Energy rehabilitation of Portuguese residential building stock through its transformation into NZEB

The first global oil crisis, led the European Union to start the necessary procedures in order to control and reduce the energy consumption of buildings. In Europe the energy consumption of residential buildings increased since 1990 until 2003 1.3% per year and it is expected that, by 2050, the energy consumption of buildings will have increased by 40%. According to the EPBD-recast all member states should adopt the necessary measures so that buildings become highly efficient - nearly Zero Energy Buildings (nZEB’s). Nevertheless, quantitative standards are not appointed, so each member state should establish the minimum requirements for energy performance in buildings attending to the local conditions. However before establishing these requirements it is necessary to evaluate the building stock and its energy efficiency. As most of the Portuguese residential buildings are old and degraded an opportunity arises for the energy rehabilitation of the building stock, implementing EPBD-recast principles, making it more energy efficient and comfortable. The aim of this study was to describe the current conditions of the building stock in order to identify whether there are suitable conditions for energy rehabilitation of buildings. The analysis performed showed that although there are a significant potential for building energy rehabilitation, there are also some constraints, namely the lack of credit and loans financing of banks

Enquadramento energético do sector residencial português

Portugal não possui reservas de energias fósseis, pelo que importa grande parte dos recursos energéticos que consome. Nos últimos anos tem sido feita uma aposta na instalação de sistemas de produção de energia a partir de energias renováveis no sentido de reduzir a dependência energética nacional. Contudo, os níveis de dependência, em 2010, ainda eram muito elevados principalmente devido à importação de petróleo. O sector residencial é o que apresenta o terceiro maior consumo energético. Tendo-se verificado nos últimos anos um aumento crescente dos consumos, em especial de eletricidade. Através da avaliação da tendência de evolução do consumo energético das habitações, é possível determinar qual a melhor forma de reduzir esses consumos aquando da reabilitação energética dos edifícios. O estudo apresentado tem por objetivo analisar os consumos energéticos do sector residencial, de forma a saber em que fatores intervir para aumentar a eficiência energética do parque habitacional Português

Burkholderia cepacia Complex Infections Among Cystic Fibrosis Patients: Perspectives and Challenges

The Burkholderia cepacia complex (Bcc) is a group of closely related bacterial species that emerged in the 1980s as the etiological agents of severe and often lethal respiratory infections among cystic fibrosis (CF) patients. After several outbreaks in CF centers in Europe and North America, segregation measures were introduced to avoid patient-to-patient transmission. Presently, the prevalence of Bcc infections among CF patients worldwide is below 5% in the majority of CF centers, although exceptions are registered in some European countries. Infections by these pathogens remain problematic due to the high resistance to antimicrobials, the easy patient-to-patient transmission, and the unpredictable outcome of infections that range from asymptomatic carriage to the cepacia syndrome, a fulminating pneumonia often associated with septicemia that can lead to the decease of patients within a period of time as short as 1 week. In this chapter, we review the evolving epidemiology of Bcc infections in CF patients, the virulence traits and mechanisms used by these bacteria, and the recent developments in vaccine and vaccine components research to prevent Bcc infections

Synthesis and characterization of sensitive hydrogels based on semi- interpenetrated networks of poly 2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone) methacrylate and hyaluronic acid

Sensitive hydrogels attract interest due to their soft wet appearance and shape response to environmental variations. The synthesis and characterization of semi-interpenetrated hydrogels obtained by radical-induced polymerization of 2-ethyl-(2-pyrrolidone)methacrylate (EPM) in the presence of different concentrations of hyaluronic acid (HA) using N,N′-methylene-bisacrylamide or triethylene glycol dimethacrylate as crosslinker, followed by freeze-drying, are described. Polymeric systems were characterized by NMR, FTIR, SEM, TGA, and DMA. PEPMHA hydrogels' mechanical properties and swelling were found to be intimately related to HA concentration and crosslinker. The swelling response was assessed for temperature and pH variation in order to study the behavior of the hydrogels. We found that the presence of HA in PEPM polymeric systems induced a sensitivity to pH variation rather than temperature. Finally, the biocompatibility profile of the hydrogels was evaluated, using mesenchymal stem cells. Cell adhesion and proliferation results revealed the non-cytotoxicity of the systems. We estimate that PEPMHA hydrogels can be used for applications in tissue engineering and for the controlled release of bioactive compounds.Contract grant sponsor: Marie Curie Early Stage Training Alea Jacta Est; contract grant number: MEST-CT-2004-8104The authors thank David Gomez, Sofia Caridade, and Justyna Chojnacka for their technical support and BIOIBERICA for the supply of hyaluronic acid. This work was carried out under the scope of the European NoE EXPERTISSUES, projects MAT 2007-63355, PTDC/QUI/68804/2006 (FCT), CIBER-BBN and Plan-E 2009-0144. In the memory of Prof. Roberto Sastre

Influence of dual-task on sit-to-stand-to-sit postural control in Parkinson's disease

