Formation of oriented nickel aggregates in rutile single crystals by Ni implantation

The magnetic and electrical properties of Ni implanted single crystalline TiO2 rutile were studied for nominal implanted fluences between 0.5 x 10(17) cm(-2) and 2.0 x 10(17) cm(-2) with 150 keV energy, corresponding to maximum atomic concentrations between 9 at% and 27 at% at 65 nm depth, in order to study the formation of metallic oriented aggregates. The results indicate that the as implanted crystals exhibit superparamagnetic behavior for the two higher fluences, which is attributed to the formation of nanosized nickel clusters with an average size related with the implanted concentration, while only paramagnetic behavior is observed for the lowest fluence. Annealing at 1073 K induces the aggregation of the implanted nickel and enhances the magnetization in all samples. The associated anisotropic behavior indicates preferred orientations of the nickel aggregates in the rutile lattice consistent with Rutherford backscattering spectrometry-channelling results. Electrical conductivity displays anisotropic behavior but no magnetoresistive effects were detected. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Accessing indoor fungal contamination using conventional and molecular methods in Portuguese poultries

Epidemiological studies showed increased prevalence of respiratory symptoms and adverse changes in pulmonary function parameters in poultry workers, corroborating the increased exposure to risk factors, such as fungal load and their metabolites. This study aimed to determine the occupational exposure threat due to fungal contamination caused by the toxigenic isolates belonging to the complex of the species of Aspergillus flavus and also isolates fromAspergillus fumigatus species complex. The study was carried out in seven Portuguese poultries, using cultural and molecularmethodologies. For conventional/cultural methods, air, surfaces, and litter samples were collected by impaction method using the Millipore Air Sampler. For the molecular analysis, air samples were collected by impinger method using the Coriolis μ air sampler. After DNA extraction, samples were analyzed by real-time PCR using specific primers and probes for toxigenic strains of the Aspergillus flavus complex and for detection of isolates from Aspergillus fumigatus complex. Through conventional methods, and among the Aspergillus genus, different prevalences were detected regarding the presence of Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus species complexes, namely: 74.5 versus 1.0% in the air samples, 24.0 versus 16.0% in the surfaces, 0 versus 32.6% in new litter, and 9.9 versus 15.9%in used litter. Through molecular biology, we were able to detect the presence of aflatoxigenic strains in pavilions in which Aspergillus flavus did not grow in culture. Aspergillus fumigatus was only found in one indoor air sample by conventional methods. Using molecular methodologies, however, Aspergillus fumigatus complex was detected in seven indoor samples from three different poultry units. The characterization of fungal contamination caused by Aspergillus flavus and Aspergillus fumigatus raises the concern of occupational threat not only due to the detected fungal load but also because of the toxigenic potential of these species.

Mould and yeast identification in archival settings: preliminary results on the use of traditional methods and molecular biology options in Portuguese archives

This project was developed to fully assess the indoor air quality in archives and libraries from a fungal flora point of view. It uses classical methodologies such as traditional culture media – for the viable fungi – and modern molecular biology protocols, especially relevant to assess the non-viable fraction of the biological contaminants. Denaturing high-performance liquid chromatography (DHPLC) has emerged as an alternative to denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) and has already been applied to the study of a few bacterial communities. We propose the application of DHPLC to the study of fungal colonization on paper-based archive materials. This technology allows for the identification of each component of a mixture of fungi based on their genetic variation. In a highly complex mixture of microbial DNA this method can be used simply to study the population dynamics, and it also allows for sample fraction collection, which can, in many cases, be immediately sequenced, circumventing the need for cloning. Some examples of the methodological application are shown. Also applied is fragment length analysis for the study of mixed Candida samples. Both of these methods can later be applied in various fields, such as clinical and sand sample analysis. So far, the environmental analyses have been extremely useful to determine potentially pathogenic/toxinogenic fungi such as Stachybotrys sp., Aspergillus niger, Aspergillus fumigatus, and Fusarium sp. This work will hopefully lead to more accurate evaluation of environmental conditions for both human health and the preservation of documents.

Processos criativos: a importância do olhar

Pesquisas realizadas recentemente salientam o papel desempenhado pelas emoções no cerne dos processos cognitivos e, em particular, na criatividade, entendendo esta não como uma faculdade mas como um processo complexo e dinâmico, dependente de vários fatores intrínsecos e extrínsecos ao sujeito. Paralelamente, a abordagem pedagógica no domínio das artes modificou-se consideravelmente desde os anos 80, desviando a atenção da produção para o processo de conhecimento e o seu conteúdo. Essa alteração levou a uma mudança de paradigma: em vez de se introduzir cegamente os alunos nos detalhes e métodos da produção artística, isolando estes do seu contexto social, procura-se agora despertar neles o olhar estético. Como em Duchamp, tenta-se alcançar uma viragem qualitiva, do objeto para o contexto.

Complementarity of conventional and molecular methods in the assessment of fungal contamination caused by Aspergillus fumigatus complex in one Portuguese composting plant

The handling of waste and compost that occurs frequently in composting plants (compost turning, shredding, and screening) has been shown to be responsible for the release of dust and air borne microorganisms and their compounds in the air. Thermophilic fungi, such as A. fumigatus, have been reported and this kind of contamination in composting facilities has been associated with increased respiratory symptoms among compost workers. This study intended to characterize fungal contamination in a totally indoor composting plant located in Portugal. Besides conventional methods, molecular biology was also applied to overcome eventual limitations.

Relações públicas e comunicação a internacionalização da banda Cambatango

O presente trabalho de projeto tem como tema Comunicação e Relações Públicas na internacionalização da banda Cambatango. Os Cambatango são uma orquestra típica de tango argentino que deseja consolidar a sua presença no mercado musical europeu. Assim, a pergunta de partida desta investigação é: como é que uma banda musical de origem argentina consegue promover o seu trabalho em território ibérico? O objetivo principal da investigação é associar as atividades de Relações Públicas à indústria da música. Para este fim, foi escolhido um objeto de estudo real, a orquestra Cambatango e proposto um Plano de Relações Públicas que ajude a: fortalecer a gestão e a imagem do grupo; fomentar a visibilidade da banda na indústria musical internacional; conquistar novos públicos e dinamizar a relação com os stakeholders de forma a impulsionar a presença do grupo em território ibérico. Esta investigação tem uma abordagem predominantemente qualitativa, nesse sentido, os métodos de pesquisa utilizados foram: análise SWOT; análise PEST; mapeamento de stakeholders; entrevistas (e respetiva análise categorial temática); pesquisa documental; auditoria em comunicação e pesquisa informal. As principais conclusões foram: existe uma vertente de Relações Públicas para a música, mas que ainda não é muito explorada pelos artistas independentes; um plano de Relações Públicas elaborado com base nas necessidades e objetivos dos artistas pode ajudar a projetar a sua carreira internacional; a indústria da música tem vindo a mudar face às novas tecnologias e os artistas precisam de acompanhar estas tendências; a comunicação é fundamental para estabelecer o diálogo com os diferentes públicos e ganhar maior projeção e visibilidade internacional.

Arrow plot and CA maps on microarray preprocessing methods

Microarray allow to monitoring simultaneously thousands of genes, where the abundance of the transcripts under a same experimental condition at the same time can be quantified. Among various available array technologies, double channel cDNA microarray experiments have arisen in numerous technical protocols associated to genomic studies, which is the focus of this work. Microarray experiments involve many steps and each one can affect the quality of raw data. Background correction and normalization are preprocessing techniques to clean and correct the raw data when undesirable fluctuations arise from technical factors. Several recent studies showed that there is no preprocessing strategy that outperforms others in all circumstances and thus it seems difficult to provide general recommendations. In this work, it is proposed to use exploratory techniques to visualize the effects of preprocessing methods on statistical analysis of cancer two-channel microarray data sets, where the cancer types (classes) are known. For selecting differential expressed genes the arrow plot was used and the graph of profiles resultant from the correspondence analysis for visualizing the results. It was used 6 background methods and 6 normalization methods, performing 36 pre-processing methods and it was analyzed in a published cDNA microarray database (Liver) available at http://genome-www5.stanford.edu/ which microarrays were already classified by cancer type. All statistical analyses were performed using the R statistical software.

Mapeamento das regiões cerebrais associadas ao engano

Mestrado em Radiações aplicadas às Tecnologias da Saúde - Ramo de Ressonância Magnética

Análise de risco e inspeções de segurança em elevadores, escadas mecânicas e tapetes rolantes

Trabalho Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Mecânica

Teacher placement report: investigation: action research project investigating methods for promoting creativity in double bass students attending a portuguese music school

The investigation which employed the action research method (qualitative analysis)was divided into four fases. In phases 1-3 the participants were six double bass students at Nossa Senhora do Cabo Music School. Pilot exercises in creativity were followed by broader and more ambitious projects. In phase 4 the techniques were tested and amplified during a summer course for twelve double bass students at Santa Cecilia College.

Metodologia DEA e optimização multiobjectivo

Mestrado em Contabilidade e Gestão das Instituições Financeiras

Planeamento de rota em ambiente desconhecido

Dissertação para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Electrotécnica Ramo de Automação e Electrónica Industrial

Repertório Contemporâneo como disciplina de desenvolvimento técnico e artístico

Relatório Final de Estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Dança, com vista à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Ensino de Dança.

Como incluir as crianças na avaliação diária

Relatório da Prática Profissional Supervisionada Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar