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X-ray bone semantic segmentation is one crucial task in medical imaging. Due to deep learning's emergence, it was possible to build high-precision models. However, these models require a large quantity of annotated data. Furthermore, semantic segmentation requires pixel-wise labeling, thus being a highly time-consuming task. In the case of hip joints, there is still a need for increased anatomic knowledge due to the intrinsic nature of the femur and acetabulum. Active learning aims to maximize the model's performance with the least possible amount of data. In this work, we propose and compare the use of different queries, including uncertainty and diversity-based queries. Our results show that the proposed methods permit state-of-the-art performance using only 81.02% of the data, with O(1) time complexity.

Neocortical layer 1 (L1) is a site of convergence between pyramidal neuron dendrites and feedback axons where local inhibitory signaling can profoundly shape cortical processing. Evolutionary expansion of human neocortex is marked by distinctive pyramidal neuron types with extensive branching in L1, but whether L1 interneurons are similarly diverse is underexplored. Using patch-seq recordings from human neurosurgically resected tissues, we identified four transcriptomically defined subclasses, unique subtypes within those subclasses and additional types with no mouse L1 homologue. Compared with mouse, human subclasses were more strongly distinct from each other across all modalities. Accompanied by higher neuron density and more variable cell sizes compared with mouse, these findings suggest L1 is an evolutionary hotspot, reflecting the increasing demands of regulating the expanding human neocortical circuit.One Sentence SummaryUsing transcriptomics and morpho-electric analyses, we describe innovations in human neocortical layer 1 interneurons.

The following master’s final work arises in the context of a research scholarship held at INESC TEC's largest research centre, the Centre for Energy Systems better known as CPES. Founded more than 30 years ago, CPES is one of the oldest R&D centres in Portugal. Since the centre has never been submitted to any strategic restructuring plan at communication level, this project has as main objective to present a Marketing Plan for CPES, having as main goal its internationalization in the context of further increasing international notoriety. For the preparation of this project, data collection was carried out through interviews with those responsible for the centre, conversations with collaborators, analysis of several documents provided by the centre and analysis of information available online, which allowed the development of an internal and external analysis of CPES. Subsequently, actions were outlined to be implemented in order to achieve the proposed strategic objectives. This study shows that although CPES is well established in the market for its scientific rigor and the quality produced in its services and participated projects, the aspect of marketing is poorly developed with a weak communication and image, requiring a good strategic plan that enables it to stand out and make the best use of its potential.

Single cell transcriptomic studies have identified a conserved set of neocortical cell types from small post-mortem cohorts. We extend these efforts by assessing cell type variation across 75 adult individuals undergoing epilepsy and tumor surgeries. Nearly all nuclei map to one of 125 robust cell types identified in middle temporal gyrus, but with varied abundances and gene expression signatures across donors, particularly in deep layer glutamatergic neurons. A minority of variance is explainable by known factors including donor identity and small contributions from age, sex, ancestry, and disease state. Genomic variation was significantly associated with variable expression of 150-250 genes for most cell types. Thus, human individuals display a highly consistent cellular makeup, but with significant variation reflecting donor characteristics, disease condition, and genetic regulation.One-Sentence SummaryInter-individual variation in human cortex is greatest for deep layer excitatory neurons and largely unexplainable by known factors.

O objetivo desta revisão é descrever as alterações mais comumente observadas no periodonto causadas pelo tratamento ortodôntico, a fim de facilitar a colaboração e comunicação dos especialistas. Uma busca em banco de dados eletrônico foi realizada usando o banco de dados de resumos e citações do PubMed e material bibliográfico foi usado para encontrar outras fontes apropriadas. As alterações dos tecidos periodontais moles e duros durante o tratamento ortodôntico e a manutenção dos pacientes são discutidas a fim de fornecer um quadro exaustivo das possíveis interações entre essas duas disciplinas entrelaçadas.

The success of arrhythmia classification tasks with Machine Learning (ML) algorithms is based on the handcrafting extraction of features from Electrocardiography (ECG) signals. However, feature extraction is a time-consuming trial-and-error approach. Deep Neural Network (DNN) algorithms bypass the process of handcrafting feature extraction since the algorithm extracts the features automatically in their hidden layers. However, it is important to have access to a balanced dataset for algorithm training. In this exploratory research study, we will compare the evaluation metrics among Convolutional Neural Networks (1D-CNN) and Support Vector Machines (SVM) using a dataset based on the merged public ECG signals database TNMG and CINC17 databases. Results: Both algorithms showed good performance using the new, merged ECG database. For evaluation metrics, the 1D-CNN algorithm has a precision of 93.04%, an accuracy of 93.07%, a recall of 93.20%, and an F1-score of 93.05%. The SVM classifier (λ = 10, C = 10 × 109) achieved the best classification metrics with two combined, handcrafted feature extraction methods: Wavelet transforms and R-peak Interval features, which achieved an overall precision of 89.04%, accuracy of 92.00%, recall of 94.20%, and F1-score of 91.54%. As an unique input feature and SVM (λ=10,C=100), wavelet transforms achieved precision, accuracy, recall, and F1-score metrics of 86.15%, 85.33%, 81.16%, and 83.58%. Conclusion: Researchers face a challenge in finding a broad dataset to evaluate ML models. One way to solve this problem, especially for deep learning models, is to combine several public datasets to increase the amount of data. The SVM and 1D-CNN algorithms showed positive results with the merge of databases, showing similar F1-score, precision, and recall during arrhythmia classification. Despite the favorable results for both of them, it should be considered that in the SVM, feature selection is a time-consuming trial-and-error process; meanwhile, CNN algorithms can reduce the workload significantly. The disadvantage of CNN algorithms is that it has a higher computational processing cost; moreover, in the absence of access to powerful computational processing, the SVM can be a reliable solution., “FCT–Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia” within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020.

Este relatório resulta do meu desempenho de funções enquanto estagiário na Escola Artística e Profissional Árvore no ano letivo 2021/2022, através da interação em três turmas de Animação, nomeadamente 1ANI, 2ANI e 3ANI e particularmente na turma 1ANI, cuja proposta didática coloquei em prática. Pretendo, com este documento, refletir em torno da minha prática pedagógica enquanto estagiário, tendo em conta as dimensões científico-pedagógica, seja na observação de diversas aulas, e consequente regência, seja na conceção e operacionalização da proposta didática. Igualdade de Género é a temática abordada de forma transversal à minha intervenção pedagógica. Esta temática surgiu a partir das observações realizadas e também por ser um assunto que está na ordem do dia. A escola, enquanto espaço relacional, apresenta-se como um campo onde se cruzam culturas e discursos diferenciados que, de algum modo, influenciam a vida dos estudantes e a sua aprendizagem. Cada vez mais a ideia de respeito e inclusão acerca da igualdade de género se torna fulcral, estando presentes quer no currículo, quer na agenda global das instituições internacionais.Consequentemente, assistimos, hoje, à incrementação da reflexão das temáticas relacionadas com as igualdade de género nas diferentes disciplinas, sendo as mesmas incluídas no currículo das escolas. Nesse sentido, pretendi não só sensibilizar os alunos para a igualdade de género, relacionando-as de forma interdisciplinar, integrando conteúdos pertencentes a duas disciplinas de artes, como também auscultar o sentir dos estudantes, as suas impressões acerca do tema. A proposta didática, Igualdade de Género: Representações gráficas dos estudantes, foi implementada ao longo de 4 aulas, nas disciplinas de Animação Tradicional e Representação Gráfica, entre 16 de fevereiro e 23 de fevereiro de 2022. O produto final alcançado e a reflexão realizada foram animadores, apesar de pensar que apenas se levantou o véu sobre as igualdade de género e o seu enquadramento nas escolas. Urge, portanto, o aprofundamento da temática, realizando investigações diversas que permitam aferir as representações dos estudantes e auscultar o seu sentir.

Background Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) surgery is one of the most efficient procedures for the treatment of obesity, also improving metabolic and inflammatory status, in patients with mild obesity. The underlying mechanisms have not been fully understood, but gut microbiota is hypothesized to play a key role. Our aim was to evaluate the association between gut microbiota changes and anthropometric, metabolic and inflammatory profiles after metabolic surgery compared with medical therapy, in type 2 diabetic (T2DM) adults with mild obesity (BMI 30–35 kg/m2). Methods DM2 was an open-label, randomised controlled clinical trial (RCT: ISRCTN53984585) with 2 arms: (i) surgical, and (ii) medical. The main outcome was gut microbiota changes after: metabolic surgery (Roux-en-Y gastric bypass—RYGB) versus standard medical therapy. Secondary outcomes included anthropometric, metabolic and inflammatory profiles. Clinical visits, blood workup, and stool samples were collected at baseline and months (M)1, 3, 6, 12. Gut microbiota was profiled using 16S rRNA targeted sequencing. Results Twenty patients were included: 10 in surgical and 10 in medical arm. Anthropometric and metabolic comparative analysis favoured RYGB over medical arm. At M12, the percentage of weight loss was 25.5 vs. 4.9% (p p p = 0.004, [R2 = 0.17]) during the follow-up period after RYGB. There was a strong association between improvement of anthropometric/metabolic/inflammatory biomarkers and increase in microbial richness and Proteobacterial lineages. Conclusions This was the first RCT studying composite clinical, analytic, and microbiome changes in T2DM patients with class 1 obesity after RYGB versus standard medical therapy. The remarkable phenotypic improvement after surgery occurred concomitantly with changes in the gut microbiome, but at a lower level. Trial registration: ISRCTN53984585

Sustainability is a key concern across industries. In the textile sector, companies face a very competitive environment and struggle to combine the pressures for the reduction of cost with the demands for the implementation of cleaner production practices (CPP) that are advanced by the society and public policies. Whereas several studies have explored the factors that influence the adoption of CPP there is still a paucity of research addressing the relationship between stakeholders’ influences and CPP. The objective of this study is to explore the influence of stakeholders on the adoption of CPP in the textile industry. The study builds on data from survey data and expert perspectives, whereas data analysis resorted to structured equation modelling and Spearman's correlation test. The study suggests that shareholders have a positive influence on the adoption of CPP in this industry, driven by the expected impacts thatCPP may have for reducing costs and improving company's brand. On the contrary, the study finds no support for business partners, society and the government influencing the adoption of CPP. The study offers several contributions to theory building, notably by highlightingthe relevance of interpreting environmental costs as an investment. The study offers also insights for managerial practice by exploring evidences about the emergence of environmental cultural change following the precautionary principle. Insights are also put forward concerning the growing social in monitoring environmental actions through social networks.

Pancreatic cancer mortality is expected to rise in the next decades. This aggressive malignancy has a dismal prognosis due to late diagnosis and resistance to treatment. Increasing evidence indicates that host–microbiome interactions play an integral role in pancreatic cancer development, suggesting that harnessing the microbiome might offer promising opportunities for diagnostic and therapeutic interventions. Herein, we review the associations between pancreatic cancer and the intratumoral, gut and oral microbiomes. We also explore the mechanisms with which microbes influence cancer development and the response to treatment. We further discuss the potentials and limitations of using the microbiome as a target for therapeutic interventions, in order to improve pancreatic cancer patient outcomes.

Esophageal cancer is a major health problem, being the seventh most incidence cancer worldwide. Due to the often-late diagnosis and lack of efficient treatments, the overall 5-year survival is as low as 10%. Therefore, understanding the etiology and the mechanisms that drive the development of this type of cancer could improve the management of patients, increasing the chance of achieving a better clinical outcome. Recently, the microbiome has been studied as a putative etiological factor for esophageal cancer. Nevertheless, the number of studies tackling this issue is low, and the heterogeneity in the study design and data analysis has hindered consistent findings. In this work, we reviewed the current literature on the evaluation of the role of microbiota in the development of esophageal cancer. We analyzed the composition of the normal microbiota and the alterations found in precursor lesions, namely Barrett’s esophagus and dysplasia, as well as in esophageal cancer. Additionally, we explored how other environmental factors can modify microbiota and contribute to the development of this neoplasia. Finally, we identify critical aspects to be improved in future studies, with the aim of refining the interpretation of the relationship between the microbiome and esophageal cancer.

The application of Cleaner Production (CP) practices is a preventive strategy guided by economic and environmental benefits to companies. The textile industry is a major generator of pollutants, yet it is a crucial sector in Brazil that generates annual revenues of USD 51.58 billion and millions of jobs, even though it is constituted mostly of small and medium companies. This study aims to identify the CP practices adopted by different sizes of companies in the textile sector located in Brazil. A survey was conducted, and answers were analyzed using the Kruskal-Wallis test to assess the relevance of each CP practice according to company size. The results showed that small companies apply CP practices exclusively for economic benefit because they have financial difficulties and lack of credit, medium-sized companies are challenged by large supply chains to achieve an environmental management system to provide products and services, and large companies seek green certifications to export their products to the European market. The results contribute to business practices by facilitating identification of the most relevant CP practices for each company size.

Meningiomas are a heterogeneous group of tumors, defined histo-pathologically by World Health Organization (WHO) grading. The WHO grade of meningiomas does not always correlate with clinical aggressiveness. Despite maximal surgical resection and adjuvant radiation, a subset of tumors are clinically aggressive; displaying early recurrence and invasion. Current methods for identifying aggressive meningiomas solely focus on genomics, proteomics, or epigenetics and not a combination of all for developing a real-time clinical biomarker. Improved methods for the identification of these outlying tumors can facilitate better classification and potentially adjuvant treatment planning. Understanding the pathways of oncogenesis using multiple markers driving aggressive meningiomas can provide a foundation for targeted therapies, which currently do not exist.

The intestinal microbiome is associated with colorectal cancer. Although the mucosal microbiota better represents an individual’s local microbiome, studies on the colorectal cancer microbiota mainly reflect knowledge obtained from fecal samples. This systematic review aimed to summarize the current evidence on the relationship between the mucosal-associated bacterial microbiota and colorectal cancer. Searches were conducted in PubMed and Web of Science databases for publications comparing the mucosal microbiome of colorectal cancer patients with that of healthy controls, or with that of non-cancerous mucosal tissues. The primary outcomes were differences in microbial diversity and taxonomy. The Newcastle-Ottawa Scale was used to assess the quality of the included studies. Of the 5080 studies identified, 39 were eligible and included in the systematic review. No consistent results were identified for the α- and β-diversity, due to high heterogeneity in reporting and to differences in metrics and statistical approaches, limiting study comparability. Qualitative synthesis of microbial taxonomy identified 12 taxa with strong positive and 18 taxa with strong negative associations with colorectal cancer. Fusobacterium, Campylobacter, Parvimonas, Peptostreptococcus, Streptococcus, and Granulicatella were defined as enriched in colorectal cancer. Despite the methodological limitations of the studies, consistent evidence on bacterial taxa associated with colorectal cancer was identified. Prospective studies in large and well-characterized patient populations will be crucial to validate these findings.

Quantum technologies have been trending from the past few years to our present days. Quantum Optics, Quantum Cryptography and Modern Solid State Physics are some of the main sources for its progression. In this work, we study a way to generate multi-mode NOON states, which we will call Extended NOON States, using matter-wave systems via dynamics of nonstationary states in tight-binding chains. We will implement optimization protocols to generate the NOON states with maximum quality, as in the case with the analogous states appearing in the context of quantum optics. However, instead of having photons, we consider general massive bosonic particles in condensed matter systems. To make every result of this work possible, it is presented an essential analytical foundation based on the Laplace expansion of tridiagonal matrices, both in the uniform and quasi-uniform cases, as well as some fundamental considerations in single and multiple particle states dynamics and state probability density transfer with respective optimization. Additionally, we will introduce a formalism to determine the dynamics of a two-particle system, as well as the derivation of an existing efective model in the high energy subspace of the system. We will make use of this formalism to study interferometric phenomena with these ideal Extended NOON States to achieve super-resolution and super-sensitivity in their interference patterns when given a multiple particle system in the strong interactions regime, speci cally to prove the concept for a two-particle system. It was also discovered the ability to redirect information through speci c desired modes in the multi-mode system with the help of phase shift manipulation. As tecnologias quânticas têm vindo a ganhar cada vez mais popularidade nas últimas décadas. Ótica Quântica, Criptografia Quântica e Física do Estado Sólido Moderna são algumas das principais fontes do seu progresso. Neste trabalho, estudamos uma forma de gerar estados NOON multimodo, que designamos como Estados NOON Extendidos, usando sistemas de matéria-onda através de dinâmica de estados não estacionários em cadeias tight-binding. Iremos implementar protocolos de otimização para gerar estados NOON com máxima qualidade tal como se verifica com os estados análogos no contexto de ótica quântica. No entanto, em vez de fotões, iremos considerar partículas bosónicas massivas em sistemas de matéria condensada. Para tornar todos os resultados deste trabalho possíveis, apresentaremos uma fundação analítica baseada em expansões de Laplace de matrizes tridiagonais, em cadeias uniformes e quasi-uniformes, bem como algumas considerações essenciais em dinâmica de estados de uma partícula e múltiplas partículas, e transferência de estados quânticos com respetiva otimização. Adicionalmente, iremos introduzir um formalismo para determinar a dinâmica de um sistema de duas partículas, bem como a derivação de um modelo efetivo existente no subespaço mais energético deste sistema. Utilizaremos este formalismo para estudar fenómenos de interferência com estes Estados NOON Extendidos para atingir super-resolução e supersensibilidade nos seus padrões de interferência para um sistema de múltiplas partículas quando estas são submetidas a um regime de interações fortes, com vista a provar o conceito para um sistema de duas partículas. Foi descoberta a capacidade de redirecionar informação para modos específicos num sistema multimodo por meio de manipulação da fase do estado. Mestrado em Física

The role of repeat kidney biopsy in lupus nephritis (LN) with renal remission is unclear. The aim of this study was to assess this role in a real-life scenario. This retrospective, single-centre study included 56 patients with LN diagnosed from 1998 to 2019, with an initial kidney biopsy (KB1) at the onset of LN and a second kidney biopsy (KB2) after achieving renal remission. A total of 51 (91.1%) patients were women with a median age of 29.9 years [interquartile range (IQR) 23.4–40.6] at the time of LN diagnosis. KB2s were performed after 41.1 months (IQR 30.1–52.5) of KB1. At the time of KB2, complete renal response was achieved in 51 (91.1%) patients. The median activity index decreased from a baseline value of 6.5 (IQR 2.8–11) to 0 (IQR 0–2) (P

Real wind turbines experience a wide range of turbulent shear flows that naturally occur within the atmospheric boundary layer, however, these are often difficult to simulate in experiments. An active grid was used to expand the testable parameter space compared to conventional methods. Specific focus was placed on decoupling the shear from the turbulence intensity. Particle image velocimetry was used to capture the mean velocity and velocity fluctuation fields in the near-field wake of a model wind turbine subjected to seven different combinations of shear and turbulence intensity. It was found that if the incoming mean profile was removed, the velocity deficit is approximately symmetric about the hub, even for highly sheared cases. The absolute wake velocity deficit profiles are asymmetric for the sheared cases, and the combination of the wake and shear flow results in a local increase in shear on the high-velocity side of the wake immediately downstream of the turbine. This in turn leads to higher turbulence production within that region, leading to larger velocity fluctuations. It is also demonstrated that the mean power of the model turbine is not particularly sensitive to the incoming shear, but the power fluctuations scale linearly with the incoming turbulence intensity. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons CC-BY license, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Purpose: Most World Health Organization (WHO) grade I meningiomas carry a favorable prognosis. Some become clinically aggressive with recurrence, invasion, and resistance to conventional therapies (grade 1.5; recurrent/progressive WHO grade I tumors requiring further treatment within 10 years). We aimed to identify biomarker signatures in grade 1.5 meningiomas where histopathology and genetic evaluation has fallen short. Experimental Design: Mass spectrometry (MS)–based phosphoproteomics and peptide chip array kinomics were used to compare grade I and 1.5 tumors. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA) identified alterations in signaling pathways with validation by Western blot analysis. The selected biomarker was evaluated in an independent cohort of 140 samples (79/140 genotyped for meningioma mutations) by tissue microarray and correlated with clinical variables. Results: The MS-based phosphoproteomics revealed differential Ser/Thr phosphorylation in 32 phosphopeptides. The kinomic profiling by peptide chip array identified 10 phosphopeptides, including a 360% increase in phosphorylation of RB1, in the 1.5 group. IPA of the combined datasets and Western blot validation revealed regulation of AKT and cell-cycle checkpoint cascades. RB1 hyperphosphorylation at the S780 site distinguished grade 1.5 meningiomas in an independent cohort of 140 samples and was associated with decreased progression/recurrence-free survival. Mutations in NF2, TRAF7, SMO, KLF4, and AKT1 E17K did not predict RB1 S780 staining or progression in grade 1.5 meningiomas. Conclusions: RB1 S780 staining distinguishes grade 1.5 meningiomas, independent of histology, subtype, WHO grade, or genotype. This promising biomarker for risk stratification of histologically bland WHO grade I meningiomas provides insight into the pathways of oncogenesis driving these outlying clinically aggressive tumors.

No ano de 2005, come��ou a obrigatoriedade de qualquer edif��cio ter uma infraestrutura ITED (Infraestrutura de Telecomunica����es em Edif��cios), quer seja na sua constru����o ou reconstru����o. O ponto principal na elabora����o do manual na sua primeira edi����o era de juntar a rede de pares de cobre com a rede de cabo coaxial e de fibra ��tica. Por outro, dotar a n��vel de infraestruturas, mais concretamente a rede tubagens, para a entrada de v��rios operadores aos clientes, de forma que as infraestruturas n��o fossem o problema. Notar que, um dos objetivos principais, era que houvesse livre concorr��ncia entre operadores e n��o houvesse barreiras f��sicas no fornecimento de servi��os aos seus clientes.Um exemplo muito recorrente era o caso da Coreia do Sul, que era dos pa��ses que apresentava a maior velocidade de transmiss��o de Internet e de servi��os, mas os seus edif��cios n��o estavam preparados a n��vel de infraestruturas para receber essas mesmas tecnologias. E em Portugal pensou-se de forma diferente, primeiro as infraestruturas e depois a tecnologia. Nesta mesma Coreia do Sul, foi o primeiro pa��s a ter o 5G em funcionamento. E j�� perspetiva que em 2026 seja desenvolvido o 6G, com uma velocidade em 50 vezes superior �� do 5G e com uma lat��ncia ainda mais reduzida, e com perspetivas de entrada no mercado em 2028., Neutro �� Terra, N.�� 28 (2021): Revista T��cnico-Cient��fica (Segundo Semestre)

In this paper we develop an empirically testable version of the General Theory of Employment. We model it using a simultaneous system of equations, and estimate this system with three-stage least-squares (3SLS). Our results indicate that present income is the main driver of consumption, the transaction motive dominates in the liquidity preference, the major determinant of investment is the state of long-term expectations, and employment is principally pushed by private investment spending.

The significant increase in the number of vehicles in urban areas emerges the challenge of urban mobility. Researchers in this area suggest that most daily delays in urban travel times are caused by intersections, which could be reduced if the traffic lights at these intersections were more efficient. The use of simulation for real intersections can be effective in optimizing the cycle times and improving the traffic light timing to coordinate vehicles passing through intersections. From these themes emerge the research questions: How are the existing approaches (optimization techniques and simulation) to managing traffic lights smartly? What kind of data (offline and online) are used for traffic lights optimization? How beneficial is it to propose an optimization approach to the traffic system? This paper aims to answer these questions, carried out through a bibliometric literature review. In total, 93 articles were analyzed. The main findings revealed that the United States and China are the countries with the most studies published in the last ten years. Moreover, Particle Swarm Optimization is a frequently used approach, and there is a tendency for studies to perform optimization of real cases by real-time data, showing that the praxis of smart cities has resorted to smart traffic lights., This work has been supported by FCT— Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia within the R&D Units Project Scope: UIDB/00319/2020 and the project “Integrated and Innovative Solutions for the well-being of people in complex urban centers” within the Project Scope NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000086.

Projeto de dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia e Gestão da Qualidade, A contrafação de moeda, peça metálica, é um problema grave, sendo prejudicial para as economias, para as empresas e para a população em geral. Na zona euro, a contrafação tem vindo a aumentar ano após ano, sobretudo nas moedas de 2 €. Uma forma de controlo é o uso de validadores de moeda, capazes de distinguir moeda genuína de contrafeita. Estes sistemas operam com diversos sensores, capazes de reconhecer cada atributo (dimensional e físico) da moeda em análise. Contudo, com o avanço tecnológico, também a produção de moeda contrafeita se torna mais evoluída. Para garantir que estes validadores atuam de forma eficiente recorreu-se ao controlo metrológico, de modo a permitir uma comparação entre o resultado de ambos os métodos. A abordagem utilizada, implicou o uso de uma amostra de 100 moedas, de 2 € tidas como genuínas, e três moedas probe trial. Todas estas, foram testadas pelo validador Azkoyen L66S, nas instalações da JD TECNIVENDING, e analisadas metrologicamente, com diversos equipamentos de medição, no laboratório de metrologia da Universidade do Minho. O validador rejeitou 2 moedas, sendo que o resultado obtido no controlo metrológico para uma delas não permitiu justificar o porquê da sua rejeição. A outra moeda foi rejeitada devido às suas deformações no bordo. Ainda foi rejeitada uma terceira moeda, mas apenas numa das tentativas de validação, justificada com o controlo dimensional. No caso das moedas probe trial, todas foram rejeitadas pelo validador, sendo o sucedido justificado pelo controlo metrológico. Em suma, este estudo contribuiu para um melhor conhecimento do processo de validação das moedas, redução da contrafação e informação da população sobre como identificar uma contrafação, através da identificação dos atributos e da metodologia apresentada pelo Banco de Portugal., Currency, metal piece, counterfeiting is a severe problem, that damages economies, businesses, and the population in general. In the euro area, counterfeiting has been rising over the years, especially in the € 2 coins. One form of control is the use of counterfeit currency validators, which are capable of distinguishing genuine coins from counterfeit one’s. These systems operate with several sensors, capable of recognizing each attribute (dimensional and physical) of the currency under analysis. However, with technological advancement, also counterfeit currency becomes more developed. To ensure that these validators act efficiently, metrological control has also been used to allow a comparison between the result of the two methods. The approach used, entailed the use of a sample of one hundred coins of € 2 considered as genuine samples, and three probe trial coins. All of these were tested by the validator Azkoyen L66S, at JD TECNIVENDING's facilities. And, with various metrological equipment, in the metrology laboratory at the University of Minho. The validator rejected two coins, and for one of them the metrological control did not allow to justify the reasons of the rejection. The other coin was rejected due to its deformations on the edge. A third coin was still allowed, but only in one of the validation attempts, which can be justified by the dimensional control. In the case of the trial probe coins, all of them were rejected by the validator, and the metrological control sustains that. In short, this dissertation contributes for a better knowledge of the coin validation process, reduction of counterfeit and inform the population on how to identify counterfeiting, by identifying the attributes and methodology presented by Banco de Portugal.

This work investigates the performance of high strength cast steel welded joints to confirm their feasibility for application in mooring components. Three welded joints, with ultimate tensile strength in the range of 700 to 900 MPa, were obtained by the shielded metal arc welding process, the most applied in repair operation. After welding, a post welding heat treatment was performed to relieve the residual stresses. The results obtained in tension, impact Charpy-V, and hardness tests, at different positions of the heat affected zone were compared with equivalent welded joints performed with rolled steels currently applied in mooring chain links. These results showed that cast steels can obtain results equivalent to the rolled steels. Furthermore, the composition of cast steels for more stringent requirements (UTS > 860 MPa) is adjusted with higher nickel contents, while rolled and forged steels show increased C, Cr, and Mo contents. As a consequence, a refined microstructure with excellent impact toughness was obtained. Thus, these steels present a high potential to be used in this application contributing to reduce manufacturing costs.

Introdução: A instrumentação e desinfeção no tratamento endodôntico nem sempre são suficientes para reduzir de forma eficaz os microorganismos do sistema de canais radiculares. O hidróxido de cálcio (HC) é pelas suas características o medicamento intracanalar de eleição entre sessões, no entanto, a sua remoção torna-se mandatória pois remanescentes do mesmo podem resultar no eventual insucesso do tratamento. Objetivo: utilizar a tomografia computorizada por feixe cónico (CBCT) para avaliar a remoção de uma pasta radiopaca de hidróxido de cálcio (Ca[OH]2) dos incisivos centrais extraídos após quatro protocolos de ativação do irrigante. Materiais e métodos: 60 incisivos centrais maxilares extraídos foram preparados até uma lima Reciproc Blue 50. Pasta de hidróxido de cálcio radiopaco foi introduzida no canal e deixada por duas semanas. Posteriormente, o medicamento intracanalar foi removido por quatro técnicas de irrigação diferentes: Irrigação convencional, irrigação convencional ativada por cone de guta, irrigação ultrasónica passiva e ativação com XPendo finisher. Avaliação volumétrica foi realizada com CBCT. Resultados: Remanescentes foram encontrados em todos os grupos experimentais, no entanto, a XPendo finisher e a PUI foram capazes de remover por completo o CA(OH)2 de alguns dentes. Nenhuma diferença estatística foi encontrada entre todos os grupos, mas a XPendo finisher obteve os resultados mais elevados de remoção com uma percentagem média de 96,92%. Conclusão: Verificou-se que a adição de um equipamento específico de ativação do irrigante é mais eficaz do que apenas a irrigação convencional por si só. A XPendo finisher apresenta-se um método eficaz e consistente. Além disso, o CBCT provou ser uma ferramenta útil e prática para a realização deste estudo.