Work domain analysis and sensors I: principles and simple example

In this paper we establish a foundation for understanding the instrumentation needs of complex dynamic systems if ecological interface design (EID)-based interfaces are to be robust in the face of instrumentation failures. EID-based interfaces often include configural displays which reveal the higher-order properties of complex systems. However, concerns have been expressed that such displays might be misleading when instrumentation is unreliable or unavailable. Rasmussen's abstraction hierarchy (AH) formalism can be extended to include representations of sensors near the functions or properties about which they provide information, resulting in what we call a sensor-annotated abstraction hierarchy. Sensor-annotated AHs help the analyst determine the impact of different instrumentation engineering policies on higher-order system information by showing how the data provided from individual sensors propagates within and across levels of abstraction in the AH. The use of sensor-annotated AHs with a configural display is illustrated with a simple water reservoir example. We argue that if EID is to be effectively employed in the design of interfaces for complex systems, then the information needs of the human operator need to be considered at the earliest stages of system development while instrumentation requirements are being formulated. In this way, Rasmussen's AH promotes a formative approach to instrumentation engineering. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.

DMSP in corals and benthic algae from the Great Barrier Reef

In this study the first measurements of DMSP in six species of corals and ten species of benthic algae collected from four coral reefs in the Great Barrier Reef are reported, together with DMSP measurements made on cultured zooxanthellae. Concentrations ranged from 21 to 3831 (mean=743) fmol DMSP zooxanthellae(-1) in corals, 0.16 to 2.96 nmol DMSP cm(-2) (mean=90) for benthic macroalgae, and 48-285 fmol DMSP zooxanthellae(-1) (mean=153) for cultured zooxanthellae. The highest concentrations of DMSP in corals occurred in Acropora formosa (mean= 371 fmol DMSP zooxanthellae(-1)) and Acropora palifera (mean=3341 fmol DMSP zooxanthellae(-1)) with concentrations in A. palifera the highest DMSP concentrations reported in corals examined to date. As well as inter-specific differences in DMSP, intra-specific variation was also observed. Adjacent colonies of A. formosa that are known to have different thermal bleaching thresholds and morphologically distinct zooxanthellae, were also observed to have different DMSP concentrations, with the zooxanthellae in the colony that bleached containing DMSP at an average concentration of 436 finol zooxanthellae(-1), whilst the non-bleaching colony contained DMSP at an average concentration of 171 finol zooxanthellae(-1). The results of the present study have been used to calculate the area normalized DMSP concentrations in benthic algae (mean=0.015 mmol m(-2)) and corals (mean=2.22 mmol m(-2)) from the GBR. This data indicates that benthic algae and corals are a significant reservoir of DMSP in GBR waters. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.

The scourge of scabies

Scabies ('Itch Mite') is truly a Great Neglected Disease that inflicts misery on millions. Molecular approaches, while still in their infancy, are providing a better understanding of the parasite and will have important implications for control and prevention. It has long been thought that dogs may act as a reservoir for human infections. However, genetic studies cast doubt over this supposition.

Water table waves in an unconfined aquifer: Experiments and modeling

[1] Comprehensive measurements are presented of the piezometric head in an unconfined aquifer during steady, simple harmonic oscillations driven by a hydrostatic clear water reservoir through a vertical interface. The results are analyzed and used to test existing hydrostatic and nonhydrostatic, small-amplitude theories along with capillary fringe effects. As expected, the amplitude of the water table wave decays exponentially. However, the decay rates and phase lags indicate the influence of both vertical flow and capillary effects. The capillary effects are reconciled with observations of water table oscillations in a sand column with the same sand. The effects of vertical flows and the corresponding nonhydrostatic pressure are reasonably well described by small-amplitude theory for water table waves in finite depth aquifers. That includes the oscillation amplitudes being greater at the bottom than at the top and the phase lead of the bottom compared with the top. The main problems with respect to interpreting the measurements through existing theory relate to the complicated boundary condition at the interface between the driving head reservoir and the aquifer. That is, the small-amplitude, finite depth expansion solution, which matches a hydrostatic boundary condition between the bottom and the mean driving head level, is unrealistic with respect to the pressure variation above this level. Hence it cannot describe the finer details of the multiple mode behavior close to the driving head boundary. The mean water table height initially increases with distance from the forcing boundary but then decreases again, and its asymptotic value is considerably smaller than that previously predicted for finite depth aquifers without capillary effects. Just as the mean water table over-height is smaller than predicted by capillarity-free shallow aquifer models, so is the amplitude of the second harmonic. In fact, there is no indication of extra second harmonics ( in addition to that contained in the driving head) being generated at the interface or in the interior.

