A systematic procedure to enhance reproducibility of SWASV cycles in the determination of toxic metals in real samples

This work presents for the first time a systematic study on the optimization of the electrochemical cleaning time of a mercury film when it is used as a working electrode material in the analysis of toxic metals, such as Pb2+, used as model metal, in real samples by SWASV. The optimization study for the film’s cleaning time aimed at attaining a Pb2+ minimum value in the film after the re-oxidation step of the pre-concentrated metal, given the impossibility of complete removal of traces of the electroactive species from the film. This value was kept constant in each concentration range studied ensuring thus that all assays were performed in initial identical conditions. An assay performed on a synthetic sample was taken as reference. In it, given the absence of matrix effects, and after the electrochemical cleaning step, a direct proportionality was observed between the residual amounts of Pb2+ in the film (which for the cleaning time used was never completely removed) and Pb2+ concentration in the solution. This fact determined a high correlation between Pb2+ peak current and Pb2+ concentration which was not observed when real samples (tree leaves) were analyzed. This behavior may result from the presence of the interfering surfactants always present in real samples of complex matrix. Cleaning time optimization was performed for the following Pb2+ concentration ranges in the real samples of complex matrix: 0.006-0.020, 0.020-0.080, 0.060-0.200 and 0.100-0.600 ppb. As expected, in order to obtain identical levels of film’s cleaning efficiency, the need for longer cleaning times has been observed for higher concentrations. The optimized cleaning times for the concentration ranges under study were 120, 150, 180 e 300 s, respectively.

Industry concentration and market volatility

In this paper our aim is to gain a better understanding of the relationship between market volatility and industrial structure. As conflicting results have been documented regarding the relationship between market industry concentration and market volatility, this study investigates this relationship in the time series. We have found that this relationship is only significant and positive for Spain. Our results suggest that we cannot generalize across different countries that market industrial structure (concentration) is a significant factor in explaining market volatility.

Pre-operative tractography of the facial nerve in vestibular schwannomas: inter-observer agreement with surgical findings

Pre-operative diffusion tensor (DT) tractography is currently employed in our institutions. We use it to predict the course of the facial nerve (FN) in the vicinity of vestibular schwannomas (VS) of the cerebellopontine angle (CPA). In this study we were interested to assess the inter-observer reproducibility of this method. Two Neuroradiologists (PMGP and TT) determined independently the location of the FN by tractography and compared the results with in-vivo findings of microsurgery of VS.

Surgical proven location of the facial nerve in the vicinity of cerebellopontine angle tumours depicted pre-operatively by tractography

Purpose/Introduction: To determine the clinical utility of pre-operative diffusion tensor (DT) tractography of the facial nerve in the vicinity of cerebellopontine angle (CPA) tumours. The location of the facial nerve was established pre-operatively by tractography and compared with in-vivo electrode stimulation during microsurgery of vestibular schwannomas and rare CPA masses (meningiomas and arachnoid cysts).

Effect of deworming on hemoglobin concentration in children from 2 to 15 years from the Bengo Province, Angola

The most common causes of anemia are micronutrient deficiencies, but other factors may influence namely inflammation, parasitic infections and inherited disorders. One strategy to combat micronutrient deficiencies is supplementation, yet, in zones with high prevalence of Schistosomiasis or Soil Transmitted Helminthes (STH), supplementation could be not sufficient. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of deworming, on hemoglobin concentration, in children from 2 to 15 years, from Bengo.

Occupational exposure to particulate matter in 2 Portuguese waste-sorting units

Objectives - This study intended to characterize work environment contamination by particles in 2 waste-sorting plants. Material and Methods - Particles were measured by portable direct-reading equipment. Besides mass concentration in different sizes, data related with the number of particles concentration were also obtained. Results - Both sorting units showed the same distribution concerning the 2 exposure metrics: particulate matter 5 (PM5) and particulate matter 10 (PM10) reached the highest levels and 0.3 μm was the fraction with a higher number of particles. Unit B showed higher (p < 0.05) levels for both exposure metrics. For instance, in unit B the PM10 size is 9-fold higher than in unit A. In unit A, particulate matter values obtained in pre-sorting and in the sequential sorting cabinet were higher without ventilation working. Conclusions - Workers from both waste-sorting plants are exposed to particles. Particle counting provided additional information that is of extreme value for analyzing the health effects of particles since higher values of particles concentration were obtained in the smallest fraction.

Do fatigue, physical activity, handgrip strength and quality of life change between pre and post liver transplant?

Analisar: níveis de fadiga, força de preensão, HRQoL, níveis de actividade física. Será que se alteram em doentes PAF após o transplante de fígado? Dado que os níveis de actividade física se encontram abaixo dos valores mínimos recomendados deveria ser encontrada uma estratégia de aumento do tempo dispendido na actividade física leve a moderada idealmente no PRÉ TRANSPLANTE.

Task-based occupational exposure assessment and particle number concentration: two important data resources to perform risk assessment for occupational exposure to particles

Environment monitoring has an important role in occupational exposure assessment. However, due to several factors is done with insufficient frequency and normally don´t give the necessary information to choose the most adequate safety measures to avoid or control exposure. Identifying all the tasks developed in each workplace and conducting a task-based exposure assessment help to refine the exposure characterization and reduce assessment errors. A task-based assessment can provide also a better evaluation of exposure variability, instead of assessing personal exposures using continuous 8-hour time weighted average measurements. Health effects related with exposure to particles have mainly been investigated with mass-measuring instruments or gravimetric analysis. However, more recently, there are some studies that support that size distribution and particle number concentration may have advantages over particle mass concentration for assessing the health effects of airborne particles. Several exposure assessments were performed in different occupational settings (bakery, grill house, cork industry and horse stable) and were applied these two resources: task-based exposure assessment and particle number concentration by size. The results showed interesting results: task-based approach applied permitted to identify the tasks with higher exposure to the smaller particles (0.3 μm) in the different occupational settings. The data obtained allow more concrete and effective risk assessment and the identification of priorities for safety investments.

Pulsed electric field pre-treatment for apple juice extraction: Evaluation of monopolar and bipolar pulses effects

Additional apple juice extraction with pulsed electric field pretreated apple cubes towards control samples is evaluated. Monopolar and bipolar shaped pulses are compared and their effect is studied with variation of electric field, pulse width and number of pulses. Variation of electric field strength is ranged from 100 V/cm to 1300 V/cm, pulse width from 20 mu s to 300 mu s and number of pulses from 10 to 200, at frequency of 200Hz. Two pulse trains separated by 1 second are applied to all samples. Bipolar pulses showed higher apple juice yields with all studied parameters. Calculation of specific energies consumed was assessed and a threshold where higher energy inputs do not increase juice yield is found for a number of used parameters. Qualitative parameters of total soluble matter (Brix) and absorbance at 390 nm wavelength were determined for each sample and results show that no substantial differences are found for PEF pre-treated and control samples.

A importância das histórias na educação pré-escolar

Relatório da Prática Profissional Supervisionada Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar