Search

A substantial part of our written heritage is threatened by the fact that much of it has been written using iron-gall ink (IGI). One such example is the documents of the Portuguese Inquisition Tribunals, held by the Arquivo Nacional da Torre do Tombo. Here we present the first systematic analytical approach, using SEM/EDS, µ-FT-IR-ATR and µ-Raman techniques, to characterise fragments from historical records of the Inquisition Tribunals of Évora, Lisboa and Coimbra from the 16th to 18th centuries. The writing ink was identified as IGI, providing complementary compositional data and establishing differences between various formulations of the ink. Additionally, the deleterious effects of the inks-associated degradation phenomena were highlighted. This work allowed understand the writing inks used by this Portuguese institution.

Historical and archival research focused on the Portuguese Inquisition documents (1551–1800) uncovered the use of arena known as blotting sands, a writing accessory used to hasten ink drying. We present in this work the first systematic study combining image analysis, SEM/EDS and µ-Raman techniques, statistics and chemometrics to characterise the blotting sands used by the Portuguese Inquisition and hypothesise their provenance. Iron-titanium and iron oxide minerals categorised as texturally mature sands are the dominant species, consistent with sediment extraction from fluvial or beach contexts and later processed. Chemometrics unveiled time period trends by clustering the samples according to morphology and composition data. This work constitutes a groundbreaking step towards uncovering this intricate writing tool.

Too little is known about areia de escrever, i.e., blotting sands, the intriguing particles sprinkled on freshly written scripts to accelerate the drying time of the ink. Blotting sands constitute a valuable but underestimated historical source., This work investigated the blotting sands used on the account books of the religious houses scattered across continental Portugal and Madeira Island (16th-19th centuries). The sands were mainly composed of different minerals, predominately black sands, but in a few cases, minerals were found mixed with gums, paper cocoons or bone shavings. The combined use of SEM-EDS, µ-Raman and FT-IR techniques uncovered the materials' chemical or mineralogical composition and morphology. This approach, allied with image analysis and statistics complemented with multivariate analysis, allowed us to look for trends between the samples and hypothesise about their provenance. Heavy minerals, such as ilmenite, hematite and almandine, were identified as major components, together with other silicates (e.g. quartz). Samples were dominated by medium-sized grains with shape features indicating texturally mature sediments resulting from a medium-to-long sedimentary transport. Due to shorter geological transport distances, Madeira Island was the exception, with more angular grains. This work allowed us to uncover blotting sands, value them as historical sources, and establish a roadmap for their use in Portugal, aiming to pave the way towards a more global context in Europe.

