Development of a penetration test for timber impregnation products for use in old buildings

This paper studies the application of commercial biocides to old maritime pine timber structures (Pinus pinaster Ait.) that have previously been impregnated with other products. A method was developed in the laboratory to be used in situ to determine the impregnation depth achieved by a new generation biocide product applied to timber from an old building. This timber had once been treated with an unknown product difficult to characterize without extensive analysis. The test was initially developed in laboratory conditions and later tested on elements of the roof structure of an 18th century building. In both cases the results were promising and mutually consistent with penetration depths for some treatments reaching 2.0 cm. The application in situ proved the tests viability and simplicity of execution giving a clear indication on the feasibility of possible re-treatments.

Development of an in situ penetration test for the uptake of preservatives in applied wood

This paper concerns the study of biocides application in old timber structures of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Ail.), previously impregnated with other products. A method was developed in laboratory to determine in situ the penetration depth of a product applied superficially. As initial treatment, three traditional products for sawn timber for buildings were used and, for new treatments, two newer, more environmentally benign products were used. Their ability to penetrate the pre-treated surfaces was evaluated after 1, 2 and 3 applications at 24 hours intervals and the results obtained are presented. Finally, the applicability of the developed test to the in-situ evaluation of timber structures is also discussed.

Paleomagnetic study of the Great Foum Zguid dyke (southern Morocco): A positive contact test related to metasomatic processes

When a paleomagnetic pole is sought for in an igneous body, the host rocks should be subjected to a contact test to assure that the determined paleopole has the age of the intrusion. If the contact test is positive, it precludes the possibility that the measured magnetization is a later effect. Therefore, we investigated the variations of the remanent magnetization along cross-sections of rocks hosting the Foum Zguid dyke (southern Morocco) and the dyke itself. A positive contact test was obtained, but it is mainly related with Chemical/Crystalline Remanent Magnetization due to metasomatic processes in the host-rocks during magma intrusion and cooling, and not only with Thermo-Remanent Magnetization as ordinarily assumed in standard studies. Paleomagnetic data obtained within the dyke then reflect the Earth magnetic field during emplacement of this well-dated (196.9 +/- 1.8 Ma) intrusion.

Design of a new test chamber for evaluation of the toxicity of rubber infill

A test chamber was projected and built (according to ISO 16000-9 Standard) to simulate atmospheric conditions experienced by rubber infill (when applied in synthetic turf pitches) and measure accurately the airborne emissions of pollutants such as dusts and volatile organic compounds (VOC), as well as pollutants present in leachates. It should be pointed out that standard ISO 16000-9 is only concerned with the determination of the emission of VOC from building products and furnishing (not specific of synthetic turf materials), whereas other standards are concerned with the emission of leachates only. This procedure is to be considered as a technical option to the lysimeter "global turf system evaluation" when the rubber infill alone is to be evaluated. The advantage of the proposed option considering this "test chamber" is its simplicity and economy. This test chamber is actually installed and being used for tests in LAIST.

Comparative study of stereopsis with three different tests: TNO®, Stereo Acuity Test Fly® and StereoTAB® in students in higher school

