The alternative complex III from Rhodothermus marinus - a prototype of a new family of quinol: electron acceptor oxidoreductase

Dissertation presented to obtain a PhD degree in Biochemistry at the Instituto de Tecnologia Qu��mica e Biol��gica, Universidade Nova de Lisboa

Chagas' disease in the Brazilian Amazon: III. a cross-sectional sutdy

Two serological surveys for Chagas' infection were carried out, in 1991 and 1993, respectively, using a conglomerate family samples from the residents in the town of Barcelos (in the northern part of the State of Amazonas, on the right bank of the Rio Negro, 490 Km up-river from Manaus), using indirect immunofluorescent tests for anti-T. cruzi antibodies. In the first survey (1991), 628 blood samples from the residents of 142 dwellings were tested, showing positive in 12.7% for anti-T. cruzi antibodies and in 1993 an other 658 samples from residents of 171 dwellings showed positive in 13.7% of the tests, thus confirming the previous results. From 170 individuals with positive serology for T. cruzi antibodies, 112 (66%) were interviewed and submitted to electrocardiographic and clinical examinations; 82 (73.2%) of them gave consent for xenodiagnosis. From the 112 interviewed 52 (46.4%) recognized the triatomines as "pia��avas' lice", 48 (42.8%) knew the bugs from their work places being gatherers of pia��ava fibers in rural areas and 19 (16.9%) said that have been bitten by bugs in their huts. Only 2 (2.4%) of 82 xenodiagnosis applied were positive for T. cruzi and 9 (8%) of the ECG had alterations compatible with Chagas' disease.

Estrutura met��lica do teto falso da sala de comando da central Venda Nova III ��� acompanhamento da conce����o, fabrico e montagem

O primeiro objetivo deste relat��rio, que adiante se desenvolve, �� apresentar o trabalho realizado para a obten����o de conhecimentos que justifiquem a atribui����o do grau de mestre em engenharia, no ramo das constru����es. O est��gio, que a este trabalho d�� sustenta����o, foi feito na empresa Metaloviana, onde foi poss��vel acompanhar as v��rias fases de conce����o, fabrico e montagem de um teto falso, designadamente na sala de comando da central Venda Nova III, de aproveitamento hidroel��trico. Tendo Portugal objetivos cada vez mais ambiciosos na utiliza����o de energias renov��veis, aproveitando, entre outros, os recursos h��dricos para a produ����o de eletricidade, a EDP Produ����o fez estudos onde verificou que a realiza����o de refor��os de pot��ncia em aproveitamento j�� existentes, seria uma forma economicamente bastante atrativa e ao mesmo tempo responderia ��s crescentes solicita����es energ��ticas. �� neste ��mbito que se insere o Refor��o de Pot��ncia em Venda Nova III. A empresa Metaloviana, com instala����es fabris em Viana do Castelo, tem todo um historial e capacidade, reconhecida nacional e internacionalmente. Este, confere a certeza de ter acompanhado um trabalho de ponta, devidamente creditado e fundamentado numa qualidade e m��rito, por demais reconhecido.

The application of Basel III in Portugal: previsions based on 2012 and 2013 banking balance-sheets

The Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS) introduced new regulations for banking supervision in December 2010, better known as Basel III recommendations that aimed at guaranteeing the solidity of banks worldwide and the mitigation of new banking crises risks. The European Union transposed these directives through the Credit Review Directives IV (CRD IV). Portugal adopted CRD IV by a new decree-law no. 157/2014, on 24 th October 2014, enforced from 24 th November 2014. While individual banks have been given the option of using the internal ratings based method, this study analyses the compliance levels of all Portuguese banking institutions using the standard method, also prescribed by BCBS. Our results show that out of thirteen banks on 31-12-2013 only five banks were in a comfortable position and the remaining eight could not reach the minimum requirements set up by BCBS for 1-1-2014.

