Alvenaria estrutural com elementos de madeira

Apesar da madeira e da alvenaria dialogarem constantemente no contexto construtivo, não é comum elas se fundirem nas suas funções. A madeira surge maioritariamente associada a elementos estruturais finos, formando um esqueleto, ou a elementos de revestimento, e a alvenaria associada a paredes resistentes ou simplesmente de enchimento. O que aqui se propõe, é combinar técnica e material, geralmente desassociados, procurando utilizações mais rentáveis, combinando funções estruturais e protectoras aos edifícios. Para o efeito, apresenta-se uma série de ensaios preliminares realizados no Laboratório de Ensaio de Estruturas da Universidade do Minho (LEST) que garantiram informações preciosas para o desenvolvimento de um tijolo de madeira. Os dados recolhidos nos ensaios permitem ainda a previsão da resposta global das paredes construídas utilizando estes tijolos de madeira. Realizaram-se ensaios de compressão de tijolos, avaliando quer a resposta mecânica quer o fenómeno da fluência, e ensaios de flexão de paredes, em particular, ensaios de flexão para estudo do comportamento das juntas horizontais e verticais das paredesAlthough wood and masonry constantly dialoguing in a constructive context, it is unusual to merge them in their roles. The wood comes mostly associated with slender structural elements, forming a skeleton, or cladding, and masonry as bearing walls or associated with simply filling. The aim of this work is to combine the technique and the materials, normally disassociated, looking for more profitable uses, combining structural and protective functions of the buildings. For that, a series of preliminary tests, performed at the Laboratory for Testing of Structures of the University of Minho (LEST), were performed. These tests supplied valuable information to the development of a wooden brick. Data collected from the tests also allow the prediction of the global response of the walls built using these wooden bricks. Compression tests of wooden bricks, assessing the mechanical response and the creep, and bending tests of walls studying the behaviour of bed and head joints, were performed

Lean Management “Quick-Wins”: Results of Implementation. A Case Study

Purpose: This study comprised two main goals. The first goal demonstrates how LT (Lean Tools) allows the highest impact during the implementation phase.The second goal consisted of introducing procedure changes based on the Management of Human Resources through Lean Leadership tool. The target for these two objectives is to achieve an increase of 5% in machine occupancy rate and a reduction of 10% regarding the costs of defective products per hour. Methodology/Approach: The research methodology is a Action-Research/Research-Action developed by Professor Kurt Lewin of MIT that goes through cycles of five stages: Diagnosis; Planning; Implementation; Evaluation, Conclusions. Findings: Regarding the two objectives above mentioned, it was observed an increase of 8.5% in machine occupancy rate and a reduction of 27.9% regarding the costs per hour of defective products. It was created an additional motivation in the employees and very satisfying results in every production. Research Limitation/implication: The study is limited to a Portuguese Small and Medium-sized Enterprise (SME) in the metalworking sector. Originality/Value of paper: Lean tools can be rapidly and easily implemented and quickly understood by the workers. With that implementation, the occupation of the machines has increased and the defects and their costs have decreased, so the added value grows.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bacterial cellulose as a support for the growth of retinal pigment epithelium

The feasibility of bacterial cellulose (BC) as a novel substrate for retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) culture was evaluated. Thin (41.6 ± 2.2 m of average thickness) and heatdried BC substrates were surface modified via acetylation and polysaccharide adsorption, using chitosan and carboxymethyl cellulose. All substrates were characterized according to their surface chemistry, wettability, energy, topography and also regarding their permeability, dimensional stability, mechanical properties and endotoxin content. Then, their ability to promote RPE cell adhesion and proliferation in vitro was assessed. All surface-modified BC substrates presented similar permeation coefficients with solutes of up to 300 kDa. Acetylation of BC decreased its swelling and the amount of endotoxins. Surface modification of BC greatly enhanced the adhesion and proliferation of RPE cells. All samples showed similar stress-strain behavior; BC and acetylated BC showed the highest elastic modulus, but the latter exhibited a slightly smaller tensile strength and elongation at break as compared to pristine BC. Although similar proliferation rates were observed among the modified substrates, the acetylated ones showed higher initial cell adhesion. This difference may be mainly due to the moderately hydrophilic surface obtained after acetylation.The authors acknowledge the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT, Portugal) for the financial support provided by the Research Grants SERH/BD/63578/2009, SFRH/BD/64901/2009, SFRH/BPD/64958/2009, and SFRH/BPD/63148/2009 for S.G., J.P., J.P.S., and V.S., respectively. The authors also acknowledge the Projects PEst-OE/EQB/LA0004/2013, PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013, PTDC/BBB-BQB/2450/2012, and RECI/BBB-EBI/0179/2012 (Number: FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-027462), cofunded by QREN, FEDER