This work originates from the research carried out with university professors who are part of the research group that investigates Educational Paradigms and Teacher Training, linked to the Research Line: Pedagogical Theory and Practice in Teacher Education in a Graduate Program in Education from a large university in the city of Curitiba, Paraná. The objective was to understand the contribution of active methodologies to the teaching practice of university professors. The methodology used is based on a qualitative approach of the case study type that aims to interpret, in an analytical way, the data captured in the course of the research. From the data analysis, it was possible to verify that the proposal of the active methodologies can be constituted as a teaching proposal in a complex or holistic view, which enables a meaningful learning for the students, protagonists of the construction of knowledge in an autonomous, critical, reflective, and participatory manner., This work originates from the research carried out with university professors who are part of the research group that investigates the Educational Paradigms and Teacher Training (PEFOP), linked to the Research Line: Pedagogical Theory and Practice in Teacher Education in a Post-Graduate Program. Graduation in Education (PPGE) from a large university in the city of Curitiba / PR. The objective was to understand the contribution of active methodologies to the teaching practice of university professors. The methodology used is based on a qualitative approach of the case study type that excels in interpreting, in an analytical way, the data captured in the course of the research. From the data analysis, it was possible to verify that the proposal of the active methodologies can be constituted as a teaching proposal in a complex or holistic view, which allows a meaningful learning for the students, protagonist of the construction of knowledge in an autonomous, critical, reflective and participatory., Este trabalho se origina da pesquisa realizada com professores universitários que fazem parte do grupo de pesquisa que investiga os Paradigmas Educacionais e Formação de Professores, vinculado à Linha de Pesquisa: Teoria e Prática Pedagógica na Formação de Professores em um Programa de Pós-Graduação em Educação de uma universidade de grande porte na cidade de Curitiba, Paraná. Objetivou-se compreender a contribuição das metodologias ativas para a prática docente dos professores universitários. A metodologia utilizada em uma abordagem qualitativa do tipo de estudo de caso, que prima por interpretar, de modo analítico, os dados captados no decurso da pesquisa. A partir das análises dos dados, foi possível verificar que uma proposta das metodologias ativas pode se constituir como uma proposta de ensino numa visão complexa ou holística, que possibilita uma aprendizagem significativa para os alunos, protagonistas da construção do conhecimento de forma autônoma, crítica, reflexiva e participativa., Este trabajo fue realizado a partir de la investigación hecha con docentes universitarios que forman parte del grupo de investigación sobre Paradigmas Educativos y Formación de Docentes, vinculado a la Línea de Investigación: Teoría y Práctica Pedagógica en la Formación de Docentes en un Programa de Posgrado en Educación de una gran universidad de la ciudad de Curitiba, Paraná. El objetivo consiste en comprender la contribución de las metodologías activas a la práctica docente de los profesores universitarios. La metodología utilizada se basa en un estudio de caso cualitativo, que se destaca por interpretar de manera analítica los datos obtenidos durante la investigación. A partir del análisis de los datos, se pudo comprobar que la propuesta de las metodologías activas puede constituir una propuesta de enseñanza desde una mirada compleja u holística, que posibilita un aprendizaje significativo para los alumnos, protagonistas de la construcción del conocimiento de forma autónoma, crítica, reflexiva y participativa.

[Objectives] This study aimed to externally validate the diagnostic accuracy of the Select MDx test for Significant prostate cancer (Sig PCa) (ISUP > 1), in a contemporaneous, prospective, multicenter cohort with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) between 3 and 10 ng/ml and a non-suspicious digital rectal examination., [Methods and Participants] For all enrolled patients, the Select Mdx test, the risk calculator ERSPC3 + DRE, and a prostatic magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were carried out. Subsequently, a systematic 12-core trans-rectal biopsy and a targeted biopsy, in the case of a prostate imaging–reporting and data system (PIRADS) > 2 lesion (max three lesions), were performed. To assess the accuracy of the Select MDx test in the detection of clinically Sig PCa, the test sensitivity was evaluated. Secondary objectives were specificity, negative predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and area under the curve (AUC). A direct comparison with the ERSPC + DRE risk calculator and MRI were also performed. We also studied the predictive ability to diagnose Sig PCa from the combination of the Select MDx test with MRI using clinical decision-curve analysis., [Results] There were 163 patients enrolled after meeting the inclusion criteria and study protocol. The Select MDx test showed a sensitivity of 76.9% (95% CI, 63.2–87.5), 49.6% specificity (95% CI, 39.9–59.2), 82.09% (95% CI, 70.8–90.4) NPV, and 41.67% (95% CI, 31.7–52.2) PPV for the diagnosis of Sig PCa. COR analysis was also performed, which showed an AUC of 0.63 (95% CI, 0.56–0.71). There were no differences in the accuracy of Select MDx, ERSPC + DRE, or MRI. The combination of Select MDX + MRI showed the highest impact in the decision-curve analysis, with an NPV of 93%., [Conclusion] Our study showed a worse performance for the SelectMdx test than previously reported, within a cohort of patients with a PSA 3–10 ng/ml and a normal DRE, with results similar to those from ERSPC + DRE RC and MRI, but with an improvement in the usual PSA pathway. A combination of the Select Mdx test and MRI could improve accuracy, but studies specifically evaluating this scenario with a cost-effective analysis are needed.

