O Display da morte na ficção de José Saramago

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências da Literatura (área de especialização em Literatura Portuguesa).

Influence of climate on clinical diagnostic dry eye tests: pilot study

Purpose. To analyze dry eye disease (DED) tests and their consistency in similar nonsymptomatic population samples living in two geographic locations with different climates (Continental vs. Atlantic). Methods. This is a pilot study including 14 nonsymptomatic residents from Valladolid (Continental climate, Spain) and 14 sex-matched and similarly aged residents from Braga (Atlantic climate, Portugal); they were assessed during the same season (spring) of two consecutive years. Phenol red thread test, conjunctival hyperemia, fluorescein tear breakup time, corneal and conjunctival staining, and Schirmer test were evaluated on three different consecutive visits. Reliability was assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient and weighted kappa (J) coefficient for quantitative and ordinal variables, respectively. Results. Fourteen subjects were recruited in each city with a mean (TSD) age of 63.0 (T1.7) and 59.1 (T0.9) years (p = 0.08) in Valladolid and Braga, respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient and J values of the tests performed were below 0.69 and 0.61, respectively, for both samples, thus showing moderate to poor reliability. Subsequently, comparisons were made between the results corresponding to the middle and higher outdoor relative humidity (RH) visit in each location as there were no differences in mean temperature (p Q 0.75) despite RH values significantly differing (p e 0.005). Significant (p e 0.05) differences were observed between Valladolid and Braga samples on tear breakup time (middle RH visit, 2.76 T 0.60 vs. 5.26 T 0.64 seconds; higher RH visit, 2.61 T 0.32 vs. 5.78 T 0.88 seconds) and corneal (middle RH, 0.64 T 0.17 vs. 0.14 T 0.10; higher RH, 0.60 T 0.22 vs. 0.0 T 0.0) and conjunctival staining (middle RH, 0.61 T 0.17 vs. 0.14 T 0.08; higher RH, 0.57 T 0.15 vs. 0.18 T 0.09). Conclusions. This pilot study provides initial evidence to support that DED test outcomes assessing the ocular surface integrity and tear stability are climate dependent. Future large-sample studies should support these outcomes also in DED patients. This knowledge is fundamental for multicenter clinical trials. Lack of consistency in diagnostic clinical tests for DED was also corroborated. (Optom Vis Sci 2015;92:e284Ye289)

End-of-day dryness, corneal sensitivity and blink rate in contact lens wearers

Purpose: To study the relationship among the variables intensity ofthe end-of-day (EOD) dryness, corneal sensitivity and blink rate in soft contact lens (CL) wearers. Methods: Thirty-eight soft CL wearers (25 women and 13 men; mean age 27.1 ± 7.2 years) were enrolled. EOD dryness was assessed using a scale of 0–5 (0, none to 5, very intense). Mechanical and thermal (heat and cold) sensitivity were measured using a Belmonte’s gas esthesiometer. The blink rate was recorded using a video camera while subjects were wearing a hydrogel CL and watching a film for 90 min in a controlled environmental chamber. Results: A significant inverse correlation was found between EOD dryness and mechanical sensitivity (r: −0.39; p = 0.02); however, there were no significant correlations between EOD dryness and thermal sensitivity. A significant (r: 0.56; p < 0.001) correlation also was observed between EOD dryness and blink rate, but no correlations were found between blink rate and mechanical or thermal sensitivity. Conclusions: CL wearers with higher corneal sensitivity to mechanical stimulation reported more EOD dryness with habitual CL wear. Moreover, subjects reporting more EOD dryness had an increased blink rates during wear of a standard CL type. The increased blink rate could act to improve the ocular surface environment and relieve symptoms

Efeito da quantidade de proteína na dieta e treinamento físico sobre parâmetros fisiológicos e zootécnicos de matrinchã (Brycon amazonicus, Günther 1869)