Purpose: Stereopsis is the perception of depth based on retinal disparity. Global stereopsis depends on the process of random dot stimuli and local stereopsis depends on contour perception. The aim of this study was to correlate 3 stereopsis tests: TNO®, StereoTA B®, and Fly Stereo Acuity Test® and to study the sensitivity and correlation between them, using TNO® as the gold standard. Other variables as near convergence point, vergences, symptoms and optical correction were correlated with the 3 tests. Materials and Methods: Forty-nine students from Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa (ESTeSL), aged 18-26 years old were included. Results: The stereopsis mean (standard-deviation-SD) values in each test were: TNO® = 87.04” ±84.09”; FlyTest® = 38.18” ±34.59”; StereoTA B® = 124.89’’ ±137.38’’. About the coefficient of determination: TNO® and StereoTA B® with R2 = 0.6 e TNO® and FlyTest® with R2 =0.2. Pearson correlation coefficient shows a positive correlation between TNO® and StereoTA B® (r = 0.784 with α = 0.01). Phi coefficient shows a strong and positive association between TNO® and StereoTA B® (Φ = 0.848 with α = 0.01). In the ROC Curve, the StereoTA B® has an area under the curve bigger than the FlyTest® with a sensivity of 92.3% for 94.4% of specificity, so it means that the test is sensitive with a good discriminative power. Conclusion: We conclude that the use of Stereopsis tests to study global Stereopsis are an asset for clinical use. This type of test is more sensitive, revealing changes in Stereopsis when it is actually changed, unlike the test Stereopsis, which often indicates normal Stereopsis, camouflaging a Stereopsis change. We noted also that the StereoTA B ® is very sensitive and despite being a digital application, possessed good correlation with the TNO®.

Estudo comparativo da estereopsia com três testes diferentes: TNO®, Fly Stereo Acuity Test® e StereoTAB® em estudantes do ensino superior

Estereopsia define-se como a perceção de profundidade baseada na disparidade retiniana. A estereopsia global depende do processamento de estímulos de pontos aleatórios e a estereopsia local depende da perceção de contornos. O objetivo deste estudo é correlacionar três testes de estereopsia: TNO®, StereoTAB® e Fly Stereo Acuity Test® e verificar a sensibilidade e correlação entre eles, tendo o TNO® como gold standard. Incluíram-se 49 estudantes da Escola Superior de Tecnologia da Saúde de Lisboa (ESTeSL) entre os 18 e 26 anos. As variáveis ponto próximo de convergência (ppc), vergências, sintomatologia e correção ótica foram correlacionadas com os três testes. Os valores médios (desvios-padrão) de estereopsia foram: TNO® = 87,04’’ ±84,09’’; FlyTest® = 38,18’’ ±34,59’’; StereoTAB® = 124,89’’ ±137,38’’. Coeficiente de determinação: TNO® e StereoTAB® com R2=0,6 e TNO® e FlyTest® com R2=0,2. O coeficiente de correlação de Pearson mostra uma correlação positiva de entre o TNO® e o StereoTAB® (r=0,784 com α=0,01). O coeficiente de associação de Phi mostrou uma relação positiva forte entre o TNO® e StereoTAB® (Φ=0,848 com α=0,01). Na curva ROC, o StereoTAB® possui uma área sob a curva maior que o FlyTest®, apresentando valor de sensibilidade de 92,3% para uma especificidade de 94,4%, tornando-o num teste sensível e com bom poder discriminativo.

Diagnostic performance of visual screening tests in the elderly

This study aimed to determine and evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of visual screening tests for detecting vision loss in elderly. This study is defined as study of diagnostic performance. The diagnostic accuracy of 5 visual tests -near convergence point, near accommodation point, stereopsis, contrast sensibility and amsler grid—was evaluated by means of the ROC method (receiver operating characteristics curves), sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios (LR+/LR−). Visual acuity was used as the reference standard. A sample of 44 elderly aged 76.7 years (±9.32), who were institutionalized, was collected. The curves of contrast sensitivity and stereopsis are the most accurate (area under the curves were 0.814−p = 0.001, C.I.95%[0.653;0.975]— and 0.713−p = 0.027, C.I.95%[0,540;0,887], respectively). The scores with the best diagnostic validity for the stereopsis test were 0.605 (sensitivity 0.87, specificity 0.54; LR+ 1.89, LR−0.24) and 0.610 (sensitivity 0.81, specificity 0.54; LR+1.75, LR−0.36). The scores with higher diagnostic validity for the contrast sensibility test were 0.530 (sensitivity 0.94, specificity 0.69; LR+ 3.04, LR−0.09). The contrast sensitivity and stereopsis test's proved to be clinically useful in detecting vision loss in the elderly.

Caracterização mecânica de misturas betuminosas a aplicar em infra-estruturas de transportes

A maioria das infra-estruturas de transportes, nomeadamente os pavimentos rodoviários e aeroportuários, são constituídas por misturas betuminosas, o que permite um bom desempenho e uma adequada durabilidade, nas condições usuais de serviço. As misturas betuminosas são ainda amplamente utilizadas na construção de zonas de estacionamento de veículos, tendo-se verificado recentemente a sua aplicação também em infra-estruturas ferroviárias. Face à necessidade de melhorar o desempenho das vias-férreas, permitindo uma concepção mais durável de linhas de alta velocidade e uma redução dos custos da sua manutenção, tem-se vindo a desenvolver diversos estudos para promover a utilização de novos materiais, principalmente através da incorporação de misturas betuminosas. O presente trabalho tem como objectivo a caracterização do comportamento mecânico de misturas betuminosas a aplicar em infra-estruturas de transportes. Como metodologia para o estudo do comportamento mecânico das misturas betuminosas foram realizados em laboratório ensaios de cargas repetidas, nomeadamente, ensaios de flexão em quatro pontos para determinação da rigidez e da resistência à fadiga e ensaios de compressão triaxiais cíclicos para avaliação do comportamento à deformação permanente. A resistência à fadiga das misturas betuminosas em estudo foi avaliada através do ensaio de flexão em quatro pontos, com extensão controlada, e aplicação de um carregamento sinusoidal com diferentes frequências, de acordo com o procedimento de ensaio da norma europeia EN 12697-24 (2004 + A1: 2007). A resistência à deformação permanente das misturas betuminosas foi analisada através de ensaios de compressão triaxiais cíclicos, submetendo-as a uma tensão de confinamento estática pela aplicação parcial de vácuo e a uma pressão axial cíclica sob a forma rectangular, de acordo com a norma europeia EN 12697-25 (2004). O conhecimento destas propriedades mecânicas assume particular importância ao nível da formulação das misturas betuminosas, do dimensionamento de uma estrutura ou do estabelecimento de uma adequada solução para uma obra de reabilitação duma infra-estrutura de transportes. Para este estudo foi utilizado um modelo físico construído numa fossa no LNEC, com o propósito de serem testadas três substruturas ferroviárias não convencionais, utilizando sub-balastro betuminoso. A selecção das substruturas foi efectuada após uma análise de várias secções de estruturas já testadas e aplicadas noutros países, de forma a proporcionar comparações fiáveis entre elas. Os resultados obtidos mostraram que a mistura betuminosa AC20 base 50/70 (MB) aplicada na camada de sub-balastro é adequada para ser aplicada nas infra-estruturas de transportes pois apresenta um bom desempenho à fadiga e à deformação permanente. Através dos ensaios efectuados foi ainda possível entender a importante influência das características volumétricas, principalmente da porosidade para o bom comportamento da mistura betuminosa.

Unit Commitment in a Competitive and Emission Constrained Environment

This paper is on the unit commitment problem, considering not only the economic perspective, but also the environmental perspective. We propose a bi-objective approach to handle the problem with conflicting profit and emission objectives. Numerical results based on the standard IEEE 30-bus test system illustrate the proficiency of the proposed approach.

Tools for testing the Solvency Capital Requirement for life insurance

Longevity risk is one of the major risks that an insurance company or a pension fund has to deal with and it is expected that its importance will grow in the near future. In agreement with these considerations, in Solvency II regulation the Standard formula furnished for calculating the Solvency Capital Requirement explicitly considers this kind of risk. According to the new European rules in our paper we suggest a multiperiod approach to evaluate the SCR for longevity risk. We propose a backtesting framework for measuring the consistency of SCR calculations for life insurance policies.

Estudo da utilização de fibras em misturas betuminosas

A presente dissertação tem como objectivo principal aprofundar os conhecimentos sobre a incorporação de fibras em misturas betuminosas, em particular, sobre as misturas do tipo Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA). Para este tipo de mistura betuminosa existe uma norma de produto europeia, a EN 13108-5:2006. Os ensaios tipo iniciais para efeitos de certificação CE das misturas estão contemplados na norma portuguesa NP EN 13108-20:2008, onde também são estipuladas as condições de ensaio. São descritos diversos tipos de fibras passíveis de serem utilizadas no fabrico da mistura betuminosa do tipo SMA, dando especial enfoque às misturas fabricadas com fibras celulósicas, uma vez que este tipo específico de mistura é frequentemente aplicado em camada de desgaste noutros países, com reconhecidas vantagens em termos de durabilidade e desempenho do pavimento. As misturas do tipo SMA são descritas, analisando-se métodos de formulação e métodos para a sua caracterização. Posteriormente, são apresentados e discutidos os trabalhos experimentais levados a cabo para um caso concreto. Os ensaios realizados permitiram caracterizar a mistura quanto à sensibilidade à água, ao seu módulo de rigidez e resistência à deformação permanente. Conclui-se que a mistura do tipo SMA com a incorporação de fibras analisada, apresenta bom comportamento à deformação permanente e boa resistência á acção da água, comparativamente às misturas betuminosas tradicionais aplicadas em camada de desgaste.

Two-Higgs-doublet model in light of the standard model H -> tau(+)tau(-) search at the LHC

We study the implications of the searches based on H -> tau(+)tau-by the ATLAS and CMS collaborations on the parameter space of the two-Higgs-doublet model (2HDM). In the 2HDM, the scalars can decay into a tau pair with a branching ratio larger than the SM one, leading to constraints on the 2HDM parameter space. We show that in model II, values of tan beta > 1.8 are definitively excluded if the pseudoscalar is in the mass range 110 GeV < m(A) < 145 GeV. We have also discussed the implications for the 2HDM of the recent dimuon search by the ATLAS collaboration for a CP-odd scalar in the mass range 4-12 GeV.

Dispositional optimism is unidimensional or bidimensional? The Portuguese Revised Life Orientation Test

The aim of the study is to adapt and then discuss the appropriateness of the Life Orientation Test as a one or two dimension scale. The research includes two studies; one is composed of a sequential sample of 280 people with multiple sclerosis, 71% female, and another includes a convenience sample of 615 individuals from the community, 51.1% female. Because the construct is built upon a theoretical assumption that has one dimension, we examine the hypothesis of one or two factor solutions through confirmatory factor analysis, and the two-dimension solution premise demonstrates better adjustment for both samples. The other psychometric properties explored show appropriate results for the Portuguese sample, and similar to the original ones; the Test therefore seems appropriate for use in cross cultural studies. Based on our results, we discuss whether the questionnaire is a one or two dimension instrument, concluding that it appears appropriate to accept the recommendations of the original authors to use it as a one-dimensional tool and, when necessary, to use both dimensions. - RESUMO: El objetivo del estudio es adaptar y discutir la adecuación de la prueba de Orientación de la Vida en una o dos escalas de dimensión. La investigación engloba dos estudios, uno constituido por una muestra secuencial de 280 personas con esclerosis múltiple, 71% mujeres y otro con una muestra de conveniencia de la comunidad de 615 individuos, 51,1% del sexo femenino. Como el constructo se asienta sobre la presunción teórica de que tiene una dimensión, inspeccionamos la hipótesis de una o dos soluciones de factor a través del análisis factorial confirmatorio y la hipótesis de dos dimensiones manifiesta un mejor ajuste para ambas muestras. Las otras propiedades psicométricas exploradas muestran los resultados apropiados para la muestra portuguesa, y semejantes a los originales. Parece apropiado para los estudios culturales transversales. Basándonos en nuestros resultados, discutimos si el cuestionario es un instrumento de una o dos dimensiones, concluyéndose que parece conveniente seguir las recomendaciones de los autores originales, para utilizarlo como un instrumento unidimensional y, si fuera necesario necesario, utilizar cada una de las dimensiones.

Imunorreatividade em material histológico arquivado durante um, quatro e sete anos

Quando aplicada no âmbito da Anatomia Patológica, a imuno-histoquímica tem constituído um poderoso meio de identificação/caracterização de várias estruturas histológicas, permitindo delinear prognóstico e terapêutica para várias patologias. Tendo em conta que as amostras histológicas analisadas podem ser conservadas ao longo de vários anos, interessa avaliar a manutenção da antigenicidade ao longo do tempo, de forma a garantir a qualidade final da técnica quando aplicada em material de arquivo. Assim, o principal objetivo deste trabalho foi comparar a imunorreatividade do material histológico arquivado durante um, quatro e sete anos. Foi utilizado material histológico de próstata, pulmão e mama, no qual se procedeu à imunomarcação de citoqueratinas (Clones AE1/AE3), CD34 e proteína p63, por método de multímero/HRP no sistema Ventana BenchMark Ultra®. Foi realizado um ensaio com recuperação antigênica por alta temperatura (RAAT) e outro sem esta etapa. As imunomarcações (n=162) foram classificadas por três avaliadores independentes num escore quantitativo final (escala 0-100). O par média/desvio-padrão do escore final para os casos com sete anos foi de 69,06/19,05, para os casos com quatro anos foi de 66,47/20,73 e para os casos com um ano foi de 69,08/19,35, não se tendo encontrado diferenças estatisticamente significativas. Os casos sem RAAT obtiveram um par média/desvio-padrão de 54,90/17,00, enquanto os casos com RAAT obtiveram 81,50/11,60, o que revelou diferenças estatisticamente significativas (p=0,000). Para os casos em estudo conclui-se que o fator “tempo de arquivo” não está associado a alterações da imunorreatividade. A importância da RAAT na obtenção de imunomarcação de qualidade sai fortemente realçada. ABSTRACT - When applied within the framework of Pathology, immunohistochemistry has been a powerful means of identification/characterization of various histological structures, allowing to outline prognosis and therapy for various diseases. Given that the analyzed histological samples can be preserved for several years, it is interesting to assess the retention of antigenicity over time in order to ensure the quality of the final technique, when applied to stored material. Thus, the main objective of this study was to compare the immunoreactivity of the histological material archived for one, four and seven years. It was used histological material from prostate, lung and breast, in which it was performed the immunostaining of cytokeratins (clones AE1/AE3), CD34 and p63 protein by the method of multimer/HRP system on a Ventana BenchMark Ultra®. It was conducted a test with heat induced epitope retrieval (HIER) and another one without this step. The stained slides (n=162) were classified by three independent assessors using a quantitative score (scale 0-100). The pair mean/standard deviation of the score for cases with seven years was 69,06/19,05, for cases with four years was 66,47/20,73 and for cases with one year was 69,08/19,35, which did not revealed any statistically significant differences. The cases without HIER had a couple mean/standard deviation of 54.90/17.00 while the cases with HIER obtained 81.50/11.60, which revealed statistically significant differences (p=0.000). For this case study it was concluded that the factor archive period is not associated with changes in immunoreactivity. The importance of HIER in obtaining high quality immunostaining comes out strongly highlighted.

Predicted VO2 on 6 minutes walk test for FAP liver transplanted patients

Physical function is limited post-liver transplantation and exercise training can improve exercise capacity following transplantation but previously assessment of functional capacity is necessary. The 6 minute walk test (6MWT) is routinely used for studying patient’s exercise capacity and is less expensive and time consuming than a Cardiopulmonary Exercise Test (CPXT). There have been some studies looking at the relationship between 6MWT and peak VO2 in patients but few presented an adequate equation for predicted peak VO2 from 6MWT to transplanted patients and none for Familial Amyloidotic Polyneuropathy (FAP) liver transplanted patients (FAPTx). The aim of this study was to compare the validity of 6 equations as predictors of VO2 from the 6MWT and compare it with directly measured VO2 in patients FAPTx.