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Post-traumatic dystonia is an underrecognized condition that can present with bizarre symptoms after trauma, usually out of proportion to the trigger event. We describe the case of a 31-year-old man with a severe lower extremity deformity, gradually developed after minor trauma. An interdisciplinary treatment was tried without any improvement and surgery was performed as a rescue approach. Tibialis anterior tendon transfer and hindfoot triple arthrodesis were carried out, successfully achieving a plantigrade foot and a functional gait. Despite the scarce literature available about functional results of surgery in dystonic feet, we present a step-by-step comprehensive approach to this disorder. LEVEL OF CLINICAL EVIDENCE: 4.

In this paper, analytical and 3D numerical models are developed to investigate the mechanical behavior of sandwich pipe under internal pressure loading. The suggested models provide an exact solution for stresses, strains and displacement on the sandwich pipe, which is made of epoxy material for the core layer and reinforced materials with an alternate-ply for the skin layers. The aim of this analysis is to evaluate the potential applications of jute and pineapple leaf fiber (PALF) bio-fibers in order to replace glass synthetic fibers generally employed in sandwich pipes. In this subject, a failure analytical analysis was developed using TSAI-WU criterion. The results of stress, strain and displacement distribution through the thickness are presented for the analytical and numerical models. The comparison between the both models results show a very good agreement. In order to increase the rigidity of a biocomposite sandwich and reduce the gap compared with a synthetic sandwich, a gradual reinforcing of layer numbers was chosen, which permitted the best behavior. The ultimate pressure and safety factors obtained by increasing biocomposite layers are significant for composite transportation pressure pipelines, especially for sandwich pipe based on PALF/epoxy. This work has been funded partially by the DGRSDT, Algeria and Portuguese national funds of FCT/MCTES (PIDDAC) through the base funding from the UIDB/00690/2020 (CIMO) research unit. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Bradykinin-potentiating peptides (BPPs – 5a, 7a, 9a, 10c, 11e, and 12b) of Bothrops jararaca (Bj) were described as argininosuccinate synthase (AsS) activators, improving l -arginine availability. Agmatine and polyamines, which are l -arginine metabolism products, have neuroprotective properties. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of low molecular mass fraction from Bj venom (LMMF) and two synthetic BPPs (BPP-10c

Multidisciplinary innovation is the engine of growth of an increasing number of economies. Innovation output depends increasingly on information sharing and cooperation between creative agents. Sharing and cooperation requires the existence of generalised trust. Social capital consists of trust and trust-based networks. Our main goal is to illustrate theoretically the importance of social capital to the growth of an innovation economy., COMPETE, QREN, FEDER, Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Optrodes are neural probes for delivering light at neurons, at least with an irradiance of 1 mW/mm2. MicroLED (microlight-emitting diode) optrodes with a microlens to collimate the light can improve the irradiance without increasing the microLED power consumption, minimizing the brain overheating. This paper presents FEM (finite element method) simulations of a PDMS (polydimethylsiloxane) microlens capable of collimating the light from a microLED, ensuring an average irradiance of 310 mW/mm2. Based on the simulated microlens, a microlens array was fabricated, using microfabrication processes. One of the PDMS microlens from the fabricated array was experimentally characterized, using AFM (atomic force microscopy) and SEM (scanning electron microscopy). The average surface roughness, base diameter and height of the microlens is 2.3 nm, 80 μm and 55 μm, respectively. It was also possible to determine the microlens focal length (96 μm), numerical aperture (0.42), f-number (1.2) and depth of focus (2.66 μm), using Gaussian optics. The fabrication process was validated, even using PDMS/PDMS demolding without surface treatment of the negative mold., This work is supported by FCT: OpticalBrain, PTDC/CTM-REF/28406/2017 operation code NORTE-01-0145-FEDER- 028406; OCT-RAMAN, PTDC/FIS- OTI/28296/2017 operation code NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-028296; CMEMS-UMinho strategic project UIDB/04436/2020; project of Infrastructures Micro&NanoFabs@PTNORTE- 01-0145-FEDER-022090, PORNorte, Portugal 2020 by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI). The work is also supported by RFF Forskningsfond Oslofjordfondet (Project No. 285575 and 296654), National Natural Science Foundation of China (Project No. 61950410621, 61531008 and 11702045). The support from Chongqing Research Program of Basic Research and Frontier Technology (Project No. cstc2016jcyjA0292, cstc2019jcyj-msxmX0776, cstc2017jcyjAX0191, cstc2017jcyjA1842 and cstc2018jcyjA4046), and Chongqing Education Commission – Science and Technology Research Program (Proj. nos. KJZD-K201800802, KJZD-K201900802) are also acknowledged.

