Normalização dos trabalhos de demolição: proposta de elaboração de um modelo de um plano de demolição

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

Environmental impact caused by fungal and particle contamination of Portuguese swine

Social concerns for environmental impact on air, water and soil pollution have grown along with the accelerated growth of pig production. This study intends to characterize air contamination caused by fungi and particles in swine production, and, additionally, to conclude about their eventual environmental impact. Fiftysix air samples of 50 litters were collected through impaction method. Air sampling and particle matter concentration were performed in indoor and also outdoor premises. Simultaneously, temperature and relative humidity were monitored according to the International Standard ISO 7726 – 1998. Aspergillus versicolor presents the highest indoor spore counts (>2000 CFU/m3) and the highest overall prevalence (40.5%), followed by Scopulariopsis brevicaulis (17.0%) and Penicillium sp. (14.1%). All the swine farms showed indoor fungal species different from the ones identified outdoors and the most frequent genera were also different from the ones indoors. The distribution of particle size showed the same tendency in all swine farms (higher concentration values in PM5 and PM10 sizes). Through the ratio between the indoor and outdoor values, it was possible to conclude that CFU/m3 and particles presented an eventual impact in outdoor measurements.

Risk factors for osteoporotic fractures and low bone density in pre and postmenopausal women

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence and analyze risk factors associated to osteoporosis and low-trauma fracture in women. METHODS: Cross-sectional study including a total of 4,332 women older than 40 attending primary care services in the Greater São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, between 2004 and 2007. Anthropometrical and gynecological data and information about lifestyle habits, previous fracture, medical history, food intake and physical activity were obtained through individual quantitative interviews. Low-trauma fracture was defined as that resulting from a fall from standing height or less in individuals 50 years or older. Multiple logistic regression models were designed having osteoporotic fracture and bone mineral density (BMD) as the dependent variables and all other parameters as the independent ones. The significance level was set at p<0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of osteoporosis and osteoporotic fractures was 33% and 11.5%, respectively. The main risk factors associated with low bone mass were age (OR=1.07; 95% CI: 1.06;1.08), time since menopause (OR=2.16; 95% CI: 1.49;3.14), previous fracture (OR=2.62; 95% CI: 2.08;3.29) and current smoking (OR=1.45; 95% CI: 1.13;1.85). BMI (OR=0.88; 95% CI: 0.86;0.89), regular physical activity (OR=0.78; 95% CI: 0.65;0.94) and hormone replacement therapy (OR=0.43; 95% CI: 0.33;0.56) had a protective effect on bone mass. Risk factors significantly associated with osteoporotic fractures were age (OR=1.05; 95% CI: 1.04;1.06), time since menopause (OR=4.12; 95% CI: 1.79;9.48), familial history of hip fracture (OR=3.59; 95% CI: 2.88;4.47) and low BMD (OR=2.28; 95% CI: 1.85;2.82). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, menopause, low-trauma fracture and current smoking are major risk factors associated with low BMD and osteoporotic fracture. The clinical use of these parameters to identify women at higher risk for fractures might be a reasonable strategy to improve the management of osteoporosis.

Health-related quality of life and working conditions among nursing providers

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate working conditions associated with health-related quality of life (HRQL) among nursing providers. METHODS: Cross-sectional study conducted in a university hospital in the city of São Paulo, Southeastern Brazil, during 2004-2005. The study sample comprised 696 registered nurses, nurse technicians and nurse assistants, predominantly females (87.8%), who worked day and/or night shifts. Data on sociodemographic information, working and living conditions, lifestyles, and health symptoms were collected using self-administered questionnaires. The following questionnaires were also used: Job Stress Scale, Effort-Reward Imbalance (ERI) and Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36). Ordinal logistic regression analysis using proportional odds model was performed to evaluate each dimension of the SF-36. RESULTS: Around 22% of the sample was found to be have high strain and 8% showed an effort-reward imbalance at work. The dimensions with the lowest mean scores in the SF-36 were vitality, bodily pain and mental health. High-strain job, effort-reward imbalance (ERI>1.01), and being a registered nurse were independently associated with low scores on the role emotional dimension. Those dimensions associated to mental health were the ones most affected by psychosocial factors at work. CONCLUSIONS: Effort-reward imbalance was more associated with health than high-strain (high demand and low control). The study results suggest that the joint analysis of psychosocial factors at work such as effort-reward imbalance and demand-control can provide more insight to the discussion of professional roles, working conditions and HRQL of nursing providers.

