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Introduction This review aims to synthesise research evidence regarding biomarkers in the synovial fluid that may predict the risk of post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA) in young adults. Considering the high prevalence of knee joint injuries, particularly among youth sports athletes, this review will focus on anterior cruciate ligament and/or meniscal ruptures. These injuries are highly associated with PTOA, with studies indicating that even with surgical reconstruction, 50%–80% of affected individuals develop knee PTOA within a 10-year follow-up.Methods and analysis The results of this systematic review will be reported in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Diagnostic Test Accuracy guidelines. Comprehensive electronic searches will be conducted across five platforms: four bibliographic databases (PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Web of Science Core Collection and Embase) and ClinicalTrials.gov registry. These searches will use combinations of predefined keywords, such as “knee”, “synovial fluid”, “post-traumatic osteoarthritis”, “anterior cruciate ligament”, “meniscus”, “trauma”, “inflammation” and “biomarker”. We will include randomised clinical trials, non-randomised prospective or retrospective clinical studies, case controls, cohort studies and case series, ranging from database inception to 30 June 2024 and published in English. Two independent reviewers will screen and evaluate the retrieved studies to determine their eligibility. Any reviewer disagreements will be resolved through discussion and consensus or, if necessary, by consultation with a third reviewer. The data will be extracted from the included studies and analysed, with the risk of bias assessed using the Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies 2 tool. A narrative synthesis will be performed to evaluate the strength and consistency of the findings, considering both the methodological quality of the included studies and the reliability of the results.Ethics and dissemination Ethical approval is not required for this review as it is a secondary study based on public and published data. The findings from this work will be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal and presented at relevant academic conferences. Any amendments to the protocol arising from deviations during the study’s execution will be documented and reported in the final publication.PROSPERO registration number CRD42024534272.

INTRODUCTION The femoropopliteal biomechanical characteristics make the endovascular treatment of complex lesions particularly challenging. Despite several studies reporting longer patency of femoropopliteal stenting when compared to balloon angioplasty, long-term outcomes are still marginal due to the high rate of restenosis, stent fracture, and thrombosis. This study aims to review the current literature on the outcomes of the endovascular treatment of the femoropopliteal sector with the Supera® stent. MATERIALS AND METHODS A search was carried on Pubmed database under the terms [“Supera” AND “femoropopliteal”]. Prospective and retrospective original studies were selected after title and abstract analysis. RESULTS Twelve studies were analyzed, comprising a total of 1358 limbs with femoropopliteal obstructive disease treated with the Supera® stent. The 12-month primary-patency rate (PPR) ranged from 72.6% to 94.1%, the 24-month PPR ranged from 60.8% to 83.1% and the 36-month PPR ranged from 69.5% to 76.7%. For high-complexity anatomies, including TASC C and D lesions, the 12-month PPR was >64%. There were no stent fractures reported in any of the included studies. DISCUSSION The Supera® stent showed promising results for the endovascular treatment of the femoropopliteal sector, highlighting its performance in high-complexity anatomic patterns.

Abstracts: Iron is one of the heavy metals that present in industrial wastewater and domestic waste which damage agricultural production as well as the landscape if there is no proper treatment. One popular method was to introduce the heavy metal ions into the raw material for the synthesis of tobermorite, as the main cement component. However, the conventional hydrothermal synthesis was time and intense energy consuming. Therefore, microwave hydrothermal synthesis of tobermorite was evaluated by comparing with the conventional method. The experimental results showed that the dominant products were Fe-tobermorite/ tobermorite via conventional method, whilst it turned to be Fe-containing hydrogarnet under microwave hydrothermal synthesis when the Fe/Si ratio was 0.15/0.2, which were found to be more stable, thus enhancing the safety of the solidification. Both methods exhibited 100 % of solidification of iron, and the microwave hydrothermal synthesis consumed a much shorter time than conventional method. Therefore, present work has demonstrated that microwave hydrothermal synthesis of tobermorite is an effective alternative to conventional method for the solidification of iron.

