Repositório RCAAP

To obtain the total or parcial weathering curve of a rock and to quantify it in the time is subject that can avoid problems in certain types of civil engineering works or can lead to avoid or to use certain types of rock materials. in this paper one outlines an attempt to get it with experimental data obtained in a gneissie rock and one presents the weatherability quantification.

A Pyrrhotite-hearing calc-silicate rock from Odivelas dam (Beja igneous complex) is briefly described. A comparision is made with similar lithofacies knoen in Portel and Alvito mining districts, leading to some speculations on a much wider scale. The Cambrian period could represent a sort of trabsition between the two great Cadomian and Hereynian cycles, testifying the end of acredtion between the Ossa-Morena and the Central-Iberian terranes. The Mombeja mafic complex in Beja massif probably represents a Silurian-Devonian oceanic crust that can be correlated with one: it does not seem necessary to postulate a Petite Sole - Cordoue transform fault in order to link Western Europe to Southern Appalaches. The Mombeja-Acebuches ophiolitic complex represents an Early-Middle Paleozoic oceanic lithosphere. A primitive Beja-Aracena-Castilblanco massif is not a bad candidate to the Carboniferous limit between the Ossa-Morena and South-POrtuguese zones: the picture ois obscured by the lack of a global, unified study of the entire massif, wich has been dismembered by many wrench-faults, mainy ENE-WSW.

Introduzir dinamicamente num solo ou numa rocha branda uma vareta de aço e ficar a conhecer as características de resistência geomecânica do terreno atravessado, não é assunto novo, já que o penetrómetro dinãmico tem vindo a ser utilizado com sucesso para esse efeito, em muitas partes do mundo. (...)

Foram estudadas 25 amostras, constituídas por nódulos bastante irregulares, provenientes da margem continental portuguesa colhidas a profundidades entre os 425 e os 1945 metros, e incluídas em programa actualmente em execução nos Serviços Geológicos de Portugal. (...)

In the upper Cretaceous of the north section of the Western Portuguese Basin, four facies associations have been defined (I, II, III, IV), belonging a tidal flat complex.The association I, was deposited in a subtidal environment, represented by a lagoon separated from the open marine water by a barrier island; it includes central and marginal lagoonal facies and washover deposits.The intertidal environment, association II, is formed by a mud flat subject to oscillations of the water level and periods of subaereal exposures. Three morphological areas have been identified: lower mud flat related to the margin lagoon, middle mud flar and higher mul flat covered by halophites.The association III, was deposited in tidal channels of high sinuosity; according to its characteristics, two types of channels with different positions in the tidal flat can be distinguished: tidal creeks of small dimensions and simple structure, normally associated with tidal bars end tidal inlets oh greater dimensions and complex structure.The association IV belongs to a supratidal environment in witch the main processes were: vegetation colonization and organic matter accumulation in lower level, in transition to the higher mud flat, strong oscillations of water level and long period subaereal exposures in the higher levels where the evaporitic conditions are prevalent.

The studie area (16Km2) is situated to the south of Meda (Beira Alta - Portugal). In the geological point of view two great units predominate in the area: a hercinian medium-grain and two-mica granite and schist-granite-migmatite complex. The complex components are, however, difficult to separate.The comparative study of the score factors mapping, the W and Sn geochemical anomalies mapping and the cassiterite, volframite and schellite panning maps leads to the conclusion that the panning method is suitable to obtain a prior delimitation of the W and Sn anomalous areas.Nevertheless, the panning procedure cannot dispense the geochemical prospecting, since the utilisation of multivariate statistical analysis of geochemical data shows more representative images of geological context and mineralizations occuring in the area.

A comparison is made between the most representative granitoid units of the Castro Daire zoned pluton and some of the granotoid units that occur in the Fornos de Algodres area, the areas being close to each other. In each area one amphibole-bearing granodiorite and four granites have been selected.The granites of both areas show the same internal order of cristalization. Contrary to the granodiorites, that are metaluminous rocks, they plot in the aluminous domain of Debon & Le Fort's "characteristic minerals" diagram.The granodiorite also plot apart from the granites in Rb-Sr diagram. The zoned pluton granite units show compositional continuity in this diagram which is not the case of the rocks of the other area.Rb-Sr whole rock isochron dta show two of the Fornos de Algodres units to belong to a 370 +- 10 Ma age group and two other units to be ca, 255 Ma in age, whereas four units of the zoned pluton yielded ages ranging from 322 Ma up to 291 Ma. The age of 285 +- 5 Ma is the only one shared by rocks that outcrop in both areas and it relates to coarse grained porphyritic biotite granites. Granodiorites are the oldest dated rocks in both areas, but they differ in age from each by about 50 million years.Initial 87Sr/86Sr ratios are either low (< 0.704) or high (> 0.712) in the Fornos de Algodres rocks and intermediate (0.707 +- 0.002) in the case of zoned pluton rocks.Most of the granites of both areas show S-type granite features wheares the granodiorites are probably I-type granitoids with some crustal contamination.Some granites evidence moscovitization and albitication effects, as well as megacrysts, for which a metasomatic origin related to the intrusion of later granites cannot be clearly deduced from the data.The granites are not considered to be related to the granodiorites by fractional crystallization, but the granites of the zoned pluton could be mutually related by the process, contrary to the granites of the Fornos de Algodres area.

Results are presented of the chemistry and mineralogy of 6 weathering profiles on granitic rocks from the Oliveira de Azemeis - Castro Daire areal. Chemical evolution versus apparent specific weight using the Reiche's weathering potential index and product index, the Parker index and Ruxton index have been tested.The mineralogical composition of the minus 4 μm fraction by X-ray diffraction analysis has been determined.

Introduction: We aim to study the effect of fatty acid amide hydrolase (FAAH) blockade on bladder hyperactivity and on fatty acid amides levels during cystitis. Material and Methods: Cystitis was induced in female Wistar rats using 5 mg/mL lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Control group were intravesical instilled with saline. LPS and control groups received intravenously (caudal vein) during cystometry: URB 937 (URB; FAAH antagonist) in doses of 0.007, 0.07, 0.7 and 7 mg/kg (cumulative, with 10 minutes interval). Using the maximal effective dose of URB (0.7 mg/kg, see below) animals received 10 uM MJ15 (CB1 receptor antagonist) or 0.3 mg SR144528 /kg (SR; CB2 receptor antagonist). At dose of 7 mg/kg, animals receive 1.4 μg SB366791/kg (SB; TRPV1 antagonist). Control and inflamed (without and with 0.7 and 7 mg/kg URB) group were euthanized and the bladder was harvested for the determination of anandamide (AEA) and palmitoylethanolamide (PEA) by mass spectrometry. Results: Frequency of control was not changed by URB treatment at any dose. LPS increase bladder frequency. 0.007 mg and 0.07 mg URB decrease bladder frequency of LPS-inflamed rats. 0.7 URB reversed LPS-induced bladder hyperactivity. At 7 mg, URB was unable to reverse or reduce LPS-induced bladder hyperactivity. The administration of CB1, CB2 and TRPV1 antagonists did not change the frequency of voiding contractions of naïve animals. CB1 antagonist reversed the effect of 0.7 URB while TRPV1 antagonist reduced the effect of 7 URB. AEA levels increase during inflammation. Treating LPS-inflamed animals with 0.7 mg URB brought AEA levels to control levels. Treating LPS-inflamed animals with 7 mg URB did not change AEA levels, compared to LPS-inflamed animals. PEA levels decrease during inflammation. Treating LPS-inflamed animals with 0.7 mg URB brought AEA levels to control levels. Treating LPS-inflamed animals with 7 mg URB, decreased PEA levels to values similar to the ones observed in LPS- -inflamed animals. Conclusion: During cystitis, the FAAH inhibitor raises the levels of PEA and reverses the urinary frequency by a CB1 receptor- mediated mechanism. When used in very high doses, the FAAH antagonist raises the levels of AEA and increases the urinary frequency by a TRPV1-dependent mechanism. Therefore, the choice of FAAH inhibitor dosage to be used in the clinics should consider the putative effects over the endocannabinoid levels in the system.

Purpose: We aimed to characterize the population with primary high-grade non muscle invasive bladder cancer followed in a Portuguese Central Hospital and simultaneously identify recurrence and progression rates and associated risk factors. Material and Methods: The analysis included 79 patients who were diagnosed with primary high-grade non muscle invasive bladder cancer on first transurethral resection between 2006 and 2010. Several variables were statistically analyzed to evaluate their prognostic importance. Results: With a median follow-up of 54 months, 19 patients (24.1%) recurred, four (5.1%) progressed to muscle-invasive disease and two (2.5%) underwent radical cystectomy. The most important prognostic factor of recurrence was the duration of intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guérin (BCG) treatment while the presence of carcinoma in situ was the most important prognostic factor of progression. Residual disease on second-look transurethral resection showed to reduce the recurrence-free-survival. Conclusion: In our population, recurrence and progression rates were much lower than those described in other studies. Residual disease on second-look transurethral resection is associated with decreased recurrence-free-survival while the presence of carcinoma in situ is related with higher risk of progression. The duration of treatment with BCG seems to reduce the risk of recurrence.

IntroductionOver the past few years, the increasing use of cross‐sectional imaging, including ultrasound and computed tomography imaging, resulted in an increase incidental diagnosis of renal tumors, especially small renal masses (<4cm). The knowledge that 30% of these masses may be benign, including oncocytomas led to the investigation for more effective methods of diagnosis in order to avoid overtreatment situations.ObjectivesThe authors decided to analyse and compare contrast enhancement patterns of oncocytomas and clear‐cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) to predict histology.Material and methodsBetween 2004‐2015 we retrospectively identified 32 patients with either histological confirmation of renal oncocytoma (N=16) or ccRCC (N=16) who underwent percutaneous biopsy, total or partial nephrectomy. The relative attenuation of solid renal lesions and normal renal cortex was determined in the unenhanced and nephrographic phase. Statistical comparison was carried out by Mann‐Withney test.ResultsThe oncocytomas and cc‐RCC average size was 3.7cm [1.8 to 14] and 3.5cm [1.9 to 8.4], respectively. The average attenuation in the unenhanced phase was 33HU and 32HU, respectively. In nephrographic phase, the average contrast enhancement was 47.5 and 47.4H, respectively. In nephrographic phase, the attenuation difference between the oncocytomas and normal renal cortex was 43.5HU and the attenuation difference between the cc‐RCC and normal renal cortex was 59.7HU. These results were statistically significant (p<0.05).ConclusionsIn the nephrographic phase, URO‐CT reveals that oncocytomas have greater isodensity to the normal renal cortex compared to cc‐RCC. This finding can help us to determine which lesions we should biopsy or not.

Introduction Fibroepithelial polyps are extremely rare benign tumors arising from mesodermal tissue in the ureteral wall in children, that can cause ureteropelvic junction obstruction.Case reportIn this report, we present an 11‐year‐old boy complaining of left intermitent lumbar pain related with ipsilateral hydronephrosis. Surgical exploration revealed several endoluminal polyps located at the ureteropelvic junction, obstructing the lumen of the ureter.DiscussionStandard treatment consists in resection of the affected ureteral segment followed by open or laparoscopic dismembered pyeloplasty. The prognosis is excellent.

Introduction: The characterization of renal masses by biopsy before a surgical procedure is currently an option. Without this prior characterization, patients with benign renal masses may be likely to undergo unnecessary surgeries. The purpose was to determine the diagnostic accuracy and safety of renal mass biopsy. Material and Methods: Prospective uni-institutional study of 38 patients submitted to renal mass biopsy in the period from July 2014 to May 2016. Results: The biopsy was diagnostic in 76.3% (n = 29) of the cases. In 21.7 %% (n = 6) of the diagnostic biopsies, histology showed benign lesions, namely oncocitoma. In patients undergoing surgery, there was a 100% overall agreement between the biopsy result and the pathological outcome of the surgical specimen. The complication rate was 5.3% (n = 2), classified as Clavien-Dindo I. Conclusion: Renal mass biopsy showed high diagnostic acuity and safety, which may prevent unnecessary surgeries. This procedure may be part of the evaluation prior to the decision to treat patients with renal masses.

Introduction: During radical cystectomy of patients with muscle-invasive bladder cancer, pelvic lymphadenectomy is used not only for an accurate staging, but also to provide local and regional control of the disease. Although recent studies evaluating the anatomical extent of lymphadenectomy recommend an extended template, the relation between the extent of lymphadenectomy and the number of dissected nodes remains controversial. The aim of this study was to determine the main predictors of the extent of lymphadenectomy in patients with bladder cancer submitted to radical cystectomy. Material and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 119 patients with muscle-invasive or selected high-risk non-muscle invasive bladder cancer submitted to radical cystectomy between 2010 and 2015 at our institution. Results: Standard and extended lymphadenectomy was performed in 87 and 22 patients, respectively. Extended template was statistically associated with a higher number of lymph nodes dissected when compared to standard lymphadenectomy, (14 vs 11 lymph nodes; p < 0.05) and showed a trend toward better overall survival, although without statistical significance (HR = 0.52, 95% CI 0.23-1.21). Extended lymphadenectomy was performed preferentially in patients undergoing an orthotopic bladder substitution (47.8%) relatively to other types of urinary diversion (around 10% - 11%). These patients had more lymph nodes dissected relatively to cutaneous ureterostomy (15 vs 8 lymph nodes), on average. Conclusion: The surgeon’s decision about the type of urinary diversion to be performed is the main determinant of the extent of lymphadenectomy in patients with bladder cancer undergoing radical cystectomy The number of retrieved lymph nodes was associated with the extent of lymphadenectomy and with a trend toward better overall survival.

Introduction: Renal calculi is a prevalent disease and has some causes described. The drug calculi origin are rare, accounting for around 1% to 2% of cases. The crystals of sulfadiazine are formed in 20% to 45% of cases, but between 0.4% and 4.5% are associated with renal failure. We present a case report and a review of the literature on diagnosis and treatment of this entity, given its rarity and specificity. Case Report: A 48-year-old male, diabetic, during treatment for acute toxoplasmosis with sulfadiazine initiated renal colic associated with renal failure. The hypothesis of drug calculation was considered, because during the diagnostic investigation of toxoplasmosis, imaging studies were performed and presented without renal calculi. Initially he was treated conservatively with hyperhydration and alpha-blocker, but since he did not present improvement in the exams, he underwent ureterolithotripsy and double j stent. Conclusion: We present a report of urinary lithiasis of pharmacological origin associated with renal insufficiency and a review of the literature.

The aim of this work was to determine the potential of phytoremediation of Vetiveria zizanioides and Oryza sativa to nitrate (NO3 −-N) and organic matter (COD – chemical oxygen demand) removal in subsurface vertical flow constructed wetland systems (VFCWs). The tests were carried out in models of 2 beds with a surface of 0.24m2 and depth 0.70m each at various hydraulic loads (HL) and COD constant in influente wastewater. The VFCW-1 bed was planted with the Vetiveria zizanioides and the VFCW-2 bed with the Oryza sativa. During the 22 weeks of research, the hydraulic load of the analyzed beds was: HL1=148 m3·m−2·d−1, HL2=239 dm3·m−2·d−1, HL3=350 dm3·m−2·d−1, HL4=473 dm3·m−2·d−1. The VFCWs were fed from two reservoirs, one with mineral medium and nitrate, and the other one with fructose as organic matter. Based on the conducted tests, it was found that in both analyzed systems (VFCW-1 and VFCW-2) the highest NO3 −-N removal rate was found under HL2 – the median is 59 and 42% respectively. The most effective removal of COD in the VFCW-1 system was obtained at a HL2 – 55%, while in the system VFCW-2 at a HL1 – 43%. The research shows that the low HL and high COD/NO3 −-N ratio ensures good effects of nitrate and organic matter removal in VF type constructed wetland systems. It has been shown that the analyzed plants, especially Vetiveria zizanioides have good phytoremediation potential in the field of nitrate nitrogen and organic substance removal and can be recommended for use on a full scale of technology.

A vertical flow constructed wetland (VFCW) planted with Vetiveria zizanioides (0.24 m2 × 0.70 m) intended to receive a synthetic wastewater with high nitrate concentration was used to study the influence of the hydraulic load (HL) increase on nitrate load removal, keeping a low carbon nitrogen ratio (C/N). The inlet nitrate concentration was kept constant ([NO3 −] = 83 ± 7 mg L−1 ) and four different levels of HL were used, from 148 ± 5 to 473 ± 5 L m−2 d−1 ; accordingly, nitrate load increased from 12.4 ± 0.7 g m−2 d−1 to 39.9 ± 0.7 g m−2 d−1 . The nitrate load removal occurred in all trials, increasing proportionally to HL and nitrate load applied, reaching a maximum value of 11.9 ± 0.7 g m−2 d−1 at a nitrate load applied of 20.4 ± 1.2 g m−2 d−1 and HL of 239 ± 7 L m−2 d−1. Beyond that maximum, a further increase in HL or nitrate load applied led to a considerable decrease in nitrate load removal. Anaerobic conditions were not detected and denitrification was observed even at 5.2 ± 1.2 mgL−1 O2 in influent. Toxicity signs in Vetiveria zizanioides leaves were never detected and the results obtained suggest that the used plant absorbs and assimilates nitrogen from wastewater. Although Vetiveria zizanioides is not commonly used in constructed wetland, it proved to be very a robust, efficient and promoting system, encouraging further studies.

