Lead is a potent toxicant associated with adverse cardiovascular effects and hypertension in children. Yet, few studies have determined if autonomic dysfunction associated with lead exposure involves brain regions which regulate autonomic responses. Central autonomic nuclei such as the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and hypothalamic defence area (HDA) may be particularly sensitive to lead infiltration because they are adjacent to ventricles and areas with semi-permeable blood-brain-barriers. To understand if autonomic nuclei are sensitive to lead accumulation Wistar rats were exposed to lead from the gestational period and lead levels were quantified in brain regions that regulate arterial pressure: the NTS and the HDA. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to quantify total brain lead levels and revealed no differences between exposed and control tissues; measured values were close to the detection limit (2μg/g). Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was also used, which has a greater sensitivity, to quantify lead. There was ∼2.1μg/g lead in the NTS and ∼3.1μg/g lead in the HDA of exposed rats, and no lead in the control rats. There were greater lead levels in the HDA (∼50%) as compared with the NTS. Pathology studies revealed more prominent lead granules in the HDA as compared with the NTS. Increased microglia and astrocyte activation was also noted in the NTS of lead exposed rats as compared with the HDA. Regional differences in neuro-inflammatory responses likely contribute to heterogeneous lead accumulation, with enhanced clearance of lead in the NTS. Future studies will resolve the mechanisms underpinning tissue-specific lead accumulation.

Lead is a potent toxicant associated with adverse cardiovascular effects and hypertension in children. Yet, few studies have determined if autonomic dysfunction associated with lead exposure involves brain regions which regulate autonomic responses. Central autonomic nuclei such as the nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) and hypothalamic defence area (HDA) may be particularly sensitive to lead infiltration because they are adjacent to ventricles and areas with semi-permeable blood-brain-barriers. To understand if autonomic nuclei are sensitive to lead accumulation Wistar rats were exposed to lead from the gestational period and lead levels were quantified in brain regions that regulate arterial pressure: the NTS and the HDA. Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) was used to quantify total brain lead levels and revealed no differences between exposed and control tissues; measured values were close to the detection limit (2μg/g). Electrothermal atomic absorption spectrometry (ETAAS) was also used, which has a greater sensitivity, to quantify lead. There was ∼2.1μg/g lead in the NTS and ∼3.1μg/g lead in the HDA of exposed rats, and no lead in the control rats. There were greater lead levels in the HDA (∼50%) as compared with the NTS. Pathology studies revealed more prominent lead granules in the HDA as compared with the NTS. Increased microglia and astrocyte activation was also noted in the NTS of lead exposed rats as compared with the HDA. Regional differences in neuro-inflammatory responses likely contribute to heterogeneous lead accumulation, with enhanced clearance of lead in the NTS. Future studies will resolve the mechanisms underpinning tissue-specific lead accumulation.

An integration of undoped InOx and commercial ITO thin films into laboratory assembled light shutter devices is made. Accordingly, undoped transparent conductive InOx thin films, about 100 nm thick, are deposited by radiofrequency plasma enhanced reactive thermal evaporation (rf-PERTE) of indium teardrops with no intentional heating of the glass substrates. The process of deposition occurs at very low deposition rates (0.1–0.3 nm/s) to establish an optimized reaction between the oxygen plasma and the metal vapor. These films show the following main characteristics: transparency of 87% (wavelength, λ = 632.8 nm) and sheet resistance of 52 Ω/sq; while on commercial ITO films the transparency was of 92% and sheet resistance of 83 Ω/sq. The InOx thin film surface characterized by AFM shows a uniform grain texture with a root mean square surface roughness of Rq∼2.276 nm. In contrast, commercial ITO topography is characterized by two regions: one smoother with Rq∼0.973 nm and one with big grains (Rq∼3.617 nm). For the shutters assembled using commercial ITO, the light transmission coefficient (Tr) reaches the highest value (Trmax) of 89% and the lowest (Trmin) of 1.3% [13], while for the InOx shutters these values are 80.1% and 3.2%, respectively. Regarding the electric field required to achieve 90% of the maximum transmission in the ON state (Eon), the one presented by the devices assembled with commercial ITO coated glasses is 2.41 V/μm while the one presented by the devices assembled with InOx coated glasses is smaller, 1.77 V/μm. These results corroborate the device quality that depends on the base materials and fabrication process used.

