Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2016-10"
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- Adaptation of the Domestic Violence Myth Acceptance Scale to Portuguese and Tests of Its Convergent, Divergent, and Predictive Validities.Publication . Giger, Jean-Christophe; Gonçalves, Gabriela Maria Ramos; Almeida, Ana SusanaThe Domestic Violence Myth Acceptance Scale was adapted to Portuguese (PDVMAS). The PDVMAS displayed reasonable fit indices (Study 1); was positively correlated with right-wing authoritarianism, social dominance orientation, belief in a just world (Study 2), and ambivalent sexism (Study 3); and negatively correlated with empathetic tendencies (Study 4). PDVMAS significantly predicted victim blame and aggressor exoneration in scenarios of coercion (Study 5) and physical assault (Study 6). Victims and non-victims of domestic violence equally endorsed domestic violence myths. Globally, the PDVMAS is a reliable instrument, and domestic violence myths are pervasive and alter the perception of intimate partner violence.
- Cryopreservation of germ cells for the production of marine speciesPublication . Cabrita, Elsa; Martinez-Paramo, Sonia; Dinis, Maria TeresaGerm cell cryopreservation is a safe method to store and preserve genetic material. Cryobanks in aquatic species were developed with different aims, benefiting fish farming, from management of reproduction to genetic selection of sperm from males with high reproductive value. Research has been conducted on the development of protocols for new/problematic species, for commercial species to improve gamete quality during storage or for conservation purposes.
- Isolation of a euryhaline microalgal strain, Tetraselmis sp CTP4, as a robust feedstock for biodiesel productionPublication . Pereira, Hugo; Gangadhar, Katkam N.; Schulze, Peter S.C.; Santos, Tamara; de Sousa, Carolina Bruno; Schueler, Lisa; Custódio, Luísa; Malcata, F. Xavier; Gouveia, Luísa; Varela, J.; Barreira, LuísaBioprospecting for novel microalgal strains is key to improving the feasibility of microalgae-derived biodiesel production. Tetraselmis sp. CTP4 (Chlorophyta, Chlorodendrophyceae) was isolated using fluorescence activated cell sorting (FACS) in order to screen novel lipid-rich microalgae. CTP4 is a robust, euryhaline strain able to grow in seawater growth medium as well as in non-sterile urban wastewater. Because of its large cell size (9-22 mu m), CTP4 settles down after a six-hour sedimentation step. This leads to a medium removal efficiency of 80%, allowing a significant decrease of biomass dewatering costs. Using a two-stage system, a 3-fold increase in lipid content (up to 33% of DW) and a 2-fold enhancement in lipid productivity (up to 52.1 mg L-1 d(-1)) were observed upon exposure to nutrient depletion for 7 days. The biodiesel synthesized from the lipids of CTP4 contained high levels of oleic acid (25.67% of total fatty acids content) and minor amounts of polyunsaturated fatty acids with >= 4 double bonds (< 1%). As a result, this biofuel complies with most of the European (EN14214) and American (ASTM D6751) specifications, which commonly used microalgal feedstocks are usually unable to meet. In conclusion, Tetraselmis sp. CTP4 displays promising features as feedstock with lower downstream processing costs for biomass dewatering and biodiesel refining.
- Electrochemical noise and impedance of Au electrode/electrolyte interfaces enabling extracellular detection of glioma cell populationsPublication . Schlett, Paul; Kintzel, Ulrike; Mailaender, Volker; Vandamme, Lode K. J.; Zeck, Gunther; Gomes, Henrique L.; Biscarini, Fabio; de Leeuw, Dago M.Microelectrode arrays (MEA) record extracellular local field potentials of cells adhered to the electrodes. A disadvantage is the limited signal-to-noise ratio. The state-of-the-art background noise level is about 10 mu Vpp. Furthermore, in MEAs low frequency events are filtered out. Here, we quantitatively analyze Au electrode/electrolyte interfaces with impedance spectroscopy and noise measurements. The equivalent circuit is the charge transfer resistance in parallel with a constant phase element that describes the double layer capacitance, in series with a spreading resistance. This equivalent circuit leads to a Maxwell-Wagner relaxation frequency, the value of which is determined as a function of electrode area and molarity of an aqueous KCl electrolyte solution. The electrochemical voltage and current noise is measured as a function of electrode area and frequency and follow unambiguously from the measured impedance. By using large area electrodes the noise floor can be as low as 0.3 mu Vpp. The resulting high sensitivity is demonstrated by the extracellular detection of C6 glioma cell populations. Their minute electrical activity can be clearly detected at a frequency below about 10 Hz, which shows that the methodology can be used to monitor slow cooperative biological signals in cell populations.
- Biological synthesis of nanosized sulfide semiconductors: current status and future prospectsPublication . Costa, João Pinto da; Girão, Ana Violeta; Trindade, Tito; Costa, Maria Clara; Duarte, Armando; Rocha-Santos, TeresaThere have been extensive and comprehensive reviews in the field of metal sulfide precipitation in the context of environmental remediation. However, these works have focused mainly on the removal of metals from aqueous solutions-usually, metal-contaminated effluents-with less emphasis on the precipitation process and on the end-products, frequently centering on metal removal efficiencies. Recently, there has been an increasing interest not only in the possible beneficial effects of these bioremediation strategies for metal-rich effluents but also on the formed precipitates. These metal sulfide materials are of special relevance in industry, due to their optical, electronic, and mechanical properties. Hence, identifying new routes for synthesizing these materials, as well as developing methodologies allowing for the control of the shape and size of particulates, is of environmental, economic, and practical importance. Multiple studies have shown proof-of-concept for the biological synthesis of inorganic metallic sulfide nanoparticles (NPs), resorting to varied organisms or cell components, though this information has scarcely been structured and compiled in a systematic manner. In this review, we overview the biological synthesis methodologies of nanosized metal sulfides and the advantages of these strategies when compared to more conventional chemical routes. Furthermore, we highlight the possibility of the use of numerous organisms for the synthesis of different metal sulfide NPs, with emphasis on sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB). Finally, we put in perspective the potential of these methodologies in the emerging research areas of biohydrometallurgy and nanobiotechnology for the uptake of metals in the form of metal sulfide nanoparticles. A more complete understanding of the principles underlying the (bio)chemistry of formation of solids in these conditions may lead to the large-scale production of such metal sulfides, while simultaneously allowing an enhanced control over the size and shape of these biogenic nanomaterials.
- Para a história da saúde no Algarve. As epidemias de cólera-mórbus no século XIXPublication . Mesquita, José Carlos VilhenaOs portos algarvios, que contribuíram para a prosperidade económica da região, implementando a exportação dos produtos naturais e facilitando o crescimento dos sectores pesqueiro e industrial, não deram só entrada às riquezas, como também por eles passaram algumas das desgraças que mais flagelaram este velho reino. Falamos dos surtos epidémicos que, a seu modo, constituíram um dos vectores condicionantes do crescimento populacional. O assunto é recorrente, poiscom Gibraltar, Norte de África e Espanha, conferiam-lhe um grau de risco difícil de comparar a outras regiões do país. Por outro lado, os costumes e mentalidades do nosso pov desde os primórdios da civilização ocidental que as sociedades humanas se debatem com o flagelo do contágio epidémico, que ao atingir proporções devastadoras se denomina vulgarmente por peste. Quando o surto é episódico ou sazonal costuma designar-se como pestilência, febre contagiosa ou sezão maligna. O Algarve, devido ao seu posicionamento geográfico, com portos afáveis e seguros, era uma espécie de “porta aberta” ao tráfego africano e ao afluxo mercantil dessa milenar estrada mediterrânica. Por isso, não nos surpreendem as constantes ofensivas epidémicas que ao longo do século XIX conspurcaram esta região e atemorizaram este povo. Para regulamentar a prestação de serviços médicos e auxiliar as populações, haviam-se instituído organismos públicos como a Real Junta do Proto-Medicato, que, entre outras funções, vigiava e avaliava a competência científica dos profissionais de medicina. Posteriormente substituída pela Junta de Saúde Pública, mais vocacionada para o combate epidemiológico e para a obstrução de contágios exteriores. Em boa verdade, o Algarve, não só pela sua situação geográfica como até pelo clima, então considerado insalubre, foi sempre achacado a febres infecciosas, sazonais, virulentas, contagiosas e epidémicas. A sua proximidade com Gibraltar, Norte de África e Espanha, conferiam-lhe um grau de risco difícil de comparar a outras regiões do país. Por outro lado, os costumes e mentalidades do nosso povo eram também responsáveis pela falta de higiene que grassava por todo o território nacional. Temos vários exemplos e diversas reclamações. Vejamos apenas uma, que nos pareceu verdadeiramente esclarecedora sobre a realidade que então se vivia.