Antibacterial performance of bovine lactoferrin-fish gelatine electrospun nanocomposites

Antibacterial performance of bovine lactoferrin-fish gelatine electrospun nanocomposites The alarming increase of antibiotic resistant microorganisms urged the development and synthesis of novel antimicrobial biomaterials, to be employed in a broad range of applications, ranging from food casings to medical devices [1 – 3]. This work describes the processing and characterization of an innovative fully biobased eletrctrospun nanocomposite material displaying antibacterial properties. Its composition is exclusively comprised of proteins, with fish gelatine as the structural matrix and bovine lactoferrin as the antimicrobial agent. Mainly obtained from the inedible components of the fishery processed catch, fish gelatine (FG) represents a viable alternative source for this highly demanded protein [4]. Electrospun fish gelatine possesses highly interesting properties, such as resilience, biocompatibility, and is stable in aqueous solutions after crosslinking through exposure to glutaraldehyde or genipin atmosphere [5, 6]. Bovine lactoferrin is a wide spectrum antimicrobial protein, exerting its action in numerous virus, bacteria and prokaryotic parasites. Moreover, lactoferrin bears immunoregulatory properties and anti-tumour activity. Specifically, the antibacterial activity of lactoferrin consists of several mechanisms, namely through deprivation of environmental iron, destabilization of Gram negative lipopolysaccharide outer membrane via calcium chelation, and surface charge disruption of Gram positive [7]. In order to confirm the bovine lactoferrin bactericidal efficiency, the minimal inhibitory concentration was determined using clinical isolates of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus, through microtitre broth dilution test. Two distinctive methods were used to incorporate lactoferrin into the fish gelatine nanofibers: i. as a filler in the electrospinning formulation using concentrations of 2, 5 and 10 (%wt), and ii. through adsorption in a solution with 40 mg mL-1 of lactoferrin. Fourier transform spectroscopy analysis revealed that the structure of both nanocomposite proteins remained intact through the electrospinning blending and crosslinking procedure. The increase in the concentration of lactoferrin as a filler diminished in approximately 50% the size of the fibres when compared to pristine gelatine. The electrospun material with adsorbed LF displayed an antimicrobial activity similar to the fish gelatine fibres without LF, most likely due to the low uptake of LF. The nanocomposites bearing 5% of LF as a filler showed a bacterial reduction of approximately 90% when compared to the control (electrospun FG). In addition, films containing 10% of LF revealed a notable antibacterial performance, with 100% of contact killing capacity, representing a > 6 log reduction in E. coli and S. aureus bacterial populations. Keywords: electrospinning; fish gelatine; lactoferrin; bactericidal; nanocomposite References [1] Silver, L.L., Challenges of antibacterial discovery. Clinical Microbiology Reviews, 2011. 24(1): p.71-109 [2] Fukuda, K., Antimicrobial resistance – global report on surveillance. World Health Organization, 2014 [3] Hancock, R.E.W. and Lehrer, R., Cationic peptides: a new source of antibiotics. Trends in Biotechnology, 1998. 16(2): p.82-88 [4] Karim, A.A. and Bhat, R., Fish gelatin: properties, challenges, and prospects as an alternative to mammalian gelatins. Food Hydrocholloids, 2009. 23(3): p.563-576 [5] Correia, D.M., et al., Thermal and hydrolytic degradation of electrospun fish gelatine membranes. Polymer Testing, 2013. 32(5): p. 995-1000 [6] Padrão, J., et al., Modifying fish electrospun membranes for biomedical applications: cross-linking and swelling behavior. Soft Materials, 2014. 12(3): p.247-252 [7] Jennsen, H. and Hancock, R.E.W., Antimicrobial properties of lactoferrin. Biochimie, 2009. 91(1): p. 19-2