Caracterização molecular, formação de biofilme e susceptibilidade a antimicrobianos de isolados de E. coli de aderência difusa Afa/Dr e não Afa/Dr

A Escherichia coli de aderência difusa (DAEC), um patotipo diarreiogênico de E. coli, corresponde a um grupo heterogêneo sem marcador de virulência comum a todos os isolados e de papel controverso na diarreia infantil. O objetivo deste estudo foi caracterizar genotipica e fenotipicamente amostras de DAEC, portadoras e não portadoras de adesinas Afa/Dr, isoladas de crianças com e sem diarreia. Em 70 amostras de DAEC, PCR foi realizado para pesquisa de genes descritos em DAEC, EAEC ou UPEC, que codificam: (i) oito adesinas fimbriais e afimbriais (fimH, papC, sfa, aggA, aafA, agg3A, aidA/aah, afaC); (ii) cinco toxinas (pet, astA, set1A, sat, hlyA); (iii) três proteínas captadoras/receptora de ferro (irp2, iucA, chuA/shuA); (iv) invasina (daaD) e; antígeno 43 (agn43). Ensaio de formação de biofilme foi realizado a partir da bactéria cultivada em caldo Luria-Bertani e inoculada em placas de poliestireno com DMEM suplementado com 0,4% glicose. A leitura da densidade ótica (DO490) foi realizada após coloração com safranina. Soroaglutinação para 23 antígenos O (Probac do Brasil) foi realizada em 50% das DAEC. Método de difusão de disco foi realizado para testar a suscetibilidade a 13 antimicrobianos. A presença de pelo menos um gene que codifica adesinas, toxinas, proteínas captadoras/receptora de ferro, invasina ou antígeno 43 foram encontrados em 58,6%, 51,4%, 80%, 48,6% e 57,1%, respectivamente, com os genes fimH, irp2, agn43, iucA, chuA/shuA, presentes em mais de 50% das amostras. Gene afaC+ (PCR) e/ou sonda afaBC+ (hibridização de colônias) classificou 50% das DAEC como Afa/Dr, sendo pet, sat, irp2, iucA, chuA/shuA e agn43 significantes nessas amostras (p<0,05). Do total das DAEC, 44,3% foram formadoras de biofilme, igualmente distribuídas entre as Afa/Dr e não Afa/Dr, e nenhum gene foi associado com esse fenótipo. Sorologia de 35 amostras evidenciou os seguintes sorogrupos: 1 O29, 2 O125, 2 O127 e 7 O86. Todas as O86 foram de DAEC Afa/Dr. Maiores frequências de resistência antimicrobiana foram encontradas para ampicilina (55,7%), sulfametoxazol/trimetoprim (35,7%) e tetraciclina (28,6%) e o perfil resistente/intermediário para amoxicilina/ácido clavulânico, ampicilina, sulfametoxazol/trimetoprim foi significante nas DAEC Afa/Dr, assim como a multi-droga resistência (p<0,05). Em conclusão, observou-se: (i) alta frequência de fimH e pet e presença de agn43, até então não descrito em DAEC, em frequências similares àquelas encontradas em EAEC, UPEC e EAEC/UPEC, respectivamente; (ii) que as amostras de DAEC Afa/Dr e não Afa/Dr constituíram grupos com perfis genéticos diferenciados entre si; (iii) poucos sorogrupos foram encontrados entre as DAEC; (iv) frequências de resistência menores quando comparado com as poucas descrições em DAEC, sugerindo uma menor pressão seletiva da população do presente estudo e; (v) amostras de DAEC Afa/Dr podem representar um importante reservatório de genes de resistência a antimicrobianos, além de diversos fatores de virulência.

Accessing Planktothrix species diversity and associated toxins using quantitative real-time PCR in natural waters

Tese de Doutoramento em Biologia apresentada à Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, 2015.

Scheduling of head-dependent cascaded hydro systems: Mixed-integer quadratic programming approach

This paper is on the problem of short-term hydro, scheduling, particularly concerning head-dependent cascaded hydro systems. We propose a novel mixed-integer quadratic programming approach, considering not only head-dependency, but also discontinuous operating regions and discharge ramping constraints. Thus, an enhanced short-term hydro scheduling is provided due to the more realistic modeling presented in this paper. Numerical results from two case studies, based on Portuguese cascaded hydro systems, illustrate the proficiency of the proposed approach.

Microbiological quality of drinking water of urban and rural communities, Brazil

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the microbiological quality of treated and untreated water samples came from urban and rural communities and to examine the relationship between coliforms occurrence and average water temperature, and a comparison of the rainfall levels. METHODS: A sample of 3,073 untreated and treated (chlorinated) water from taps (1,594), reservoir used to store treated water (1,033), spring water (96) and private well (350) collected for routine testing between 1996 and 1999 was analyzed by the multiple dilution tube methods used to detect the most probable number of total and fecal coliforms. These samples were obtained in the region of Maringá, state of Paraná, Brazil. RESULTS: The highest numbers water samples contaminated by TC (83%) and FC (48%) were found in the untreated water. TC and FC in samples taken from reservoirs used to store treated water was higher than that from taps midway along distribution lines. Among the treated water samples examined, coliform bacteria were found in 171 of the 1,033 sampling reservoirs. CONCLUSIONS: Insufficient treatment or regrowth is suggested by the observation that more than 17% of these treated potable water contained coliform. TC and FC positive samples appear to be similar and seasonally influenced in treated water. Two different periods must be considered for the occurrence of both TC and FC positive samples: (i) a warm-weather period (September-March) with high percentage of contaminated samples; and (ii) cold-weather period (April-August) were they are lower. Both TC and TF positive samples declined with the decreased of water temperature.

Mantle source heterogeneity, magma generation and magmatic evolution at Terceira Island (Azoresarchipelago): Constraints from elemental and isotopic (Sr, Nd, Hf, and Pb) data

This work addresses the present-day (<100 ka) mantle heterogeneity in the Azores region through the study of two active volcanic systems from Terceira Island. Our study shows that mantle heterogeneities are detectable even when "coeval" volcanic systems (Santa Barbara and Fissural) erupted less than 10 km away. These volcanic systems, respectively, reflect the influence of the Terceira and D. Joao de Castro Bank end-members defined by Beier et at (2008) for the Terceira Rift Santa Barbara magmas are interpreted to be the result of mixing between a HIMU-type component, carried to the upper mantle by the Azores plume, and the regional depleted MORB magmas/source. Fissural lavas are characterized by higher Ba/Nb and Nb/U ratios and less radiogenic Pb-206/Pb-204, Nd-143/Nd-144 and Hf-176/Hf-177, requiring the small contribution of delaminated sub-continental lithospheric mantle residing in the upper mantle. Published noble gas data on lavas from both volcanic systems also indicate the presence of a relatively undegassed component, which is interpreted as inherited from a lower mantle reservoir sampled by the ascending Azores plume. As inferred from trace and major elements, melting began in the garnet stability field, while magma extraction occurred within the spinel zone. The intra-volcanic system's chemical heterogeneity is mainly explained by variable proportions of the above-mentioned local end-members and by crystal fractionation processes. (C) 2011 Elsevier By. All rights reserved.

Toxicidade a cianobactérias: impacte potencial na saúde pública em populações de Portugal e Brasil

Como recurso natural fundamental à vida, a água e os ecossistemas aquáticos devem ser alvo de avaliação contínua, no que se reporta à sua qualidade física, química e biológica. Segundo a Organização Mundial de Saúde cerca de 1,1 biliões de pessoas estão impossibilitadas em aceder a qualquer tipo de água potável e, as populações residentes nas proximidades de rios, lagoas, e reservatórios utilizam estas águas para as suas necessidades de consumo, aumentando o risco de transmissão de doenças. Enquanto constituintes da comunidade fitoplanctónica, as cianobactérias são microrganismos procariotas, fotossintéticos, que obtêm os nutrientes diretamente da coluna de água e, um aumento da concentração de nutrientes (principalmente azoto e fósforo), associado a condições ambientais favoráveis, pode desencadear um crescimento rápido originando fluorescências. Sob determinadas condições as cianobactérias podem produzir toxinas existindo registos que evidenciam que fluorescências toxicas são responsáveis pelo envenenamento agudo e morte de animais e humanos pelo que, a água utilizada para consumo humano deverá ser regularmente monitorizada para este elemento biológico. O objetivo deste estudo é relacionar a ocorrência de fluorescências de cianobactérias (> 2000 cel/ml) e toxicidade associada, com o impacte potencial na Saúde Pública avaliado através do consumo direto ou indireto da água. Em Portugal foram selecionados oito reservatórios situados na região Sul, pertencentes às bacias hidrográficas do Sado e Guadiana e estudados entre 2000 e 2008. No Brasil foram selecionados os reservatórios de Três Marias (Estado de Minas Gerais) e de Tucuruí (Estado do Pará) e estudados em 2005 e 2006 respetivamente. Os reservatórios foram caracterizados em termos físicos e químicos, tendo-se igualmente procedido à caracterização da comunidade fitoplanctónica através da identificação e quantificação dos principais grupos presentes em diferentes épocas do ano. Em termos fitoplanctónicos os reservatórios portugueses apresentaram maior diversidade,verificando-se contudo dominância das cianobactérias na comunidade. Associados a fluorescências, foram registados nestes reservatórios géneros produtores de hepato e neurotoxinas como Aphanizomenon sp, Microcystis aeruginosa e Oscillatoria sp. No Brasil, em situação de fluorescências, os géneros produtores de neuro e hepatotoxinas foram Microcystis (> 350.000 cels/ml) e Cylindrospermopsis. A presença destes géneros, poderá constituir um risco potencial para a saúde pública, pelo que é importante a implementação de medidas de mitigação em todos os reservatórios objeto de estudo, devendo essa atuação passar pelo controle do estado trófico no sentido de evitar o desenvolvimento de fluorescências. Assim sugere-se a implementação de um tratamento adequado para a produção de água de consumo e a organização de ações de sensibilização e aviso e informação às populações que utilizam os reservatórios em Portugal e no Brasil para diversos usos. - ABSTRACT - As a life fundamental natural resource, water and aquatic ecosystems must be continuously evaluated in their physical, chemical and biological quality. According World Health Organization, 1.1 billion people has no chance to access any kind of potable water. Populations living near rivers, lagoons or reservoirs use those waters to content their needs, increasing risks disease transmission. As members of phytoplankton community, cyanobacteria are prokaryotic, photosynthetic microorganisms and get its nutrients directly from water column. The increase of this nutrients (especially nitrogen and phosphorus) associated with favorable environment conditions, can support a sudden grow and instigate blooms. Under specific conditions cyanobacteria can produce toxins and several records have shown that toxic blooms are responsible by acute poisoning and death in animals and humans so, water for human consumption must be regularly surveyed for this biologic element. The aim of this study is to correlate Cyanobacteria blooms (>2.000cels/ml) and connected toxicity with public health impact, evaluated through water consumption. In Portugal, eight reservoirs located in the South region were selected and study between 2000 and 2008. In Brazil, Três Marias reservoir (Minas Gerais Provence) and Tucuruí (Pará Provence) were selected and study in 2005 and 2006. Reservoirs were characterized in physical and chemical aspects, as well as phytoplankton community, through identification and counting of main present groups along study period. In bloom circumstances, liver toxins and neurotoxins producers like Aphanizomenon sp, Microcystis aeruginosa and Oscillatoria sp. were founded in Portuguese reservoirs. In Brazil, cyanobacteria genera involved in toxic bloom were Microcystis (> 350.000 cels/ml) and Cylindrospermopsis. This genera presence represents a potential risk for public health, and show the requirement to implement mitigation measures in all study reservoirs. These measures can be represented by water eutrophication control to avoid blooms, by appropriate treatments of water to human consumption, and public warnings or information to dose people in Portugal and Brazil that use these reservoirs to several activities.