INTRODUCTION: Endovascular reconstruction of the thoracoabdominal aorta is highly complex due to the need to preserve the main visceral branches. Optimal treatment with fenestrated and branched aneurysm aortic repair (F/B-EVAR) is usually not possible in urgent situations. Parallel grafting technique as an “off-the-shelf” solution have been described with good short and medium-term results. CASE REPORT: A 44-year-old male, born in Guinea Bissau, presents to the emergency department with epigastric pain radiating to the dorsum. The patient had a history of large vessel vasculitis secondary to Bechet’s disease (HLA B51 allele positivity) and previous thoracic aneurysm aortic repair (TEVAR) to treat a paraceliac aortic pseudoaneurysm. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) demonstrated a pseudoaneurysm with approximately 10 cm diameter at zone 6 immediately distal to the previous endoprosthesis. The pseudoaneurysm was excluded with a parallel grafting technique using a 31mm aortic endoprosthesis with a periscope graft for the right renal artery in a “sandwich-like” configuration and a chimney graft for the superior mesenteric artery (SMA). Postoperative CTA confirmed the exclusion of the pseudoaneurysm and permeable bridging stents. CONCLUSION: The pathology of the thoracoabdominal aorta is technically demanding, requiring experience and detailed planning. The complexity increases in emergency cases. Our case highlights that the parallel grafting technique should be encouraged in life-threatening scenarios as a readily available solution for complex aortic repair, even in a reconstructed aorta.

INTRODUCTION: Kidney autotransplantation (KAT) is a versatile surgical technique used to treat multiple diseases affecting the kidney. This procedure allows the reconstruction of the renal artery or vein with optimal surgical exposure reducing warm ischemia time compared to open direct repair. Although infrequently reported nowadays and despite the growing use of endovascular treatments, KAT still has a place in treating complex kidney vascular conditions. METHODS: We performed a literature review using the MEDLINE®, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases with the combination of the terms: “kidney autotransplantation,” “renal artery,” “renal vein,” “aorta,” “aneurysm,” and “nutcracker syndrome.” All relevant English-language studies published between January 1990 and June 2022 reporting the outcomes of the KAT technique in vascular disorders were included. RESULTS: A total of 32 articles were included. Ex-vivo repair and KAT is widely described in treating renal artery aneurysms (RAA), with a reported technical success rate of 99.9%, a complication rate ranging from 6.9 to 9.4%, and a graft loss rate of up to 4.1%. The use of the laparoscopic technique for harvesting the kidney was variable throughout the series published, and heterotopic KAT was performed in most treated patients. Ex-vivo repair and KAT was successfully used after failed endovascular therapy and is a viable option in women of childbearing age with bilateral complex RAA. Concerning renal artery stenosis associated with different etiologies (fibromuscular dysplasia, Takayasu's arteritis, and neurofibromatosis type 1), significant reduction of blood pressure and the number of anti-hypertensive drugs have been reported in most patients after KAT. Results of arterial hypertension improvement associated with RAA after KAT are more variable. The use of KAT in treating nutcracker syndrome is reported with good results, even after left renal vein transposition or venous stenting failure. Other reports exist on the successful use of KAT for treating renal vein aneurysms and as an adjunct in open surgical or hybrid aortic reconstructions. CONCLUSION: Renal autotransplantation is a useful technique in the treatment of kidney vascular disorders with good overall results reported in the literature. It may be an essential adjunct in open surgical or hybrid treatments for abdominal and thoracoabdominal aortic diseases. Defining the patients who would benefit from this technique as a preferential treatment choice in different renal vessel disorders would be necessary.

INTRODUCTION: Congenital vascular malformations are entities with a broad spectrum of presentations and variable prognosis. They typically present at a young age and are historically associated with extensive resection surgeries and with high morbidity. This study aims to evaluate the results of arteriovenous malformations (AVMs) embolization as a first-line approach in lesions which are not suitable for surgical resection. METHODS: A retrospective analysis of the clinical records of patients with infiltrative arteriovenous malformations who underwent embolization at our center between 2019 and 2021 was performed. The Schobinger Classification was applied to categorize the clinical stage. Angiographic findings were reported according to the Yakes classification. The decrease in the Schöbinger grade after treatment, the need for reintervention and the associated complications were the main outcomes. A descriptive statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Nine patients undergoing embolization of infiltrative arteriovenous malformations were evaluated, accounting for a total of seventeen interventions. There was a preponderance of females (n=6; 66.7%) and the mean age of referral to the Vascular Surgery consultation and the first treatment was 16.8 (±12.9) and 20.9 (± 14.5) years, respectively. All patients were in stage II (n=4; 44.4%) or III (n=5; 55.6%) of Schöbinger. The angiographic pattern of the AVMs was classified according to the Yakes Classification, which guided the approach. Yakes type IIa was found most frequently (n=6; 55.6%), followed by type IV (n=2; 22.2%) and type IIb (n=1; 1.1%). Patients underwent AVM embolization via transarterial, transvenous or direct nidus puncture with sclerosing agents, liquid embolizers, microparticles and microcoils, separately or in combination. The median number of interventions per patient was 1 (1 – 5) and Yakes type IV appears to be associated with a higher rate of reintervention. Reduction of the Schöbinger stage was achieved in 7 (77.8%) patients with clinical resolution in 3 (33.3%). Tissue necrosis was the only complication reported in this series (n=2; 11,8%). CONCLUSION: The endovascular approach of arteriovenous malformations through nidus and/or afferent/ efferent embolization requires a detailed angiographic characterization but seems to be an effective strategy with a low risk of complications. The Yakes classification, can be useful both in guiding the approach and inpredicting the need for reintervention.