This animal study evaluated the osseointegration level of a new nanotextured titanium surface produced by anodization. Ti-cp micro-implants (1.5 mm diameter by 2.5 mm in length) divided into two groups: titanium nanotextured surface treatment (Test Group) and acid etched surface treatment (Control Group). Surface characterization included morphology analysis using scanning electron microscopy and wettability by measuring contact angle. Sixteen Wistar rats were submitted to two micro implants surgical placement procedures. In each rat, one type of micro implant placed in each tibia. The animals sacrificed after two (T1) and six weeks (T2) post-implantation. After the euthanasia, tibias processed for histomorphometric analysis, which allowed the evaluation of bone to implant contact (BIC) and the bone area fraction occupancy between the threads (BAFO). Our surface analysis data showed that the Control Group exhibited an irregular and non-homogenous topography while the Test Group showed a nanotextured surface. The Test Group showed higher wettability (contact angle = 5.1 ± 0.7°) than the Control Group (contact angle = 75.5 ± 4.6°). Concerning the histomorphometric analysis results for T1, Control and Test groups showed BIC percentages of 41.3 ± 15.2% and 63.1 ± 8.7% (p < 0.05), respectively, and for BAFO, 28.7 ± 13.7% and 54.8 ± 7.5%, respectively (p < 0.05). For T2, the histomorphometric analysis for Control and Test groups showed BIC percentages of 51.2 ± 11.4% and 64.8 ± 7.4% (p < 0.05), respectively and for BAFO, 36.4 ± 10.3% and 57.9 ± 9.3% (p < 0.05), respectively. The findings of the current study confirmed that the novel nanotextured surface exhibited superior wettability, improved peri-implant bone formation, and expedited osseointegration.

This animal study evaluated the osseointegration level of a new nanotextured titanium surface produced by anodization. Ti-cp micro-implants (1.5 mm diameter by 2.5 mm in length) divided into two groups: titanium nanotextured surface treatment (Test Group) and acid etched surface treatment (Control Group). Surface characterization included morphology analysis using scanning electron microscopy and wettability by measuring contact angle. Sixteen Wistar rats were submitted to two micro implants surgical placement procedures. In each rat, one type of micro implant placed in each tibia. The animals sacrificed after two (T1) and six weeks (T2) post-implantation. After the euthanasia, tibias processed for histomorphometric analysis, which allowed the evaluation of bone to implant contact (BIC) and the bone area fraction occupancy between the threads (BAFO). Our surface analysis data showed that the Control Group exhibited an irregular and non-homogenous topography while the Test Group showed a nanotextured surface. The Test Group showed higher wettability (contact angle = 5.1 ± 0.7°) than the Control Group (contact angle = 75.5 ± 4.6°). Concerning the histomorphometric analysis results for T1, Control and Test groups showed BIC percentages of 41.3 ± 15.2% and 63.1 ± 8.7% (p < 0.05), respectively, and for BAFO, 28.7 ± 13.7% and 54.8 ± 7.5%, respectively (p < 0.05). For T2, the histomorphometric analysis for Control and Test groups showed BIC percentages of 51.2 ± 11.4% and 64.8 ± 7.4% (p < 0.05), respectively and for BAFO, 36.4 ± 10.3% and 57.9 ± 9.3% (p < 0.05), respectively. The findings of the current study confirmed that the novel nanotextured surface exhibited superior wettability, improved peri-implant bone formation, and expedited osseointegration.

In this poster we will present a new financed project. Is an interdisciplinary project, combining Conservation Science, Nanotechnology, Restoration and Written Culture History, it aims to solve the iron gall ink corrosion problem. Being the main ink used in Europe since the 5th century, its study is crucial to avoid the continuous loss of documents. IRONIC will allow gathering and studying the information about archiving conservation issues since the 14th century, as a proof of a long-term concern of European societies, associated to State formation processes. IRONIC will identify and characterize the ink alterations in different dated manuscripts from the archives. This project will be using, in manuscripts, the advantages that nanotechology has brought to other fields last years, developing polyoxometalates that could be applied as a treatment for the corrosion ink issue. Therefore, IRONIC will also develop an IRONIC kit which will be an important tool made available to the worldwide Conservators to better preserve of our cultural heritage.