Control of a water delivery canal with cooperative distributed MPC

This article addresses the problem of controlling pool levels in a water delivery canal using a novel cooperative distributed MPC control algorithm that incorporates stability constraints. According to a distributed control strategy, a local control agent is associated to all canal gates (actuators). In order to achieve cooperative action, each control agent computes the corresponding gate position (manipulated variable) by performing the minimization of a cost function that considers not only its local control objectives, but also the ones of their immediate neighbors. For this purpose, a MPC algorithm with stability constraints is used (SIORHC). At the beginning of each sampling interval, local control agents exchange information with their neighbors and adjust their decision in an iterative way. The resulting distributed MPC is denoted D-SIORHC and yields a stable closed-loop. Experimental results are provided to show the influence of the controller configuration parameters on the resulting performance

Avaliação da Citotoxicidade e Genotoxicidade de Nanomateriais de Celulose em Células do Trato Respiratório

Os nanomateriais (NM) possuem diversas propriedades físico-químicas únicas para utilização em diferentes áreas e aplicações. O desenvolvimento da nanotecnologia tem levado à produção de um número crescente de NM, por exemplo, nanomateriais de celulose (CNM). Com o aumento da sua utilização em diversas indústrias e produtos, a exposição humana a estes CNM irá acentuar-se, ocorrendo a necessidade da avaliação da sua segurança. A literatura já existente tem reportado resultados de toxicidade incoerentes, tanto positivos como negativos, justificando a necessidade de mais investigação nesta área. O trabalho desenvolvido teve o objetivo de avaliar a citotoxicidade e genotoxicidade de CNM, mais especificamente, microfibrilas de celulose (CMF) e nanocristais de celulose (CNC), em células do trato respiratório, nomeadamente, células tumorais do epitélio alveolar humano (células A549) e fibroblastos pulmonares de hamster chinês (células V79). Avaliou-se a citotoxicidade através dos ensaios do brometo de 3-(4,5-dimetiltiazol-2-il)-2-5-difeniltetrazólio (MTT) e clonogénico e a genotoxicidade pelos ensaios do cometa e do micronúcleo com bloqueio da citocinese (CBMN). A análise dos resultados mostrou que a exposição de células A549 a 7,2 - 240 μg/mL (1,5 - 50 μg/cm2) de CNC não induziu qualquer efeito citotóxico ou genotóxico. No entanto, após exposição às mesmas concentrações de CMF já se observaram efeitos citotóxicos em células V79, uma vez que se verificou uma diminuição estatisticamente significativa da capacidade de formação de colónias, após 4 dias de tratamento com as duas concentrações mais elevadas (120 e 240 μg/mL). Contudo, a CMF não provocou qualquer citotoxicidade em células A549. No que diz respeito à genotoxicidade, os CNM não induziram quebras significativas no DNA, observando-se, no entanto, danos oxidativos. A segurança de utilização dos CNM ainda não é completamente conhecida, pelo que mais estudos serão necessários para se avaliar a segurança deste tipo de NM. O trabalho aqui desenvolvido contribui para o conhecimento do potencial citotóxico e genotóxico dos CNM.Nanomaterials (NM) have several unique physicochemical properties for use in different areas and applications. The nanotechnology development has led to the production of an increasing number of NM, for example, cellulose nanomaterials (CNM). With the increase in their use in various industries and products, human exposure to these CNM will increase, resulting in the need to assess their safety. The existing literature has reported incoherent toxicity results, both positive and negative, justifying the need of more investigation in the area. This work had the goal of evaluating cytotoxicity and genotoxicity of CNM, specifically, cellulose microfibrils (CMF) and cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), in respiratory tract cells, namely, human alveolar epithelial tumor cells (A549) and chinese hamster lung fibroblasts (V79). Cytotoxicity was evaluated by 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide (MTT) and clonogenic assays and genotoxicity by comet and cytokinesis-blocked micronucleus (CBMN) assays. The analysis of results showed that exposure of A549 cells to 7,2 - 240 μg/mL (1,5 - 50 μg/cm2) of CNC did not induce any cytotoxic or genotoxic effect. Nonetheless, after exposure to the same concentrations of CMF cytotoxic effects were observed in V79 cells, since it was found a statistically significant decrease in colony forming ability, after a 4-day treatment with the two highest concentrations (120 e 240 μg/mL) tested. However, CMF did not induce any cytotoxicity in A549 cells. Regarding its genotoxicity evaluation, this CNM did not induce significant DNA breaks, however, oxidative damage was observed. The safety of using CNM is still not completely known, thus more studies are needed to assess the safety of this type of NM. This work contributes to the knowledge of the cytotoxic and genotoxic potential of CNM

Experimental application to a water delivery canal of a distributed MPC with stability constraints

In this work, a novel distributed MPC algorithm, denoted D-SIORHC, is applied to upstream local control of a pilot water delivery canal. The D-SIORHC algorithm is based on MPC control agents that incorporate stability constraints and communicate only with their adjacent neighbors in order to achieve a coordinated action. Experimental results that show the effect of the parameters configuring the local controllers are presented

Indisciplina em sala de aula: um estudo transcultural

A indisciplina em sala de aula é um fenómeno que representa uma preocupação à escala global. Neste estudo, realizado com professores do ensino primário ao ensino secundário, serão explorados a frequência e tipologia dos comportamentos problemáticos em sala de aula, o tempo que os professores estimam despender com a indisciplina, o nível de preparação que julgam ter para lidar com a indisciplina, a formação recebida na gestão de sala de aula e da indisciplina, e a evolução da indisciplina nos últimos cinco anos. Serão também exploradas variáveis culturais, comparando professores portugueses e angolanos em relação às variáveis mencionadas. Palavras-chave: Indisciplina, sala de aula, gestão da sala de aula, transculturalidad

Interaction between gold nanoparticles and blood proteins

Abstract in proceedings of the Fourth International Congress of CiiEM: Health, Well-Being and Ageing in the 21st Century, held at Egas Moniz’ University Campus in Monte de Caparica, Almada, from 3–5 June 2019.This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sistema de informação geográfica das zonas balneares da ilha do Pico (Açores)

XII Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia - Pico 2005.Os trabalhos promovidos pela Secção de Geografia, no decorrer da “Expedição Cientifica – Pico 2005”, incidiram na recolha e sistematização de dados para a implementação de um Sistema de Informação Geográfica (SIG) das Zonas Balneares (ZB) da ilha do Pico. O estudo enquadra-se numa linha de investigação em curso que visa a gestão integrada da orla costeira dos Açores. Os levantamentos de campo foram realizados por uma equipa composta por nove elementos com formações multidisciplinares. Os dados coligidos, concluídos que estão os procedimentos de integração em ambiente SIG, não se destinam apenas à comunidade científica, mas sobretudo aos agentes e instituições com competências na promoção do turismo, conservação da natureza e gestão da orla costeira, incluindo os diferentes níveis de administração (local e regional). A metodologia de recolha de informação baseia-se na adaptação da proposta desenvolvida por Rita Norberto (Zonas Balneares Costeiras da Ilha de São Miguel. Contributos para o seu conhecimento, 2004). Os resultados obtidos permitem, desde logo, constatar o enorme potencial lúdico e conservacionista da costa do Pico, atendendo à quantidade ediversidade das zonas balneares inventariadas (44) e à presença de elementos naturais singulares. Por sua vez, o SIG revelou-se uma ferramenta de análise espacial extremamente eficaz na visualização dos elementos registados na base de dados geográfica

Sistema de Informação Geográfica da orla costeira da Ilha Graciosa

XI Expedição Científica do Departamento de Biologia - Graciosa 2004.Na continuidade da linha de investigação em curso que visa a gestão integrada das zonas costeiras dos Açores, a Secção de Geografia do Departamento de Biologia da Universidade dos Açores deslocou uma equipa pluridisciplinar, composta por 9 elementos, para participar na “Expedição Científica Graciosa 2004”, evento que decorreu entre 07 e 15 de Junho. O objectivo central consistiu na recolha, registo e validação de dados georeferenciados, passíveis de integração num Sistema de Informação Geográfica desenhado especificamente para o efeito. A área de estudo corresponde à orla costeira da Graciosa, definida pela linha dos 500 m de distância contados para o interior da ilha a partir da linha de costa. Os critérios de delimitação decorrem da correspondência aproximada com a área de intervenção dos Planos de Ordenamento da Orla Costeira. Nos termos propostos, o Sistema de Informação Geográfica da Orla Costeira da Graciosa poderá constituir uma ferramenta de apoio à elaboração deste instrumento de planeamento territorial, assim como responder às orientações da União Europeia relativas à Gestão Integrada das Zonas Costeiras, respectivamente