INTRODUCTION: The ischemic window of kidney parenchyma is narrow, so a rapid development of renal infarction after acute renal artery occlusion is expected. However, patients often present with nonspecific symptoms and laboratory findings, making the early diagnosis challenging and contributing to treatment delay. Irreversible kidney dysfunction seems not to depend on the total warm ischemia time alone, and other factors could play a role. CASE REPORT: A 64-year-old male with chronic kidney disease presented to the emergency department with acute kidney injury of unknown etiology. Unfavorable evolution demanded the initiation of hemodialysis due to ref ractory hypervolemia and resistant high blood pressure some days later. A computed tomography angiography showed aortoiliac occlusion starting below the superior mesenteric artery, conditioning the occlusion of the proximal segment of both renal arteries. A splenorenal retrocaval bypass was done uneventfully, 21 days after the initial presentation, to revascularize the right kidney. After surgery, the patient showed marked improvement of diuresis with decreased nitrogen retention parameters, allowing definitive suspension of the dialysis technique in the first post-operative week and controlled blood pressure. Serum creatinine dropped to baseline and remained stable at one year of follow-up. Chronic limb-threatening ischemia developed later in the left lower limb, and the patient was revascularized with an axillobifemoral bypass. CONCLUSION: Our case highlights the benefit of aggressive late renal revascularization in selected patients with acute renal artery occlusion who maintain residual tubular function and some perfusion of kidneys despite proximal occlusion of the renal artery. More extensive studies would be essential to provide adequate patient selection and management recommendations.

In response to the growing demand for sea urchin gonads (roe or uni) in Asian and European markets and the concerns regarding the overexploitation of wild populations, this preliminary study addresses the need for cost-effective protocols in echinoculture. The primary focus of this research was to evaluate the gonadosomatic index (GI) in captive-conditioned Sphaerechinus granularis over a five-month period and compare it with that of their wild-caught conspecifics. Additionally, two different spawning induction methods were assessed: potassium chloride (KCl) injection and agitation. Results indicate that captive-conditioned sea urchins exhibit significantly higher GI values when compared to their wild-caught counterparts. Furthermore, it was observed that the agitation method is equally effective as the KCl injection in triggering a positive response, i.e., gamete ejection, while maintaining lower mortality rates among the subjected S. granularis. In conclusion, this preliminary study underscores the pivotal role of broodstock conditioning in supporting the sustainability of sea urchin aquaculture. Moreover, the spawning induction method through agitation emerges as a viable alternative to the traditional intracelomic KCl injection, offering comparable efficacy without compromising the survival of the broodstock. These findings have significant implications for the development of sustainable sea urchin farming practices.

Sea urchins play an important role in coastal marine ecosystems and are an economically valuable resource for their gonads (roe or uni). Increased demand by Asian and European countries caused overfishing of wild stocks resulting in a sharp decline of sea urchin populations. The increased efforts in developing cost-effective protocols are focused on larval development up to pre- and post-metamorphosis stages, as they are one of the main difficulties of echinoculture. This is a preliminary study to evaluate the influence of microalgal varying diet rationing on larval development, growth, and survivorship at pre-metamorphosis of Sphaerechinus granularis echinopluteus (30 days post-fertilization). Three microalgae diets based on Dunaliella tertiolecta and Rhodomonas marina and the combination of both species were tested. Each diet used three ration treatments: low ration (500–3000 cells⋅ml−1); medium ration (1000–6000 cells⋅ml−1); and high ration (4000–24,000 cells⋅ml−1), which were cell-density adjusted to larval development. Assays used three triplicated treatments in 8 L cylindrical–conical glass incubators. Results showed that the survival of S. granularis echinopluteus was positively influenced by diets of lower cellular densities and a combined microalgae diet. Adoption of this type of diet regime is expected to improve larval production and provide the groundwork for future research on S. granularis in aquaculture.

The use of vegetation associated with building materials is beneficial in combating climate change, as highlighted in some articles, the power to adsorb CO2, reduce the surface temperature of materials and the aesthetic and urban landscaping benefits. This review covers the study of substrates and nutrients obtained from virgin raw materials and waste, considering using waste-based substrates and nutrients in the circular economy. On the other hand, this literature review also covers the study of vegetation types associated with building materials. Among the various types of plants, bryophytes, are a type of plant classified as non-vascular, and have been little studied so far because they are not considered economically viable. However, recent studies show that these plants, can strongly contribute to reducing CO2 emissions, justifying their relevance in this study. Therefore, it is expected that they will be more widely used in the future.

A violência atravessa todas as sociedades, presentes e passadas. E em tempos medievos, a violência era percecionada de forma muito diferente da dos nossos dias. A violência em muitos casos era considerada lícita, e até mesmo necessária, pelos homens desses tempos. O presente artigo tem como objetivo principal compreender a violência de cariz senhorial em Portugal nos finais do século XIII, através dos testemunhos registados nas Inquirições Gerais de 1288 e das respetivas sentenças de 1290. É também um desígnio entender, no contexto das lutas entre os diferentes poderes, se a relação entre o mundo senhorial e as políticas de centralização do poder régio, resultaram em ações violentas. Para tanto analisaram-se as diferentes práticas de violência, as suas justificações, os seus agentes e as suas vítimas, bem como se procurou escrutinar a ação do monarca no controlo da violência, permitindo assim entender as tensões existentes, as suas circunstâncias e as suas intenções. Palavras-chave: Violência – Inquirições Gerais - Poder Senhorial – Poder régio – Abusos Senhoriais

INTRODUÇÃO: O fenómeno de nutcracker refere-se à compressão da veia renal esquerda (VRE), habitualmente entre a aorta e a artéria mesentérica superior. Quando sintomático, designa-se síndrome de nutcracker. Os sintomas/sinais estão relacionados com o desenvolvimento de hipertensão venosa renal e o diagnostico depende da conjugação da clínica e alterações laboratoriais na presença de critérios imagiológicos. Habitualmente a indicação terapêutica depende da severidade dos sintomas. Existem várias opções terapêuticas: transposição/ pontagem da VRE para uma implantação mais distal na veia cava inferior, transposição da veia gonadal, auto- transplante renal, e tratamento endovascular. CASO CLÍNICO: Doente de 40 anos, sexo feminino, observada em consulta de cirurgia vascular por varizes pélvicas e vulvares recidivadas. Por suspeita de síndrome de congestão pélvica, realizou estudo complementar com venoTAC que revelou fenómeno de nutcracker com dilatação importante da veia ovárica (VO) e varizes pélvicas. O exame sumário de urina revelou hematúria. Foram ponderadas várias opções de tratamento, tendo sido decidido fazer uma transposição da VO para a veia ilíaca comum (VIC). Através de uma pequena incisão paramediana esquerda (com cerca de 5cm) foi realizada uma abordagem retroperitoneal dos vasos. Procedeu-se à identificação e isolamento da VO (sinalizada com fio guia colocado pela veia femoral comum direita no início do procedimento). Localizada posteriormente à VO, isolou-se a VIC. Procedeu-se à secção transversal da VO e anastomose em termino-lateral da VO à VIC. O tratamento foi complementado com esclerose com espuma de varizes vulvares por via endovascular. A doente teve alta no primeiro dia de pós-operatório. Ao 6o mês de pós- operatório mantem-se sem recidiva das varizes e sem hematúria. DISCUSSÃO: O Síndrome de nutcracker pode implicar uma morbilidade importante, com risco de trombose da VRE e perda da função renal. O melhor tratamento ainda não está definido e a seleção da melhor opção é dificultada pelo reduzido número de casos, ausência de estudos prospetivos randomizados, e pela ausência de follow-up a longo prazo de algumas das opções terapêuticas. A transposição da VRE é o procedimento mais habitual, seguido pelo auto-transplante renal. O nosso serviço tem vasta experiência na transplantação renal e o auto-transplante tem tido bons resultados; no entanto, não deixa de ser uma intervenção complexa, com riscos potenciais não desprezíveis, com uma convalescença prolongada e um impacto estético importante, sobretudo se aferido à idade jovem dos doentes. Corroborado pelo resultado do caso clínico apresentado, os autores consideram que a transposição da VO é uma alternativa terapêutica menos invasiva a ser considerada.

INTRODUCTION: Ectopic kidneys with concomitant aortoiliac aneurysmal disease have been previously reported in the literature, however its exact prevalence is unknown. The objective of this review is to summarize current knowledge on the treatment this special group of patients. METHODS: A non-systematic literature research was performed on the treatment of aortoiliac aneurysmal disease in patients with ectopic kidneys. RESULTS: Literature on the management of patients with aorto-iliac aneurysms and concomitant ectopic kidneys is limited to case reports and very small series. Treatment modalities which include open, endovascular or hybrid techniques, should preserve the variable vasculature of the ectopic kidney. Several different surgical solutions have been proposed, highlighting the uncertainty on the optimal management strategy. However, a growing number of reports suggest safety and efficacy with adapted endovascular techniques. CONCLUSION: In parallel to the general trend in the management of abdominal aortic aneurysm, it is expected that a growing number of patients will concomitant aorto-iliac aneurysm and ectopic kidneys will be treated with endovascular techniques.

Introduction: Renal artery aneurysms are rare clinical entities whose treatment criteria are not fully established. Endovascular treatment has gained acceptance in the case of renal artery trunk aneurysms. However, in the case of aneurysms of the renal artery branches, such procedures are often impossible due to high morbidity, so the question remains about the best treatment modality. We present a clinical case of multiple bilateral aneurysms of the renal artery branches in a young patient adequately treated with ex-vivo reconstruction and renal autotransplantation. Case-presentation: A 35-year-old woman was diagnosed with bilateral renal artery aneurysms during an investigation of secondary arterial hypertension (AHT). The patient underwent surgical treatment with renal autotransplantation, and the right kidney was initially treated. Transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy was performed. She underwent ex vivo repair of aneurysms, on the bench, with aneurysmectomy and aneurysmorrhaphy. The graft was implanted in the right iliac fossa with anastomoses to the external iliac artery and vein. After three months, an identical procedure was performed on the left. Upon inspection, a large aneurysm was observed in the renal artery bifurcation and another small aneurysm in one of the branches; both corrected with aneurysmec- tomy and aneurysmorrhaphy. Ex-vivo angiographic control ensured the preservation of graft arteries patency without evidence of residual aneurysms. The kidney was implanted in the left external iliac vessels uneventfully. A study with renal scintigraphy confirmed the adequate function of both kidneys. The patient is asymptomatic at nine months of follow-up with serum creatinine and glomerular filtration rate within normal values. Conclusion: Renal autotransplantation with ex vivo arterial repair seems to be a good solution in treating aneurysms of the renal artery, particularly in complex cases with multiple aneurysms.

The current study evaluates the influence of the static compaction pressure applied during the casting process on Carbonated Reactive Magnesia Cement-based mortars. For this purpose, mortars, embodying biomass fly ash as filler, were designed and moulded through static compaction pressures of 10, 30, 50, and 70 MPa. The moulded specimens were submitted to an accelerated carbonation curing period of 24 h under controlled conditions. The devised mortars were evaluated through compressive strength tests, and their microstructure was assessed through Mercury Intrusion Porosimetry (MIP), Thermogravimetry and Derivative Thermogravimetry (TG-DTG), and Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analyses. The results showed that the increment in the static compaction pressure during the specimens’ casting process not only led the mortars to reduce their porosity by up to ~30% and increase their compressive strength by up to ~58% (from 19.8 MPa to 31.2 MPa) but also that such a change seems to hinder the CO2 diffusion into the specimens’ core, thus resulting in a lower content of carbonated products. In addition, the MIP analyses demonstrated that the static compaction pressure applied in the mortar casting process changes the pores’ characteristics, while TG-DTG and FTIR analyses provided evidence that the devised mortars were carbonated to a certain degree. Therefore, this work demonstrated that Carbonated Reactive Magnesia Cement-based mortars are highly influenced by the static compaction pressure applied during the casting process, at least up to a certain value.