Postural control deficits are the most disabling aspects of Parkinson's disease (PD), resulting in decreased mobility and functional independence. The aim of this study was to assess the postural control stability, revealed by variables based on the centre of pressure (CoP), in individuals with PD while performing a sit-to-stand-to-sit sequence under single- and dual-task conditions. An observational, analytical and cross-sectional study was performed. The sample consisted of 9 individuals with PD and 9 healthy controls. A force platform was used to measure the CoP displacement and velocity during the sit-to-stand-to-sit sequence. The results were statistically analysed. Individuals with PD required greater durations for the sit-to-stand-to-sit sequence than the controls (p < 0.05). The anteroposterior and mediolateral CoP displacement were higher in the individuals with PD (p < 0.05). However, only the anteroposterior CoP velocity in the stand-to-sit phase (p = 0.006) was lower in the same individuals. Comparing the single- and dual-task conditions in both groups, the duration, the anteroposterior CoP displacement and velocity were higher in the dual-task condition (p < 0.05). The individuals with PD presented reduced postural control stability during the sit-to-stand-to-sit sequence, especially when under the dual-task condition. These individuals have deficits not only in motor performance, but also in cognitive performance when performing the sit-to-stand-to-sit sequence in their daily life tasks. Moreover, both deficits tend to be intensified when two tasks are performed simultaneously

WORKSHOP NACIONAL “INVESTIGAÇÃO EM OLIVICULTURA E AZEITE - RESULTADOS E APLICAÇÕES

Workshop Nacional “Investigação em Olivicultura e Azeite – Resultados e Aplicações” De 27-06-2013, 09:00 a 28-06-2013 Sala de Conferências do Pólo da Mitra da Universidade de Évora O Workshop Nacional dedicado ao tema “Investigação em Olivicultura e Azeite – Resultados e Aplicações” realizou-se nos dias 27 e 28 de junho de 2013. Pretendeu-se com este evento, dirigido a produtores, técnicos, e todos os interessados, divulgar os resultados obtidos no âmbito de projetos de investigação em curso em Portugal na área da Olivicultura e Azeite, com especial ênfase nas potenciais aplicações e contribuições para o desenvolvimento do setor. As sessões incidiram nos seguintes temas Sistemas e Técnicas Culturais Recursos Genéticos e Melhoramento Proteção Fitossanitária Tecnologia e Qualidade do Azeite Apresentações Tema 1 - Sistemas e Técnicas Culturais Múltiplos olhares sobre a transpiração do olival - Francisco Lúcio dos Santos Gestão de cobertos vegetais de leguminosas anuais de ressementeira natural em olival - Manuel Ângelo Rodrigues Mecanização do Olival - soluções e novos desafios - Arlindo de Almeida Máquina para a Colheita em Contínuo de Azeitona - António Bento Dias Influência de diferentes regimes hídricos no uso e na eficiência do uso da água, produção e qualidade do azeite - Anabela Silva Medidas de prevenção e mitigação dos impactos da seca no olival de sequeiro: efeitos da rega sustentável e de coberturas vegetais - Eunice Bacelar Contribuição do COTR para o uso eficiente da água na rega do olival - Luís Boteta Tema 2 - Recursos Genéticos e Melhoramentos A diversidade genética da mosca-da-azeitona na bacia mediterrânica - Luís Teixeira Evolução dos primeiros estados fenológicos em oliveira - diversidade intervarietal e alterações climáticas - António Cordeiro Variabilidade genética e química - implicações na rastreabilidade de azeites - Paula Lopes Tema 3 - Protecção Fitossanitária A elevada incidência de vírus em olivais nacionais: causas e consequências - Rosário Félix Como proceder para fertilizar racionalmente o olival - Pedro Jordão Avaliação de Genótipos de Olea europaea vs Infecção de Colletotrichum acutatum - Teresa Carvalho Isolamento e seleção de fungos endofíticos da oliveira para luta biológica contra Colletotrichum acutatum e Verticillium dahliae - Paula Batista A utilização de indicadores biológicos como ferramentas para avaliar o impacte de práticas agrícolas na sustentabilidade do olival - Sónia Santos Proteção contra pragas da oliveira: fomento da ação dos inimigos naturais pelo estabelecimento da flora autóctone - Albino Bento Fungos entomopatogénicos em pragas da oliveira: isolamento, caracterização e selecção para controlo biológico - Paula Batista Tema 4 - Tecnologia e Qualidade Redefinição da Denominação de Origem Protegida “Azeite de Trás-os-Montes” e criação da Denominação de Origem Protegida “Azeite do Douro” - Ricardo Malheiro Azeitonas de mesa do nordeste de Portugal - contributo para a sua caraterização e promoção - Nuno Rodrigues ÁCIDOS GORDOS E POLIFENÓIS EM AZEITE VIRGEM - Isabel Baer Influência da rega na produção e qualidade de azeites produzidos em olivais intensivos (cv. Cobrançosa) e em olivais em sebe (cv. Arbequina) - Mariana Mota Efeito do processamento culinário na composição nutricional e química de azeites portugueses - Susana Casal A Arte do Azeite - Ana Carrilho O Azeite Português na Economia Global: Oportunidades e desafios - Teresa Zacarias Comissão Organizadora: Adélia Sousa, Grupo ASC do ICAAM António Bento Dias, Grupo CTV do ICAAM Fernando Rei, Grupo CTV do ICAAM Francisco Lúcio dos Santos, Grupo ASC do ICAAM-coordenador Raquel Garcia, Grupo CTV do ICAAM Renato Coelho, Grupo CTV do ICAAM Joana Perdigão, UDIT-ICAA