Toxicological Assessment of Coated versus Uncoated Rubber Granulates Obtained from Used Tires for Use in Sport Facilities

Reuse of tire crumb in sport facilities is currently a very cost-effective waste management measure. Considering that incorporation of the waste materials in artificial turf would be facilitated if the rubber materials were already colored green, coatings were specifically developed for this purpose. This paper presents an experimental toxicological and environmental assessment aimed at comparing the obtained emissions to the environment in terms of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), heavy metals, and ecotoxicity for coated and noncoated rubber granulates. This study is a comprehensive evaluation of the major potential critical factors related with the release of all of these classes of pollutants because previous studies were not systematically performed. It was concluded that between the two types of coatings tested, one is particularly effective in reducing emissions to the environment, simultaneously meeting the requirements of adherence and color stability

Dog in sheep’s clothing: livestock depredation by free-ranging dogs may pose new challenges to wolf conservation

Livestock depredation is a common cause of human-carnivore conflicts. In Portugal, free-ranging dogs are increasingly abundant and overlap endangered Iberian wolf territories, with reports of livestock depredation. However, the lack of awareness about dogs’ possible role as predators leads to bias against wolves in cases of damages. Our goal was to assess and compare wolf and free-ranging dog’s diet composition at southern wolf range in Portugal, to offer insights on dogs’ predatory role on livestock and its implications for the conservation of an endangered wolf subpopulation. We assessed diet composition from 107 to 95 genetically confirmed wolf and dog scats, respectively, and complemented the analysis with data from 40 attacks on livestock with successful genetic predator assignment. Scat analysis highlighted goats as the most consumed dog prey in all analysed regions, with lagomorphs, small mammals, and wild boars as second most consumed in each region, respectively. Wolves mainly relied on goats and wild boars in the west, whereas in the central region they mostly fed on birds. The dietary overlap between both canids was very high (Pianka’s index O = 0.93), showing potential for competition. Additionally, we found that dogs were the sole predators detected in most attacks (62%). Our findings highlight dogs’ role as predators of livestock, and possibly also wild species, posing a further challenge to wolf conservation. Alongside adequate husbandry practices, we emphasise the need for a stronger enforcement of the legislation on dog ownership and an effective management of the stray population to reduce human-wolf conflict.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Investigation of potential respiratory adverse effects of micro/nanofibrillated cellulose and cellulose nanocrystals using human lung cell lines.

Abstract publicado em: Environ Mol Mutagen. 2022 Aug;63(Suppl 1):72-73. (Abstracts from the 13th International Conference on Environmental Mutagens and 53rd Annual Meeting of the Environmental Mutagenesis and Genomics Society). https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/toc/10982280/2022/63/S1Micro/nanofibrillated (CMF/CNF) and nanocrystalline (CNC) celluloses are innovative materials with enormous potential for industrial and biomedical applications. Their expanding production/application urges the investigation of their safety for human health. This study aimed at investigating the potential respiratory outcomes of two CMF/CNF and one CNC produced from bleached Eucalyptus globulus kraft pulp using human alveolar epithelial (A549) cells grown in monoculture or co-cultured with THP-1 monocyte-derived macrophages, by assessing their cellular uptake, cytotoxic, immunotoxic, genotoxic, and epigenetic effects. The nanocelluloses were characterized for their physicochemical properties: CMF displays a low percentage of nanofibrils while CNF comprises 100% fibrils with a diameter (D) circa 11 nm; CNC consists of nanorods with D of 4-5 nm and aspect ratio around 42. TEM analysis evidenced that CMF and CNF were internalised into A549 cells whereas CNC were not. Neither cytotoxicity (colorimetric and clonogenic assays) nor ROS induction was observed for any of the nanocelluloses. CMF caused chromosomal alterations (in vitro micronucleus assay) in A549 cells while negative results were obtained in co-culture and for the other micro/nanocelluloses in mono- or co-culture. Results in progress of DNA damage and gene mutation analyses will complement mutagenesis assessment. Additionally, potential inflammatory and epigenetic effects are being evaluated. These results contribute to the weight of evidence of nanocelluloses biological effects and knowledge of the underlying molecular mechanisms. Such information will drive the synthesis of the safest nanocelluloses,thus minimising potential negative impacts of their use on human and environmental health.FCT/MCTES through nacional funds (PTDC/SAU-PUB/32587/2017; UIDP/00009/2020; UIDB/00009/2020; 020.07168.BD)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio