Entre a sombra e o mergulho, uma casa que ri. Casa Baltazar de Castro, Braga, 1963-1965

A Casa Baltazar de Castro foi projectada e construída entre 1963 e 1965 e é omissa, quase sem excepção, em toda a historiografia da arquitectura portuguesa. A operacionalidade da utilização de temas, definidos por outros autores a propósito do estudo de obras arquitectos contemporâneos, como fizemos em relação às leituras propostas por: Fernandez da obra de José Carlos Loureiro, por Moneo das obras de Stirling e Siza e por Stirling da obra de Le Corbusier, na análise da obra de Celestino de Castro, demonstra, em nossa opinião, o carácter informado e cosmopolita das reflexões que enformam a obra deste arquitecto e em particular a Casa Baltazar de Castro. Esta é uma casa na “fronteira”, quer na biografia do autor, quer na história da arquitectura portuguesa em que participa, em nossa opinião, de pleno direito. Na fronteira entre o modernismo e o pós-modernismo, entendido este como a crise das grandes narrativas, a casa Baltazar Castro exprime a inquietação da aproximação de tempos diversos, mas não dá, ainda, o passo para a construção de um novo paradigma. São disso relevadores, nomeadamente, a evolução da expressão plástica e espacial para uma cada vez maior personalização e riqueza volumétrica, o acentuar da importância dos sistemas construtivos e materiais, e a redescoberta de uma relação estreita com o solo e a envolvente próxima.Baltazar Castro House, designed by the architect Celestino de Castro, was built between the years 1963 and 1965. Although the author is a well-known architect, his house is without explanation ignored, given that no reference of it in the historiography of the modern Portuguese architecture exists. In this brief text, I try to explain that this invisibility is incoherent with the intrinsic quality of the building. This is done by first analysing a set of key concerns and ideas, defined by certain authors, in the study of other architects (contemporaries of CC), such as: Fernandez on Loureiro, Moneo on Siza and Stirling and Stirling on Le Corbusier, and then using the same concerns and ideas for analysing Celestino de Castro house. This method of analysis led me to recognise the informed and cosmopolitan character of Celestino de Castro’ work and of his building in particular, since it was possible to identify on both the same key concerns and ideas. I highlight as the most significant characteristics of this house its unique and strong formal spatial expression, its volumetric complexity and the way it rediscovers a more intense relation with the ground level and the urban environment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

1964-2000, Duas casas de Alcino Soutinho - Casa Rio Maior, 1964; Casa Rua Júlio Dantas, 2000

Análise comparada da Casa em Rio Maior e da Casa na Rua Júlio Dantas, no Porto, projectadas por Alcino Soutinho em 1964 e 2000, respectivamente. Desenvolveremos esta análise a partir de tópicos/temas de análise: linguagem, contexto, luz e matéria, público/privado, geometria/ortogonalidade, céu e terra, organização funcional. Permanecem as preocupações (temas de projecto), variam as soluções. Dos temas que permanecem, destacamos: a linguagem, contexto, luz e matéria, público/privado, céu, terra, regular/irregular, função/disposição, procurando-se detectar elementos de continuidade e diferença entre dois momentos tão diversos da longa carreira profissional de Soutinho. A diversidade e variedade de respostas que cada um dos projectos encerra correspondem à procura das respostas mais adequadas a cada programa, lugar e tempo, em e na liberdade por que o autor lutou.Comparative analysis of the House in Rio Maior and the House Rua Júlio Dantas, in Porto, designed by Alcino Soutinho in 1964 and 2000, respectively. This will take place based on topics/themes of analysis: language, context, light and matter, public/private, geometry, sky and earth, functional organization. Comparing the case studies: concerns remain (project themes), solutions vary. Of the themes that remain, we highlight: language, context, light and matter, public/private, sky, earth, regular/irregular, function/disposition, seeking to trace elements of continuity and difference between these two different moments of Soutinho’s long professional career. The diversity and variety of answers that each of his projects contains correspond to the search for the most appropriate answers for each program, place and time, in and within the freedom for which Alcino Soutinho struggled.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Occupational risk in a glass manufacturing industry unit

Risk assessment is one of the main pillars of the framework directive and other directives in respect of health and safety. It is also the basis of an effective management of safety and health as it is essential to reduce work-related accidents and occupational diseases. To survey the hazards eventually present in the workplaces the usual procedures are i) gathering information about tasks/activities, employees, equipment, legislation and standards; ii) observation of the tasks and; iii) quantification of respective risks through the most adequate risk assessment among the methodologies available. From this preliminary evaluation of a welding plant and, from the different measurable parameters, noise was considered the most critical. This paper focus not only the usual way of risk assessment for noise but also another approach that may allow us to identify the technique with which a weld is being performed

Ecotoxicity variation through parabens degradation by single and catalytic ozonation using volcanic rock

Parabens are widely used as antimicrobial and preservative ingredients in pharmaceutical and personal care products. Nevertheless, these compounds have been increasingly seen as emerging contaminants that can be toxic to a wide range of species. In this study, the toxic effect of a mixture of parabens (10 mg/L of each paraben: methyl-, ethyl-, propyl-, benzyl- and butylparaben) and its degradation products through single and catalytic ozonation (using volcanic rock as low-cost catalyst) was investigated over several non-target species: cladocerans, microalgae, clams, macrophytes and cress. The analysis of the toxicity of parabens mixture is relevant since usually these compounds are used as blends rather than individually. While parabens were totally removed both by single and catalytic ozonation the toxicity of the samples resulting from both treatments was generally high. This toxicity was still compared to the one obtained for several dilutions of the initial parabens mixture and it was concluded that the by-products formed are more toxic than the most diluted parabens mixture sample (0.625 mg/L). While catalytic ozonation allows reducing the amount of ozone (about 3-fold) required for total removal of parabens, the resulting treated solution was more toxic than the sample taken at the endpoint of the single ozonation treatment. This suggests that the highest amount of ozone used for single ozonation allowed the elimination of toxic by-products such as hydroquinone and 1,4-benzoquinone. Still, the effect of by-products and parabens interaction depends on the species analyzed due to their different tolerances to potentially toxic products.publishe

Cidade compreensiva entre a cidade representativa e a cidade do quotidiano - a importância da compreensão da arquitetura e do urbanismo no espaço contemporâneo das cidades

Kevin Lynch referiu-se à cidade como uma obra de arte temporal, ou seja, moldada pelo tempo. Leonardo Benevolo definiu a cidade em dois sentidos, o primeiro indicando a organização concentrada e integrada da vida humana, e o segundo denotando-a como um cenário físico da sociedade, que subsiste para lá dessa sociedade. Entre um e outro, Aldo Rossi acrescentou a definição existencial de “coisa humana” e defendeu que a cidade reforça a sua representação na “real transformação da natureza”. É nesta perspetiva, comum aos três autores – de que a cidade assenta a sua génese nas diversas camadas temporais que se vão acrescentando –, que pretendemos fazer esta reflexão. Analisando a cidade contemporânea, defendemos que existem, dentro dos nossos espaços urbanos, duas cidades que colidem e só tangencialmente se tocam: a primeira designámos ‘cidade representativa’ e a segunda ‘cidade quotidiana’. O espaço urbano compreensivo, como intermediário conceptual das diferentes dimensões da cidade apresenta-se como a matriz de investigação das diferentes visões urbanas permitindo-se tornar uma ferramenta no âmbito disciplinar da arquitetura e do urbanismo contemporâneo.Kevin Lynch referred to the city as a temporal work of art, i.e., as an artificial compound shaped by time. Leonardo Benevolo defined the city in two grounds, the first one indicating the concentrated and integrated organization of a community, and the second one denoting it as a physical scenario of society, which persists beyond that society. In between them, Aldo Rossi added the existential definition of “human thing” and argued that the city reinforces its representation in the “real transformation of nature”. It is in this perspective, shared by the three authors – that the city bases its genesis on the different time layers that are added – that we intend to reflect. Analyzing the contemporary city, we advocate that there are, within our urban spaces, two cities that collide and only tangentially touch each other: the first one we named ‘representative city’ and the second ‘everyday city’. The comprehensive urban space, as a conceptual intermediary of the different dimensions of the city, presents itself as the research matrix of the different urban visions discussed, allowing it to become a tool in the disciplinary scope of contemporary architecture and urbanism.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Mechanical behaviour analysis of polyester polymer mortars modified with recycled GFRP waste materials

In this study the effect of incorporation of recycled glass-fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) waste materials, obtained by means of milling processes, on mechanical behaviour of polyester polymer mortars was assessed. For this purpose, different contents of recycled GFRP waste powder and fibres, with distinct size gradings, were incorporated into polyester based mortars as sand aggregates and filler replacements. Flexural and compressive loading capacities were evaluated and found better than unmodified polymer mortars. GFRP modified polyester based mortars also show a less brittle behaviour, with retention of some loading capacity after peak load. Obtained results highlight the high potential of recycled GFRP waste materials as efficient and sustainable reinforcement and admixture for polymer concrete and mortars composites, constituting an emergent waste management solution

Kinin B(1) receptor deficiency leads to leptin hypersensitivity and resistance to obesity

OBJECTIVE-Kinins mediate pathophysiological processes related to hypertension, pain, and inflammation through the activation of two G-protein-coupled receptors, named B(1) and B(2). Although these peptides have been related to glucose homeostasis, their effects on energy balance are still unknown.RESEARCH DESIGN and METHODS-Using genetic and pharmacological strategies to abrogate the kinin B(1) receptor in different animal models of obesity, here we present evidence of a novel role for kinins in the regulation of satiety and adiposity.RESULTS-Kinin B(1) receptor deficiency in mice (B(1)(-/-)) resulted in less fat content, hypoleptinemia, increased leptin sensitivity, and robust protection against high-fat diet-induced weight gain. Under high-fat diet, B(1)(-/-) also exhibited reduced food intake, improved lipid oxidation, and increased energy expenditure. Surprisingly, B(1) receptor deficiency was not able to decrease food intake and adiposity in obese mice lacking leptin (ob/ob-B(1)(-/-)). However, ob/ob-B(1)(-/-) mice were more responsive to the effects of exogenous leptin on body weight and food intake, suggesting that B(1) receptors may be dependent on leptin to display their metabolic roles. Finally, inhibition of weight gain and food intake by B(1) receptor ablation was pharmacologically confirmed by long-term administration of the kinin B(1) receptor antagonist SSR240612 to mice under high-fat diet.CONCLUSIONS-Our data suggest that kinin B(1) receptors participate in the regulation of the energy balance via a mechanism that could involve the modulation of leptin sensitivity.Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biophys, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniv Mogi das Cruzes, Mogi Das Cruzes, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Physiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilSanofi Aventis, Montpellier, FranceUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilInst Natl Sante & Rech Med, Dept Renal & Cardiac Remodeling, U858 I2MR, Toulouse, FranceUniv Toulouse 3, Inst Med Mol Rangueil, F-31062 Toulouse, FranceInst Natl Rech Agron AgroParisTech, UMR914 Nutr Physiol & Ingest Behav, Paris, FranceMax Delbruck Ctr Mol Med, Berlin, GermanyUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Biophys, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Physiol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Dept Med, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilWeb of Scienc

Balance between the two kinin receptors in the progression of experimental focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis in mice

Focal and segmental glomerulosclerosis (FSGS) is one of the most important renal diseases related to end-stage renal failure. Bradykinin has been implicated in the pathogenesis of renal inflammation, whereas the role of its receptor 2 (B2RBK; also known as BDKRB2) in FSGS has not been studied. FSGS was induced in wild-type and B2RBK-knockout mice by a single intravenous injection of Adriamycin (ADM). in order to further modulate the kinin receptors, the animals were also treated with the B2RBK antagonist HOE-140 and the B1RBK antagonist DALBK. Here, we show that the blockage of B2RBK with HOE-140 protects mice from the development of FSGS, including podocyte foot process effacement and the re-establishment of slit-diaphragm-related proteins. However, B2RBK-knockout mice were not protected from FSGS. These opposite results were due to B1RBK expression. B1RBK was upregulated after the injection of ADM and this upregulation was exacerbated in B2RBK-knockout animals. Furthermore, treatment with HOE-140 downregulated the B1RBK receptor. the blockage of B1RBK in B2RBK-knockout animals promoted FSGS regression, with a less-inflammatory phenotype. These results indicate a deleterious role of both kinin receptors in an FSGS model and suggest a possible cross-talk between them in the progression of disease.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP)Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico (CNPq)Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Clin & Expt Immunol Lab, Div Nephrol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUniv São Paulo, Inst Biomed Sci 4, Dept Immunol, Lab Transplantat Immunobiol, BR-05508000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Translat Med Div, Clin & Expt Immunol Lab, BR-04039002 São Paulo, BrazilInst Butantan, Lab Cellular Biol, BR-05503900 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biophys, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilINSERM, Unite Mixte Rech 699, F-75870 Paris, FranceAlbert Einstein Hosp, Inst Israelita Ensino & Pesquisa Albert Einst, Renal Transplantat Unit, BR-05521000 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Clin & Expt Immunol Lab, Div Nephrol, BR-04023900 São Paulo, BrazilUniversidade Federal de São Paulo, Translat Med Div, Clin & Expt Immunol Lab, BR-04039002 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Biophys, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilFed Univ São Paulo UNIFESP, Dept Microbiol Immunol & Parasitol, BR-04023062 São Paulo, BrazilFAPESP: 2012/05605-5FAPESP: 07/07139-3FAPESP: 12/02270-2CNPq: 140739/2008-4Web of Scienc