Respiratory versatility in Desulfovibrio desulfuricans ATCC 27774 – a proteomic approach

Poster presented at the Bacterial Electron Transfer Processes and their Regulation Meeting, European Federation of Biotechnology Microbial Physiology Section, 15-18 March 2015, Vimeiro, Portugal

Functional screening for the detection of β-glucosidase activity in a metagenomic library obtained from a compost sample

There is an increasing need to find novel and robust biocatalysts with promising features that compete with those currently available on the market. Composting is an extreme habitat of high microbiological diversity that represents a suitable source of lignocellulose-degrading enzymes, such as cellulases, hemicellulases and ligninases, properly active under harsh conditions. These enzymes can convert the recalcitrant structure of lignocellulose into valuable bioproducts with great biotechnological potential. -Glucosidases are glycoside hydrolases responsible for degrading cellulose, namely in the disruption of the final glycosidic bonds of short-chain oligosaccharides to obtain glucose. Metagenomics is an emerging cultureindependent technique that has proven effective in identifying new biocatalysts with better catalytic activity through the analysis of DNA extracted from a vast number of environments. The metagenomic analysis is divided into two main technologies: sequence- and functionalbased approach. Function-based screening aims to discover and identify new genes capable of producing biocompounds/biomolecules with new or improved functions. This screening is based on the detection and isolation of clones with a positive response to the desired phenotype when activity-based techniques are applied. In this study, high-molecular-weight DNA extracted from a compost sample was used to construct a fosmid metagenomic library. This library was evaluated through a functional screening to identify clones that expressed cellulase activity, specifically -glucosidase activity. The enzymatic activity was unravelled using esculin as substrate through the formation of a brown halo as a positive response (Figure 1). The functional screening was performed in 96-well microplates and the detection of - glucosidase activity was evaluated at different temperature (25-60 °C) and pH (4.5-9.5) conditions. It was possible to identify clones with the enzymatic activity of -glucosidase in almost all tested conditions, except at 60 °C. The best conditions for clone growth occur in a longer initial incubation time (3 days, 37 °C). On the other hand, the lower pH and incubation temperature favoured a faster detection of -glucosidase activity.The study received financial support from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and the Project LIGNOZYMES (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-029773).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Microparticles loaded gellan gum hydrogel matrices: engineering tissues for nucleus pulposus regeneration

The intervertebral disc central core is made by a gel-like tissue structure composed of more than 80% of water, Nucleus Pulposus (NP). Proteoglycans such as versican and especially aggrecan are the main constituents of the NP matrix as well as collagen type II. The purpose of this work is creating novel Gellan gum-based (GG) hydrogel formulations. GG microparticles (MPs) dispersed in a GG matrix are the novelty for finding application as NP substitute. The ongoing experiment comprises de GG functionalization through methacrylated groups addition. In order to optimize some properties of GG, the functionalization will allow us to improve the water solubility and photopolymerization in situ of the biomaterial. High acyl (HA) and Low acyl (LA) Gellan Gum (GG) at different ratio [75%:25% (v/v); 50%:50% (v/v), 25%:75% (v/v)], HAGG 0.75% and LAGG 2%, were mixed in order to prepare solutions to be used as formulations of GG MPs/hydrogels matrix. The GG MP/hydrogel matrix formulations were characterized by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), swelling behaviour and degradation rate. The toxic effect of GG MPs/hydrogel discs leachables onto the cells was investigated in vitro using a mouse lung fibroblast-like cell (L929 cells) line. Live/Dead cell viability assay was performed to assess the encapsulation efficacy; meanwhile DAPI/Phalloidin staining was performed to evaluate cell morphology. The Methacrylated Gellan Gum (GG-MA) was prepared following the protocol [1]. Mechanism reactions occurred in presence of glycidyl methacrylate by addition to a solution of LAGG at 2% (w/v). The reaction was running over 24 h at room temperature controlling the pH at 8.5 with sodium hydroxide 1 M. GG MPs size was measured using a stereo microscope by staining the MPs with Toluidine Blue-O. This method also allowed evaluating the MPs dispersion and matrix cohesion. From DMA analysis it was observed that the range of 50–500 mg/mL of incorporated MPs is the optimal concentration to reinforce GG matrices. It was demonstrated the non–cytotoxic effect of MPs/hydrogels over L929 cells. In fact, L929 cells were successfully encapsulated in all GG formulations GG MPs and remaining viable over 72 h of culturing. The resulting product from methacrylation reaction was evaluated by nuclear magnetic resonance to assess the reaction efficiency and the degree of substitution. Methacrylated Gellan gum and GG MP/hydrogel matrix are promising hydrogels to be used in tissue engineering strategies for treatment of the degenerated NP