Avaliação do comportamento de vigas mistas com conector Crestbond

Neste trabalho, realiza-se um estudo sobre vigas mistas em aço e betão onde se utilizam conectores do tipo Crestbond contínuos. O conector Crestbond consiste numa chapa plana lisa cortada em forma de crista com saliências e reentrâncias trapezoidais, pertencendo, por isso, à família dos conectores de chapa contínua. Anteriormente, já foi experimentalmente comprovado que o conector Crestbond apresenta elevada capacidade resistente, comportamento dúctil e capacidade para garantir o funcionamento misto pretendido [1]. No presente trabalho apresentam-se resultados de ensaios numéricos e experimentais em vigas mistas de aço e betão, realizados na Universidade do Minho, onde são utilizados conectores Crestbond

Estudo experimental e numérico sobre o comportamento de vigas mistas com conector Crestbond

Nesta comunicação apresenta-se um estudo sobre vigas mistas em aço e betão onde se utilizam conectores do tipo Crestbond contínuos para estabelecer a ligação entre a viga metálica e a laje de betão e garantir o funcionamento misto entre estes dois elementos. Apresentam-se os resultados de ensaios numéricos e experimentais obtidos em vigas mistas de aço e betão realizadas com conectores Crestbond, na Universidade do Minho. Os provetes consistem numa viga metálica IPE200 com um conector CR40 R10 contínuo, posicionado sobre o banzo superior da viga e soldado em todo o seu desenvolvimento, e uma laje betão armado com secção transversal de 0.40×0.10 m2. Os provetes apresentam um vão de 3.0 m e um comprimento total de 3.2 m. O modelo numérico foi desenvolvido no software Atena 3D.Gostaria de, se possível, agendar um encontro -informal- para conversamos sobre vossa experiência no processo de implantação do RI e mobilização da comunidade acadêmica. Estou à disposição para adequar-me aos seus horários entre os dia 30/11 a 04/12

Association between acoustic speech features and non-severe levels of anxiety and depression symptoms across lifespan

Background Several studies have investigated the acoustic effects of diagnosed anxiety and depression. Anxiety and depression are not characteristics of the typical aging process, but minimal or mild symptoms can appear and evolve with age. However, the knowledge about the association between speech and anxiety or depression is scarce for minimal/mild symptoms, typical of healthy aging. As longevity and aging are still a new phenomenon worldwide, posing also several clinical challenges, it is important to improve our understanding of non-severe mood symptoms’ impact on acoustic features across lifetime. The purpose of this study was to determine if variations in acoustic measures of voice are associated with non-severe anxiety or depression symptoms in adult population across lifetime. Methods Two different speech tasks (reading vowels in disyllabic words and describing a picture) were produced by 112 individuals aged 35-97. To assess anxiety and depression symptoms, the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale (HADS) was used. The association between the segmental and suprasegmental acoustic parameters and HADS scores were analyzed using the linear multiple regression technique. Results The number of participants with presence of anxiety or depression symptoms is low (>7: 26.8% and 10.7%, respectively) and non-severe (HADS-A: 5.4 ± 2.9 and HADS-D: 4.2 ± 2.7, respectively). Adults with higher anxiety symptoms did not present significant relationships associated with the acoustic parameters studied. Adults with increased depressive symptoms presented higher vowel duration, longer total pause duration and short total speech duration. Finally, age presented a positive and significant effect only for depressive symptoms, showing that older participants tend to have more depressive symptoms. Conclusions Non-severe depression symptoms can be related to some acoustic parameters and age. Depression symptoms can be explained by acoustic parameters even among individuals without severe symptom levels.publishe

A country-wide probability sample of public attitudes toward stuttering in Portugal

Background: Negative public attitudes toward stuttering have been widely reported, although differences among countries and regions exist. Clear reasons for these differences remain obscure. Purpose: Published research is unavailable on public attitudes toward stuttering in Portugalas well as a representative sample that explores stuttering attitudes in an entire country. This study sought to (a) determine the feasibility of a country-wide probability samplingscheme to measure public stuttering attitudes in Portugal using a standard instrument (the Public Opinion Survey of Human Attributes–Stuttering [POSHA–S]) and (b) identify demographic variables that predict Portuguese attitudes. Methods: The POSHA–S was translated to European Portuguese through a five-step process. There after, a local administrative office-based, three-stage, cluster, probability sampling scheme was carried out to obtain 311 adult respondents who filled out the questionnaire. Results: The Portuguese population held stuttering attitudes that were generally within the average range of those observed from numerous previous POSHA–S samples. Demographicvariables that predicted more versus less positive stuttering attitudes were respondents’age, region of the country, years of school completed, working situation, and number of languages spoken. Non-predicting variables were respondents’ sex, marital status, and parental status. Conclusion: A local administrative office-based, probability sampling scheme generated a respondent profile similar to census data and indicated that Portuguese attitudes are generally typical

Hydrophobic DES Based on Menthol and Natural Organic Acids for Use in Antifouling Marine Coatings

Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.Marine biofouling negatively impacts industries with off-shore infrastructures, such as naval, oil, and aquaculture. To date, there are no ideal sustainable, economic, and environmentally benign solutions to deal with this phenomenon. The advances achieved in green solvents, as well as its application in different industries, such as pharmaceutical and biotechnology, have promoted the emergence of deep eutectic systems (DES). These eutectic systems have applications in various fields and can be revolutionary in the marine-based industrial sector. In this study, the main objective was to investigate the potential use of hydrophobic DES (HDES) based on menthol and natural organic acids for their use as marine antifouling coatings. Our strategy encompassed the physicochemical characterization of different formulations, which allowed us to identify the most appropriate molar ratio and intermolecular interactions for HDES formations. The miscibility of the resulting HDES with the marine coating has been evaluated and proven to be successful. The Men/OL (1:1) system proved to be the most promising in terms of cost-production and thus was the one used in subsequent antifouling tests. The cytotoxicity of this HDES was evaluated using an in vitro cell model (HaCat cells) showing no significant toxicity. Furthermore, the application of this system incorporated into coatings that are used in marine structures was also studied using marine species (Mytilus edulis mussels and Patella vulgata limpets) to evaluate both their antifouling and ecotoxicity effects. HDES Men/OL (1:1) incorporated in marine coatings was promising in reducing marine macrofouling and also proved to be effective at the level of microfouling without viability impairment of the tested marine species. It was revealed to be more efficient than using copper oxide, metallic copper, or ivermectin as antifouling agents. Biochemical assays performed on marine species showed that this HDES does not induce oxidative stress in the tested species. These results are a strong indication of the potential of this HDES to be sustainable and efficiently used in marine fouling control technologies.publishersversionpublishe

Clarifying changes in student empathy throughout medical school: a scoping review

Despite the increasing awareness of the relevance of empathy in patient care, some findings suggest that medical schools may be contributing to the deterioration of students' empathy. Therefore, it is important to clarify the magnitude and direction of changes in empathy during medical school. We employed a scoping review to elucidate trends in students' empathy changes/differences throughout medical school and examine potential bias associated with research design. The literature published in English, Spanish, Portuguese and French from 2009 to 2016 was searched. Two-hundred and nine potentially relevant citations were identified. Twenty articles met the inclusion criteria. Effect sizes of empathy scores variations were calculated to assess the practical significance of results. Our results demonstrate that scoped studies differed considerably in their design, measures used, sample sizes and results. Most studies (12 out of 20 studies) reported either positive or non-statistically significant changes/differences in empathy regardless of the measure used. The predominant trend in cross-sectional studies (ten out of 13 studies) was of significantly higher empathy scores in later years or of similar empathy scores across years, while most longitudinal studies presented either mixed-results or empathy declines. There was not a generalized international trend in changes in students' empathy throughout medical school. Although statistically significant changes/differences were detected in 13 out of 20 studies, the calculated effect sizes were small in all but two studies, suggesting little practical significance. At the present moment, the literature does not offer clear conclusions relative to changes in student empathy throughout medical school.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Breastfeeding : prevalence and determinant factors

Breastfeeding:Prevalence and Determinant Factors Breastfeeding is the best way of feeding the baby for the first six months of life. However, in Portugal the abandonment rate of breastfeeding is very high during the baby first’s months of life. The aim of this study was to assess prevalence of breastfeeding and to identify related factors during the six months after delivery, as sociodemographic variables and life styles. We conducted a cohort study at the Maternity of the Hospital Santa Maria. A standard questionnaire was applied to 475 women after delivery, at three and six months postpartum. We studied socio demographics aspects, life styles and the way of feeding during the six months after delivery. Multivariate analysis was performed. The women studied (mean age of 29,8 +/- 5,4 years), 52,2% were primiparous, 86,1% were Caucasian, 40% had a high school degree and 33% had a University degree. Four hundred and sixty (96,8%) received prenatal care. The mean gestational age was 38,8 +/- 2 weeks and the birth weight was 3198,3 +/- 545,3 g. At the discharge 91% were breastfeeding (77% exclusively), 54,7% at third month and 34,1% at sixth month. The main causes pointed for abandoning breastfeeding were insufficient milk production, bad sucking and return to work. The milk formula introduction was in 68,6% cases by medical recommendation. The decision in maintenance breastfeeding at third and sixth months was correlated with a previous positive breastfeed experience, high educational level, healthy lifestyles, as non-smoking, regular physical activity, and information about advantage of breastfeed for mother health. Information about breastfeeding was received by media, friends, family and only 9% by health professionals. Fifty (13%) women had no information about breastfeeding. Although breastfeeding rate at discharge was high, there was an important rate of abandonment at third and sixth month. Healthy lifestyles, high educational level, a previous positive breastfeed experience had a positive influence in breastfeeding. Understanding attitudes towards pregnancy and breastfeeding can lead to new strategies for its promotion and maintenance.O leite materno constitui o melhor alimento para o bebé nos primeiros quatro a seis meses de vida. No entanto, em Portugal, a taxa de abandono do aleitamento materno é muito importante logo nos primeiros meses de vida do bebé. Objectivos: Avaliar a prevalência do aleitamento materno e identificar factores determinantes da amamentação nos primeiros seis meses pós-parto, nomeadamente características socioeconómicas e estilos de vida. Material e Métodos: Estudo longitudinal prospectivo abrangendo 475 puérperas na Maternidade do Hospital Santa Maria – Lisboa, baseado em questionários directos aplicados no pós-parto, aos 3 e 6 meses. As variáveis incluídas permitiram caracterizar factores socio-económicos, estilos de vida e o tipo de aleitamento nos primeiros seis meses após o parto. Foi realizada análise multivariada. Resultados: Das puérperas estudadas (idade média 29,8 ± 5,4 anos) 52,2 % eram primíparas, 86,1% caucasianas, com escolaridade correspondente ao ensino secundário em 40% e universitário em 33%. A vigilância regular da gravidez ocorreu em 96,8%, a idade gestacional média dos recém nascidos foi de 38,8 ± 2,1 semanas e o peso ao nascer de 3198,3 ± 545,3 gramas. À saída da maternidade, 91% das puérperas amamentavam o seu filho (77,7% em exclusividade) tendo esta percentagem diminuído para 54,7% aos três meses e 34,1% aos seis meses. As causas referidas para o abandono foram a hipo ou agalactia, a má pega e o regresso ao trabalho. De notar que em 68,6% a iniciativa de prescrever a fórmula coube ao médico assistente. A decisão da mulher em manter o aleitamento aos três e aos seis meses foi influenciada pela experiência positiva de amamentar, o nível educacional mais elevado, o não-tabagismo, a prática de exercício físico e a informação sobre as vantagens da amamentação para a saúde materna. A fonte de informação sobre o aleitamento materno coube, por ordem decrescente, aos meios de comunicação, amigos e família e aos profissionais de saúde (9%), sendo que 13% não tinham tido qualquer informação. Conclusão: A taxa de aleitamento materno à saída da maternidade foi elevada mas verificou-se uma acentuada taxa de abandono aos três e aos seis meses. Os estilos de vida saudáveis, o nível educacional elevado e a experiência de amamentar positiva tiveram influência positiva na amamentação. A compreensão das atitudes perante a gravidez e o aleitamento materno pode levar a novas estratégias de intervenção para a sua promoção e manutenção.Trabalho realizado com o apoio dos Laboratórios Abbot Portugal

A new insight for monitoring ungulates : density surface modelling of roe deer in a Mediterranean habitat

We would like to thank the University of Aveiro (Department of Biology) and FCT/MEC for the financial support to CESAM RU (UID/AMB/50017) through national funds and, where applicable, co-financed by the FEDER, within the PT2020 Partnership Agreement. TAM is partially funded by FCT, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, Portugal, through the project UID/MAT/00006/2013.Ungulates are especially difficult to monitor, and population estimates are challenging to obtain; nevertheless, such information is fundamental for effective management. This is particularly important for expanding species such as roe deer (Capreolus capreolus), whose populations dramatically increased in number and geographic distribution over the last decades. In an attempt to follow population trends and assess species ecology, important methodological advances were recently achieved by combining line or point sampling with geographic information systems (GIS). In this study, we combined density surface modelling (DSM) with line transect survey to predict roe deer density in northeastern Portugal. This was based on modelling pellet group counts as a function of environmental factors while taking into account the probability of detecting pellets and conversion factors to relate pellet density to animal density. We estimated a global density of 3.01 animals/100 ha (95 % CI 0.37–3.51) with a 32.82 % CV. Roe deer densities increased with increasing distance to roads as well as with higher percentage of cover areas and decreased with increasing distance to human populations. This recently developed spatial method can be advantageous to predict density over space through the identification of key factors influencing species abundance. Furthermore, surface maps for subset areas will enable to visually depict abundance distribution of wild populations. This will enable the assessment of areas where ungulate impacts should be minimized, allowing an adaptive management through time.PostprintPeer reviewe

SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARSCoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.We gratefully acknowledge to Sara Hill and Nuno Faria (University of Oxford) and Joshua Quick and Nick Loman (University of Birmingham) for kindly providing us with the initial sets of Artic Network primers for NGS; Rafael Mamede (MRamirez team, IMM, Lisbon) for developing and sharing a bioinformatics script for sequence curation (https://github.com/rfm-targa/BioinfUtils); Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven) for providing guidance on the implementation of the phylodynamic models; Joshua L. Cherry (National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) for providing guidance with the subsampling strategies; and all authors, originating and submitting laboratories who have contributed genome data on GISAID (https://www.gisaid.org/) on which part of this research is based. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. This study is co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Support for UNRWA's survival

The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) provides life-saving humanitarian aid for 5·4 million Palestine refugees now entering their eighth decade of statelessness and conflict. About a third of Palestine refugees still live in 58 recognised camps. UNRWA operates 702 schools and 144 health centres, some of which are affected by the ongoing humanitarian disasters in Syria and the Gaza Strip. It has dramatically reduced the prevalence of infectious diseases, mortality, and illiteracy. Its social services include rebuilding infrastructure and homes that have been destroyed by conflict and providing cash assistance and micro-finance loans for Palestinians whose rights are curtailed and who are denied the right of return to their homeland