Thermal infrared image processing to assess heat generated by magnetic nanoparticles for hyperthermia applications

Magnetic fluid hyperthermia (MFH) is considered a promising therapeutic technique for the treatment of cancer cells, in which magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) with superparamagnetic behavior generate mild-temperatures under an AC magnetic field to selectively destroy the abnormal cancer cells, in detriment of the healthy ones. However, the poor heating efficiency of most NMPs and the imprecise experimental determination of the temperature field during the treatment, are two of the majors drawbacks for its clinical advance. Thus, in this work, different MNPs were developed and tested under an AC magnetic field (~1.10 kA/m and 200 kHz), and the heat generated by them was assessed by an infrared camera. The resulting thermal images were processed in MATLAB after the thermographic calibration of the infrared camera. The results show the potential to use this thermal technique for the improvement and advance of MFH as a clinical therapy.

Hybrid magnetic graphitic nanocomposites for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation applications

Hybrid magnetic graphitic nanocomposites (MGNC) prepared by inclusion of magnetite nanoparticles (obtained by coprecipitation) into an organic-organic self-assembly system, followed by calcination, revealed high activity for the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of 4-nitrophenol solutions (5 g L-l), with pollutant removais up to 1245 mg g-' h-l being obtained when considering the mass ratio [pollutant]/[catalyst] =10. The stability of the MGNC catalyst against metal leaching was ascribed to the confinement effect of the carbon based material. These observations, together with the magnetically recoverable characteristics of MGNC, open new prospects for the wide use of this catalyst in highly efficient CWPO applications.

Carbon nanotubes as catalysts for wet peroxide oxidation: structure-reactivity relationships

Magnetic neat and N-doped carbon nanotubes with different properties have been synthesized by chemical vapour deposiüon and tested in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation of 4-nitrophenol solutions (5 g L') at relatively mild operating conditions (atmospheric pressure, T = 50 °C, pH = 3)~using a catalyst load = 2.5 g L-' and [H202]o = 17.8 g L-1. The results demonstrate that the catalyst hydrophobicity/ hydrophilicity is a detenninant property in the CWPO reaction, since it affects the rate ofH202 decomposition. The controlled formation ofreactive radicais (HO* and HOO*) at hydrophobic surfaces avoids the formation of non-reactive species (02 and H20), increasing.

Core-shell nanocomposites prepared by hierarchical co-assembly: the role of the carbon shell in catalytic wet peroxide oxidation processes

The diffraction pattern of Fe3O4 (not shown) confirmed the presence of only one phase, corresponding to magnetite with a lattice parameter a = 8.357 Å and a crystallite size of 16.6 ± 0.2 nm. The diffraction pattern of MGNC (not shown) confirmed the presence of a graphitic phase, in addition to the metal phase, suggesting that Fe3O4 nanoparticles were successfully encapsulated within a graphitic structure during the synthesis of MGNC. The core-shell structure of MGNC is unequivocally demonstrated in the TEM micrograph shown in Fig. 1b. Characterization of the MGNC textural and surface chemical properties revealed: (i) stability up to 400 oC under oxidizing atmosphere; (ii) 27.3 wt.% of ashes (corresponding to the mass fraction of Fe3O4); (iii) a micro-mesoporous structure with a fairly well developed specific surface area (SBET = 330 m2 g-1); and (iv) neutral character (pHPZC = 7.1). In addition, the magnetic nature of MGNC (Fig. 2) is an additional advantage for possible implementation of in situ magnetic separation systems for catalyst recovery.

A new microfluidic methodology to assess the haemocompatibility of magnetic nanoparticles designed for theranostic applications

The remarkable physicochemical properties of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) at the nanoscale have boosted the development of new and promising strategies for the simultaneous diagnosis and treatment of diseases, particularly in cancer therapy Ð the so-called theranostic applications (1). In these strategies, the intrinsic superparamagnetic properties of MNPs have been exploited to gain access into multifunctional systems able to simultaneously perform as enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, efficient nanocarriers for drug delivery and nanoheaters in magnetic hyperthermia based therapy (2), among others.

Synthesis of glycerol-based carbon materials as environmental application

Crude glycerol, obtained from the biodiesel production, is actually an abundant and low-cost feedstock, making the preparation of carbonaceous materials by partial carbonization and sulfonation of this by-product an interesting research focus. Bearing this in mind, the aim of this study is to explore several types of glycerol-based carbon materials synthesized by partial carbonization of glycerol in concentrated sulphuric acid solution for the removal of flumequine and tetracycline from aqueous solutions. This study is focused on the synthesis and application of glycerol-based carbon materials as adsorbents for the removal of the antibiotic compounds flumequine and tetracycline from aqueous solution. The different synthesized materials were labelled as GBCM followed by a subscript number corresponding to the activation temperature in oC (i.e., GBCM200, GBCM300, and GBCM350)

Metal-free catalysts derived from lignin for efficient wet peroxide oxidation

In this work, a wheat and hemp lignin (Sarkanda, Granit S.A.) has been used as raw material for the development of metal-free activated carbons. These materials were tested in the catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO) of 4-nitrophenol (4-NP; 5 g L-1) during 24 h experiments conducted at relatively mild operating conditions (p = 1 atm, t = 50 °C, pH = 3, catalyst load = 2.5 g L-1 and [H2O2]0 = 17.8 g L-1). First, the lignin was carbonized under N2 atmosphere followed by the activation of the obtained non-porous carbon (LG) under air atmosphere at different temperatures (150 to 350 ºC), leading to the generation of significant porosity.

Development of magnetic carbon xerogels for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation

Hybrid magnetic carbon composites have been recently proposed as the next step in the evolution of catalysts for catalytic wet peroxide oxidation (CWPO), with several synergistic effects arising from the combination of the high catalytic activity of metal species with the proven catalytic properties of carbon-based materials in CWPO [1]. Bearing this in mind, this work sought the development of novel magnetic carbon xerogels, composed by interconnected carbon microspheres with iron (Fe) and/or cobalt (Co) microparticles embedded in their structure. As inferred from the extensive characterization performed, materials with distinctive properties were obtained upon inclusion of different metal precursors during the sol-gel polymerization of resorcinol and formaldehyde, followed by thermal annealing.

Anomalias congénitas associadas a técnicas de reprodução medicamente assistida

Trabalho Final do Curso de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina, Faculdade de Medicina, Universidade de Lisboa, 2014

A prática desportiva de crianças e jovens na Escola do 1º Ciclo das Figueirinhas - Caniço

O presente Relatório de Estágio realizado na Escola do 1ºCíclo com Pré das Figueirinhas, no âmbito do Mestrado em Actividade Física e Desporto da Universidade da Madeira, procura de uma forma clara e objectiva relatar o trabalho realizado com as crianças e jovens deste Estabelecimento de Ensino ao longo do Ano Lectivo de 2012/2013, no âmbito da prática desportiva. Abrangendo um vasto leque de alunos desde o Pré-escolar (5, 6 anos) ao quarto ano do 1ºCíclo (9-10 anos) realizaram-se, ao longo do ano, diversas actividades de formação desportiva, tanto curriculares como extracurriculares, procurando em simultâneo desenvolver um projecto de criação de um Clube Desportivo na Escola. Procurou-se com a actividade realizada, sobretudo através dos jogos, que as crianças e jovens tivessem uma aprendizagem segura que lhes permita praticarem, com segurança, no futuro. Focou-se, durante o treino, os aspectos essenciais do jogo, seleccionando-os e preocupando-nos apenas com um de cada vez, facilitando assim a aprendizagem e despertando-lhes o interesse para as etapas seguintes. Verificando-se na Escola EB1 com Pré das Figueirinhas a existência de infraestruturas desportivas que possibilitariam a criação de um Clube Escola, demos os primeiros passos com vista à sua criação. Neste sentido sensibilizámos a comunidade educativa no seu todo, tendo entrado em contacto com as instituições de poder local, pois consideramos que a existência de um Clube Escola nesta comunidade educativa será um contributo fundamental para a socialização dos jovens que a ela pertencem.

Relatório de estágio de educação física realizado na Escola Básica dos 2º e 3º Ciclos Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia

Pretende-se, com o presente relatório, apresentar e analisar criticamente todo o processo de estágio pedagógico, inserido no 2º Ciclo de estudos conducente ao grau de Mestre em Ensino de Educação Física nos Ensinos Básico e Secundário na Universidade da Madeira, que decorreu na Escola Básica dos 2º e 3º Ciclos Dr. Horácio Bento de Gouveia, no ano letivo 2012/2013. Neste documento abrangemos as diversas atividades, que não devem ser vistas de forma dissociada, expressas nas linhas programáticas do estágio pedagógico: Prática Letiva; Atividades de Integração no Meio; Atividades de Intervenção na Comunidade Escolar e Atividades de Natureza Científico-Pedagógica. O processo da Prática Letiva apresentou-se como a componente do estágio pedagógico que exigiu maior capital de tempo na gestão permanente do processo de ensino-aprendizagem, mediante a sua planificação, realização e avaliação/controlo, bem como a assistência às aulas do colega estagiário. As Atividades de Intervenção no Meio, designadamente, a Caracterização da Turma, o Estudo de Caso (relacionado com o comportamento de indisciplina de um aluno) foram desenvolvidas com o propósito de adquirir um conhecimento mais aprofundado da turma, enquanto a Ação de Extensão Curricular configurou-se como um importante processo de aprendizagens, de planeamento de atividades, para os alunos e ainda de promoção de inter-relações entre alunos, encarregados de educação e professores. A Atividade de Intervenção na Comunidade Escolar foi articulada com a dinâmica da festa de natal da escola procurando, sobretudo, apresentar uma conjuntura que permitisse envolver todos os intervenientes do contexto escolar. As Atividades de Natureza Científico-Pedagógica foram dinamizadas procurando desenvolver as competências de investigação, partilha e debate de conhecimentos adquiridos e desenvolvidos, ao longo do processo de estágio pedagógico, tendo por base as problemáticas identificadas durante a Prática Letiva, mais precisamente a Heterogeneidade (individual) e a Avaliação em Educação Física (coletiva). O estágio pedagógico concretizou-se num processo global que nos possibilitou uma intervenção revestida de uma natureza eclética. As experiências e vivências em contexto pedagógico real contribuíram para a aquisição de importantes conhecimentos e competências pedagógicas que nos permitem atuar, neste momento, com maior eficácia.

Oxygen microprofiles and porewater chemistry in sediments of the Skagerrak

Sediment porewater oxygen profiles were measured with micro and needle electrodes in sediment cores of 27 stations in the Skagerrak (northeastern North Sea). Oxygen penetration depth ranged from 3 to 20 mm depth. Fluxes estimated from the oxygen gradients varied from 3 to 18 mmol m**-2 d**-1. Oxygen penetration and flux depend on water depth, but possibly more on the hydrological conditions, related to the import of fresh organic matter by primary production in the water column. Oxygen fluxes were not related to the total organic carbon (TOC) content of the sediments. Stations in the eastern part of the Skagerrak showed high burial rates of TOC. At 6 stations porewater chemistry of Fe, Mn and NO3- was strongly associated with the oxygen distribution. The average relative contribution of terminal electron acceptors to carbon mineralisation was estimated at 85% for O2, 0.5% for Mn, 4.5% for [NO3]3-, 1% for Fe and 9% for [SO4]2-. At one station the occurrence of exceptionally high solid manganese oxyhydroxides was probably related to an active internal manganese cycle.