Innovative screen-printed electrodes on cork composite substrates applied to sulfadiazine electrochemical sensing

Supplementary data to this article can be found online at https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelechem.2020.114922.This work reports the first use of cork as substrate to produce 3-electrode electrochemical devices, which may be very important to conduct sustainable worldwide biochemical testing in point-of-care. It consists of laminated cork covered by a thin-film of an insulating resin and printed in a 3-electrode system format. Silver ink was used to print electrical tracks and the reference electrode, while carbon ink was used to print working and auxiliary electrodes. The analytical performance of the cork-based devices was and compared to other common supports, as PET and ceramics in the form of screen-printed electrodes (SPEs). The cork-based devices displayed higher current values and better reversibility features and were able to undergo stable modification with conductive nanomaterials. They were further applied to detect sulfadiazine (SDZ), an antibiotic of human use that is also an environmental contaminant, by modifying the working electrode with a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) layer obtained by electropolymerization of pyrrol. The results confirmed the ability of the MIP film to detect SDZ selectively and showed reproducible increasing current signals for increasing concentrations of SDZ, from 8.0 to 152.0??M. Direct comparison with commercial carbon SPEs showed greater sensitivity for the cork-based SPEs, with 10× lower limits of detection. Overall, cork-based devices are a valuable alternative to currently available SPEs systems, considering environment and cost features and also the analytical gains of this approach. These are especially important in times where a global biochemical testing became necessary for improved public health management.This work was supported by Fundação para Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P. and FEDER (European Funding or Regional Development), via COMPETE2020-POCI (operational program for internationalization and competitiveness), through the project PTDC/AAG-TEC/5400/2014, POCI01-0145-FEDER-016637. CeNTI – Centro de Nanotecnologia e Materiais Técnicos, Funcionais e Inteligentes is acknowledged for an initial involving the automated screen-printing and Amorim Cork industries for providing the laminated cork.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

AVALIAÇÃO INSTITUCIONAL: OS EFEITOS SOBRE A GESTÃO ACADÊMICA EM UMA UNIVERSIDADE PÚBLICA BRASILEIRA

A avaliação institucional tem sido um grande desafio para as IES de grande porte. Primeiro, pela sua capacidade de operacionalização da coleta e análise dos dados; segundo, pela aceitação e participação da comunidade acadêmica; terceiro, pela compatibilização das exigências legais com as reais necessidades da instituição. Contudo, o maior desafio neste campo é tornar a avaliação útil para a própria instituição, produzindo, assim, efeitos sobre o seu funcionamento. Neste trabalho, pretendeu-se avaliar os efeitos da avaliação sobre a gestão acadêmica de uma grande universidade pública brasileira. A partir de entrevistas realizadas com gestores acadêmicos, utilizou-se a análise de conteúdo para compreender a visão desses gestores sobre a avaliação institucional realizada na sua universidade. Os resultados apontam para um desconhecimento acerca dos processos envolvidos na avaliação, resultando numa visão negativa e, por consequência, não utilização dos resultados da avaliação institucional para o planejamento acadêmico. Concluiu-se pela necessidade de maior envolvimento dos atores institucionais no processo, bem como pela necessidade de se estabelecer mecanismos mais eficientes de divulgação dos resultados da avaliação institucional

