Validation of the Lower Tagus Valley velocity and structural model using ambient noise broadband measurements

Along his history the Lower Tagus Valley (LTV) region was shaken by several earthquakes, some of them were produced in large ruptures of offshore structures located southwest of the Portuguese coastline, among these we the Lisbon earthquake of 1 November 1755; other moderates earthquakes were produced by local sources such as the 1344, 1531 and the 1909 Benavente earthquake. In order to promote an improved assessment of the seismic hazard in this region, we propose the introduction of realistic methods on the prediction of ground motion produced by moderate to large earthquakes in LTV. This process involves the establishment of a structural 3D model based on all the available geophysical and geotechnical data on the area (seismic, gravimetric, deep wells and geological outcrops) and the determination of wave propagation from a finite difference method: by applying the E3D program [1,2]. To confirm this model we use broadband ambient noise measurements collected in two profiles with azimuth perpendicular to the basin axis and we applied the horizontal to vertical (H/V) spectral ratio method [3] to the recordings in order to estimate the amplification of the basin. The H/V curves obtained reveals the existence of two low frequency peaks centered on 0.2 a 1 Hz frequencies[4]. These peaks are strongly related with the thickness of Cenozoic and alluvial sediments. By inversion of the H/V curve, we obtain a more detailed velocity model for the region where the profile were determined, which is in good agreement with borehole data and other results obtained with magnetic and seismic reflection methods

From predictions to recommendations:Tackling bottlenecks and overstaying in the Emergency Room through a sequence of Random Forests

One of the goals to improve the quality of care in hospitals is to set a maximum of four hours for patients to be diagnosed and/or receive acute care in the Emergency Room (ER). Unfortunately, this is not always true and some patients overstay. The aim of this work is threefold: (1) to identify which patients will overstay during their admission to the ER; (2) to identify which (pair of) activities might heavily influence the time spent in the ER; and (3) to recommend actions to reduce such time. For that, a sequence of insightful supervised prediction models for generating recommendations is proposed. The method provided makes it possible to generate useful/actionable recommendations for problematic patients based on activities. State of the art techniques did not manage to generate recommendations at the arrival of the patient and/or did not take the interplay between patients into account.</p

From predictions to recommendations:Tackling bottlenecks and overstaying in the Emergency Room through a sequence of Random Forests

One of the goals to improve the quality of care in hospitals is to set a maximum of four hours for patients to be diagnosed and/or receive acute care in the Emergency Room (ER). Unfortunately, this is not always true and some patients overstay. The aim of this work is threefold: (1) to identify which patients will overstay during their admission to the ER; (2) to identify which (pair of) activities might heavily influence the time spent in the ER; and (3) to recommend actions to reduce such time. For that, a sequence of insightful supervised prediction models for generating recommendations is proposed. The method provided makes it possible to generate useful/actionable recommendations for problematic patients based on activities. State of the art techniques did not manage to generate recommendations at the arrival of the patient and/or did not take the interplay between patients into account.</p

Plant-based remedies for wolf bites and rituals against wolves in the Iberian Peninsula: therapeutic opportunities and cultural values for the conservation of biocultural diversity

Combined approaches to local knowledge and folk plant use improve awareness and promote effective strategies for the conservation of significant biocultural patrimony. Moreover, the information reported might be the basis for further appropriate phytochemical and pharmacological research. Therefore we provide an insight into traditional herbal remedies and practices for healing bite injuries in humans and domestic animals caused by the Iberian wolf. Wolf bites are associated with inflammatory processes and rabies is a potential complication AIMS: This paper describes and summarises the medicinal-veterinary empirical and ritual uses of the Iberian flora for wolf injuries and reviews the ethnopharmacological data of specific plants that are already published. The Iberian wolf is a critically endangered subspecies of the grey wolf. Livestock attacks attributed to wolves are increasingly frequent in the Iberian Peninsula, resulting in serious social problems. Interesting strategies for Iberian wolf conservation might be related to traditional grazing practices that are deeply linked with empirical knowledge and local practices passed on by oral tradition, which are also vulnerable now.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The behavior of kinetic parameters in production of pectinase and xylanase by solid-state fermentation

AbstractSolid-state fermentation (SSF) is defined as the growth of microbes without a free-flowing aqueous phase. The feasibility of using a citrus peel for producing pectinase and xylanase via the SSF process by Aspergillus niger F3 was evaluated in a 2kg bioreactor. Different aeration conditions were tested to optimize the pectinase and xylanase production. The best air flow intensity was 1VkgM (volumetric air flow per kilogram of medium), which allowed a sufficient amount of O2 for the microorganism growth producing 265U/g and 65U/g pectinases and xylanases, respectively. A mathematical model was applied to determine the different kinetic parameters related to SSF. The specific growth rate and biomass oxygen yield decreased during fermentation, whereas an increase in the maintenance coefficient for the different employed carbon sources was concurrently observed

Влияние электромагнитного состояния турбоагрегата на работоспособность его узлов. Диагностика, демагнитезация

Рассмотрены условия возникновения электроэрозионных повреждений узлов турбоагрегатов, а так же их характерные признаки. Даны рекомендации по диагностике и устранению электроэрозии на турбоагрегатах находящихся в эксплуатации. При цитуванні документа, використовуйте посилання http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/21587There considered conditions resulting in occurring electroerozion damage sites in turbine unit, as well as their characteristic features. There given recommendations concerning diagnosis and elimination of electroerozion on turbine units being in operation. При цитировании документа, используйте ссылку http://essuir.sumdu.edu.ua/handle/123456789/2158

Hydrothermal synthesis to water-stable luminescent carbon dots from acerola fruit for photoluminescent composites preparation and its application as sensors

Carbon dots (C-dots) possess the attractive properties of high stability, low toxicity, good water solubility, simple synthetic routes as well as size and excitation-dependent photoluminescence (PL).The aim of this work was to synthesize photoluminescent C-dots by hydrothermal method using acerola fruit (Malpighiaemarginata) as a row material, since this fruit contains large number of organic molecules. Studies about the optimal synthesis conditions were performed, where these organic molecules were converted into C-dots by hydrothermal carbonization at 180 ºC for 18 h. The C-dots exhibited a green emission light at 459 nm when excited under UV-light (λ ex= 370 nm). These nanomaterials were also successfully used to prepare C-dots/poly (vinyl alcohol) luminescent composites (C-dots/PVA). Both C-dots and C-dots/PVA composite films were investigated by using colorimetric visual sensor for Fe3+ metal ions detection. The results show that the prepared C-dots and C-dots/poly presented strong green emission light. The emission spectra of above materials were quenched in the presence of Fe3+ ions. Thus, highly specific “turn off” fluorescence sensing of Fe3+ was achieved using fluorescent C-dots. Regarding, this work describe that the polymeric films as sensors of metallic ions in aqueous solution appears as a new perspectives to design new composite materials22

Abundance and diversity of potential vectors of Xylella fastidiosa in four different wine regions of Portugal

Xylella fastidiosa, is a phytopathogenic bacterium, responsible for serious diseases in important crops, such as Pierce’s Disease in grapevines. The recent detection of this bacterium in Portugal is worrying, since this bacterium can spread rapidly via xylem-sap feeder insects, mainly belonging to Hemiptera Cicadomorpha. In this context, the goal of this work was to detect the abundance and diversity of possible vectors of X. fastidiosa in vineyards from different wine regions of Portugal. For that, in 2018, 21 vineyards with ground cover and from four different wine regions of Portugal (i.e., “Trás-os-Montes”, “Vinho Verde”, “Bairrada”, and “Peninsula de Setúbal”) were sampled for adults of Auchenorrhyncha, during three distinct periods (beginning of July, mid September and mid October). Sampling was performed in the ground and in the aerial part of the vines. In each sampling date, 10 samples of 10 sweepings were collected on the ground in each vineyard. On the aerial part of the vines, 10 samples of 50 sweepings were collected in 3 lines of the vineyard. A total of 3543 Cicadomorpha were collected on the 3 sampling dates, being the highest abundance observed in the mid September. The “Trás-os-Montes” and “Bairrada” regions, in general, presented the highest abundance of insects of this infraorder, but it was in “Vinho Verde” region that there was a highest abundance of potential vectors: Philaenus, Neophilaenus and Cicadelli viridis.Work funded by the project H2020-SFS-2016-3. RIA, contrato 727987 “XF-ACTORS: Xylella fastidiosa Active Containment Through a multidisciplinary-Oriented Research Strategy”.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Simple Sonochemical Method to Optimize the Heating Efficiency of Magnetic Nanoparticles for Magnetic Fluid Hyperthermia

We developed a fast, single-step sonochemical strategy for the green manufacturing of magnetite (Fe3O4) magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs), using iron sulfate (FeSO4) as the sole source of iron and sodium hydroxide (Na(OH)) as the reducing agent in an aqueous medium. The designed methodology reduces the environmental impact of toxic chemical compounds and minimizes the infrastructure requirements and reaction times down to minutes. The Na(OH) concentration has been varied to optimize the final size and magnetic properties of the MNPs and to minimize the amount of corrosive byproducts of the reaction. The change in the starting FeSO4concentration (from 5.4 to 43.1 mM) changed the particle sizes from (20 ± 3) to (58 ± 8) nm. These magnetite MNPs are promising for biomedical applications due to their negative surface charge, good heating properties (˜324 ± 2 W/g), and low cytotoxic effects. These results indicate the potential of this controlled, easy, and rapid ultrasonic irradiation method to prepare nanomaterials with enhanced properties and good potential for use as magnetic hyperthermia agents