Cape Verde hotspot from the upper crust to the top of the lower mantle

We investigate the crust, upper mantle and mantle transition zone of the Cape Verde hotspot by using seismic P and S receiver functions from several tens of local seismograph stations. We find a strong discontinuity at a depth of similar to 10 km underlain by a similar to 15-km thick layer with a high (similar to 1.9) Vp/Vs velocity ratio. We interpret this discontinuity and the underlying layer as the fossil Moho, inherited from the pre-hotspot era, and the plume-related magmatic underplate. Our uppermost-mantle models are very different from those previously obtained for this region: our S velocity is much lower and there are no indications of low densities. Contrary to previously published arguments for the standard transition zone thickness our data indicate that this thickness under the Cape Verde islands is up to similar to 30 km less than in the ambient mantle. This reduction is a combined effect of a depression of the 410-km discontinuity and an uplift of the 660-km discontinuity. The uplift is in contrast to laboratory data and some seismic data on a negligible dependence of depth of the 660-km discontinuity on temperature in hotspots. A large negative pressure-temperature slope which is suggested by our data implies that the 660-km discontinuity may resist passage of the plume. Our data reveal beneath the islands a reduction of S velocity of a few percent between 470-km and 510-km depths. The low velocity layer in the upper transition zone under the Cape Verde archipelago is very similar to that previously found under the Azores and a few other hotspots. In the literature there are reports on a regional 520-km discontinuity, the impedance of which is too large to be explained by the known phase transitions. Our observations suggest that the 520-km discontinuity may present the base of the low-velocity layer in the transition zone. (C) 2011 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Size distribution of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in a roadway tunnel in Lisbon, Portugal

Atmospheric aerosols of four aerodynamic size ranges were collected using high volume cascade impactors in an extremely busy roadway tunnel in Lisbon (Portugal). Dust deposited on the tunnel walls and guardrails was also collected. Average particle mass concentrations in the tunnel atmosphere were more than 30 times higher than in the outside urban background air, revealing its origins almost exclusively from fresh vehicle emissions. Most of the aerosol mass was concentrated in submicrometer fractions (65%), and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) were even more concentrated in the finer particles with an average of 84% of total PAH present in sizes smaller than 0.49 mu m. The most abundant PAH were methylated phenanthrenes, fluoranthene and pyrene. About 46% of the total PAH mass was attributed to lower molecular weight compounds (two and three rings), suggesting a strong influence of diesel vehicle emissions on the production of local particulate PAH. The application of diagnostic ratios confirmed the relevance of this source of PAH in the tunnel ambient air. Deposited dust presented PAH profiles similar to the coarser aerosol size range, in agreement with the predominant origin of coarser aerosol particles from soil dust resuspension and vehicle wear products. (c) 201 1 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

Reabilitação sustentável de edifício de habitação, em construção tradicional, no Baixo Alentejo

Dissertação de Final de Mestrado para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Engenharia Civil Especialização em Edificações

Evaluation of atmospheric deposition and patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in façades of historic monuments of Oporto (Portugal)

Atmospheric pollution by motor vehicles is considered a relevant source of damage to architectural heritage. Thus the aim of this work was to assess the atmospheric depositions and patterns of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in façades of historical monuments. Eighteen PAHs (16 PAHs considered by US EPA as priority pollutants, dibenzo[a,l]pyrene and benzo[j]fluoranthene) were determined in thin black layers collected from façades of two historical monuments: Hospital Santo António and Lapa Church (Oporto, Portugal). Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used for morphological and elemental characterisation of thin black layers; PAHs were quantified by microwave-assisted extraction combined with liquid chromatography (MAE-LC). The thickness of thin black layers were 80–110 μm and they contained significant levels of iron, sulfur, calcium and phosphorus. Total concentrations of 18 PAHs ranged from 7.74 to 147.92 ng/g (mean of 45.52 ng/g) in thin black layers of Hospital Santo António, giving a range three times lower than at Lapa Church (5.44– 429.26 ng/g; mean of 110.25 ng/g); four to six rings compounds accounted at both monuments approximately for 80–85% of ΣPAHs. The diagnostic ratios showed that traffic emissions were significant source of PAHs in thin black layers. Composition profiles of PAHs in thin black layers of both monuments were similar to those of ambient air, thus showing that air pollution has a significant impact on the conditions and stone decay of historical building façades. The obtained results confirm that historical monuments in urban areas act as passive repositories for air pollutants present in the surrounding atmosphere.

Lower protocol layers for wireless sensor networks: a survey

Wireless Sensor Networks (WSNs) have been attracting increasing interests in the development of a new generation of embedded systems with great potential for many applications such as surveillance, environment monitoring, emergency medical response and home automation. However, the communication paradigms in Wireless Sensor Networks differ from the ones attributed to traditional wireless networks, triggering the need for new communication protocols and mechanisms. In this Technical Report, we present a survey on communication protocols for WSNs with a particular emphasis on the lower protocol layers. We give a particular focus to the MAC (Medium Access Control) sub-layer, since it has a prominent influence on some relevant requirements that must be satisfied by WSN protocols, such as energy consumption, time performance and scalability. We overview some relevant MAC protocol solutions and discuss how they tackle the trade-off between the referred requirements.

Value of a lower limb immobilization device for SPECT/CT image fusion optimization

The foot and the ankle are small structures commonly affected by disorders, and their complex anatomy represent significant diagnostic challenges. SPECT/CT Image fusion can provide missing anatomical and bone structure information to functional imaging, which is particularly useful to increase diagnosis certainty of bone pathology. However, due to SPECT acquisition duration, patient’s involuntary movements may lead to misalignment between SPECT and CT images. Patient motion can be reduced using a dedicated patient support. We aimed at designing an ankle and foot immobilizing device and measuring its efficacy at improving image fusion. Methods: We enrolled 20 patients undergoing distal lower-limb SPECT/CT of the ankle and the foot with and without a foot holder. The misalignment between SPECT and CT images was computed by manually measuring 14 fiducial markers chosen among anatomical landmarks also visible on bone scintigraphy. Analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis. Results: The obtained absolute average difference without and with support was 5.1±5.2 mm (mean±SD) and 3.1±2.7 mm, respectively, which is significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: The introduction of the foot holder significantly decreases misalignment between SPECT and CT images, which may have clinical influence in the precise localization of foot and ankle pathology.

The Neogene of the Lower Tagus Basin (Portugal)

Revista Española de Paleontologia 19 (2), 229-242

The Serravallian-Tortonian boundary in the lower Tagus Basin (Portugal) and the new GSSP of the Tortonian stage

Revista electrónica de Ciências da Terra,http://e-terra.geopor.pt,Geociences on-line journal, Vol. 6, nº1

Chlamydospore formation by Paracoccidioides brasiliensis mycelial form

To investigate the role of some adverse environmental conditions in chlamy-dospore formation by the mycelial form of P. brasiliensis, we cultured four P. brasiliensis isolates (18, Bt4, 1183, Pb9) at 25°C within solid agar medium either rich or poor in nutrients. Isolates 18 and 1183 were also cultured under anaerobiosis in a nitrogen atmosphere. Isolate 18 produced great number of terminal and intercalary chlamydospore after 7-10 days of culture in a medium poor in nutrients (2% agar with 0.1% dextrose and polypepton). The three other isolates also produced chlamydospores under the same conditions, but in lower numbers. Chlamydospore production by isolate 18 was abolished when the fungus was cultured in two agar media rich in nutrients (brain heart infusion and potato dextrose agar). Anaerobic incubation of isolate 18 under an atmosphere of N2 showed small mycelial outgrowth with numerous chlamydospores. At the electron microscopical level, the chlamydospores showed one or various nuclei and numerous mitochondria, indicating great potential for further development. Accordingly, chlamydospores produced multiple budding after only 24 h incubation at 35°C. The results demonstrate that under adverse environmental conditions P. brasiliensis mycelial form produces chlamydospores within a short period of time.

A stratigraphic framework for the Miocene from the lower Tagus Basin (Lisbon, Setúbal Península, Portugal) Depositional sequences, biostratigraphy and isotopic ages

Rev. Soc. Geol. España, 12(1), ano 1999

Trypanites ichnofacies: palaeoenvironmental and tectonic implications. A case study from the miocene disconformity at Foz da Fonte (lower Tagus basin, Portugal)

Palaeogeography, Palaeoclimatology, Palaeoecology 292, 35–43

Bio and magnetostratigraphy of two Lower Miocene sections, Tagus basin (Portugal)

The magnetostratigraphy of two sections in early Miocene marine deposits of the Tagus Basin is studied. Thermal demagnetization was used to isolate the primary component of magnetization for 45 samples from the Foz da Fonte section, and for 74 others from Trafaria section. The succession of the polarity zones found in these sections is tentatively correlated with the geomagnetic polarity time scale (GPTS) on the basis of the biostratigraphic data yielded by planktic Foraminifera. The planktic zones and magnetic polarities recognized in these sections can be adequately correlated with the part of the GPTS [table calibrated by BERGGRENET al. (1985)] corresponding to the Anomalies 6 and 5E (Foz da Fonte) and 5D (Trafaria). This correlations suggests ages between 19,35 and 18,14 Ma for Foz da Fonte section, and 17,90 to 16,98 Ma for Trafaria.

The Cristo Rei section (Lower Miocene). Distal fluviatile environments in a marine series, plants, vertebrates and other evidence, age

The section at Cristo Rei shows sandy beds with intercalated clayey lenses (IVb division from the Lisbon Miocene series) that correspond to a major regression event dated from between ca. 17.6 and 17 Ma. They also correspond to a distal position (relatively to the typical fluviatile facies in Lisbon), nearer the basin's axis. Geologic data and paleontological analysis (plant fossils, fishes, crocodilians, land mammals) allow the reconstruction of environments that were represented in the concerned area: estuary with channels and ox-bows; upstream, areas occupied by brackish waters where Gryphaea griphoides banks developped; still farther upstream, freshwaters sided by humid forests and low mountain subtropical forests under warm temperate and rainy conditions, as well as not far away, seasonally dry environments (low density tree or shrub cover, or steppe).

High resolution stratigraphy and miocene facies correlation in Lisbon and Setúbal Peninsula (Lower Tagus basin, Portugal)

Correlation between facies associations (marine, estuarine and distal fluviatile environments) and disconformities, observed between Foz da Fonte (SW of Setúbal Peninsula) and Santa Iria da Azóia (NE of Lisbon) are presented. The precise definition of the marine-continental facies relationships improved very much the chronology of the depositional sequence boundaries. Tectonic and eustatic controls are discussed on the basis of subsidence rates variation.

Miocene sediments from Foz da Fonte and Penedo sections (Lower Tagus basin): clay minerals and isotopic data

Eight depositional sequences (DS) delimited by regional disconformities had been recognized in the Miocene of Lisbon and Setúbal Peninsula areas. In the case of the western coast of the Setúbal Peninsula, outcrops consisting of Lower Burdigalian to Lower Tortonian sediments were studied. The stratigraphic zonography and the environmental considerations are mainly supported on data concerning to foraminifera, ostracoda, vertebrates and palynomorphs. The first mineralogical and geochemical data determined for Foz da Fonte, Penedo Sul and Penedo Norte sedimentary sequences are presented. These analytical data mainly correspond to the sediments' fine fractions. Mineralogical data are based on X-ray diffraction (XRD), carried out on both the less than 38 nm and 2 nm fractions. Qualitative and semi-quantitative determinations of clay and non-clay minerals were obtained for both fractions. The clay minerals assemblages complete the lithostratigraphic and paleoenvironmental data obtained by stratigraphic and palaeontological studies. Some palaeomagnetic and isotopic data are discussed and correlated with the mineralogical data. Multivariate data analysis (Principal Components Analysis) of the mineralogical data was carried out using both R-mode and Q-mode factor analysis.