Developing a site-conditions map for seismic hazard Assessment in Portugal

The evaluation of site effects on a broad scale is a critical issue for seismic hazard and risk assessment, land use planning and emergency planning. As characterization of site conditions based on the shear-wave velocity has become increasingly important, several methods have been proposed in the literature to estimate its average over the first thirty meters (Vs30) from more extensively available data. These methods include correlations with geologic-geographic defined units and topographic slope. In this paper we present the first steps towards the development of a site–conditions map for Portugal, based on a regional database of shear-wave velocity data, together with geological, geographic, and lithological information. We computed Vs30 for each database site and classified it according to the corresponding geological-lithological information using maps at the smallest scale available (usually 1:50000). We evaluated the consistency of Vs30 values within generalized-geological classes, and assessed the performance of expedient methodologies proposed in the literature

Imide and isatin derivatives as β-lactam mimics of β-lactam antibiotics

Activated γ-lactams, which are derivatives of succinimide, phthalimide and isatin with suitable elements of molecular recognition, have been synthesised as mimics of the ß-lactam antibiotics and their chemical and biological reactivity determined

REDES NEURAIS ARTIFICIAIS APLICADAS A SIMULAÇÃO DE VAZÃO NA BACIA HIDROGRÁFICA DO RIO ITAPEMIRIM - ES

Há tempos o homem busca o adequado conhecimento dos processos hidrológicos para retirar deles o melhor aproveitamento. Simulações de vazões são bastante utilizadas e sugeridas para a gestão sustentável dos recursos hídricos. As redes neurais artificiais (RNAs) são modelos empíricos amplamente utilizados para modelar o processo chuva-vazão. O presente estudo tem por objetivo aplicar e testar a viabilidade de utilização de RNAs como uma opção para simular a vazão na bacia hidrográfica do Rio Itapemirim (BHRI), ES. Nesta pesquisa foi avaliada a capacidade da rede neural em modelar o processo chuva-vazão em base diária, usando 34 anos de dados pluviométricos e fluviométricos, em 12 sub-bacias. Três tipos de vazões foram simuladas: vazão diária total (q), vazão diária de escoamento superficial (qSup) e vazão diária referente ao escoamento subterrâneo (qSub). No processo de treinamento das redes foram testadas diversas combinações de dados de entrada, incluindo dados de precipitação e evapotranspiração potencial, em três sub-bacias: Paineiras (maior área); Rive (área intermediária) e Usina Fortaleza (menor área). As redes treinadas nessas sub-bacias foram testadas também nas outras sub-bacias. Os resultados mostram que as RNAs possuem maior eficiência nas bacias onde foram treinadas. O modelo composto pelas precipitações dos 5 dias anteriores e dos 30 dias antecedentes acumulados, (Pt, Pt-1, Pt-2, Pt-3, Pt-4, Pt-5, P30) simulou melhor a vazão diária total em todas as sub-bacias nas quais foi treinado, com NSE de 0,861, 0,837 e 0,711 para Paineiras, Rive e Usina Fortaleza, respectivamente. Ao treinar a rede para Paineiras e depois extrapolar para as sub-bacias de áreas menores (Lajinha, Iuna, Ibitirama e Usina Fortaleza), os resultados se mostraram insatisfatórios, Em virtude desses resultados insatisfatórios foram realizados testes para sub-bacias de áreas menores, com o intuito de verificar se a extrapolação de uma sub-bacia menor para uma menor apresentaria resultados melhores. As redes treinadas para Rive (área intermediária) apresentou resultados melhores quando testadas nas outras sub-bacias, indicando a provável influência da escala das bacias nesse tipo de comportamento. Em relação à separação do escoamento superficial e subterrâneo, a simulação do escoamento superficial apresentou melhores resultados do que o escoamento de base. Comparando-se os valores obtidos com a entrada da vazão total na rede e a separação da mesma em escoamento superficial e subterrâneo, os valores foram semelhantes para Paineiras, apresentando NSE de 0,861 e 0,902, respectivamente, indicando que não há melhoria expressiva ao simular as vazões separadamente. A partir dos testes realizados, pode-se concluir que é possível estimar a vazão diária na BHRI, de forma satisfatória, utilizando RNAs e dados de precipitação como variáveis de entrada. Palavras-chave: rede neural artificial; simulação de vazão; processo chuva-vazão; modelagem