a systematic review

Funding Information: This research received no external funding. C.S.S. is supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BD/139603/2018). The funder had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. Publisher Copyright: © 2023, BioMed Central Ltd., part of Springer Nature.Background: Translation into practice of effective physical activity interventions in primary care is difficult, due to a complex interaction of implementation determinants. We aimed to identify implementation barriers and facilitators of four primary care interventions: physical activity assessment, counselling, prescription, and referral. Methods: A systematic review of qualitative, quantitative and mixed-methods studies published since 2016 was conducted. The “Tailored Implementation for Chronic Diseases” (TICD) framework was adapted to extract and synthesize barriers and facilitators. Results: Sixty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Barriers (n = 56) and facilitators (n = 55) were identified across seven domains, related to characteristics of the intervention, individual factors of the implementers and receivers, organizational factors, and political and social determinants. The five most frequently reported determinants were: professionals’ knowledge and skills; intervention feasibility/compatibility with primary health care routine; interventions’ cost and financial incentives; tools and materials; and professionals’ cognitions and attitudes. “Social, political and legal factors” domain was the least reported. Physical activity counselling, prescription, and referral were influenced by determinants belonging to all the seven domains. Conclusion: The implementation of physical activity interventions in primary care is influenced by a broader range of determinants. Barriers and facilitators related with health professionals, intervention characteristics, and available resources were the most frequently reported. A deep understanding of the local context, with particularly emphasis on these determinants, should be considered when preparing an intervention implementation, in order to contribute for designing tailored implementation strategies and optimize the interventions’ effectiveness.publishersversionpublishe

A utilização do ATLANTIS – Tierra 2.0 e de ferramentas SIG para predizer a distribuição espacial e a adequação do habitat de espécies endémicas

O conhecimento da distribuição de espécies raras requer muito esforço devido às dificuldades inerentes à detecção das suas populações. Neste capítulo, apresenta-se um exemplo de modelação da distribuição potencial de espécies endémicas de insectos, que constituem uma preocupação de conservação nos Açores. São analisados dados extraídos da base de dados ATLANTIS com o objectivo de desenvolver mapas preditivos da distribuição de quatro escaravelhos endémicos (Insecta, Coleoptera) na ilha Terceira: Cedrorum azoricus azoricus Borges & Serrano, 1993; Trechus terceiranus Machado, 1988; Trechus terrabravensis Borges, Serrano & Amorim, 2004; e Alestrus dolosus (Crotch, 1867). São usadas duas técnicas amplamente aplicadas nestas situações (BIOCLIM e BioMapper) de forma a desenvolver os mapas de distribuição, mas igualmente a obter a descrição do nicho ecológico de cada espécie. Todas as espécies, excepto T. terceiranus, apresentam grandes restrições de habitat. As outras três espécies parecem estar ambientalmente restringidas a duas áreas espaciais bem definidas, localizadas nas partes oeste (Serra de Santa Bárbara) e central (Terra Brava) da ilha Terceira. Contudo, enquanto A. dolosus estará potencialmente espalhado em ambas as áreas, de acordo com os seus requisitos de habitat, C. azoricus azoricus e T. terrabravensis parecem possuir adaptações ambientais muito mais restritivas. No entanto, como os dados sobre a distribuição conhecida destas espécies se revelaram escassos, a eficácia dos mapas de predição não é propriamente a ideal. Deste modo, é discutida de forma exaustiva a utilidade das técnicas utilizadas, num contexto de gestão da conservação. São igualmente discutidos os problemas surgidos durante o processo de modelação dos dados e como estes podem ser resolvidos. Finalmente são apresentadas sugestões para melhorar a informação a obter da base de dados ATLANTIS.ABSTRACT: Ranges of rare species require great efforts to be mapped due to the low detect ability of their populations. In this chapter, we provide an example focusing on several endemic insect species of conservation concern in the Azores. We explore the use of data extracted from ATLANTIS database to develop predictive maps of the distribution of four endemic beetle species (Insecta, Coleoptera) in Terceira Island: Cedrorum azoricus azoricus Borges & Serrano, 1993; Trechus terceiranus Machado, 1988; Trechus terrabravensis Borges, Serrano & Amorim, 2004; and Alestrus dolosus (Crotch, 1867). We use two widely used methodologies (BIOCLIM and BioMapper) to develop such maps, as well as to provide a description of the niche of these species. All species except for T. terceiranus presented highly restricted habitat requirements. The other three species seem to be environmentally restricted to two spatially well-defined areas, placed in the west (Serra de Santa Bárbara) and the centre of the island (Terra Brava). However, while A. dolosus seems to be potentially widespread in these two areas according to its habitat requirements, C. azoricus azoricus and T. terrabravensis appear to have very restricted environmental adaptations. As data (recorded presences) for these species is scarce, the performance of the predictions was not ideal. Therefore, we discuss extensively the utility of such methodologies in the context of conservation management. We also discuss how the problems arose during this work can be overcome, and how ATLANTIS information could be improved