Avaliação da infecção de megacariócitos e plaquetas pelo VHC e sua influência na fisiopatologia da hepatite C

Pós-graduação em Pesquisa e Desenvolvimento (Biotecnologia Médica) - FMB

Diversity and characterisation of coagulasenegative staphylococci isolated from healthy individuals in Portugal

In the past few years the interest in coagulase-negative staphylococci (CoNS) has significantly increased in human medicine. CoNS are common commensal colonisers of the human skin, although now also recognised as major nosocomial pathogens. Over the last decades, several studies have been carried out in order to understand the pathogenicity mechanisms of CoNS. The well known determinants in the pathogenesis of CoNS infections are their ability to form biofilms and an exceptional resistance to several antibiotics. Nevertheless, there is a lack of studies regarding the commensal lifestyle of these microorganisms. Additionally, it is now hypothesised that commensal bacteria might be a reservoir of pathogenic determinants. Therefore, the work described throughout this thesis was aimed to perform a phenotypic and genotypic characterisation of different CoNS species isolated from healthy Portuguese individuals. A total of 61 CoNS isolates, comprising 7 different species, were obtained and characterised at the level of biofilm formation and antibiotic susceptibility profiles. According to the results, biofilm formation ability and presence of biofilm-associated genes were commonly found features, highlighting their pivotal role in the colonising lifestyle of CoNS. This study also addressed the correlation between phenotypic and genotypic characteristics of biofilm formation, corroborating and raising questions about the importance of some genes in this process. Moreover, it was observed a great proportion of isolates with decreased susceptibility and multiple resistances to some important antibiotics. A significant association between antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation was also demonstrated, and some hypotheses about the nature of such association were provided. Lastly, the expression patterns of two biofilm-associated genes at two distinct biofilm developmental stages were determined, confirming their importance in the accumulative stage of biofilm formation. Overall, the results presented in this thesis indicate that staphylococcal skin flora might be an important reservoir of potentially pathogenic bacteria and, simultaneously, bring to light new perceptions about the molecular basis of staphylococcal biofilm formation, and the nature of the association between antibiotic resistance and biofilm formation.

Desenvolvimento de uma plataforma SIG para apoio ao controlo da segurança das grandes barragens portuguesas

Trabalho Final de Mestrado elaborado no Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) para a obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil pelo Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa no âmbito do protocolo de cooperação entre o ISEL e o LNEC

Ampliação do reservatório de Custóias

O presente relatório é a última etapa para a obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Tecnologia e Gestão das Construções leccionado no Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, (ISEP). O estágio decorreu em ambiente maioritariamente de obra na empresa Monte Adriano, Engenharia e Construção, SA, e o objectivo consistiu em dar apoio e acompanhar a Obra de Ampliação do Reservatório de Custóias, inserida na Empreita de concepção, projecto e construção das infraestruturas necessárias à execução do plano de investimentos da Indáqua Matosinhos, actividades estas, decorrentes da função de adjunta de direcção de obra. Para além da breve descrição da empresa que a estagiária integrou e da empreitada geral, foi feita uma enumeração das várias actividades desempenhadas na Obra e dos vários condicionalismos encontrados que por vezes levaram a alterações do projecto. Dá-se especial ênfase à parte da execução das fundações, quer pela heterogeneidade do solo e sua relevância no geral, quer pelo facto do tempo de execução da obra ser praticamente o tempo do estágio. A obra consiste na execução de três células em painéis pré-fabricados SOPLACAS (paredes e cobertura), sendo que, as lajes de soleira de duas das células apoiam em poços e a laje de soleira da outra célula apoia directamente no terreno e em poços. Anexa às células encontra-se a câmara de manobras, executada em estrutura de betão armado.

Modelação e monitorização do comportamento dinâmico de barragens abóbada: identificação modal automática

Trabalho Final de Mestrado elaborado no Laboratório de Engenharia Civil (LNEC) para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil pelo Instituto Superior de Engenharia de Lisboa no âmbito do protocolo de cooperação entre o ISEL e o LNEC