Influence of tobacco smoke on carcinogenic PAH composition in indoor PM10 and PM2.5

Because of the mutagenic and/or carcinogenic properties, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAH), have a direct impact on human population. Consequently, there is a widespread interest in analysing and evaluating the exposure to PAH in different indoor environments, influenced by different emission sources. The information on indoor PAH is still limited, mainly in terms of PAH distribution in indoor particles of different sizes; thus, this study evaluated the influence of tobacco smoke on PM10 and PM2.5 characteristics, namely on their PAH compositions, with further aim to understand the negative impact of tobacco smoke on human health. Samples were collected at one site influenced by tobacco smoke and at one reference (non-smoking) site using low-volume samplers; the analyses of 17 PAH were performed by Microwave Assisted Extraction combined with Liquid Chromatography (MAE–LC). At the site influenced by tobacco smoke PM concentrations were higher 650% for PM10, and 720% for PM2.5. When influenced by smoking, 4 ring PAH (fluoranthene, pyrene, and chrysene) were the most abundant PAH, with concentrations 4600–21 000% and 5100–20 800% higher than at the reference site for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, accounting for 49% of total PAH (SPAH). Higher molecular weight PAH (5–6 rings) reached concentrations 300–1300% and 140–1700% higher for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, at the site influenced by tobacco smoke. Considering 9 carcinogenic PAH this increase was 780% and 760% in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, indicating the strong potential risk for human health. As different composition profiles of PAH in indoor PM were obtained for reference and smoking sites, those 9 carcinogens represented at the reference site 84% and 86% of SPAH in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively, and at the smoking site 56% and 55% of SPAH in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. All PAH (including the carcinogenic ones) were mainly present in fine particles, which corresponds to a strong risk for cardiopulmonary disease and lung cancer; thus, these conclusions are relevant for the development of strategies to protect public health.

Fast growing fungi: a problem to be solved to achieve characterization of occupational exposure to fungi in cork industry

Chrysonilia sitophila is a common mould in cork industry and has been identified as a cause of IgE sensitization and occupational asthma. This fungal species have a fast growth rate that may inhibit others species’ growth causing underestimated data from characterization of occupational fungal exposure. Aiming to ascertain occupational exposure to fungi in cork industry, were analyzed papers from 2000 about the best air sampling method, to obtain quantification and identification of all airborne culturable fungi, besides the ones that have fast-growing rates. Impaction method don’t allows the collection of a representative air volume, because even with some media that restricts the growth of the colonies, in environments with higher fungal load, such as cork industry, the counting of the colonies is very difficult. Otherwise, impinger method permits the collection of a representative air volume, since we can make dilution of the collected volume. Besides culture methods that allows fungal identification trough macro- and micro-morphology, growth features, thermotolerance and ecological data, we can apply molecular biology with the impinger method, to detect the presence of non-viable particles and potential mycotoxin producers’ strains, and also to detect mycotoxins presence with ELISA or HPLC. Selection of the best air sampling method in each setting is crucial to achieve characterization of occupational exposure to fungi. Information about the prevalent fungal species in each setting and also the eventual fungal load it’s needed for a criterious selection.

Prática de ensino supervisionado no 1.º e 2.º ciclo do ensino básico: calculo mental: um estudo sobre as estratégias utilizadas por alunos do 1.º e do 2.º ciclo do ensino básico

Relatório de Estágio apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção de grau de mestre em Ensino do 1.º e do 2.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico

Prática de ensino supervisionado no 1.º e 2.º ciclo do ensino básico: a evolução das conceções sobre o ciclo da água de alunos do 5º ano de escolaridade

Relatório final apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção de grau de mestre em Ensino do 1º e 2º Ciclos do Ensino Básico

Flavored waters: influence of ingredients on antioxidant capacity and terpenoid profile by HS-SPME/GC-MS

The antioxidant profiles of 39 water samples (29 flavored waters based on 10 natural waters) and 6 flavors used in their formulation (furnished by producers) were determined. Total phenol and flavonoid contents, reducing power, and DPPH radical scavenging activity were the optical techniques implemented and included in the referred profile. Flavor extracts were analyzed by HS-SPME/GC-MS to obtain the qualitative and quantitative profiles of the volatile fraction of essential oils. Results pointed out a higher reducing power (0.14 11.8 mg of gallic acid/L) and radical scavenging activity (0.29 211.5 mg Trolox/L) of flavored waters compared with the corresponding natural ones, an interesting fact concerning human health. Bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, were present in all samples (0.5 359 mg of gallic acid/L), whereas flavonoids were not present either in flavored waters or in flavors. The major components of flavor extracts were monoterpenes, such as citral, R-limonene, carveol, and R-terpineol.

Relatório de estágio: mestrado em ensino da música

Resumo I - O projecto “Piano e outros Instrumentos/orquestra” consiste na implementação do formato Piano e Orquestra em complemento às aulas individuais e aos ensaios de conjunto. O trabalho foi dirigido a um grupo de três alunos com idades de 9, 12 e 16 anos, do curso de Iniciação, Básico e Secundário da EMNSC (Escola de Música de Nossa Senhora do Cabo). Foram criados momentos distintos em cada fase. Estimulou-se o desenvolvimento de competências musicais e de estratégias metacognitivas visando a evolução dos alunos e a eficácia na realização do estudo individual. O Projecto foi criado com o objectivo de desenvolver as competências musicais, a motivação para realização do estudo individual e de grupo, o espírito e a audição crítica, o controlo dos factores psicológicos, a ansiedade, o aumento da autoconfiança, a aprendizagem, a melhoria da atitude positiva no momento da execução pública e o incremento do interesse pelas actividades relacionadas com a prática musical. A realização deste projecto visou analisar o grau de motivação, o desenvolvimento e a aquisição de competências musicais dos alunos de piano que frequentaram semanalmente aulas individuais, aulas extra de preparação, ensaios com Orquestra “Da Capo”, ensaios com a Orquestra Maior, duos com violoncelo e com canto. Um dos objectivos era comparar o grau de motivação e desenvolvimento dos alunos quando estudam obras nas aulas individuais que constituem o programa curricular e, por outro lado, quando o fazem em peças seleccionadas especificamente para este Projecto. Esta experiência visou proporcionar um conhecimento nos diversos domínios da música, uma visão diferente da funcionalidade do piano em conjunto com os outros instrumentos, a descoberta das sonoridades do piano contrastante e ao mesmo tempo, integrante com outros instrumentos, as formas de funcionamento dos instrumentos de corda, de sopro, dos assuntos relacionados com a afinação e pretendendo-se assim apurar o sentido de fazer parte integrante de um todo.

Leitura à primeira vista ao piano: relatório de estágio

A frequência de um Estágio de Ensino Especializado proporciona uma oportunidade de proximidade entre futuro docente e aluno. A observação de metodologias e o envolvimento com a música e contexto musical das escolas e alunos é algo fundamental para a formação correcta de docentes. Devido ao carácter prático do ensino de um instrumento, esta interacção demonstra-se fundamental para a experiência pedagógica. Neste estágio pretendeu-se aumentar o grau de qualidade de ensino e o número de ferramentas pedagógicas, comparando-as com ferramentas aprendidas e articuladas por experiência pré-adquirida como docente. A pedagogia de ensino de piano tem vindo a sofrer várias modificações e adaptações, como reflexo do meio e dos recursos disponíveis. A existência de conservatórios onde os alunos podem frequentar um grande número de disciplinas trouxe vantagens significativas para a sua cultura musical. Embora o estudo do instrumento continue a ser a prática principal, a diminuição nos horários de estudo obriga a uma selecção criteriosa dos conteúdos programáticos deste instrumento, de modo a não por em causa o desenvolvimento técnico dos alunos. Uma área raramente encontrada nestes conteúdos é a leitura à primeira vista. A investigação aqui apresentada pretendeu compreender como se realiza a leitura à primeira vista de uma partitura ao piano e como se pode desenvolver esta competência. Recorrendo a fontes bibliográficas consultadas e à análise de métodos de ensino representativos, foram alvo de investigação a forma como um leitor lê à primeira vista uma partitura, qual a importância do tacto e da visão, e até que ponto esta competência pode ser estudada e desenvolvida. Quais são os factores-chave da leitura à primeira vista? Até que ponto a prática ao instrumento pode influenciar esta capacidade? Embora a leitura à primeira vista tenha sido retirada como disciplina e forma de avaliação em vários estabelecimentos de ensino, a realização de alguns inquéritos pretendeu avaliar a importância dada a esta disciplina, entre professores e alunos.

Influence of traffic emissions on the carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in outdoor breathable particles

Because polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have been proven to be toxic, mutagenic, and/or carcinogenic, there is widespread interest in analyzing and evaluating exposure to PAHs in atmospheric environments influenced by different emission sources. Because traffic emissions are one of the biggest sources of fine particles, more information on carcinogenic PAHs associated with fine particles needs to be provided. Aiming to further understand the impact of traffic particulate matter (PM) on human health, this study evaluated the influence of traffic on PM10 (PM with aerodynamic diameter <10 µm) and PM2.5 (PM with aerodynamic diameter <2.5 µm), considering their concentrations and compositions in carcinogenic PAHs. Samples were collected at one site influenced by traffic emissions and at one reference site using lowvolume samplers. Analysis of PAHs was performed by microwave-assisted extraction combined with liquid chromatography (MAE-LC); 17 PAHs, including 9 carcinogenic ones, were quantified. At the site influenced by traffic emissions, PM10 and PM2.5 concentrations were, respectively, 380 and 390% higher than at the background site. When influenced by traffic emissions, the total concentration of nine carcinogenic compounds (naphthalene, chrysene, benzo(a)anthracene, benzo(b) fluoranthene, benzo(k)fluoranthene, benzo(a)pyrene, dibenzo(a,h)anthracene, indeno(1,2,3-cd)pyrene, and dibenzo(a,l)pyrene) was increased by 2400 and 3000% in PM10 and PM2.5, respectively; these nine carcinogenic compounds represented 68 and 74% of total PAHs (ƩPAHs) for PM10 and PM2.5, respectively. All PAHs, including the carcinogenic compounds, were mainly present in fine particles. Considering the strong influence of these fine particles on human health, these conclusions are relevant for the development of strategies to protect public health.

Influence of crystallite size of nanophased hydroxyapatite on fibronectin and osteonectin adsorption and on MC3T3-E1 osteoblast adhesion and morphology

The characteristic topographical features (crystallite dimensions, surface morphology and roughness) of bioceramics may influence the adsorption of proteins relevant to bone regeneration. This work aims at analyzing the influence of two distinct nanophased hydroxyapatite (HA) ceramics, HA725 and HA1000 on fibronectin (FN) and osteonectin (ON) adsorption and MC3T3-E1 osteoblast adhesion and morphology. Both substrates were obtained using the same hydroxyapatite nanocrystals aggregates and applying the sintering temperatures of 725ºC and 1000ºC, respectively. The two proteins used in this work, FN as an adhesive glycoprotein and ON as a counter-adhesive protein, are known to be involved in the early stages of osteogenesis (cell adhesion, mobility and proliferation). The properties of the nanoHA substrates had an important role in the adsorption behavior of the two studied proteins and clearly affected the MC3T3- E1 morphology, distribution and metabolic activity. HA1000 surfaces presenting slightly larger grain size, higher root-mean-square roughness (Rq), lower surface area and porosity, allowed for higher amounts of both proteins adsorbed. These substrates also revealed increased number of exposed FN cell-binding domains as well as higher affinity for osteonectin. Regarding the osteoblast adhesion results, improved viability and cell number were found for HA1000 surfaces as compared to HA725 ones, independently of the presence or type of adsorbed protein. Therefore the osteoblast adhesion and metabolic activity seemed to be more sensitive to surfaces morphology and roughness than to the type of adsorbed proteins.

O diário enquanto instrumento regulador da interação social e do desenvolvimento das competências sociais

Relatório da Prática Profissional Supervisionada Mestrado em Educação Pré-Escolar

A fusão de dois mundos: convergência do mundo real e digital nas acções de marketing na rede

No passado, as acções publicitárias eram rotuladas como above the line e below the line, referindo-se à dicotomia de pontos de contacto com os públicos-alvo via Meios de Comunicação Social ou via Ponto de Venda. A esta dicotomia de meios e instrumentos, os anos 90 vieram trazer um terceiro ponto de contacto, crescentemente omnipresente e hegemónico, a world wide web ou rede, a que se acedia via computador. As acções de marketing e comunicação passaram então a rotular-se como online e offline, passando, não já a referir-se aos pontos de contacto, mas aos canais pelos quais circulavam as mensagens e acções das marcas. Desde o início deste século, o poder do digital veio crescendo, em software e hardware, em terminais e tecnologias, assistindo-se a uma transferência de esforços de comunicação, da esfera real para a esfera do digital. O deslumbramento pelo digital conquistou mesmo algumas marcas de dimensão mundial que hoje apostam integralmente o seu orçamento nesta forma de marketing, nas suas múltiplas facetas. Contudo, e porque se tem tornado óbvio que os públicos distribuem os seus favores por múltiplos touch points, para maximizar o impacto, assiste-se agora a um fenómeno único, potenciado por novas tecnologias que surgem todos os dias: em estratégias que se podem denominar de all-line, verifica-se a fusão entre dois mundos, mundo real e mundo digital, em múltiplas actividades de marketing que fazem convergir estas duas realidades em plataformas que vão do computador ao tablet, do smartphone à vending machine interactiva, do facebook ao Google maps, da imprensa tradicional ao pinterest. É esta convergência mundo real - mundo digital que abre agora novas oportunidades à comunicação publicitária, potenciando os ingredientes das marcas de sucesso no futuro: sensações (estímulo dos sentidos), intimidade e mistério, num cocktail suportado por uma nova criatividade.