Ab initio calculation of the dynamical properties of PPP and PPV

In this work, we have calculated the vibrational modes and frequencies of the crystalline PPP (in both the Pbam and Pnnm symmetries) and PPV (in the P21/c symmetry). Our results are in good agreement with the available experimental data. Also, we have calculated the temperature dependence of their specific heats at constant volume, and of their vibrational entropies. Based on our results, at high temperatures, the PPP is more stable in the Pnnm structure than in the Pbam one.Comment: 5 pages, 7 figures, accepted for publication in Braz. J. Phys., special number, Proceedings of BWSP-12, 12th Brazilian Workshop on Semiconductor Physic

Direct rapid tooling for polymer processing using sheet metal tools

The rapid tooling notion has been discussed since the beginning of the additive manufacturing processes. The concept consists on using fast manufacturing technologies to develop tools to process other materials. New incremental sheet metal forming processes operation allows a parity to the former rapid prototyping perception, and so feasibly considered a smart manufacturing process. This processes encounter industrial applications not only in prototyping and part manufacturing but also in tool development and fabrication. This paper discuss the fundamentals of the rapid tooling concept and presents four examples of the use of incremental forming for the development of sheet metal moulds. The research concludes with a proof of concept for the use of rapid sheet metal tools for processing thermoplastics and thermosets. The use of incremental forming as a rapid tooling technology contributes to decrease the time to market, decrease tooling cost and increase tooling complexity and consequential part design freedom.publishe

Fluxo de potência ótimo reativo via método da função lagrangiana barreira modificada

Este artigo apresenta uma nova abordagem para a resolução do problema de Fluxo de Potência Ótimo Reativo. Nesta abordagem, as restrições de desigualdade são tratadas pela associação dos métodos de Barreira Modificada e Primal-Dual Barreira Logarítmica (PDBL). As restrições de desigualdade são transformadas em igualdades introduzindo variáveis de folga positivas e são relaxadas através do parâmetro de barreira. Uma função Lagrangiana é associada ao problema modificado. As condições necessárias de primeira ordem são aplicadas à função Lagrangiana, gerando um sistema de equações não-lineares, o qual é linearizado pelo método de Newton. A relaxação das variáveis de folga resulta na expansão da região factível do problema original, permitindo que os limites das restrições de desigualdade sejam atingidos. Testes numéricos utilizando os sistemas CESP-440kV e SUL-SUDESTE BRASILEIRO e um teste comparativo com o método PDBL indicam que a nova abordagem é eficiente na resolução do problema Fluxo de Potência Ótimo Reativo.This work presents a new approach for the resolution of Optimal Reactive Power Flow problem. In this approach, the inequality constraints are treated by the Modified Barrier and Primal-Dual Logarithmic Barrier (PDLB) methods. The inequality constraints are transformed into equalities by introducing positive slack variables and are perturbed by the barrier parameter. A Lagrangian function is associated to the modified problem. The first-order necessary conditions are applied to the Lagrangian function generating a nonlinear system, which is solved by Newton's method. The perturbation of the slack variables results in an expansion of the feasible set of the original problem, allowing the limits of the inequality constraints to be reached. Numeric tests using the CESP and the SOUTH-SOUTHEAST BRAZILIAN systems and a comparative test with PDLB method indicate that the new approach is efficient in the resolution of Optimal Reactive Power Flow problem

Evidence of Bartonella spp., Rickettsia spp. and Anaplasma phagocytophilum in domestic, shelter and stray cat blood and fleas, Portugal.

Thirty-two fleas were collected from 18 Lisboncats, 29 of which (90.6%) were C. felis, one (3.1%)was C. canis and two (6.3%) were unidentifiable. Only C. felis fleas were infected, six (40.0%)withB. clarridgeiae and six (40.0% ) with R. felis; three(20.0%) were co-infected. No positive result wasfound for A. phagocytophilum. The infection prev-alence of B. clarridgeiae was higher in domestic(43.8%) than in shelter cat fleas (28.6%). However,the infection rate of R. felis was higher in shelter(42.9%) than in domestic cat fleas (25.0%). Straycat fleas were only infected with R. felis (11.1%).Twenty-five cats (67.7%) were bacteraemic(Table 1). Twenty-one of them (84.0%) wereless than 1 year old, 15 (60.0%) were femalea nd 10 (40.0%) had no Bartonella spp. antibodies, one of which (10.0%) was more than 1 year old. The prevalence of Bartonella bacteraemia is higher in shelter (76.9%) than in domestic cats(68.2%) and all stray cats tested (n = 2) were positive

Use of chitosan-based edible coating for extending shelf life of vacuum-packaged beef.

Traditional packaging for meat provides short shelf life and undesirable modifications in its physicochemical characteristics and microbiological quality

A tale of two ends: Repurposing metallic compounds from anti‐tumour agents to effective antibacterial activity

Postgraduate Research (1252) Studentship UIDB/04378/2020The rise in antibiotic resistance coupled with the gap in the discovery of active molecules has driven the need for more effective antimicrobials while focusing the attention into the repurpose of already existing drugs. Here, we evaluated the potential antibacterial activity of one cobalt and two zinc metallic compounds previously reported as having anticancer properties. Compounds were tested against a range of Gram‐positive and ‐negative bacteria. The determination of the minimum inhibitory and bactericidal concentrations (MIC/MBC) of the drugs were used to assess their potential antibacterial activity and their effect on bacterial growth. Motility assays were conducted by exposing the bacteria to sub‐MIC of each of the compounds. The effect of sub‐MIC of the compounds on the membrane permeability was measured by ethidium bromide (EtBr) accumulation assay. Cell viability assays were performed in human cells. Compound TS262 was the most active against the range of bacteria tested. No effect was observed on the motility or accumulation of EtBr for any of the bacteria tested. Cell viability assays demonstrated that the compounds showed a decrease in cell viability at the MIC. These results are promising, and further studies on these compounds can lead to the development of new effective antimicrobials.publishersversionpublishe