A Metropolitan Optical Network with Support for Multicasting in the Optical Domain

We present the FLAMINGO1 network architecture, an all-optical wavelength-and-timeslotted Metropolitan Optical Network based on a multiple-ring topology. A couple of important aspects of this architecture include all-optical packet switching at intermediate nodes on a ring and the ability to put IP packets directly over WDM channels. The rings of the network are interconnected with intelligent bridges, architecture of which is presented. The network also enables all-optical multicasting at intermediate nodes, the architecture of which is also presented. Power budget calculations have also been dealt with and discussed in detail

Network architecture of a packet-switched WDM LAN/MAN

We propose a packet-switched WDM slotted ring network with destination release. The total bandwidth of each channel is divided into a fixed number of equal-sized slots. The nodes are equipped with fixed transmitters and tunable receivers. Control information, which is transmitted on a specific wavelength, is electronically processed at every node while the payload is kept in the optical domain. This reduces packet-delay and provides protocol and bit-rate\ud transparencies. Among other issues involved in the design of such a network, we discuss a node

Crude and refined oils from Elaeis guineensis: Facile characterization by FTIR and thermal analysis techniques

From an industrial perspective, fast characterization of raw materials provides an important tool for preventing manufacturing problems and contributes to assure the quality of the final products. In this work, several fast, cheap, and simple methods (Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and various thermoanalytical techniques) were used for screening and characterization of crude and refined palm oils and other palm-derived products. The FTIR spectra allowed for ready distinction between mesocarp-derived products and those obtained from the kernel. The same applied to high-temperature differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) and differential thermal analysis (DTA) thermograms and the low-temperature DSC curves, in which the peak values and the presence or absence of certain peaks also permitted to differentiate among the various oils and fractions. Correspondences of mesocarp-derived oils with olein and kernel-derived oils with stearin were confirmed by both analytical methods and from the crystallization study. The relationship between the triglyceride composition and the FTIR and thermal profiles of the various palm-derived products has potential to be utilized as a facile quality control method in mill plants and laboratories

Acolhimento de refugiados: alimentação e necessidades nutricionais em situações de emergência

A Europa é neste momento um dos principais destinos de um intenso fluxo migratórioprovocado por diferentes conflitos armados no Médio Oriente e em África, tendo a ComissãoEuropeia (CE) acordado na distribuição de uma parte destas pessoas em clara necessidade deproteção nacional, pelos diversos Estados Membros. As populações em trânsito e ascaracterísticas do seu acolhimento possuem especificidades que podem comprometer oacesso a uma alimentação adequada e a cuidados básicos de saúde, influenciando amorbilidade e a mortalidade nos grupos afetados.Este manual pretende estabelecer um referencial para a intervenção alimentar e nutricionalaos refugiados que chegam a Portugal. Destina-se a todos aqueles que prestam apoio, quer anível individual, quer a nível institucional, e que sejam responsáveis por qualquer aspetorelacionado com a saúde e a alimentação dessas populações, facilitando a operacionalizaçãoda assistência e fornecendo ferramentas para a tomada de decisões.O manual está organizado em 3 partes. Inicia-se com a avaliação do estado nutricional dapopulação a acolher, apresenta depois diversas estratégias para o desenho da intervençãoalimentar e nutricional tendo por base as necessidades nutricionais previstas para estes grupospopulacionais e, na parte final, aborda a importância de garantir a higiene e segurança dosalimentos na prestação desta assistência alimentar. Este manual apresenta ainda algumasconsiderações relacionadas com os cuidados básicos na área da psicologia destinados àsequipas que estão no terrenoEurope is now a major destination of an intense migratory flow caused by armed conflicts inthe Middle East and Africa. In this sense, the European Commission (EC) agreed on thedistribution of some of these people in clear need of international protection by variousMember States. The populations in transit and the characteristics of its reception havespecificities that can compromise the access to adequate food and basic health care. They canalso influence morbidity and mortality in affected groups.This manual aims to establish a framework of nutrition and food intervention to refugees inPortugal. It is aimed at all those who support it, either individually or institutionally, and areresponsible for any aspect related to the health and nutrition of these populations, facilitatingthe implementation of care and providing tools for decision making. The manual is organizedinto 3 parts. It begins with the assessment of nutritional status of the population. Then presents several strategies to support the design of food and nutrition intervention based onthe estimated nutritional needs for these population groups. In the final section it addressesthe importance of ensuring food safety and hygiene when providing this food assistance. Thismanual also addresses some considerations towards basic psychological interventionprinciples, destined to help the teams on the field

Vibrational and thermal studies of essential oils derived from Cistus ladanifer and Erica arborea shrubs

Producción CientíficaEssential oils from the two most representative shrub species from the Iberian Peninsula (namely Cistus ladanifer L. and Erica arborea L.) have been characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and thermoanalytical techniques (TG/DTG and DSC). Vibrational spectra have been compared with those of components of the plants, and with those of oils, gums and resins from other species. The different content in terpenoids of C. ladanifer oil (mainly mono- and sesquiterpenoids) and E. arborea oil (mainly triterpenoids) is reflected in the ATR-FTIR by the position of the bands at around 2873 cm−1, 1730 cm−1 and 1678 cm−1. As regards their thermal behavior, C. ladanifer-derived oil evinced higher thermal stability than that of obtained from E. arborea: the pyrolysis of the former was sensitized at 210°C, whereas for the later it occurred at 143°C. These temperatures are high enough to state that thermolabile constituents such as terpenoids are conserved in the hydrodistillation and that this extraction process ensures the recovery of the main constituents of both essential oils.Programa LIFE+ de la Unión Europea (Proyecto LIFE11 ENV/ ES/000535)Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) (Proyecto UID/QUI/UI0313/2013

Chemical characterization of Sambucus nigra L. flowers aqueous extract and its biological implications

The main goal of this study was to chemically characterize an aqueous S. nigra flower extract and validate it as a bioactive agent. The elderflower aqueous extraction was performed at different temperatures (50, 70 and 90 °C). The extract obtained at 90 °C exhibited the highest phenolic content and antiradical activity. Therefore, this extract was analyzed by GC-MS and HPLC-MS, which allowed the identification of 46 compounds, being quercetin and chlorogenic acid derivatives representative of 86% of the total of phenolic compounds identified in hydrophilic fraction of the aqueous extract. Naringenin (27.2%) was the major compound present in the lipophilic fraction. The antiproliferative effects of the S. nigra extract were evaluated using the colon cancer cell lines RKO, HCT-116, Caco-2 and the extracts antigenotoxic potential was evaluated by the Comet assay in RKO cells. The RKO cells were the most susceptible to S. nigra flower extract (IC50=1250 µg mL1). Moreover, the extract showed antimicrobial activity against Gram-positive bacteria, particularly Staphylococcus aureus and S. epidermidis. These results show that S. nigra-based extracts can be an important dietary source of bioactive phenolic compounds that contribute to health-span improving life quality, demonstrating their potential as nutraceutical, functional foods and/or cosmetic components for therapeutic purposes.This research was funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UIDB/04469/2020 unit and for Scientific Employment Stimulus 2017 (CEECIND/01507/2017) provided to Ana M. Sousa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio