New tools for old organelles

For hundreds of years biologists have studied the naturally occurring diversity in plant and animal species. The invention of the electron microscope in the rst half of the 1900's reveled that cells also can be incredible complex (and often stunningly beautiful). However, despite the fact that the eld of cell biology has existed for over 100 years we still lack a formal understanding of how cells evolve: It is unclear what the extents are in cell and organelle morphology, if and how diversity might be constrained, and how organelles change morphologically over time.(...)

Bone turnover markers for early detection of fracture healing disturbances: A review of the scientific literature

Imaging techniques are the standard method for assessment of fracture healing processes. However, these methods are perhaps not entirely reliable for early detection of complications, the most frequent of these being delayed union and non-union. A prompt diagnosis of such disorders could prevent prolonged patient distress and disability. Efforts should be directed towards the development of new technologies for improving accuracy in diagnosing complications following bone fractures. The variation in the levels of bone turnover markers (BTMs) have been assessed with regard to there ability to predict impaired fracture healing at an early stage, nevertheless the conclusions of some studies are not consensual. In this article the authors have revised the potential of BTMs as early predictors of prognosis in adult patients presenting traumatic bone fractures but who did not suffer from osteopenia or postmenopausal osteoporosis. The available information from the different studies performed in this field was systematized in order to highlight the most promising BTMs for the assessment of fracture healing outcome.

Fatores de sucesso e dificuldades das spin-offs empresariais: o caso das agências de mediação de seguros

Dissertação de mestrado em Marketing e Estratégia

Exploring the use of HPFRC and GFRP grids for the production of manhole covers

Corrosion of the steel reinforced concrete elements is one of the common pathologies that limits the long-term performance of urban infrastructures. This problem causes the loss of structural serviceability by decreasing the concrete-steel bond strength and reducing the cross section of the reinforcements. The present study introduces a new system for developing free-corrosion resistance prefabricated manhole covers for applications in the aggressive environments, i.e. wastewater collector systems, sewer systems, stormwater systems, etc. Fibre reinforced cement composites were applied in this system in order to suppress the corrodible steel mesh and maintain the structural ductility as well. Application of fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) system is adopted as the additional solution for increasing the load carrying capacity of these elements without concerns about corrosion. The effectiveness of the applied strategy in developing the manhole covers in terms of load carrying capacity and failure mode is evaluated in this research. Furthermore, this paper discusses a FEM-based simulation, aiming to address the possibility of calibrating the constitutive model parameters related to fracture modes I and II.

Lightweight adjustable partition system: evaluation of resistance to horizontal loads and functional failure from impacts

This paper presents and discusses the results of the serviciability and use condition tests carried on an innovative solution for partitions, designated AdjustMembrane developed within a research project. The proposed system is a modular non-loadbearing wall, tensioned between the pavements and ceiling slabs, which are used as anchoring elements. It allows several advantages, related with the weight reduction to achieve a good sustainable performance, such as the reduction of construction costs, energy, and materials, and it is easy to recycle and to reuse, allowing self-construction. Apart from a general presentation of the partition technology, this paper presents and discusses the results of experimental tests carried out. From the results obtained, it is possible to conclude that the solution fulfils the requirements for this typology of wall in terms of resistance to horizontal loads induced by soft and hard body impacts.

Foreword [Occupational Safety and Hygiene III]

[Excerpt] This book is the third edition of this series of publications that are entitled “Occupational Safety and Hygiene”. The main contributions for this book were, once again, the works previously submitted and approved to be presented at the annual Symposium of the Portuguese Society of Occupational Safety and Hygiene (SPOSHO), which is celebrating its 11th edition in 2015. The SHO2015—International Symposium on Occupational Safety and Hygiene, similarly to the past seven years, was held in the School of Engineering at University of Minho in Guimarães, Portugal.

Occupational Safety and Hygiene SHO2015 - Proceedings book

Occupational Safety and Hygiene SHO2015 - Proceedings book

Avaliação de cultivares de alface em ambiente protegido em Boa Vista, Roraima, Brasil

O presente trabalho avaliou o desempenho de seis cultivares de alface em ambiente protegido. O delineamento experimental foi o de blocos ao acaso, com seis tratamentos e quatro repetições. As cultivares de alface avaliadas foram: Hortência, Rubra, Mônica SF1, Regina de Verão, Verônica e Grandes Lagos 659. A temperatura do ar dentro do ambiente protegido oscilou entre 24,4 ºC e 31,5oC durante o cultivo. Rubra e Grandes Lagos 659 apresentaram os melhores desempenhos, com rendimentos médios superiores a 28.000 kg.ha-1 e massa fresca por planta de 176,7 g e 184,4 g, respectivamente.

Sistemas agroflorestais em áreas de agricultores familiares em Igarapé-Açu, Pará: caracterização florística, implantação e manejo

Este trabalho objetivou avaliar os Sistemas Agroflorestais-SAF comerciais multiestratificados de agricultores familiares de Igarapé-Açu, bem como identificar as espécies que compõem os sistemas agroflorestais. A partir de entrevistas foram catalogadas as espécies de maior interesse dos agricultores familiares e por meio de inventário florístico foram avaliados os SAF produtivos. Os cultivos de pimenta-do-reino, mandioca, feijão, cupuaçu, caju, açaí, pupunha, mogno e o nim indiano foram os mais freqüentes pelos agricultores. Os SAF são manejados na sua maioria de forma tradicional.

Composição química e do conteúdo de energia do cariru (Talinum esculentum, Jacq.)

Estudos recentes têm relatado o estado pluricarencial da população dos estados da Região Norte do Brasil. Paradoxalmente nessa região encontra-se uma grande biodiversidade da flora com variadas frutas e hortaliças, ainda não tão conhecidas, mas que os pesquisadores acreditam ser altamente nutritivas. Entre elas, tem-se o cariru, planta herbácea da família Portulacea, hortaliça própria da região amazônica e de fácil cultivo. Amostras dessa verdura foram submetidas a determinações analíticas a fim de obter maiores informações sobre seu valor nutricional. A maior fração desse vegetal é a água (92,24%), seguida de lipídeos (3,04%), carboidratos (2,94%), minerais totais (1,71%) e de proteína (0,07%), constituindo um alimento de reduzido valor calórico (40 Kcal/100g). Tendo em vista os resultados encontrados na análise de minerais, essa folhosa pode ser considerada como excelente fonte de ferro, zinco e molibdênio, já que o consumo de 200 g/dia desse alimento atenderia as necessidades diárias desses nutrientes. Chama-se atenção para os conteúdos de selênio e manganês, onde 100g dessa biomassa fresca podem fornecer duas e três vezes, respectivamente, as quantidades recomendadas para adultos pelos órgãos internacionais de saúde, com as devidas precauções, já que excessos desses oligominerais podem causar danos à saúde. Sendo assim, recomenda-se a inclusão dessa folhosa no hábito alimentar brasileiro, por apresentar minerais em quantidades suficientes para minimizar o estado carencial de muitas pessoas, residentes na região Norte do país, exatamente onde é encontrada em abundância e com custo reduzido.

The parasitism of Ixodes luciae (Acari: Ixodidae) on marsupials and rodents in Peruvian Amazon

In this work the infestation with I. luciae on Didelphimorphia and Rodentia in different environments of Peruvian Amazon was studied. Didelphimorphia was represented by the family Didelphidae. Specimens belonging to Caluromys lanatus, Didelphis marsupialis, Marmosops sp.2, Metachirus nudicaudatus, Philander andersoni and Philander opossum were infested with adults I. luciae and one Micoureus sp. was infested with larvae. In Rodentia, the infestation with I. luciae nymphs was restricted to Hylaeamys perenensis, Hylaeamys yunganus and Oligoryzomys microtis, while one Oecomys bicolor (all Cricetidae) was infested with larvae of this species. The few larvae were found on rodents captured in primary forest. The only significant difference (P < 0.05) in prevalence of adult ticks on Didelphimorphia was between P. andersoni and M. nudicaudatus (chi-square distribution). Adult tick distribution was significant different in P. andersoni in comparison with M. nudicaudatus, P. opossum and D. marsupialis (Kruskal-Wallis test). No significant effect of month or environment was detected in relation to adult tick infestation on Didelphimorphia. The prevalence of nymphal infestation as well as tick distribution showed that H. perenensis and H. yunganus were significantly more prone to be infested with nymphs of I. luciae than O. microtis. Prevalence of nymph infestation was higher in primary and secondary forest than rural areas while abundance was higher in secondary forest when compared with rural areas (P < 0.05). Kruskal-Wallis test showed differences (P < 0.05) for nymphal infestation during December in relation to January, March, April and June. The natural cycle of I. luciae appeared to be continuous, bound to adult tick infestation on Philander and nymphal infestation on Hylaeamys in forested environs.

Estudo das propriedades físicas fundamentais de filmes finos intermetálicos do tipo Ti-Me (Me = Al, Au) na funcionalização de elétrodos - sensores para dispositivos biomédicos

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em Engenharia de Materiais

Evaluation of antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of the topical preparation of Cipura paludosa (Iridaceae)

Alho do mato (Cipura paludosa, Iridaceae) is a medicinal plant found in the Amazon rain forest, North of Brazil. It has been used to treat algic, inflammatory and infectious processes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive action of the crude Cipura paludosa ethanolic extract at concentrations ranging between 2.0 and 4.0% in Oil and Water cream formulations for topical use. The physical-chemical stability of the formulations was monitored over a six-month period with the use of accelerated stability tests. In order to evaluate the anti-inflammatory and antinociceptive activities, we used a paw edema test induced by carrageenan and a formalin test, respectively. The paw edema test showed that there was a statistical difference in the control group in relation to the treatments. The formalin test did not confirm antinociceptive action of the treatments with the extract in the early phase of the test. However, statistical difference was confirmed for the treatments in relation to the control in the late phase. The antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of Cipura paludosa preparations, as demonstrated in the results, at least partially support the ethno-medical uses of this plant.