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This article seeks to understand the needs and difficulties of intervention with older people during the first state of emergency in Portugal due to COVID-19. The results show that these professionals faced challenges they never experienced before and necessitated support to carry out their work in an emergency. The difficulties resulted, not only from the chronic vulnerabilities stemming from the disinvestment of public policies in recent years but also from the uncertainty that the pandemic brought to social interventions. Despite all this, social workers have demonstrated their ability to protect themselves and older people and their families, thus leading to overcoming some of these challenges.

The aim of this study was to characterize the elastic and mechanical properties of CA-50 steel using the ultrasonic through-transmission technique. The electronic system used is composed of piezoelectric transducers, one emitter and another receiver of ultrasonic waves with 2 MHz frequency. Elastic properties such as Young’s modulus, shear, bulk, Poisson's ratio and anisotropy factor were estimated. In order, to estimate the mechanical properties, one mathematical model proposed in the literature was used, which related the longitudinal ultrasonic velocity with the values of tensile strength. The results obtained were compared with reference values found, attesting the feasibility of low-cost method to investigate carbon steels.

In this study we sought to develop a non-destructive test that uses the propagation of acoustic waves to characterize the stiffness and hardness of flat glasses. For this purpose, three different glass samples were investigated by using acoustic waves resulting from the impact caused by a steel sphere in free fall on the samples surface. As a result, it was found that the glass samples have different vibration frequency and this behavior is associated to the Young’s modulus and microhardness, values. The values calculated by the ultrasonic transmission method indicated that the increase in stiffness is related to the appearance ofamplitude peaks in the acoustic signal of the samples, attesting to the possibility of the method for characterizing the mechanical properties of glasses used in civil building.

Os ensaios mecânicos sao importantes para o controle de qualidade de produtos acabados por fornecer diversas informacoes sobre as propriedades mecânicas dos materiais. Alem disso, nos projetos de engenharia, e importante conhecer as caracteristicas dos materiais de forma que eles possam desempenhar com seguranca as finalidades de servico. A resiliencia e a tenacidade estao entre as propriedades mais importantes de um material. Entretanto, alguns metodos de calculos convencionais acarretam aproximacoes grosseiras, cujos erros podem comprometer a confiabilidade de resistencia do material. Nesse sentido, o objetivo deste trabalho consistiu em calcular a resiliencia e a tenacidade de tres diferentes materiais por meio de um programa computacional, visando posteriormente, comparar os resultados obtidos com dois metodos convencionais descritos na literatura. Os resultados preliminares desse estudo mostraram uma maior viabilidade, rapidez e precisao, com o uso do programa Origin. Com os metodos convencionais utilizados foram encontrados erros relativos maximos de 5,49% para a resiliencia e de 15% para a tenacidade, em funcao do tipo do material investigado. Os resultados desse estudo corroboram a importância do uso de metodos computacionais para a determinacao mais precisa da resiliencia e da tenacidade dos materiais.

Esse trabalho teve como objetivo verificar a viabilidade de obtencao do quartzo citrino a partir de cristais de ametista tradados apenas termicamente. Para isso, cristais de ametista procedentes do distrito de Brejinho no estado da Bahia foram submetidos a diferentes tratamentos termicos realizados entre 300°C e 450°C. Nesse estudo foi constatada uma dificuldade na obtencao de gemas de quartzo citrino com temperaturas acima de 400°C. Entretanto, os resultados preliminares obtidos com temperaturas em torno de 400°C mostraram a viabilidade de obtencao do quartzo citrino para fins de joalheria por meio de uma tecnica simples e de baixo custo.

Esse trabalho tem como objetivo apresentar uma metodologia nao destrutiva para verificacao da resistencia a compressao do concreto por meio de ondas acusticas geradas com golpes de martelo. Para verificar a viabilidade do metodo proposto, foram moldados corpos de prova com resistencias a compressao de 15 MPa, 40 MPa e 50 MPa. Os sinais acusticos gerados com o martelo foram capturados com um software livre que simula um osciloscopio digital. As analises realizadas no dominio do tempo e da frequencia mostraram uma relacao entre a intensidade de amplitude e a resistencia a compressao dos corpos de prova. Entretanto, as relacoes existentes entre as amplitudes dos sinais e a resistencia a compressao mostraram-se muito dependentes da superficie de propagacao da onda acustica, no que se refere ao grau de porosidade.

O presente artigo pretendeu conhecer os níveis de stresse e engagement laboral que os assistentes sociais, em Portugal, estavam expostos. Para tal, aplicou-se um inquérito por questionário, composto pela Perceived Stress Scale e a Utrecht Work Engagement Scale, a 1369 profissionais. Os resultados identificaram um nível mediano de stresse e engagement, o que pode ser indicativo de níveis de bem-estar laboral satisfatórios. Observou-se, ainda, que à medida que o stresse percecionado aumentava, diminuía o engagement destes profissionais. Foram, também, encontradas conexões significativas entre estas variáveis e o vencimento auferido. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

In Portugal, direct-practice with children and youth in schools was a traditional area of social work intervention especially with regard to health education. However, direct-practice by social workers in schools has significantly declined in recent years. This article presents a case study in this area highlighting the “Plataforma Saude na Escola” (Health Platform at School), a program developed by the municipality of Cascais, located near Lisbon. The article explores new contributions for social work intervention with children and youth in schools. The program being described draws upon a collaboration of different areas and organizations in which social work is a component to promote/improve the social determinants of children's health. The analysis of the program focuses on the methodological and ethical-political dimensions. The major finding is that the collective function of social work with children and youth people is enhanced through collaborative networks and the strengthening of empowerment, both individual and structural.

Social work education is related to the economic, political, and social development of each country. In Portugal, social work education evolved from a certain degree of ‘exclusivity’ to a ‘massific...

Resumo Nesse estudo buscou-se desenvolver uma metodologia simples, capaz de caracterizar diferentes propriedades de telhas cerâmicas por meio da propagação de ondas acústicas. Para isso, foi utilizada a energia potencial gravitacional provocada pelo impacto de uma esfera de aço em queda livre sobre a superfície de telhas cerâmicas, sendo o sinal acústico capturado com o auxílio de um computador e um software livre. Os resultados obtidos mostraram a viabilidade do método como proposta didática a ser implementada nas aulas de laboratório de materiais de construção, ministradas regularmente nos cursos de Engenharia Civil. Abstract The aim of this study was to develop a simple methodology, capable of characterizing different properties of ceramic roof tiles through the acoustics waves propagation. For this, was used the gravitational potential energy caused by the impact of a steel ball in free fall on the roof tiles surface. After this, the acoustic signal was captured using computer and free software. The results obtained showed the viability of the method as a didactic proposal to be implemented in the classes building materials laboratory carried out in civil engineering courses.

Objetivo: Relatar e descrever as experiências de discentes de medicina advindas das ações de extensão universitária em creches. Relato de experiência: As intervenções extensionistas foram desenvolvidas por alunos do curso de Medicina em creches tendo como público-alvo crianças da faixa etária de 6 meses a 2 anos, pais e responsáveis e colaboradores das creches, em que se realizou três ações voltadas para os temas sobre higiene bucal e alimentação saudável, com o intuito de promoção da qualidade de vida e empoderamento em práticas saudáveis de alimentação e higiene. As atividades educativas realizadas permitiram aos discentes o engajamento no processo educativo de crianças, pais e servidores das instituições, além de contribuir para a estimulação ampla da busca de conhecimento mútuo e promoção da introdução de hábitos saudáveis. Considerações finais: O estudo proporcionou uma aproximação entre a universidade e comunidade, favorecendo um compartilhamento de informações e vivência. Ademais, foi possível verificar a importância de promoção à saúde ao público infantil, visto que fortalece o elo entre família, escola e comunidade.

Objective: The present study aims to evaluate the items, and respective dimensions, of the Utrecht Work Engagement Scale (UWES-17) of Schaufeli e Bakker (2009), when applied to social workers exercising their profession in Portugal (UWES-17). Method: The Portuguese version of the UWES was applied to a sample of 1369 Portuguese social workers, 94% of which female and 6% male, with an average age of 39 years (standard deviation = 8,99). The most frequent academic qualification is graduation (63,8%) and in terms of professional activity they had, in average terms, 12,99 years of experience (standard deviation = 8,28). The reliability of the scale was assessed using the Chronbach alpha coefficient and the validity using the exploratory factorial analysis. Quantitative methodological research was used. Results: The results obtained agree with the values presented in previous studies regarding their internal consistency, both of the 17 items that make up the scale and of its three dimensions ("force", "dedication" and "absorption"). The UWES-17 in this study presents a factorial structure of three factors, just like the original study, but the constitution of the items of each dimension is different. The UWES-17 scale presents good psychometric characteristics and good internal consistency. Conclusions: The UWES-17 scale presents good psychometric characteristics and good internal consistency.

Previously, we have shown that gel-forming triblock proteins, consisting of random coil middle blocks and trimer-forming (Pro-Gly-Pro)(9) end blocks, are efficiently produced and secreted by the yeast Pichia pastoris. These end blocks had a melting temperature (T (m) ) of ~41°C (at 1.1¿mM of protein). The present work reveals that an increase of T (m) to ~74°C, obtained by extension of the end blocks to (Pro-Gly-Pro)(16) , resulted in a five times lower yield and partial endoproteolytic degradation of the protein. A possible cause could be that the higher thermostability of the longer (Pro-Gly-Pro)(16) trimers leads to a higher incidence of trimers in the cell, and that this disturbs secretion of the protein. Alternatively, the increased length of the proline-rich (Pro-Gly-Pro)( n ) domain may negatively influence ribosomal translation, or may result in, for example, hydrophobic aggregation or membrane-active behavior owing to the greater number of closely placed proline residues. To discriminate between these possibilities, we studied the production of molecules with randomized end blocks that are unable to form triple helices. The codon- and amino acid composition of the genes and proteins, respectively, remained unchanged. As these nontrimerizing molecules were secreted intact and at high yield, we conclude that the impaired secretion and partial degradation of the triblock with (Pro-Gly-Pro)(16) end blocks was triggered by the occurrence of intracellular triple helices. This degradation was overcome by using a yapsin 1 protease disruptant, and the intact secreted polymer was capable of forming self-supporting gels of high thermal stability.

We studied the release of entrapped protein from transient gels made of thermosensitive, collagen-inspired ABA triblock copolymers with tailorable properties and with mid blocks of two different lengths (~ 37 kDa and ~ 73 kDa). These polymers were produced as heterologous proteins in recombinant yeast. By varying polymer length and concentration, the elastic properties of the hydrogels as well as their mesh size, swelling and erosion could be tuned. Whereas the volume of the investigated dense networks decreased in time as a result of temperature- and polymer concentration-dependent surface erosion, the release of entrapped protein was governed by a combination of gel erosion and protein diffusion. The prevalence of one or the other was strongly dependent on polymer concentration. Most importantly, the encapsulated protein was quantitatively released, which demonstrates that these hydrogels offer great potential as drug delivery systems.

Gelatin hydrogels find broad medical application. The current materials, however, are from animal sources, and their molecular structure and thermal properties cannot be controlled. This study describes recombinant gelatin-like polymers with a general design that inherently offers independent tuning of the cross-link density, melting temperature, and biocompatibility of the gel. The polymers contain small blocks with thermoreversible trimerization capacity and defined melting temperature, separated by hydrophilic nontrimerizing blocks defining the distance between the knot-forming domains. As an example, we report the secreted production in yeast at several g/L of two nonhydroxylated approximately 42 kDa triblock copolymers with terminal trimerizing blocks. Because only the end blocks formed cross-links, the molecular architecture of the gels is much more defined than that of traditional gelatins. The novel hydrogels had a approximately 37 degrees C melting temperature, and the dynamic elasticity was independent of the thermal history. The concept allows to produce custom-made precision gels for biomedical applications.

We studied the influence of molecular size on the formation of transient networks by telechelic protein polymers with ∼2.3 kDa collagen-like triple helix-forming end-blocks and much longer random coil mid-blocks. We compared triblock copolymers with mid-blocks of ∼400 and ∼800 amino acids (37 and 73 kDa, respectively) and two different amino acid sequences, all of which were secreted to high concentration by recombinant yeast cells. At the same molar concentration of protein and crosslink-forming end-blocks, the storage modulus of the longer polymers was higher than that of the shorter polymers. Differences in storage modulus values were also observed for the polymers with mid-blocks of the same amino acid composition but different amino sequence, which correlated to differences in the measured hydrodynamic radius of the mid-blocks. The melting temperature of the triple helices was the same for both larger and smaller polymers; however, the elastic properties of the gels were lost at lower temperature for the smaller polymers than for the larger polymers. Using an analytical model based on classical gel theory and accounting for the well-defined multiplicity of the network, we could ascribe these differences to the lower probability of the longer chains to form intramolecular loops.

FUNDAÇÃO DE APOIO À PESQUISA DO ESTADO DO RIO DE JANEIRO Estudos sobre diagnóstico precoce de falhas em hidrogenadores vêm sendo realizados por várias empresas do setor elétrico brasileiro, visando o estabelecimento de uma nova estratégia de manutenção destas máquinas, de forma a reduzir custos de manutenção e operação, bem como aumentar a confiabilidade do sistema elétrico. Este trabalho tem por finalidade apresentar um Sistema Especialista para diagnóstico precoce de falhas eletromecânicas em hidrogenadores. O método de diagnóstico proposto baseia-se na análise de vibrações observadas no eixo da máquina. As informações de vibração são tratadas, essencialmente, através do seu aspectro de freqüência (Transformada de Fourier do sinal no tempo). Outras informações adicionais também são utilizadas pelo Sistema para o refinamento do diagnóstico final a ser obtido. O Sistema Especialista desenvolvido, denominado DIAGH, utiliza um Banco de Conhecimento que foi constituído a partir de informações heurísticas obtidas através de relatos de especialistas, que conseguiram estabelecer o relacionamento de certas freqüências encontradas em tais aspectros, com falhas ocorridas em hidrogenadores. O Sistema DIAGH foi testado, utilizando-se dados reais obtidos a partir de uma das unidades geradoras da usina de Porto Colômbia pertencentes à FURNAS Centrais Elétricas. Studies on early diagnosis of hydrogenerators failure have been developed in many Brazilian utilities, regarding the establishment of a new maintenance strategy for these machines. The objectives to be achieved are the reduction in operation and maintenance costs as well as the increase in the system reliability. This work aims at presenting an Expert System for the early diagnosis of eletromechanical failures in hydroelectrical generators. The proposed disagnostic method is based on the analysis of the vibrations observed on the mechine shaft. The measured shaft vibrations are represented in the frequency domain by using the Fast Fourier Tranform. Additional information is also used for the final diagnostic improvement. The Expert System built in this work, called DIAGH, uses a knowledge base which was formed from heuristic information of sécialists. This information is concerned with the relationship between the occurrence of certain frequencies and hydrogenerator faults. The DIAGH system was tested through rela data obtained from one of the generation units of Porto Colômbia Substation of FURNAS Centrais Elétricas.