O objetivo do presente estudo foi avaliar a interação entre os efeitos do treinamento físico e da quantidade de proteína na dieta sobre a hematologia; a composição corpórea de proteínas, lipídeos e cinzas; o consumo alimentar, o ganho de massa e fator de conversão; o desempenho natatório e a resistência ao estresse causado pela hipóxia em exemplares de matrinchã. Os resultados indicam que a hematologia e o desempenho natatório não são alterados pelo treinamento físico ou pela concentração de proteína na dieta, porém, a resistência à hipóxia é aumentada pelo treinamento, como indicado por menores elevações dos níveis de glicose. O aumento da quantidade de proteína na dieta e o treinamento melhoram a conversão alimentar e o ganho de massa dos animais, enquanto que o aumento na ingestão de ração é causado apenas pelo treinamento. A aplicação concomitante dos dois fatores, embora cause efeito aditivo nos índices de ganho de massa e conversão alimentar, gera também os maiores acúmulos de gorduras no filé, o que sugere uma avaliação do tipo de gordura acumulada e da aceitação desta carne no mercado.

Gold nanoparticles functionalised with fast water exchanging Gd3+ chelates: Linker effects on the relaxivity

The relaxivity displayed by Gd3+ chelates immobilized onto gold nanoparticles is the result of complex interplay between nanoparticle size, water exchange rate and chelate structure. In this work we study the effect of the length of -thioalkyl linkers, anchoring fast water exchanging Gd3+ chelates onto gold nanoparticles, on the relaxivity of the immobilized chelates. Gold nanoparticles functionalized with Gd3+ chelates of mercaptoundecanoyl and lipoyl amide conjugates of the DO3A-N-(-amino)propionate chelator were prepared and studied as potential CA for MRI. High relaxivities per chelate, of the order of magnitude 28-38 mM-1s-1 (30 MHz, 25 ºC) were attained thanks to simultaneous optimization of the rotational correlation time and of the water exchange rate. Fast local rotational motions of the immobilized chelates around connecting linkers (internal flexibility) still limit the attainable relaxivity. The degree of internal flexibility of the immobilized chelates seems not to be correlated with the length of the connecting linkers. Biodistribution and MRI studies in mice suggest that the in vivo behavior of the gold nanoparticles is determined mainly by size. Small nanoparticles (HD= 3.9 nm) undergo fast renal clearance and avoidance of the RES organs while larger nanoparticles (HD= 4.8 nm) undergo predominantly hepatobiliary excretion. High relaxivities, allied to chelate and nanoparticle stability and fast renal clearance in vivo suggests that functionalized gold nanoparticles hold great potential for further investigation as MRI Contrast Agents. This study contributes to understand the effect of linker length on the relaxivity of gold nanoparticles functionalized with Gd3+ complexes. It is a relevant contribution towards “design rules” for nanostructures functionalized with Gd3+ chelates as Contrast Agents for MRI and multimodal imaging.

A systematic study of the structural and magnetic properties of Mn-, Co-, and Ni-Doped Colloidal Fe3O4 nanoparticles

A series of colloidal MxFe3-xO4 (M = Mn, Co, Ni; x = 0–1) nanoparticles with diameters ranging from 6.8 to 11.6 nm was synthesized by hydrothermal reaction in aqueous medium at low temperature (200 °C). Energy-dispersive X-ray microa-nalysis and inductively coupled plasma spectrometry confirms that the actual elemental compositions agree well with the nominal ones. The structural properties of obtained nanoparticles were investigated by using powder X-ray diffraction, Raman scattering, Mössbauer spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. The results demonstrate that our synthesis technique leads to the formation of chemically uniform single-phase solid solution nanoparticles with cubic spinel structure, confirming the intrinsic doping. Magnetic studies showed that, in comparison to Fe3O4, the saturation magnetization of MxFe3-xO4 (M = Mn, Ni) decreases with increasing dopant concentration, while Co-doped samples showed similar saturation magnetizations. On other hand, whereas Mn- and Ni-doped nanoparticles exhibits superparamagnetic behavior at room temperature, ferromagnetism emerges for CoxFe3-xO4 nanoparticles, which can be tuned by the level of Co doping.