The aim of the study was to evaluate the nitrogen removal and its effects on the plant’s growth and leaves morphology. using two subsurface vertical flow (VF bed), with different depths (0.24 m2 × 0.70 m; 0.24 m2 × 0.35 m) and nitrogen load increments. The VF bed were planted with Vetiveria zizanioides, filled with light expanded clay aggregates (Leca®NR 10/20) and fed in parallel mode with synthetic wastewater. High ammonium nitrogen concentration ([NH4+–N] from 68 ± 3 to 290 ± 8 mg L−1) was used without toxicity symptoms in plants, although the effects of ammonium nitrogen load were stopped the growth of the plants. Significant differences between ammonium nitrogen removed in each VF bed obtained for total nitrogen (TNinfl.) ≥ 27 ± 0.8 g m−2 d−1. The nitrification was contributed to ammonium nitrogen removal because was found higher values of nitrate and nitrite in the effluent. These values were more higher in VF bed 1 than in the VF bed 2, since ammonium nitrogen removal were also more higher in VF bed 1 than in the VF bed 2. Total nitrogen mass balance was carried out and the results show that the nitrification/denitrification process occurred with nitrogen plants uptake. It was observed that the VF bed depth has an influence on all nitrogen removal processes. As higher the depth root system it is seemed to favour the creation of zones with different oxidations conditions that allow the nitrogen compounds to be removed intensively.

The aim of this work was to determine the potential of phytoremediation of Vetiveria zizanioides and Oryza sativa to nitrate (NO3−-N) and organic matter (COD – chemical oxygen demand) removal in subsurface vertical flow constructed wetland systems (VFCWs). The tests were carried out in models of 2 beds with a surface of 0.24 m2 and depth 0.70 m each at various hydraulic loads (HL) and COD constant in influente wastewater. The VFCW-1 bed was planted with the Vetiveria zizanioides and the VFCW-2 bed with the Oryza sativa. During the 22 weeks of research, the hydraulic load of the analyzed beds was: HL1 = 148 dm3·m−2·d−1, HL2 = 239 dm3·m−2·d−1, HL3 = 350 dm3·m−2·d−1, HL4 = 473 dm3·m−2·d−1. The VFCWs were fed from two reservoirs, one with mineral medium and nitrate, and the other one with fructose as organic matter. Based on the conducted tests, it was found that in both analyzed systems (VFCW-1 and VFCW-2) the highest NO3−-N removal rate was found under HL2 – the median is 59 and 42% respectively. The most effective removal of COD in the VFCW-1 system was obtained at a HL2 – 55%, while in the system VFCW-2 at a HL1 – 43%. The research shows that the low HL and high COD/NO3−-N ratio ensures good effects of nitrate and organic matter removal in VF type constructed wetland systems. It has been shown that the analyzed plants, especially Vetiveria zizanioides have good phytoremediation potential in the field of nitrate nitrogen and organic substance removal and can be recommended for use on a full scale of technology.

Es nuestro objetivo, en el artículo que se presenta, reflexionar acerca de los cambios sufridos por los centros de enseñanza superior desde el surgimiento del programa Erasmus, desde hace 30 años. El programa Erasmus ha sido fundamental en la promoción de la internacionalización de los centros de enseñanza superior y en la capacitación y movilidad de los estudiantes. Es banal, desde que este programa se inició, la estancia de alumnos portugueses en el exterior así como la situación inversa. Se pretende abordar, además, el modo en que el instituto politécnico de Beja (IPBeja) es hoy considerado un territorio intercultural y como se ha venido a prepararse para la apertura al mundo proporcionada por este proyecto europeo. Se buscará para los alumnos Erasmus que en los últimos años han frecuentado la institución, sobre todo en lo que se refiere al curso de primer ciclo en educación básica y al máster en educación preescolar y enseñanza del primer ciclo de enseñanza básica, mostrar lo modo como san vistos pelos portugueses y como los vean. Se pasará en revista las cuestiones de la educación intercultural y de las dinámicas culturales qué han estado en el orden del día. El IPBeja pretende afirmarse como entidad galvanizadora de sinergias e interventora en la construcción de las nuevas realidades emergentes en las comunidades del Bajo Alentejo, en particular, en la ciudad de Beja. Para ello ha venido a un camino de internacionalización, basado en ejes fundamentales: la apertura al envío y la recepción de estudiantes y docentes no nacionales (Erasmus y extranjeros); investigación y producción científica conjunta con entidades extranjeras; establecimiento de una red de alianzas con entidades extranjeras, para la implementación de proyectos conjuntos; iniciativas internas destinadas a promover la sensibilización de estudiantes, docentes y funcionarios no docentes para los aspectos interculturales de la institución, la ciudad, el ayuntamiento y el distrito de Beja; promover, de hecho, las relaciones de multiculturalidad e interculturalidad dentro del IPBeja.