Sustentabilidade e bem-estar humano : duas faces da mesma moeda? : estudo explorat��rio do bem estar subjectivo em comunidades intencionais que vivem segundo princ��pios de sustentabilidade

RESUMO - Nos ��ltimos vinte anos tem-se assistido a uma crescente consciencializa����o de que os nossos estilos de vida s��o insustent��veis aos n��veis econ��mico, social e ambiental, o que tem repercuss��es na nossa sa��de e bem-estar. Do crescimento populacional �� pobreza e inequidade geradas pelo modelo de ���crescimento econ��mico��� actual, �� perda de biodiversidade e disrup����o dos ecossistemas naturais, ao desmesurado crescimento urbano, �� polui����o e acumula����o de desperd��cios, ��s altera����es clim��ticas, ao isolamento individual e �� diminui����o do capital social na sociedade do consumo: a necessidade de desenvolvimento sustent��vel e gerador de bem-estar nunca foi t��o grande e evidente. Ao longo dos ��ltimos anos t��m surgido comunidades intencionais que se organizam segundo princ��pios de sustentabilidade, como um fen��meno de contra-cultura ��� as Ecoaldeias (Ecovillages). No entanto, os benef��cios para a sa��de e bem-estar deste tipo de comunidades n��o s��o ainda claros, sendo a experi��ncia de investiga����o nesta ��rea escassa. O estudo aqui proposto visa conhecer, a t��tulo explorat��rio, os n��veis de bem-estar subjectivo em comunidades intencionais que vivem segundo princ��pios de sustentabilidade em Portugal, se estes n��veis s��o melhores que na popula����o em geral, e quais os factores percebidos que o influenciam. Para tal, ter�� componentes quantitativas e qualitativas e ir�� basear-se num question��rio auto-administrado aos residentes das Ecoaldeias portuguesas, que inclui o ��ndice de Bem-estar Pessoal - uma escala de medi����o do Bem-estar subjectivo validada para a popula����o portuguesa. As suas conclus��es poder��o contribuir para o desenvolvimento de abordagens mais elaboradas, capazes de edificar uma infra-estrutura te��rica para o sistema de conceitos em foco, t��o necess��ria quer a investiga����es com maior potencial explicativo, quer a decis��es com melhor fundamento. ------------ ABSTRACT - Over the past twenty years there has been a growing awareness that the way we live is unsustainable at the economic, social and environmental level, which has impact in our health and wellbeing. From the population growth to poverty and inequity generated by the current model of economic growth, to biodiversity loss and disruption of natural ecosystems, to disproportionate urban growth, to pollution and waste accumulation, to climate change and the individual isolation social loss capital in the consumption society: the need for a development that is sustainable and generates wellbeing has never been greater and more evident. Over the last years intentional communities who live according to principles of sustainability have emerged, has a phenomenon of counter-culture - the ecovillages. The health and wellbeing benefits of this type of communities are not clear, as the investigation in this area is little. The aim of this exploratory study is to know the levels of subjective wellbeing of such communities, in Portugal, if these levels are different from the general population and what are the main perceived contributing factors. This study will have a qualitative and quantitative component and will be based in the application of a self-administered questionnaire that includes the Subjective Wellbeing Index, a measurement scale of subjective wellbeing, validated for the Portuguese population. Its findings may contribute to the development of more elaborate approaches that allow to build a theoretical framework for the system of concepts focused, needed both for further investigations with more explanatory potential, as for more grounded decision-making, to tackle the challenges of sustainable development.

RE-EVALUATION OF SCHISTOSOMIASIS MANSONI IN MINAS GERAIS, BRAZIL. III. "NOROESTE DE MINAS" MESOREGION

This study was conducted to assess the presence of schistosomiasis mansoni in the "Noroeste de Minas" mesoregion, an area considered non-endemic. A malacologic survey and parasitologic stool examinations were undertaken in 13 municipalities of the mesoregion. A sample of 3,283 primary school students was submitted to fecal examination by the Kato-Katz method. A total of 3,627 planorbids was collected and examined. The molluscs were identified as Biomphalaria straminea in seven municipalities (Una��, Bonfin��polis de Minas, Paracatu, Jo��o Pinheiro, Vazante, Lagamar and Lagoa Grande) and as Biomphalaria peregrina in one (Presidente Oleg��rio). All planorbids were negative for Schistosoma mansoni. Four students were diagnosed with schistosomiasis in the municipalities of Buritis, Formoso, Paracatu and Una��, but none of these cases was considered autochthonous. The data obtained indicate that the "Noroeste de Minas" mesoregion continues to be non-endemic for schistosomiasis mansoni, although the presence of intermediate hosts associated with parasitized individuals emphasizes the need for epidemiological surveillance of schistosomiasis in this mesoregion.

European Union emissions trading scheme impact on the Spanish electricity price during phase II and phase III implementation

The European Union Emissions Trading Scheme (EU ETS) is a cornerstone of the European Union's policy to combat climate change and its key tool for reducing industrial greenhouse gas emissions cost-effectively. The purpose of the present work is to evaluate the influence of CO2 opportunity cost on the Spanish wholesale electricity price. Our sample includes all Phase II of the EU ETS and the first year of Phase III implementation, from January 2008 to December 2013. A vector error correction model (VECM) is applied to estimate not only long-run equilibrium relations, but also short-run interactions between the electricity price and the fuel (natural gas and coal) and carbon prices. The four commodities prices are modeled as joint endogenous variables with air temperature and renewable energy as exogenous variables. We found a long-run relationship (cointegration) between electricity price, carbon price, and fuel prices. By estimating the dynamic pass-through of carbon price into electricity price for different periods of our sample, it is possible to observe the weakening of the link between carbon and electricity prices as a result from the collapse on CO2 prices, therefore compromising the efficacy of the system to reach proposed environmental goals. This conclusion is in line with the need to shape new policies within the framework of the EU ETS that prevent excessive low prices for carbon over extended periods of time.

Dalla cosmologia alla polit��ca(Osservazioni sulla "Monarchia" di dante III, XV)

pp. 285-302

Utiliza����o das imagens LISS III para a classifica����o do uso do solo aplicado ao cadastro geom��trico da propriedade r��stica

Relat��rio de Est��gio de Mestrado em Gest��o do Territ��rio - Especializa����o em Detec����o Remota e Sistemas de Informa����o Geogr��fica

Tromboembolias M��ltiplas Associadas a D��fice de Anti-Trombina III

A defici��ncia cong��nita de anti-trombina III �� considerada como um estado de hipercoagulabilidade prim��ria. Os autores apresentam um caso de defici��ncia de anti-trombina III num jovem do sexo masculino, de 28 anos de idade, com doen��a valvular a��rtica e m��ltiplos epis��dios de fen��menos tromboemb��licos. Ao discutirem os seus aspectos diagn��sticos e terap��uticos, procuram sensibilizar para a necessidade de se rastrear situa����es de trombofilia em doentes com fen��menos tromb��ticos recorrentes.

Gd(III) chelates as NMR probes of protein-protein interactions. Case study: rubredoxin and cytochrome c3

Inorganic Chemistry 50(21):10600-7

The first crystal structure of class III superoxide reductase from Treponema pallidum

J Biol Inorg Chem (2006) 11: 548���558 DOI 10.1007/s00775-006-0104-y

Experimental chemotherapy of Schistosomiasis III: laboratory and clinical trials with trichlorphone, an organophosphorus compound

Oogram studies have been carried out on mice, hamsters, and Cebus morikeys experimentally infected with Schistosoma mansoni and treated with trichlorphone (0,0-dimethyl 1-hydroxy-2, 2, 2-trichloroethylphosphonate). In mice, despite a slight hepatic shift of schistosomes, all animais presented oogram changes when dosed, per os, at the schedules of 200, and 100 mg/kg/day �� 7. In hamsters, antischistosomal activity could be detected only at toxic leveis. In monkeys, trichlorphone showed insignificant action even after oral administration of 30 mg/kg/day for 10 consecutive days. In 5 volunteers, a sharp drop in cholinesterase plasma level was observed 24 hours after a single oral dose of 7.5 mg/kg. However, cholinesterase levels returned to the initial values within a period of 11 to 27 days. Trichlorphone was then administered to 12 schistosome patients (7.5 mg/kg/day, every fort- night, �� 5). One month after therapy, interruption of egg laying was observed in 6 patients. Late parasitological control showed that all treated patients continued to pass viable S. mansoni eggs with their stools.

Imuniza����o de camundongos com "vacina" viva avirulenta do Trypanosoma cruzi: III. varia����o do meio de cultura

Os autores demonstram atrav��s de testes em camundongos que variando o meio de cultivo a avirul��ncia da cepa Y, cultivada, do Trypanosoma cruzi se conserva inalterada. Diante da possibilidade de que se trate de um mutante da mesma linhagem Y virulenta, mantida em animais, sugerem a designa����o de PF (Pedreira de Freitas) para essa nova cepa.