strained at 45◦ in order to validate its multi-directional sensing capability. Vertically aligned CNT forests are produced by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) and then mechanically knocked down onto polyimide (PI) films. Two configurations, diamond (D sample) and square (Sq sample), are considered. The relative electrical resistance (ΔR/R0) and the electrical anisotropy (RB/RA) upon strain increments are analyzed and compared to previous work results (0◦ and 90◦ strain direction). Both 45◦ samples, D and Sq, are sensitive to strain. A correlation between electrical anisotropy behavior and strain direction (0◦, 45◦ and 90◦) is established. The results show that with only an aligned CNT small patch it is possible to quantify and indicate strain in three directions.This work was partially funded under the project “IAMAT – Introduction of advanced materials technologies into new product development for the mobility industries”, with reference MITP-TB/PFM/0005/2013, under the MIT-Portugal program exclusively financed by FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia. This work was also co-financed by national funds through FCT – Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, with the scope of projects with references UIDB/05256/2020 and UIDP/05256/2020”

Impact damage mitigation using bioinspired CFRP laminate architectures

Carbon fibre reinforced polymers (CFRP) are widely used in advanced applications due to their high performance and low weight. However, when exposed to some conditions, as shear, dynamic and impact loading, they may develop interlaminar damages. One of the most common and dangerous solicitations that they must face in service is low velocity impact (LVI) events. To improve damage tolerance to LVI events, three new bioinspired CFRP laminates were developed and tested in the present work to assess and compare their behaviour to the one presented by a typical aeronautic standard laminate. All these studied laminates, having approximately the same thickness of 4 mm, were produced by vacuum bag infusion and observed under deflexion and scanning electron microscopes (SEM) for assessing their processing quality. Interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) and LVI tests were performed in order to evaluate their delamination resistance and impact response. LVI tests were performed for all laminates at the three different impact energy levels of 13.5 J, 25 J and 40 J. Those tests have shown that the bioinspired hybrid laminate (HYB) and all bioinspired ones presented higher interlaminar shear strength and energy absorption for the 40 J impact energy than the standard CFRP laminate (LS), respectively.FCT projeto do Programa MIT Portugal "IAMAT – Introduction of advanced materials technologies into new product development for the mobility industries

Impact of a novel sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient on skin microbiota via a new preclinical in vitro model

During cosmetic product development, the impact on the skin microbiota needs to be evaluated, as it plays an important role in skin health. Clinical studies are frequently used to assess cosmetic effects, but are expensive, time-consuming and require finished ingredients, which may be a limiting factor. Thus, this study had two main objectives, the development of a preclinical in vitro model for the evaluation of the effect of cosmetic ingredients on the skin microbiota, and its use to evaluate a novel sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient. In the development of the preclinical in vitro model, the microbiota incubation time and atmospheric conditions were optimized. The model was validated using a benchmark ingredient with reported in vivo effects on skin microbiota. Then, the new sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient was tested in the model, using skin microbiota samples from 12 healthy female volunteers. The impact on microbial groups was analyzed using qPCR and next-generation sequencing. The best conditions for the in vitro model were 24 h incubation under aerobic conditions. Furthermore, the results obtained with the benchmark ingredient agreed with those obtained in vivo, thus validating our model. Sugarcane straw extract-based ingredient was found to have no effect on community α-diversity, however it appears to affect S. epidermidis. In conclusion, the developed model can be used as a tool to assess the impact of novel cosmetic ingredients on skin microbiota. Also, the novel ingredient seems to have an impact on commensal S. epidermidis.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Quasi static mechanical study of vacuum bag infused bouligand inspired composites

Three novel Bouligand inspired composites were produced by vacuum bag infusion manufacturing process and their quasi-static mechanical performance were compared to a conventional aircraft laminate. A morphologic/physical study was first conducted for all configurations and their mechanical response under tensile, three-point bending (3-PB) and interlaminar shear strength (ILSS) tests were then evaluated and discussed. No significant number of voids were detected into laminates, however, a rough and poor defined interlaminar region was observed in both Bouligand-like configurations. Under quasi-static mechanical solicitations, and when compared to reference layup, bioinspired configurations have shown similar and 18% higher tensile and flexural modulus. However, the progressive and translaminar failure mode, typically observed in these configurations, led to a lower load bearing capability. Despite presented similar interlaminar resistance than reference, finite element models built have revealed a good correlation between cross-section stress field and failure mode observed experimentally.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Projetos UIDB/05256/2020, UIDP/05256/2020 e MITP-TB/PFM/0005/201

The public library as an information mediation environment for its third age users

Introduction: The public library must carry out activities and mediation actions that support the development of social subjects, including elderly users. Objective: To analyze the importance of the public library as an information mediation environment for elderly users and how it develops its physical space and its information mediation activities to promote the permanence and development of elderly users. Methodology: The first stage of the research consisted of mapping the state public libraries located in the city of Salvador, which have their own space for the elderly, and investigating how the mediation activities were directed to them. From this result, with the adoption of the multiple case study method, a questionnaire was applied to the librarians of the four public libraries in the state of Bahia, located in Salvador, which make up the sample of this research: the Anísio Teixeira Public Library; the Juracy Magalhães Jr. Public Library; the Central Library of the State of Bahia and the Thales de Azevedo Public Library. Results: It was found that most public libraries have been carrying out activities aimed at the elderly user. It is important to highlight that public libraries should expand their strategies to encourage elderly users to interact and share experiences. Conclusions: Public libraries try to meet the informational needs of elderly users and provide them with a leisure and entertainment environment, which contributes to improving the quality of life and the conditions conducive to the social inclusion of this elderly public.Introdução: A biblioteca pública deve realizar atividades e ações de mediação que apoiem o desenvolvimento dos sujeitos sociais, dentre eles, os usuários idosos. Objetivo: Analisar a importância da biblioteca pública como um ambiente de mediação da informação para usuários da terceira idade e como desenvolve seu espaço físico e suas atividades de mediação da informação para promover a permanência e desenvolvimento dos usuários da terceira idade. Metodologia: A primeira etapa da pesquisa consistiu em mapear as bibliotecas públicas estaduais localizadas na cidade de Salvador, que têm um espaço próprio para os idosos e investigar como as atividades de mediação eram direcionadas a eles. A partir desse resultado, com a adoção do método do estudo de casos múltiplos, aplicou-se um questionário com os bibliotecários das quatro bibliotecas públicas do estado da Bahia, localizadas em Salvador, que compõem a amostra desta pesquisa: a Biblioteca Pública Anísio Teixeira; a Biblioteca Pública Juracy Magalhães Jr.; a Biblioteca Central do Estado da Bahia e a Biblioteca Pública Thales de Azevedo. Resultados: Pôde-se constatar que a maior parte das bibliotecas públicas vem realizando atividades voltadas para o usuário idoso. É importante destacar que as bibliotecas públicas devem ampliar suas estratégias para estimular o usuário idoso a interagir e a compartilhar experiências. Conclusões: As bibliotecas públicas tentam suprir as necessidades informacionais dos usuários idosos e lhes proporcionar um ambiente de lazer e de entretenimento, o que contribui para melhorar a qualidade de vida e as condições propícias para a inclusão social desse público da terceira idade