Probing the two-scale-factor universality hypothesis by exact rotation symmetry-breaking mechanism

We probe the two-scale factor universality hypothesis by evaluating, firstly explicitly and analytically at the one-loop order, the loop quantum corrections to the amplitude ratios for O($N$) $\lambda\phi^{4}$ scalar field theories with rotation symmetry-breaking in three distinct and independent methods in which the rotation symmetry-breaking mechanism is treated exactly. We show that the rotation symmetry-breaking amplitude ratios turn out to be identical in the three methods and equal to their respective rotation symmetry-breaking ones, although the amplitudes themselves, in general, depend on the method employed and on the rotation symmetry-breaking parameter. At the end, we show that all these results can be generalized, through an inductive process based on a general theorem emerging from the exact calculation, to any loop level and physically interpreted based on symmetry ideas.Comment: 17 pages, 3 figure

imAGES: intervention program to prevent ageism in children

The work presented in this training manual was developed within the framework of the SIforAGE – Social Innovation for Active and Healthy Ageing, which aims to strengthen cooperation among the stakeholders working on active and healthy ageing. The ultimate goal is to bring together scientists, end-users, civil society, public administrations and companies in the promotion of research and innovative products for longer and healthier lives. The first phase of this work involved the creation and testing of the intergenerational program against ageism (prejudice and discrimination on the basis of age). It was developed with close cooperation between two partners of the SIforAGE project, i.e. a team of the Centre for Social Research and Intervention at the University Institute of Lisbon (ISCTE-IUL) and a team from Santa Casa da Misericórdia de Lisboa (SCML). The ultimate goal is that this team be joined by several other SIforAGE partners to apply the program within their national contexts, thus allowing its dissemination in different countries in Europe as well as in Brazil

Biovalorization of technical lignins for added-value products and applications

Lignin is an abundant non-toxic amorphous natural polymer. Nowadays it is available a great variety and large amounts of technical lignins as by-products from the pulp and paper industries. Some successful biotechnological applications of enzymatically modified lignins are described in the literature, namely for the production of lignin based copolymers, binders for wood composites, chelating agents, compositions for treating porous materials, coatings, paintings and others. From a new species from Bjerkandera genus which exhibits high decolourisation activity on Poly R-478 and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dyes, was isolated, purified and identified the main enzyme responsible for Remazol Brilliant Blue R dye decolourisation. Such an enzyme is able to oxidise manganese, as well as VA and DMP in manganese-independent reactions; the enzyme substrate range for oxidation of several phenolic and non-phenolic aromatic compounds was determined. This enzyme was tested for transformation of a lignin fraction obtained from straw pulping. Characterisation by gel filtration chromatography of the evolution of the molecular mass distribution of the lignin fragments generated by said enzyme indicated that this enzyme is able to interact directly with lignin in the absence of other mediators

Evaluation of code formulations for NSM CFRP bond strength of RC elements

This paper presents an analytical analysis which intends to verify the accuracy of existing code formulations for predicting the pullout strength of NSM CFRP systems applied to concrete. A database with a limited set of parameters was gathered and two code formulations were tested on it. Then, a new approach was tested. This uses Data Mining algorithms to develop models to predict the pullout strength based on user chosen parameters. The results reveal that existent code formulations aren’t as accurate as expected and that Data Mining can be a sound alternative or, at least, a good complement since it can also help know and understand the key parameters with relevant influence on the pullout strength of such strengthening systems

Método das linhas de rotura versus modelos de análise não linear material na determinação da capacidade de carga de lajes apoiadas em solo

Com base nos parâmetros de fractura do betão reforçado com fibras de aço (BRFA) desenvolvido para pavimentos de edifícios industriais determinou-se o momento resistente, com o qual foi determinada a força máxima aplicável num canto de pavimento de BRFA, segundo o método das linhas de rotura. Os valores obtidos segundo este método foram comparados com os determinados com o método dos elementos finitos

Modelling of bond between galvanized steel rebars and concrete

In reinforced concrete structures, it is extremely difficult to ensure that steel bars will be not subject, either in a lower or higher extent, to the corrosion effect. The application of hot dip galvanized rebar is an economic and effective way of protecting reinforced concrete against corrosion. This protective technique has an influence, which should not be disregarded, on the performance of the rebar’s coating, its behaviour and, fundamentally, the bond between concrete and galvanized rebar. With the aim of studying the bond behaviour between galvanized steel rebar and concrete, an experimental program was carried out by means of direct pullout tests. To predict the full pullout response, an analytical cohesive interface model was developed to obtain the bond stressslip relationship. To account for the interfacial bond, a nonlinear bond stress-slip law was used. In the present work the numerical method and mathematical tools are detailed and its performance is assessed. Hence, the parameters that define the local bond stress slip relationship are obtained by a fitting procedure between the simulated pullout curve and the experimental one. Finally, the obtained local bond law relationship is compared to the one proposed by the CEB-FIP Model Code

Decolourisation of Remazol Brilliant Blue R via a novel Bjerkandera sp. strain

A novel strain of Bjerkandera sp. (B33/3), with particularly high decolourisation activities upon Poly R-478 and Remazol Brilliant Blue R (RBBR) dyes, was isolated. The role of the ligninolytic extracellular enzymes produced by this strain on decolourisation of RBBR was studied in some depth. The basis of decolourisation is an enzyme-mediated process, in which the main enzyme responsible is a recently described peroxidase with capacity for oxidation of manganese, as well as veratryl alcohol and 2,6-dimethoxyphenol in a manganese-independent reaction