Towards a dynamic pipeline framework implemented in (parallel) Haskell

Streaming processing has given rise to new computation paradigms to provide effective and efficient data stream processing. The most important features of these new paradigms are the exploitation of parallelism, the capacity to adapt execution schedulers, reconfigure computational structures, adjust the use of resources according to the characteristics of the input stream and produce incremental results. The Dynamic Pipeline Paradigm (DPP) is a naturally functional approach to deal with stream processing. This fact encourages us to use a purely functional programming language for DPP. In this work, we tackle the problem of assessing the suitability of using (parallel) Haskell to implement a Dynamic Pipeline Framework (DPF). The justification of this choice is twofold. From a formal point of view, Haskell has solid theoretical foundations, providing the possibility of manipulating computations as primary entities. From a practical perspective, it has a robust set of tools for writing multithreading and parallel computations with optimal performance. As proof of concept, we present an implementation of a dynamic pipeline to compute the weakly connected components of a graph (WCC) in Haskell (a.k.a. DPWCC). The DPWCC behavior is empirically evaluated and compared with a solution provided by a Haskell library. The evaluation is assessed in three networks of different sizes and topology. Performance is measured in terms of the time of the first result, continuous generation of results, total time, and consumed memory. The results suggest that DPWCC, even naive, is competitive with the baseline solution available in a Haskell library. DPWCC exhibits a higher continuous behavior and can produce the first result faster than the baseline. Albeit initial, these results put in perspective the suitability of Haskell’s abstractions for the implementation of DPF. Built on them, we will develop a general and parametric DPF in the future.Postprint (published version

Smoking prevalence and of nicotine dependence's therapeutics: an integrative review

Objective: To identify available evidence in the literature on the epidemiological aspects, the approach to the smoker, and therapeutic of nicotine addiction in the population. Method: This is an integrative review carried out in the Health Virtual Library using the following combinations of keywords: "prevalence and smoking", "dependence and nicotine", "depression and smoking", and "smoking cessation". Results: The results from the sixteen selected articles pointed out: incomplete primary education, low income, early teenage smoking, and higher prevalence and recurrence among women than men. Conclusion: Smoking is more prevalent in women, and women have a higher incidence of relapse after treatment than men. The most widely used therapy was the use of drugs in conjunction with a psychosocial approach and/or cognitive behavioral method. It is necessary to train health professionals to understand the smoking habit as a public health problem to refer individuals to treatment

Implementación de medidas para el alivio del dolor en neonatos por el equipo de enfermería

Estudo transversal com abordagem quantitativa, que objetivou identificar a implementação de medidas para o alívio da dor em neonatos pelos profissionais de Enfermagem, bem como caracterizá-las em tipo, frequência e finalidade da aplicação. Desenvolvido entre agosto e outubro de 2007 em quatro hospitais de referência no atendimento neonatal em Fortaleza-Ceará. Um formulário foi aplicado em 180 profissionais. Os dados foram analisados com estatística descritiva simples e apresentados em tabelas. A maioria dos profissionais (98,8%) afirmou implementar medidas para minimizar a dor do neonato, destacando-se: Chupeta de gaze com glicose (43,3%); Acalento (23,3%); Pacotinho (19,4%). Quanto às justificativas, a maioria (85%) relatou que executa tais medidas para acalmar/aliviar o sofrimento do bebê. Em conclusão, as entrevistadas demonstraram conhecer o efeito benéfico da glicose para o neonato e implementar estratégias que, aplicadas em conjunto antes dos procedimentos dolorosos, proporcionam alívio e tranquilidade para o bebê.It's a Cross-sectional study with a quantitative approach, aiming to identify nursing team implementation of pain relief measures in neonates and characterize them as the purpose, type and frequency. Data collection took place between August and October 2007 at four neonatal care reference hospitals in Fortaleza, Ceará. A form was answered by 180 professionals. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics in tables. Most of professionals (98.8%) reported to implement measures to minimize pain in the newborn, pinpointing: gauze with glucose (43.3%); to tuck the baby (23.3%); to involve the baby in this blanket (19.4%). In a way of justification, the majority (85%) reported implementing such measures to relieve the baby's suffering. It is concluded that the subjects interviewed knew about the beneficial effect of glucose on the neonate, and implement strategies that, applied before painful procedures, provide relief and comfort to the baby.Estudio transversal con enfoque cuantitativo, que tuvo como objetivo identificar las medidas de ejecución para el alivio del dolor en recién nacidos por los profesionales de enfermería, bien cómo caracterizarlos por tipo, frecuencia y efectos de la aplicación. El estudio fue desarrollado en cuatro hospitales de referencia en la atención neonatal en Fortaleza-Ceará, entre agosto y octubre de 2007. Se aplicó una forma a 180 profesionales. Los datos fueron analizados con estadísticas descriptivas en tablas. La mayoría de los profesionales (98,8%) afirmó aplicar medidas para minimizar el dolor del neonato, incluyendo: chupete de gasa con la glucosa (43,3%); acunar el neonato (23,3%), envolver el neonato (19,4%). Como justificación, la mayoría (85%) reporta realizar las medidas para aliviar el sufrimiento del bebé. En conclusión, las entrevistadas demostraron conocer el efecto beneficioso de la glucosa para el neonato y ejecutar estrategias que, utilizadas en conjunto antes de los procedimientos dolorosos, proporcionan alivio y confort para el recién nacido