Enraizamento de estacas de Cordia verbenacea DC. tratadas com Cyperus rotundus L.

Cyperus rotundus L., conhecida como tiririca, possui folhas e tubérculos ricos em fitormônios e por isso tem sido usada para o enraizamento de estacas. O objetivo deste estudo foi avaliar o efeito da solução aquosa de tiririca no enraizamento da erva-baleeira (Cordia verbenacea DC.). Foram utilizados folhas e tubérculos de tiririca. Foram testadas três concentrações de extrato aquoso de tiririca (T1 = 0%, T2 = 7,5% e T3 = 2,5%), no delineamento em blocos casualizados, em três repetições de 20 estacas cada. O terço basal das estacas ficou imerso no extrato por 40 minutos. Aos 31 dias após o plantio avaliou-se o desenvolvimento de raízes (número, comprimento, massa fresca e massa seca) e da parte aérea (altura, massa fresca e massa seca). Obteve-se baixa taxa de mortalidade em todos os tratamentos. Assim, conclui-se que o extrato de tiririca, nas concentrações testadas, não influencia o enraizamento de estacas de erva-baleeira.Disponível também em: Cadernos de Agroecologia, V. 5, n.1, 2010

Novel bioemulsifier produced by a Paenibacillus strain isolated from crude oil

BACKGROUND: Surface active compounds produced by microorganisms are attracting a pronounced interest due to their potential advantages over their synthetic counterparts, and to the fact that they could replace some of the synthetics in many environmental and industrial applications. RESULTS: Bioemulsifier production by a Paenibacillus sp. strain isolated from crude oil was studied. The bioemulsifier was produced using sucrose with and without adding hydrocarbons (paraffin or crude oil) under aerobic and anaerobic conditions at 40degreesC. It formed stable emulsions with several hydrocarbons and its emulsifying ability was not affected by exposure to high salinities (up to 300g/l), high temperatures (100degreesC-121degreesC) or a wide range of pH values (2-13). In addition, it presented low toxicity and high biodegradability when compared with chemical surfactants. A preliminary chemical characterization by Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR), proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance (1H NMR and 13C CP-MAS NMR) and size exclusion chromatography indicated that the bioemulsifier is a low molecular weight oligosaccharide-lipid complex. CONCLUSION: The production of a low molecular weight bioemulsifier by a novel Paenibacillus strain isolated from crude oil was reported. To the best of our knowledge, bioemulsifier production by Paenibacillus strains has not been previously reported. The features of this novel bioemulsifier make it an interesting biotechnological product for many environmental and industrial applications.This work was supported by PARTEX OIL AND GAS. The authors thank the FCT Strategic Project PEst-OE/EQB/LA0023/2013. Jorge F. B. Pereira acknowledges the financial support from Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia through doctoral research grant SFRH/BD/60228/2009