- Nitrogen uptake in light versus darkness of the seagrass Zostera noltei: integration with carbon metabolismPublication . Alexandre, Ana; Silva, João; Santos, RuiWe conducted a study that shows that light and dark conditions do not affect the uptake rates of ammonium and nitrate by the seagrass Zostera noltei. This is an important advantage over some seaweed species in which these rates are severely reduced at night. In the light, the ammonium uptake rates were initially higher (15 and 20molg(-1)h(-1)) and stabilized at a rate of 5molg(-1)h(-1) after 1h, whereas in the dark the rates remained constant at a rate of 10molg(-1)h(-1) over the first 180min of incubation. The rates of nitrate uptake in the light were high within the first 120min of incubation(7.2-11.1molg(-1)h(-1)) and decreased afterwards to lower values (0.8-3.9molg(-1)h(-1)), whereas in the dark the rates fluctuated around 0.0-11.1molg(-1)h(-1) throughout the whole incubation time (7h). The soluble sugar content of Z.noltei leaves increased significantly with both ammonium and nitrate incubations in the light, indicating the metabolic outcome of photosynthesis. In the dark, there was no significant variation in either the soluble sugar or in the starch content of leaves, rhizomes or roots in either the ammonium or nitrate incubations. However, the total starch content of plants decreased at night whereas the total soluble sugars increased, suggesting a process of starch catabolism to generate energy with the consequent production of smaller monosaccharide products. The starch content of rhizomes decreased significantly during the light incubations with nitrate but not with ammonium. These results suggest that carbohydrate mobilization is necessary for Z.noltei to account for extra energetic costs needed for the uptake and assimilation of nitrate. Furthermore, our results suggest that nitrate uptake, at least during the day, requires the mobilization of starch whereas the uptake of ammonium does not.
- Assessment of marine ecosystem services indicators: experiences and lessons learned from 14 european case studiesPublication . Lillebo, Ana I.; Somma, Francesca; Noren, Katja; Gonçalves, Jorge Manuel Santos; Fatima Alves, M.; Ballarini, Elisabetta; Bentes, L.; Bielecka, Malgorzata; Chubarenko, Boris V.; Heise, Susanne; Khokhlov, Valeriy; Klaoudatos, Dimitris; Lloret, Javier; Margonski, Piotr; Marin, Atucha; Matczak, Magdalena; Oen, Amy M. P.; Palmieri, Maria G.; Przedrzymirska, Joanna; Rozynski, Grzegorz; Sousa, Ana I.; Sousa, Lisa P.; Tuchkovenko, Yurii; Zaucha, JacekThis article shares the experiences, observations, and discussions that occurred during the completing of an ecosystem services (ES) indicator framework to be used at European Union (EU) and Member States' level. The experience base was drawn from 3 European research projects and 14 associated case study sites that include 13 transitional-water bodies (specifically 8 coastal lagoons, 4 riverine estuaries, and 1 fjord) and 1 coastal-water ecosystem. The ES pertinent to each case study site were identified along with indicators of these ES and data sources that could be used for mapping. During the process, several questions and uncertainties arose, followed by discussion, leading to these main lessons learned: 1) ES identification: Some ES that do not seem important at the European scale emerge as relevant at regional or local scales; 2) ES indicators: When direct indicators are not available, proxies for indicators (indirect indicators) might be used, including combined data on monitoring requirements imposed by EU legislation and international agreements; 3) ES mapping: Boundaries and appropriate data spatial resolution must be established because ES can be mapped at different temporal and spatial scales. We also acknowledge that mapping and assessment of ES supports the dialogue between human well-being and ecological status. From an evidence-based marine planning-process point of view, mapping and assessment of marine ES are of paramount importance to sustainable use of marine natural capital and to halt the loss of marine biodiversity. (C) 2016 SETAC
- The use of animal bone as fuel in the third millennium BC walled enclosure of Castanheiro do Vento (Northern Portugal)Publication . Costa, C.Experiments on fire manipulation of bones as fuel demonstrated that animal bones are effective in the act of maintaining lasting combustion. These experiments are almost always applied to the studies in hunter-gather societies in prehistory, even though the use of bones as fuel is also known in historical times. Based on data and models resulting from these recent experiments, both in laboratory and in real hearths, I tested the hypothesis of the use of animal bone as fuel in the third/second millennium BC walled enclosure of Castanheiro do Vento, in northern Portugal. The faunal assemblage shows some specific characteristics such as a very low percentage of identifiable material and close to 90% of charred bones with a very high index of fragmentation I link the faunal analysis with the results of some experiments recently published. These experiments show the particularities of bone fuel combustion, specifically used in certain activities. Nevertheless, the interpretation of these activities in Castanheiro do Vento is difficult to achieve because of the preliminary state of the investigations. As an additional problem, the available interpretations in the literature concern mostly hunter-gather, and models do not take into account the complex societies of the third/second millennium BC. Copyright (c) 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
- Electromechanical actuators based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) with [N-1 (1) (1) (2(OH))][NTf2] and [C(2)mim] [C2SO4]Publication . Dias, J. C.; Martins, Marcos; Ribeiro, S.; Silva, M. M.; Esperança, J. M. S. S.; Ribeiro, C.; Botelho, G.; Costa, C. M.; Lanceros-Mendez, S.Actuators based on electroactive polymers are increasingly used in applications including microelectronic devices and artificial muscles, demanding low voltage operation and controllable switching response. This work reports on the preparation of electroactive actuators based on poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) composites with 10, 25, and 40 wt% N,N,N-trimethyl-N-(2-hydroxyethyl) ammonium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide ([N-1 1 1 2(OH)][NTf2]) and 1-Ethyl-3-methylimidazolium Ethylsulfate ([C(2)mim][C2SO4]) ionic liquids (ILs) prepared by solvent casting. Independent of the IL type, its presence leads to the crystallization of PVDF in the piezoelectric beta-phase. The degree of crystallinity and electrical conductivity of the samples strongly depends on ILs type and content. The highest electrical conductivity was found for PVDF/IL composites with 40 wt% of [N-1 1 1 2(OH)][NTf2]. The strain displacement and bending of the PVDF/IL composites were evaluated as a function of IL type and content under applied peak voltages of 2.0, 5.0, and 10.0 V at a frequency of 10 mHz. Strain displacement of the actuators depends more on IL content than on IL type, and the best strain bending response was found for the PVDF/IL composite with 25 wt% of [N-1 1 1 2(OH)][NTf2] at 5.0 V. Further, it is shown that [C(2)mim] [C2SO4]/PVDF composites do not show cytotoxic behavior, being suitable for biomedical applications.