Marine organism sulfated polysaccharides exhibiting significant antimalarial activity and inhibition of red blood cell invasion by Plasmodium

The antimalarial activity of heparin, against which there are no resistances known, has not been therapeutically exploited due to its potent anticoagulating activity. Here, we have explored the antiplasmodial capacity of heparin-like sulfated polysaccharides from the sea cucumbers Ludwigothurea grisea and Isostichopus badionotus, from the red alga Botryocladia occidentalis, and from the marine sponge Desmapsamma anchorata. In vitro experiments demonstrated for most compounds significant inhibition of Plasmodium falciparum growth at low-anticoagulant concentrations. This activity was found to operate through inhibition of erythrocyte invasion by Plasmodium, likely mediated by a coating of the parasite similar to that observed for heparin. In vivo four-day suppressive tests showed that several of the sulfated polysaccharides improved the survival of Plasmodium yoelii-infected mice. In one animal treated with I. badionotus fucan parasitemia was reduced from 10.4% to undetectable levels, and Western blot analysis revealed the presence of antibodies against P. yoelii antigens in its plasma. The retarded invasion mediated by sulfated polysaccharides, and the ensuing prolonged exposure of Plasmodium to the immune system, can be explored for the design of new therapeutic approaches against malaria where heparin-related polysaccharides of low anticoagulating activity could play a dual role as drugs and as potentiators of immune responses

Grape VOCs response to postharvest short-term ozone treatments

Ozone has been recently recognized as an efficient sanitizing agent in wine industry because of its powerful oxidizing properties. Furthermore, postharvest treatments of grapes with ozone can stimulate defense responses by synthetizing secondary metabolites against oxidative stress. In this study, the effect of postharvest short-term ozone treatments was assessed for the first time on free and glycosylated volatile organic compounds (VOCs) of winegrapes. Two different ozone concentrations (30 and 60 μL/L) and exposure times (24 and 48 h) were investigated just after treatment (fresh grapes) and after partial dehydration up to 20% weight loss (withered grapes). The study was carried out on Moscato bianco winegrapes (Vitis vinifera L.) due to the importance of terpenes in white aromatic cultivars to produce high quality wines. The results obtained showed that short-term ozone treatment caused a significant decrease in total contents of free VOCs in fresh grapes, mainly due to terpenes. Among them, linalool, geraniol, and nerol are the major aromatic markers of Moscato bianco grapes. Ozone entailed a significant decrease of free linalool contents in fresh grapes, the less stressful ozone treatment showing the smaller linalool degradation. However, the stronger and longer ozone treatment induced the synthesis of this compound probably in response to higher abiotic stress. Instead, significant changes were not observed in geraniol and nerol contents in fresh grapes. This last ozone treatment also reduced the loss of free linalool by water loss in withered grapes even though total VOCs and terpenes remained relatively stable. Furthermore, ozone seems to promote the synthesis of free (+)-4-carene and 4-terpineol in withered grapes under certain treatment conditions. Regarding glycosylated compounds, total VOCs and terpenes were less sensitive to ozone. Our findings highlight that ozone can be used as sanitizing agent in aromatic grape varieties prior to winemaking without affecting sharply the aromatic profile of fresh grapes and even improving it in withered grapes

Understanding the gendered coaching workforce in Spanish sport

The present study focuses on the demographic and labor characteristics of coaches in Spain. Kanter’s theory on occupational sex segregation will be used as a guiding framework. The study was conducted with 1685 coaches (82.3% men and 17.7% women) from different sports and performance domains. The results show that there is an underrepresentation of women as coaches in Spain and data highlight that coaches’ gender is related to three structural factors: opportunity, power, and proportion. The present data reveal that women are younger, less likely to be in a marriage-like relationship, less likely to have children, and more likely to have competed at a high level as an athlete when compared to their male counterparts. However, fewer women than men access and participate in coach education in Catalonia and the working status of women was different to that of men. To expand, women worked less hours, were more likely to be assistant coaches, and had less years of coaching experience. Understanding of how gender influences women’s access, progression, and retention in coaching in Spain illustrates the need for gender sport policies and practices in sport organizations. This approach can benefit not only women, but the diversity and enrichment of the coaching system

Impact of region-of-interest delineation methods, reconstruction algorithms, and intra- and inter-operator variability on internal dosimetry estimates using PET

Purpose Human dosimetry studies play a central role in radioligand development for positron emission tomography (PET). Drawing regions of interest (ROIs) on the PET images is used to measure the dose in each organ. In the study aspects related to ROI delineation methods were evaluated for two radioligands of different biodistribution (intestinal vs urinary). Procedures PET images were simulated from a human voxel-based phantom. Several ROI delineation methods were tested: antero-posterior projections (AP), 3D sub-samples of the organs (S), and a 3D volume covering the whole-organ (W). Inter- and intra-operator variability ROI drawing was evaluated by using human data. Results The effective dose estimates using S and W methods were comparable to the true values. AP methods overestimated (49 %) the dose for the radioligand with intestinal biodistribution. Moreover, the AP method showed the highest inter-operator variability: 11 ± 1 %. Conclusions The sub-sampled organ method showed the best balance between quantitative accuracy and inter- and intra-operator variability.Postprint (author's final draft

COMPILATION OF ACTIVE FAULT DATA IN PORTUGAL FOR USE IN SEISMIC HAZARD ANALYSIS

To estimate where future earthquakes are likely to occur, it is essential to combine information about past earthquakes with knowledge about the location and seismogenic properties of active faults. For this reason, robust probabilistic seismic hazard analysis (PSHA) integrates seismicity and active fault data. Existing seismic hazard assessments for Portugal rely exclusively on seismicity data and do not incorporate data on active faults. Project SHARE (Seismic Hazard Harmonization in Europe) is an EC-funded initiative (FP7) that aims to evaluate European seismic hazards using an integrated, standardized approach. In the context of SHARE, we are developing a fully-parameterized active fault database for Portugal that incorporates existing compilations, updated according to the most recent publications. The seismogenic source model derived for SHARE will be the first model for Portugal to include fault data and follow an internationally standardized approach. This model can be used to improve both seismic hazard and risk analyses and will be combined with the Spanish database for use in Iberian- and European-scale assessments

Molecular aspects in pathogen-fruit interactions: Virulence and resistance

Fruit losses during postharvest storage and handling due to pathogen infections are one of the major problems in the global food chain supply. The application of chemical fungicides to control diseases is currently limited by legislation in some countries and also raises concerns about food and environmental safety. Exploring molecular aspects of pathogen-fruit interactions therefore has biological and economic significance as a means to help develop rational alternatives for disease control. In this review we present the current knowledge of molecular aspects in pathogen-fruit interactions, addressing the following topics: the application of new “omics” technologies for studying these interactions; the molecular mechanisms of fungal pathogen attack; the regulation of virulence by exogenous factors; and, finally, fruit defense mechanisms.Work in Tian’s lab has been funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (31530057; 31371863). Work in the LGC lab has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness (AGL2011-30519-C03-01 and AGL2014-55802-R) and the Generalitat Valenciana (PrometeoII/2014/027). Work in the IRTA lab has been funded by the Spanish Ministry of Economy and Competitiveness by three national projects AGL2008-04828-C01/AGR, AGL2011-30519-C03/AGR and AGL2014-55287-C02.Peer reviewe