Layer-by-layer technique to developing functional nanolaminate films with antifungal activity

The layer-by-layer (LbL) deposition method was used to build up alternating layers (five) of different polyelectrolyte solutions (alginate, zein-carvacrol nanocapsules, chitosan and chitosan-carvacrol emulsions) on an aminolysed/charged polyethylene terephthalate (A/C PET) film. These nanolaminated films were characterised by contact angle measurements and through the determination of water vapour (WVTR) and oxygen (O2TR) transmission rates. The effect of active nanolaminated films against the Alternaria sp. and Rhizopus stolonifer was also evaluated. This procedure allowed developing optically transparent nanolaminated films with tuneable water vapour and gas properties and antifungal activity. The water and oxygen transmission rate values for the multilayer films were lower than those previously reported for the neat alginate or chitosan films. The presence of carvacrol and zein nanocapsules significantly decreased the water transmission rate (up to 40 %) of the nanolaminated films. However, the O2TR behaved differently and was only improved (up to 45 %) when carvacrol was encapsulated, i.e. nanolaminated films prepared by alternating alginate with nanocapsules of zein-carvacrol layers showed better oxygen barrier properties than those prepared as an emulsion of chitosan and carvacrol. These films containing zein-carvacrol nanocapsules also showed the highest antifungal activity (30 %), which did not significantly differ from those obtained with the highest amount of carvacrol, probably due to the controlled release of the active agent (carvacrol) from the zein-carvacrol nanocapsules. Thus, this work shows that nanolaminated films prepared with alternating layers of alginate and zein-carvacrol nanocapsules can be considered to improve the shelf-life of foodstuffs.

Recordando o Prof. Doutor José de Azevedo Ferreira 20 anos após a sua morte

Artigo de jornal (2015): «Recordando o Prof. Doutor José de Azevedo Ferreira 20 anos após a sua morte», in Diário do Minho, Caderno Cultura, pp. IV-VI, 10 de junho de 2015.

Evolução dos níveis de colesterol na população adulta de São José do Rio Preto (1991-1997)

OBJETIVO: Realizar levantamento de fatores de risco para aterosclerose na população > ou = 20 anos de São José do Rio Preto, e comparar os dados obtidos com os coletados, em levantamento similar, em 1991. MÉDOTOS: Pesquisa quantitativa com amostragem estratificada por sexo e idade. Os entrevistados (646 indivíduos, 303 homens) foram abordados em Postos de Saúde e outros pontos de afluxo da população, distribuídos por zona geográfica e por classe social dos bairros. A margem de erro foi de 4%, e o intervalo de confiança (IC) de 95%. RESULTADOS: A) Níveis médios de HDL-colesterol (apenas em 1997): homens 43,7±15mg/dL, mulheres 49,6±13,5mg/dL (p<0,001, 95% IC 3,7 a 8,1); B) níveis médios de colesterol total em 1991 vs 1997: população global 192,5±48,9mg/dL vs 190,5±42,5mg/dL (p=NS); homens 187,6±53,3 vs 190,5±42,5mg/dL (p=NS); mulheres 196,8±40mg/dL vs 187,6±37,8mg/dL (p=0,008, 95% IC 2,4 a 15,9). C) Em análise de regressão, as variáveis que se correlacionaram significativamente com níveis de colesterol, em ambas as pesquisas, foram: idade (p<0,001), pressão arterial sistólica (p<0,001) e diastólica (p<0,001), dieta (p<0,001). Sexo feminino correlacionou-se apenas em 1991 (p=0,011) e sedentarismo apenas em 1997 (p=0,014). CONCLUSÃO: Os níveis de colesterol na população adulta de São José do Rio Preto são bastante aceitáveis, sendo que no sexo feminino diminuíram, de maneira significativa, na pesquisa atual, em relação à realizada em 1991.

A semântica cognitiva e suas conexões com as ciências da linguagem e com aspectos socioculturais - Entrevista com José de Sousa Teixeira (Universidade do Minho)

Número temático: A semântica cognitiva em foco

Relatório de estágio realizado na Escola Secundária José Gomes Ferreira

Para a grande maioria dos professores, tornarem-se melhores profissionais passa pelo alcance máximo de sucesso pelos seus alunos (Guskey, 2002), sendo este o principal foco deste relatório. A interligação entre as quatro áreas de intervenção do estágio pedagógico, permite potencializar cada uma. A reflexão sobre o desenvolvimento pessoal e profissional enquanto professora estagiária tendo em conta um sentimento de auto-eficácia positivo (Jardim & Onofre, 2009) e uma inteligência emocial (Mouton, Hansenne, Delcour & Coles, 2013) foi fundamental para contribuir para uma gestão correta da sala de aula através do modelo ecológico (Hastie e Siedentop, 1999) em conjunto com as 4 dimensões de uma intervenção pedagógico de sucesso (Sidentop, 1983; citado por Onofre, 1995). Tornando-se essencial entender a evolução e as diferenças entre os alunos por ser o centro do processo de ensino-aprendizagem. Assim, o trabalho do professor, começa muito antes do espaço de sala de aula (Fentermacher & Soltis, 1986). A comunidade escolar da Escola Secundária José Gomes Ferreira, compreende que a disciplina tem benefícios educacionais, mas nem sempre a consegue suportar. Assim, é necessário promover experiências positivas no 1º ciclo, de forma a desenvolver atitudes positivas face à Educação Física.

Mantissa in volumen primum [-tertium] :Systematis vegetabilium caroli a Linné : ex editione Joan. Jac. Roemer et Jos. Aug. Schultes /curante I.A. Schultes.

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Mantissa in volumen primum [-tertium] :Systematis vegetabilium caroli a Linné : ex editione Joan. Jac. Roemer et Jos. Aug. Schultes /curante I.A. Schultes.

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Mantissa in volumen primum [-tertium] :Systematis vegetabilium caroli a Linné : ex editione Joan. Jac. Roemer et Jos. Aug. Schultes /curante I.A. Schultes.

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Etica y política en la novela y el ensayo de José Saramago

Al plantear la dimensión ético-política de un texto se presupone un análisis axiológico de los valores que sostiene y sustrae en su emergencia discursiva, esto es la imagen de mundo, la concepción filosófica en que se sustenta y la voluntad práctica que propicia. Una lectura ético-política de un texto –en este orden– supone «usarlo» (al menos en el sentido que Humberto Eco le concede) al «autotelizarlo», es decir, transformarlo en vehículo de una reflexión colectiva. Potenciarlo en sus posibilidades y tornarlo acontecimiento de lenguaje; pragmatizarlo en su intención para leerlo documentaria y documentalmente, sin dejar de reconocerlo como ente en sí mismo. Se está haciendo referencia –claro está– a las implicancias ético-culturales y ético-políticas que los textos literarios presuponen, pero también a una dimensión productiva que opera en su enunciación, aquella que Saramago refiere cuando proclama la necesidad de una «insurrección ética» que devuelva a los seres humanos la capacidad de responsabilizarse de su lugar en el mundo. De allí el imperativo categórico que se imprime en sus textos y que al Equipo Saramaguiano de Teoría y Crítica Literarias le interesa explicitar. La lectura propuesta por el Equipo de investigación, además de explorar las potencialidades significativas de los textos, pretende contribuir a través de ellas a una segunda lectura, de orden refractaria esta última, es decir, inscripta en una dimensión situada: la perspectiva latinoamericana. No se trata de explorar el significado en sí mismo ni de ordenarlo conforme a una coordenada que le es referencialmente precisa, sino de aportar reflexiva y responsablemente a un análisis más profundo de la realidad inmediata en la que habitamos como investigadores. Se busca –en suma– potenciar los procedimientos heurísticos al máximo pero hacerlos conscientes de una mirada propia, al costurarlos con «nuestro» aquí y ahora de universitarios latinoamericanos.