This paper presents the experimental and numerical research carried out on a reduced-scaled model to obtain and simulate its dynamic modal properties. A roving impact hammer test was carried out to identify the dynamic modal properties of the structure. The measured input and output values were acquired using a Data Acquisition System (DAQ) in order to compute the corresponding Frequency Response Function (FRF) to characterize its dynamic response. Finally, the experimental results were used to optimize the parameters of a numerical model of the mockup. In this case, the model updating procedure is based on an optimization problem in which a set of parameters representing uncertainties in the modeling process of the mass, stiffness and damping is optimized to minimize the difference between the predicted and measured dynamics of the actual structure. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The research study presented herein evaluates the corrosion behaviour of the reinforcing steel in blended concretes using two pozzolanic additives—metakaolin (MK) and silica fume (SF)—at 10% replacement of cement weight. They are exposed to CO2 and chlorides. The corrosion process was followed by monitoring of open-circuit potential (OCP), polarisation resistance (Rp) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS). Electrochemical measurements show that the addition of MK and SF enhances corrosion resistance exposed to chlorides, however under accelerated carbonation these concretes show higher corrosion rates. In the simultaneous exposition to carbon dioxide and chlorides, SF-concrete shows a decrease of corrosion rate.

Ostertagiosis caused by Ostertagia ostertagi is considered the most important parasitosis in dairy cattle raised in temperate areas. The aim of this investigation was to determinate the prevalence of ostertagiosis in cattle slaughtered in São Miguel Island (SMI), Azores, the geographical distribution of positive cases, its economic impact and farmers awareness regarding preventive and control measurements against this parasitosis. From the 2000 animals sampled, 1282 presented lesions compatible with ostertagiosis representing a prevalence of 49.0% in young animals and 75.7% in adults. Positive animals had significantly worse carcass rating when slaughtered and the fat rating of positive uncastrated males older than 24months was also significantly lower. The presence of lesions compatible with ostertagiosis resulted in a total weight loss of 2.810.89kg (2.19kg mean weight loss per animal - 1.07% carcass weight drop), which extrapolating to the total of animals slaughtered in SMI in 2014 corresponds to a value of losses of roughly about 91.000.00€. Our data also indicate that ostertagiosis has a widespread distribution throughout the Island and that 85.7% of the farmers dewormed calves and 42.9% dewormed cows (only one administration was provided for each deworming). Data shows that ostertagiosis represents an important economical lost in dairy cattle from SMI and a significant lack of knowledge by farmers about the benefits of deworming and preventive management practices.

In this paper, we introduce a new thin-film polarizing beam splitter (PBS) based on air as a layer with a low refractive index (L) and titanium dioxide (TiO ) as a material with a high refractive index (H). A cube-type PBS presents an active area of approximately 1.0 × 1.0 mm , and the airgap layer in conjunction with TiO thin-films provides an extremely high refractive index contrast (1.2). The PBS cube is projected onto a borosilicate glass substrate and the multiple layers obtained through TFCalc simulations, expressed in multiples of a quarter-wavelength optical thickness, are 1.6H L 1.1H 1.5L 1.1H L 1.6H. The projected structure ensures the separation of the polarizing states of light (transmission of the p-polarization and reflection of the s-polarization) from the visible to near infrared spectral range, over a bandwidth higher than 170 nm. This is the minimal working bandwidth obtained for visible range (centered at 550 nm), considering a polarization degree higher than 0.95. The projected PBS is fabricated based on conventional microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technologies, namely, thin-film deposition, annealing, and etching processes. Finally, the fabricated PBS was experimentally characterized, with the measured transmittance of the fabricated structure reaching close to the expected TFCalc simulation result. This characterization is the final validation of the structure since, theoretically, reflection is the complement of transmission in a dielectric thin-film multilayer., This work is supported by FCT: OCT-RAMAN, PTDC/FISOTI/28296/2017 operation code NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-028296; CMEMS-UMinho strategic project UIDB/04436/2020; OpticalBrain PTDC/CTM-REF/28406/2017 operation code NORTE-01-0145-FEDER028406; project of Infrastructures Micro&NanoFabs@PT NORTE01-0145-FEDER-022090, PORNorte, Portugal 2020 by FEDER funds through the COMPETE 2020 – Programa Operacional Competitividade e Internacionalização (POCI). This publication is sponsored by ITEC-Iberiana Technical, Lda, Braga, Portugal.

The aeronautic industry is facing increasing pressure to design more efficient and sustainable aircraft to mitigate their impact on the environment. These solutions are mainly focused on: aerodynamics, structures/materials, propulsion and operations. This paper focuses on the potential of electric propulsion systems in different aircraft segments for reducing the environmental impact in the aircraft life cycle. With a twofold contribution and linking different areas, this study presents a methodological proposal for the environmental assessment of the propulsion system change in a consequential Life Cycle Assessment perspective. This methodology uses data from both a modified conceptual aircraft design adapted to hybrid-electric aircraft and a battery study. Results show not only the environmental impacts of the required battery systems for each aircraft segment in a life cycle perspective, but also in what contexts the hybrid-electric propulsion may be considered a best alternative environmentally when compared with fuel propulsion systems. For that, a sensitivity analysis illustrate the results for different electricity mix contexts and for different battery cell capacities. The main contribution for the overall life cycle impact is the process of charging a battery system, therefore the source of electricity generation is crucial for the environmental sustainability of a hybrid-electric aircraft.

This paper analyses the influence of the coating process in the optical efficiency of replicated Moire´ Diffraction Gratings (MDGs), which are applied on real field applications for measuring both the surface displacements and strains. The Moire´ diffraction technique is an experimental full-field, non-contact and high resolution optical method, which can reveal to be very useful in extreme harsh environments. The optical efficiency of the replicated MDGs plays an important role in the quality of the experimental measurements. Two processes were used to obtain the metallic coatings: sputtering and aluminum vaporization. A good coatings quality with high optical efficiency was achieved for both processes (e.g., 17%–28%). However, for the replicated gratings a slight decrease in the optical efficiency was found (e.g., 14%–21%). The MDGs were successfully used for the experimental measurements of displacement and strains in a single lap joint. The measurements also showed that high quality of measurements allowed the identification of unbounded regions., This work was fully supported by the Portuguese Foundation for the Science and Technology (FCT) under the financial Grant FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-010236, through Project Ref. FCT/PTDC/EME-PME/102095/2008.

We propose a new framework to analyse the relationship between the relative high-skilled labour endowment, the skill premium and economic growth. Building on Acemoglu and Zilibotti (2001), we introduce physical capital; internal costly investment in both capital and R&D; and complementarities between intermediate goods. We only find a positive relationship between the relative labour endowment and both the skill premium and economic growth within determined intervals of relative labour endowment values, which vary with the absolute productive advantage of high over low-skilled labour. The model thus accommodates theoretically mixed empirical results on the relative labour endowment–skill premium relationship. We further find that the impact on both the relative labour endowment and the skill premium of a rise in investment costs or in the complementarities degree depends on: (i) the absolute productivity advantage of high over low-skilled labour; and (ii) the relative labour endowment., Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

This project is sponsored by ADI with the reference NFCE – FCOMP-01-0202-FEDER-005358 and also sponsored by IVV Automação Lda., This paper presents an active magnetic platform for guiding endoscopic capsules (EC) inside the human body. The system is composed by an external permanent magnet (EPM) made of neodymium Nd-Fe-B rare with a high-level of magnetization (N48) for allowing a maximum magnetic field of 1.5 T. Inside of a standard EC [1] (with dimensions of 26 mm of length and 11 mm in diameter) is placed a small internal permanent magnet (IPM) made of neodymium with cylindrical shape, diameter of 3 mm, length of 8 mm and magnetization of N48. Remote control of ECs allows reliable diagnostic of the esophagus with the required time duration (not possible with the standard EC). The possibility to stop and to rotate the EC will provide detailed images of the esophagus, stomach and small bowel. Also, increasing the speed of the EC will save power battery that will allow the use of a battery with reduced dimensions and opening space for the placement of the IPM inside of the EC.

This paper presents a stereoscopic image sensor in CMOS technology. The proposed sensor allows the acquisition of stereoscopic images with a resolution of 1024×1024 pixels per channel and a targeted signal-to-noise ratio and dynamic-range of 60 dB. An array of microlenses (fabricated with post-processing techniques) separates the left and right optical channels to form the stereoscopic image. An array of optical filters tuned to the primary colors allows a multicolor usage. The fill factor is increased by applying the 1.5 transistor (1.5 T) concept and photodiodes with octagonal shapes. The reflow method applied to the AZ9260 thick photoresist allows the fabrication of microlenses with high reproducibility

The several materials required for fabrication of thin-film solid-state rechargeable lithium batteries were deposited and characterized: A glassy lithium-phosphorus oxynitride electrolyte (LiPON) between a lithium (Li) anode and crystalline lithium-cobalt oxide cathode (LiCoO2), deposited by RF-sputtering. Ti/Pt layers, deposited by e-beam were used in contacts and a silicon nitride film (Si3N4), deposited by low temperature hot-wire CVD protects the battery. This technology allows batteries with a potential of 4.5 V, typical capacities of 50 μAcm−2 and chargedischarge rates up to 4C. Solid-state film batteries show faster charge rates and very high cycle life, compared with film polymer batteries, withstanding several thousands of cycles with no pronounced fading., Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, project FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007226 (with the previous reference PTDC/EEA-ENE/66855/2006) and FCOMP- 01-0124-FEDER-010909 (with the previous reference FCT/PTDC/SAU-BEB/100392/2008).

The loss of tree mass over time from damage can lead to underestimates in above-ground net primary productivity (ANPP) if not accounted for properly. Bias in the allometric relationship between trunk base diameter (Db, at 1.3 m height or above the buttresses) and mass can also lead to systematic errors in ANPP estimates. We developed an unbiased model of the relationship between Db and tree mass using data from 315 trees ( 5c mDb) harvested in the central Amazon. This model was compared with other theoretical (na 1) and empirical models (na 4). The theoretical model, and one empirical model, made predictions that differed substantially form our central Amazon model. The other three empirical models made predictions that were consistent with our model despite being developed in different tropical forests. Models differed mostly in predicting large tree mass. Using permanent forest inventory plot data, our Db versus tree mass model, and a bole volume model, we estimated that tree damage amounts to 0.9 Mg ha ˇ1 per year (dry mass) of litter production. This damage should be included as a mass loss term when calculating ANPP. Incorporating fine litter data from published studies, we estimated that average ANPP for central Amazon plateau forests is at least 12.9 Mg ha ˇ1 per year (or 6.5 Mg C ha ˇ1 per year). Additional sources of error as described in the text can raise this estimate by as much as 4 Mg ha ˇ1 per year. We hypothesize that tree damage in oldgrowth forests accounts for a significant portion of age related decline in productivity. # 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.

newborn presented with a prenatal diagnosis of hy-dramnios, dysplastic kidney, and congenital heart dis-ease and suspected heterotaxy syndrome. His 38-week gestation was complicated by maternal cholestasis. Anamniocentesiswasperformedandkaryotypewas46,XY.Thirdtrimesterserologieswerenegativeandthemotherwasimmuneto rubella and not immune to toxoplasmosis. There was norelevantfamilyhistory.Thedeliverywasbycesarean,theApgarscoreat1st/5thminutewas8/9andbirthweightwasadequatefor gestational age. After birth, he presented mild respiratorydistress withheart sounds inthe rightthoraxand left cryptor-chidism.Hypersalivationwasobservedwithnoprogressionofthe orogastric tube. A thoraco-abdominal radiograph showedesophageal atresia with right sided stomach bubble (Figure).Cardiac evaluation confirmed dextrocardia and dextroapex,large oval foramen, an atrioventricular septal defect withatrial septal defect, total abnormal pulmonary venous returnto one of the left atria located in the right position,interrupted inferior vena cava, right aortic arch, and patentductus arteriosus. To better understand the heterotaxysyndrome, a thoracic tomography angiogram was performedand the presence of bilateral hyparterial bronchi suggestedleft isomerism. Abdominal ultrasound showed rightpolysplenia and a liver in median position; malrotation wasexcluded. Renal ultrasound showed dysplastic left kidneywith no other relevant abnormalities. The esophageal atresiawith tracheoesophageal fistula was corrected on day 1 withmechanical ventilation required until day 5. He wasdischarged at day 28 and no relevant complications aroseduringhospitalstay.Hehadafavorableshorttermfollow-up.Heterotaxy syndrome is associated with congenital heartdefects and multiple systems may be involved; however,esophageal atresia is rarely found.

s / Thrombosis Research 129, Supplement 1 (2012) S155–S194 S177 Abstract PO-41 – Table 1. Catheter outcomes, by devicePO-41 – Table 1. Catheter outcomes, by device n=95 PICCs n=51 CVCs Number Percentage (%) Number Percentage (%) Male 48 50.5% 30 58.8% Female 47 49.40% 21 41.2% Median age Range 17–82 years 49.1 Range 23–78 years 50.5 Type of catheter Silicon rubber 6 6.3% CVC ST (short term) 35 68.63% Polyurethane 3 3.1% CVC LT (long term) 36 31.3% Polyurethane power injectable 86 90.5%