DE UM RELATO INEVITÁVEL A UMA EXPERIÊNCIA DE LIBERDADE

This article shows how a teaching experience conducted with a group of students ”“ seen as co-elaborators of the research ”“ in a senior public school in Brasilia, Federal District, can successfully attain goals of a practice of freedom in education (Giroux,1997). A pedagogical project for authorial writing, named “Diário de Bordo”, inserted under a broader project named “Mulheres Inspiradoras”, reveals a great contribution to the cultural and linguistic development of the students. The analysis of the written accounts ”“ taken as data ”“ was based on a theoretical network of concepts coming from the Critical Discourse Analysis (FAIRCLOUGH; FAIRCLOUGH, 2012) and from Critical Pedagogy (COSTA, 1999).The results show how important it was for those students to write their own stories (hooks, 2013), but, most of all, shows their empowerment as a consequence of the redistribution of symbolic power (Van DIJK, 2015; BOURDIEU, 1989).A partir de uma experiência didática que visava desenvolver a prática da escrita autoral com alunos do terceiro ano do ensino médio em uma escola pública do DF, o projeto Diários de Bordo, inserido em um projeto mais amplo, Mulheres Inspiradoras, mostra que a educação como prática de liberdade (Giroux, 1997) pode manter seus compromissos de contribuir para o desenvolvimento linguístico e cultural dos estudantes. Mais do que isso, o exercício de redistribuição do poder simbólico (Van Dijk, 2015; Bordieu, 1989), resultante do fortalecimento dos alunos-autores, mostra ser possível escrever sua própria história (hooks, 2013) e contribuir para a realização dos seus anseios. As análises, apoiadas em um entrecruzamento teórico advindo da Análise de Discurso Crítica (Fairclough & Fairclough, 2012) e da Pedagogia Crítica (Costa, 1999), tomam por objeto relatos escritos por alunos colaboradores da pesquisa. Teoria e prática apoiam-se mutuamente (Denzin & Lincoln, 2006), tanto nas práticas da professora condutora do projeto, quanto nas reflexões aqui desenvolvidas

Formação dos futuros professores de língua tendo a docência como resistência / Training future language teachers with teaching as resistance

Este trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar um projeto social de ensino de espanhol como locus de resistência e formação de gerações com consciência crítica e dispostas a transformar seu ambiente a partir de uma nova percepção de mundo. Denominado “Guamá Bilíngue”, este projeto de ensino, pesquisa e extensão existe desde 2010, é subsidiado pela PROEG ou PROEX ou administração superior da Universidade Federal do Pará (UFPA) e tem como meta promover a (re)educação social de estudantes de bairros periféricos de Belém, por meio do Espanhol Língua Estrangeira (E/LE). No entanto, o Guamá Bilíngue abrange muito mais, porque atua auxiliando na formação docente e acadêmica, proporcionando experiências inesquecíveis em tais áreas. A proposta faz com que os próprios docentes (bolsistas e voluntários) comecem a comparar e encarar a sua formação como futuros professores, os quais serão responsáveis pela constituição de novos cidadãos, visando à (re)educação social, na qual a resistência atua para formar professores mais reflexivos e críticos, com a capacidade de se depararem com conceitos e caminhos que serão necessários para alcançar o objetivo do projeto e em sua vida acadêmica. Tendo em vista que este tem a intenção de reconstruir e, ao mesmo tempo, desconstruir pensamentos voltados para questões sociais como alcoolismo, bullying, violência de gênero, preconceito em vários níveis, acreditamos que esta formação crítica e social atinge o (a) estudante de graduação na primeira escala que é previamente treinado(a) pelo projeto, a atuar como professor “ideal” para que só assim o graduando/professor possa desenvolver a formação cidadã de seus alunos em sala de aula

Impact of human created environments in the pathogenic potential and antimicrobial resistance of staphylococci from wild neotropical primates in Brazil

Funding Information: We would like to thank the Associação Mico Leão Dourado (AMLD) staff for trapping monkeys and logistic support. The capture of monekys at Water Island was funded by a contract from TRANSPETRO to C.Ruiz-Miranda to erradicate the animals from the island. We thank the staff and students from SERCAS (Setor de Etologia aplicada a Reintrodução e Conservação de Animais Silvestres - Brazil) for captures and assistance in sample collection. This work was partially supported by ONEIDA project (LISBOA-01–0145-FEDER- 016417) co-funded by FEEI - “Fundos Europeus Estruturais e de Investimento - Portugal” from “Programa Operacional Regional Lisboa 2020” and by national funds from FCT - "Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - Portugal.” and by Projects LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007660 (Microbiologia Molecular, Estrutural e Celular) and UID/Multi/04378/2019) funded by FEDER - Portugal funds through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI). This study was supported by projects PTDC/BIA-EVF/117507/2010 and PTDC/FIS-NAN/0117/2014, from FCT and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Research Grants 2010, awarded to M. Miragaia. Additionally, it was funded by TRANSPETRO - Brazil (No 4600007468) and SERCAS - FAPERJ - APQ1 (No E26/171.530/2004) and by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil (CAPES) - Finance Code 001. Funding Information: We would like to thank the Associação Mico Leão Dourado (AMLD) staff for trapping monkeys and logistic support. The capture of monekys at Water Island was funded by a contract from TRANSPETRO to C.Ruiz-Miranda to erradicate the animals from the island. We thank the staff and students from SERCAS (Setor de Etologia aplicada a Reintrodução e Conservação de Animais Silvestres - Brazil) for captures and assistance in sample collection. This work was partially supported by ONEIDA project ( LISBOA-01–0145-FEDER- 016417 ) co-funded by FEEI - "Fundos Europeus Estruturais e de Investimento - Portugal" from " Programa Operacional Regional Lisboa 2020 " and by national funds from FCT - "Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia - Portugal.” and by Projects LISBOA-01-0145-FEDER-007660 ( Microbiologia Molecular, Estrutural e Celular ) and UID/Multi/04378/2019 ) funded by FEDER - Portugal funds through COMPETE2020 - Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização ( POCI ). This study was supported by projects PTDC/BIA-EVF/117507/2010 and PTDC/FIS-NAN/0117/2014 , from FCT and European Society of Clinical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases (ESCMID) Research Grants 2010, awarded to M. Miragaia. Additionally, it was funded by TRANSPETRO - Brazil (No 4600007468 ) and SERCAS - FAPERJ - APQ1 (No E26/171.530/2004 ) and by Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior - Brazil ( CAPES ) - Finance Code 001 . Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The AuthorsThe non-human primate (NHP) Leontopithecus rosalia is an endangered species native of Brazil and lives in forest fragments with different levels of contact with humans (natural, private and urban). Other NHPs – Callithrix spp. - were introduced by humans and co-exist and interact with the native species in these forests. To evaluate if living in or close to human-modified environments could constitute a risk for L. rosalia, we compared the prevalence, genetic background, antibiotic susceptibility and virulence gene content of staphylococci collected from the native and the introduced species from different forest fragments. We found that presence in human-dominated environments increased the colonization rate of L. rosalia with Mammaliicoccus sciuri (former Staphylococcus sciuri) from 18 % to 85 % (p = 0.0001) and of Callithrix spp with Staphylococcus aureus from 6 % to 100 % (p = 0.0001). According to molecular typing data obtained differences probably resulted from dissemination of these bacterial species from the invader NHP species and from humans. Changes in microbiota were paralleled by an increase in the prevalence of Panton-Valentine Leukocidin gene and in resistance to beta-lactams, macrolides and/or lincosamides as exposure to human environment increased. In particular, erythromycin resistance in S. aureus from Callithrix spp. increased from 0 % to 50 % and resistance rate to at least one antibiotic in coagulase-negative staphylococci species from L. rosalia increased from 13 % to 56 % (p = 0.0003). Our results showed that contact of native animal species with human-created environments increased the content of antimicrobial resistant and pathogenic bacteria on their commensal microbiota, which ultimately can impact on their health. Importance: Endangered animal species are vulnerable to environmental alterations and human activities have been repeatedly identified as factors driving drastic changes in the natural landscape. It is extremely important to monitor changes in the environment surrounding protected species, because this could lead to early detection of any potential threats. In this study, we found that the contact of L. rosalia - a protected non-human primate from Brazil - with human environments is related to changes in their commensal microbiota. These included an increase in the number of pathogenic and antibiotic resistant bacteria, which have a higher potential to cause infections that are more difficult to treat. We provided evidence for the harmful impact human contact has on L. rosalia. Also, our results suggest that monitoring of commensal microbiota of protected animal species might be a useful way of sensing the risks of protected species to human exposure.publishersversionpublishe

O HERÓI CÔMICO: TRIGEU E O ESCARAVELHO NA PAZ DE ARISTÓFANES

RESUMO: Ao examinar o tipo de heroísmo dos protagonistas da comédia de Aristófanes, Whitman (1964), enumera o que considera essencial. O primeiro ponto é que eles são bem-sucedidos em seus grandes planos, e tal sucesso é considerado algo bom, mas de que sentido e para quem, exceto para o próprio herói, é o que não está tão evidente. Tais triunfos são conseguidos através dos absurdos próprios do gênero cômico. A comédia de Aristófanes está representada na figura híbrida de Trigeu e o Escaravelho, na peça A Paz, e o herói cômico é esse ser grotesco, misto de homem e fera que se torna divino por sua luta pela cidade justa.PALAVRAS-CHAVE: Herói cômico, Aristófanes, Paz, Grotesco

Biosensors for European zoonotic agents: a current Portuguese perspective

Emerging and recurrent outbreaks caused by zoonotic agents pose a public health risk. They result in morbidity and mortality in humans and significant losses in the livestock and food industries. This highlights the need for rapid surveillance methods. Despite the high reliability of conventional pathogen detection methods, they have high detection limits and are time-consuming and not suitable for on-site analysis. Furthermore, the unpredictable spread of zoonotic infections due to a complex combination of risk factors urges the development of innovative technologies to overcome current limitations in early warning and detection. Biosensing, in particular, is highlighted here, as it offers rapid and cost-effective devices for use at the site of infection while increasing the sensitivity of detection. Portuguese research in biosensors for zoonotic pathogens is the focus of this review. This branch of research produces exciting and innovative devices for the study of the most widespread pathogenic bacteria. The studies presented here relate to the different classes of pathogens whose characteristics and routes of infection are also described. Many advances have been made in recent years, and Portuguese research teams have increased publications in this field. However, biosensing still needs to be extended to other pathogens, including potentially pandemic viruses. In addition, the use of biosensors as part of routine diagnostics in hospitals for humans, in animal infections for veterinary medicine, and food control has not yet been achieved. Therefore, a convergence of Portuguese efforts with global studies on biosensors to control emerging zoonotic diseases is foreseen for the future.Centro de Investigação Desenvolvimento e Inovação da Academia Militar (CINAMIL) from Academia Militar/Instituto Universitário Militar by project SIPA (Sistema Integrado de Proteção Alimentar)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio