Electromagnetic fields and environmental noise: human health impacts in Serzedelo, Guimarães (Portugal)

The present paper investigates the risks that arise from exposure to noise from powerpoles and powerlines in Serzedelo, in the municipality of Guimarães, in Portugal. This research focused on four guiding questions: Can powerlines cause noise? Do powerlines cause discomfort? Do powerlines cause discomfort due to noise? And can powerlines effect human health? Two groups were the basis of the study: people that were exposed to electromagnetic waves and people that were not. the research pointed to the harmful influence of the presence of powerlines and high-voltage masts in residential areas and the damage to the cells in the human body. This type of environmental noise, which has the spectral content of a low frequency, typically tonal noise and a very high speed of propagation, is a complex source to explain in terms of the health profiles of the human population living in Serzedelo, located in an area that is densely occupied by high voltage powerlines and powerpole.

Novel hybrid multifunctional magnetoelectric porous composite films

Novel multifunctional porous films have been developed by the integration of magnetic CoFe2O4 (CFO) nanoparticles into poly(vinylidene fluoride)-Trifuoroethylene (P(VDF-TrFE)), taking advantage of the synergies of the magnetostrictive filler and the piezoelectric polymer. The porous films show a piezoelectric response with an effective d33 coefficient of -22 pC/N-1, a maximum magnetization of 12 emu.g-1 and a maximum magnetoelectric coefficient of 9 mV.cm-1.Oe-1. In this way, a multifunctional membrane has been developed suitable for advanced applications ranging from biomedical to water treatment.

Liderança e treino desportivo: Implicações para a formação do treinador de alto rendimento

[Excerto Introdução] A preparação dos atletas para o alto rendimento implica um conjunto variado de competências por parte do treinador, nomeadamente a nível dos conhecimentos gerais e específicos do desporto e da modalidade em causa, incluindo, por exemplo, domínio sobre a metodologia do treino, aspetos técnicos e táticos dessa modalidade, fisiologia dos atletas, psicologia do desporto, questões educacionais e sociológicas do desporto, e mesmo um conhecimento sobre o conjunto de fatores estruturais e culturais inerentes a cada organização desportiva e ambiente que a rodeia. Esta variedade de dimensões influenciadoras do rendimento desportivo exige que o treinador assuma uma multiplicidade de papéis, designadamente organizar e implementar planos de treino e de competição para os atletas, dirigir os atletas ao longo da época desportiva, formular objetivos desportivos consonantes com as capacidades dos atletas e as expectativas dos clubes, relacionar-se com os atletas e outros agentes desportivos direta e indiretamente envolvidos no fenómeno desportivo, entre outros. (...)

Crianças referenciadas e em residências de acolhimento no distrito de Braga: risco familiar

Pela repercussão de determinadas famílias serem estigmatizadas, considerando-se “disfuncionais” ou “desestruturadas” (Furniss, 1991; Marvasti, 1995), tivemos como objetivos favorecer a identificação de fatores socioculturais (e de estrutura familiar) e discriminar indicadores de mal-estar e risco familiar. Com uma metologia qualitativa, num contexto de investigação-ação (Bryman, 2008; Denzin & Lincoln, 2005), junto de crianças referenciadas para acolhimento institucional foi utilizado por estudantes de ensino superior um guião, para entrevistas individuais, face a face e semiestrutruradas (Harrison, Geddens, & Sharpe, 2006). Selecionamos para a amostra crianças a viverem em Centros de Acolhimento Temporário (CAT), incluindo-se 7 do sexo feminino e 7 do sexo masculino. Para análise dos dados recolhidos recorremos a metodologias visuais e de análise de discurso (Rose, 2005). Os resultados permitiram-nos identificar crises familiares graves e outras mudanças aludidas constatando-se ser desenhada a “pessoa especial” e uma família (Corman, 1967; Font, 1978). Os diálogos sobre as circunstâncias e atividades do quotidiano, revelaram que o insucesso escolar é uma manifestação de preocupação de quem tenta incentivar os mais novos na procura de amizades, na construção de uma maior autonomia, estabelecendo-lhes limites de conduta e apoio na criação de objetivos e nos seus esforços para dominarem a agressividade.

The diagnostic and prognostic role of liquid-based cytology: are we ready to monitor therapy and resistance?

Here, we evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic role of liquid-based cytology (LBC) in different body lesions, including thyroid, lung, effusions and malignant breast lesions. LBC has gained consensus after being applied to both non-gynecologic and fine-needle aspiration cytology. Although some remain sceptical regarding the diagnostic efficacy of LBC, mainly when used alone, in recent years, good results have been obtained as long as it showed a high diagnostic accuracy. Here, we discuss the additional possibility of storing material for the application of ancillary techniques (immunocytochemistry–molecular analysis) with several diagnostic and prognostic advantages, which may pave the way for the challenging evaluation of both monitoring responses to treatment and resistance to targeted therapies in thyroid, lung, breast carcinoma or malignant effusions. Furthermore, it provides the use of several molecular spots as specific targets for personalized therapy.

Embedding, evolution, and validation of model-driven spreadsheets

This paper proposes and validates a model-driven software engineering technique for spreadsheets. The technique that we envision builds on the embedding of spreadsheet models under a widely used spreadsheet system. This means that we enable the creation and evolution of spreadsheet models under a spreadsheet system. More precisely, we embed ClassSheets, a visual language with a syntax similar to the one offered by common spreadsheets, that was created with the aim of specifying spreadsheets. Our embedding allows models and their conforming instances to be developed under the same environment. In practice, this convenient environment enhances evolution steps at the model level while the corresponding instance is automatically co-evolved.Finally,wehave designed and conducted an empirical study with human users in order to assess our technique in production environments. The results of this study are promising and suggest that productivity gains are realizable under our model-driven spreadsheet development setting.

Impact of Delftia tsuruhatensis and Achromobacter xylosoxidans on Escherichia coli dual-species biofilms treated with antibiotic agents

Recently it was demonstrated that for urinary tract infections species with a lower or unproven pathogenic potential, such as Delftia tsuruhatensis and Achromobacter xylosoxidans, might interact with conventional pathogenic agents such as Escherichia coli. Here, single- and dual-species biofilms of these microorganisms were characterized in terms of microbial composition over time, the average fitness of E. coli, the spatial organization and the biofilm antimicrobial profile. The results revealed a positive impact of these species on the fitness of E. coli and a greater tolerance to the antibiotic agents. In dual-species biofilms exposed to antibiotics, E. coli was able to dominate the microbial consortia in spite of being the most sensitive strain. This is the first study demonstrating the protective effect of less common species over E. coli under adverse conditions imposed by the use of antibiotic agents.