The effect of different sintering parameters on the mechanical properties of sintered kaolin-GGBS will influence the variation of mechanical properties of sintered kaolin-GGBS geopolymer. Based on previous research, the samples have major cracking and many large pores due to the sintering temperature and holding time during the sintering process. The first objective is to study the effect of different sintering parameters on the mechanical properties of sintered kaolin-GGBS geopolymer and the second objective is to correlate the strength properties of sintered kaolin-GGBS geopolymer with microstructural analysis. In a solid-to-liquid 2:1 ratio, kaolin and GGBS were combined with an alkali activator. The kaolin-GGBS geopolymer was then cured at room temperature for 24 h. The samples were then cured for 14 days at 60 °C, followed by using double-step sintering at temperatures of 500 °C and 900 °C with varying heating rates and holding durations. The compressive strength and shrinkage of the kaolin-GGBS geopolymer were evaluated, and the morphology was examined using a scanning electron microscope. In comparison to other samples, the sintered kaolin-GGBS geopolymer with a heating rate of 2 °C and a holding duration of 2 h had the optimum compressive strength value: 22.32 MPa. This is due to the contribution of MgO from GGBS that refines the pore and increases the strength. The 13.72% shrinkage with a densified microstructure was also obtained at this parameter due to effective particle rearrangement during sintering.

Two geopolymer foams were prepared from a thermally activated coal gangue containing kaolinite. As the foaming agent, aluminium powder and 36% hydrogen peroxide were used to obtain two levels of porosity. The materials’ high temperature performances were investigated: tensile and compressive strength evolution with temperature. This study shows that the mechanical performances of developed geopolymer foams are similar to foam concrete of the same apparent density. The geopolymer foams from coal gangue present stable mechanical performances up to 600 °C. When the glass transition temperature is achieved, sintering occurs and mechanical performance increases. SEM observations confirm the glass transition and densification of the matrix at temperatures above 800 °C. Moreover, the XRD measurements revealed a high amount of mullite that forms at 1000 °C that explained the observed strength increase. The synthesis of good-quality geopolymer foams from coal gangue and its application as a thermal barrier is feasible. The constant level of porosity and its stable character in the range of temperatures 20–1000 °C ensures stable thermal insulation parameters with increasing temperature, which is extremely important for fire protection.

We present an elite footballer in his 20s with a large and symptomatic osteochondral lesion of the weightbearing area of the medial femoral condyle, who was proposed for a single plug fresh osteochondral allograft transplantation. The lesion was due to repetitive micro traumas and had become highly symptomatic being responsible for making the football practice at a professional level almost impossible, reaching a point that keeping an elite sports career was compromised. Six months after surgery, the athlete returned to sports and, at a 3-year follow-up, still participated in elite high-level football, with a Tegner Activity Scale 10/10, IKDC 93.1, KOOS 97 and Lysholm Scoring 100. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present investigation carries out a thermal evaluation of two rooms located in the Royal Hospital of Granada (Rector’s Office). This is a heritage building where have been done studies that allow the as-sessment of possible improvements in future interventions that guarantee improvement in en-ergy and regulatory compliance are decisive. This article presents for the first time, through energy simulation, the behavior of two rooms in two temporal periods, thermally extreme (summer and winter) and with opposite orientations. This has allowed the potential benefits to be considered in real climate conditions. The results demonstrate and quantify that considering the location, orientation, arrangement of openings, and inclusion of transition zones between the exterior and the interior, an improvement in thermal comfort is obtained. The southwesterly orientation is favorable in the winter period and the northeasterly orientation in the summer period. It is also confirmed that the arrangement of thick masonry walls responds adequately in climates with high thermal amplitudes, favoring the mitigation of extreme conditions. It is concluded by stating that the orientation and the construction components are the main responsible factors for the thermal capacity in this type of building. In this context, the use of non-destructive study methods offers valuable scientific support through the results obtained.

The great leisure travel movement that occurred in the 19th century came late to Portugal, largely due to the influence of the geo-political vicissitudes of the first half of the 19th century, particularly the French invasions and the consequent refuge of the Portuguese court to Brazil, as well as the subsequent liberal civil war. In this changing atmosphere, the foreign dimension became, for Portuguese nationals, an imperative that was more desired and sung about than experienced, so that it was only towards the end of the century that the necessary conditions were met for some Portuguese to pack their bags and set off across borders. Hence, their testimonies (literary and artistic) are precious records of an iconic time: the Belle Époque. This article proposes a transversal reflection based on the legacy left by some of the Portuguese travellers between the end of the 19th century and the beginning of the 20th century, crossing a phenomenon that is transversal to western society in mutation in a consideration of travel as an element of modernity. In this sense, and bringing together a set of names of Portuguese culture who experienced the journey abroad, it is intended to perspective a thematic of authorial worldview heir to the journey of the Portuguese Expansion whose genealogy shaped the globe on a planetary scale and which the twenty-first century is heir to.