{An integration of undoped InOx and commercial ITO thin films into laboratory assembled light shutter devices is made. Accordingly, undoped transparent conductive InOx thin films, about 100 nm thick, are deposited by radiofrequency plasma enhanced reactive thermal evaporation (rf-PERTE) of indium teardrops with no intentional heating of the glass substrates. The process of deposition occurs at very low deposition rates (0.1-0.3 nm/s) to establish an optimized reaction between the oxygen plasma and the metal vapor. These films show the following main characteristics: transparency of 87% (wavelength

Os protocolos de replicação parcial de dados apresentam um grande potencial de escalabilidade. O SCORe é um protocolo para replicação parcial proposto recentemente que faz uso de controlo de concorrência multi-versão. Neste artigo abordamos um dos problemas principais que afeta o desempenho deste tipo de protocolos: a localidade dos dados, i.e., pode-se dar o caso do nó local não ter uma cópia dos dados a que pretende aceder, e nesse caso é necessário realizar uma ou mais operações de leitura remota. Assim, a não ser que se empreguem técnicas para melhorar a localidade no acesso aos dados, o número de operações de leitura remota aumenta com o tamanho do sistema, acabando por afetar o desempenho do mesmo. Nesse sentido, introduzimos um mecanismo de caching que permite replicar cópias de dados remotos de maneira a que seja poss{\'ı}vel servir localmente dados remotos enquanto que se mantém a consistência dos mesmos e a escalabilidade oferecida pelo protocolo. Avaliamos o mecanismo de caching com um benchmark conhecido da literatura e os resultados experimentais mostram resultados animadores com algum aumento no desempenho do sistema e uma redução considerável da quantidade de operações de leitura remota.

cAMP signaling in the brain mediates several higher order neural processes. Hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated (HCN) channels directly bind cAMP through their cytoplasmic cyclic nucleotide binding domain (CNBD), thus playing a unique role in brain function. Neuronal HCN channels are also regulated by tetratricopeptide repeat-containing Rab8b interacting protein (TRIP8b), an auxiliary subunit that antagonizes the effects of cAMP by interacting with the channel CNBD. To unravel the molecular mechanisms underlying the dual regulation of HCN channel activity by cAMP/TRIP8b, we determined the NMR solution structure of the HCN2 channel CNBD in the cAMP-free form and mapped on it the TRIP8b interaction site. We reconstruct here the full conformational changes induced by cAMP binding to the HCN channel CNBD. Our results show that TRIP8b does not compete with cAMP for the same binding region; rather, it exerts its inhibitory action through an allosteric mechanism, preventing the cAMP-induced conformational changes in the HCN channel CNBD.

Solution processing has been recently considered as an option when trying to reduce the costs associated to deposition under vacuum. In this context most of the research efforts have been centered in the development of the semiconductors processes nevertheless the development of the most suitable dielectrics for oxide based transistors is as relevant as the semiconductor layer itself. In this work we explore the solution combustion synthesis and report on a completely new and green route for the preparation of amorphous aluminum oxide thin films; introducing water as solvent. Optimized dielectric layers were obtained for a water based precursor solution with 0.1 M concentration and demonstrated high capacitance, 625 nF cm-2 at 10 kHz, and a permittivity of 7.1. These thin films were successfully applied as gate dielectric in solution processed gallium-zinc-tin oxide (GZTO) thin film transistors (TFTs) yielding good electrical performance such as subthreshold slope of about 0.3 V dec-1 and mobility above 1.3 cm2 V-1 s-1.

Solution processing has been recently considered as an option when trying to reduce the costs associated with deposition under vacuum. In this context, most of the research efforts have been centered in the development of the semiconductors processes nevertheless the development of the most suitable dielectrics for oxide based transistors is as relevant as the semiconductor layer itself. In this work we explore the solution combustion synthesis and report on a completely new and green route for the preparation of amorphous aluminum oxide thin films; introducing water as solvent. Optimized dielectric layers were obtained for a water based precursor solution with 0.1 M concentration and demonstrated high capacitance, 625 nF cm(-2) at 10 kHz, and a permittivity of 7.1. These thin films were successfully applied as gate dielectric in solution processed gallium-zinc-tin oxide (GZTO) thin film transistors (TFTs) yielding good electrical performance such as subthreshold slope of about 0.3 V dec(-1) and mobility above 1.3 cm(2) V(-1) s(-1).

Trace elemental content was analysed in edible tissues of Mytilus galloprovincialis collected in five different sampling areas near the mouth of river Tagus estuary in Lisbon. The concentrations of essential elements (S, K, Ca, Fe, Cu, Zn, As, Br and Sr) were determined by energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence (EDXRF) spectrometry, while toxic elements (Cr, Cd, Hg, Se and Pb) were measured by inductively coupled plasma-atomic emission spectrometry (ICP-AES). The results show that the essential elements K and S are present at the highest concentrations in all the studied samples reaching 2,920 and 4,520 μg g(-1) (fresh weight), respectively. The highest levels of heavy metals found were in two areas close to the city for Pb and Cd, but below the maximum allowed values.

Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 98 + (2014) 132-149. doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2014.01.015

Cotton-based nanocrystalline cellulose (NCC), also known as nanopaper, one of the major sources of renewable materials, is a promising substrate and component for producing low cost fully recyclable flexible paper electronic devices and systems due to its properties (lightweight, stiffness, non-toxicity, transparency, low thermal expansion, gas impermeability and improved mechanical properties).Here, we have demonstrated for the first time a thin transparent nanopaper-based field effect transistor (FET) where NCC is simultaneously used as the substrate and as the gate dielectric layer in an 'interstrate' structure, since the device is built on both sides of the NCC films; while the active channel layer is based on oxide amorphous semiconductors, the gate electrode is based on a transparent conductive oxide.Such hybrid FETs present excellent operating characteristics such as high channel saturation mobility (>7 cm(2) V (-1) s(-1)), drain-source current on/off modulation ratio higher than 10(5), enhancement n-type operation and subthreshold gate voltage swing of 2.11 V/decade. The NCC film FET characteristics have been measured in air ambient conditions and present good stability, after two weeks of being processed, without any type of encapsulation or passivation layer. The results obtained are comparable to ones produced for conventional cellulose paper, marking this out as a promising approach for attaining high-performance disposable electronics such as paper displays, smart labels, smart packaging, RFID (radio-frequency identification) and point-of-care systems for self-analysis in bioscience applications, among others.

abstract Vermilion red, mercury sulphide (a-HgS), was one of the most important reds in art and its use as a pigment dates back to Antiquity. In medieval Europe, it could be mined as cinnabar, or produced as vermilion by heating mercury with sulphur. This work aims to study the production of synthetic vermilion as a medieval pigment and to confirm which was the source (mineral or artificial) of the reds used in Portuguese medieval illuminations. The production of synthetic vermilion was based on the process described in the Judaeo-Portuguese medieval treatise “The book on how to make colours”, using materials and technologies as close as possible to the medieval ones. The reaction mechanism was studied by following the heating process by X-ray diffraction, and it was possible to conclude that the transformation from black cubic b-HgS into red hexagonal a-HgS is a solid-state phase transition, occurring at 235 ?C. This result is contrary to what published in technical art literature, in which this process is described as a sublimation. Moreover, Scanning Electron Microscopy evidenced a sinterization effect on the artificial vermilion, not found in medieval original samples nor in paints prepared with mineral cinnabar from Almadén (Spain). Red mercury sulphide, natural and synthetic,was then prepared as a parchment-glue paint and compared to proteinaceous red paints from 12the13th century minia- tures produced in important medieval monasteries, previously fully characterized by a multi-analytical approach (m-Energy dispersive X-ray fluorescence, m-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, Raman microscopy). A comparative Electron probe microanalysis of the red paints point to amineral provenance for medieval vermilion found in Portuguese illuminations

The wind energy production is a growing industry and the energy produced is renewable and environmentally cleaner than most of the energy production systems. The supports of the wind energy generators may be built with precast concrete elements. The precast solutions for these structures are competitive in comparison to other structural systems. The evolution of the technology for wind energy production shows a clear need for larger wind turbines and longer blades and, consequently, taller towers. The experience also shows that precast concrete solutions increase their competitiveness as the tower height increases. Offshore wind farms have some advantages in relation to onshore ones, which explains recent investments in this area. Also in this case, the durability of concrete in the sea when compared to steel, gives advantages to precast concrete in relation to other structural solutions. This paper shows the evolution of the supports of the wind energy generators and the advantages of the use of precast concrete towers.

Radiation Physics and Chemistry, 98 + (2014) 132-149. doi:10.1016/j.radphyschem.2014.01.015

The orange protein (ORP) isolated from the sulfate-reducing bacterium Desulfovibrio gigas (11.8 kDa) contains a mixed-metal sulfide cluster of the type [S2MoS2CuS2MoS2](3-) noncovalently bound to the polypeptide chain. The D. gigas ORP was heterologously produced in Escherichia coli in the apo form. Different strategies were used to reconstitute the metal cluster into apo-ORP and obtain insights into the metal cluster synthesis: (1) incorporation of a synthesized inorganic analogue of the native metal cluster and (2) the in situ synthesis of the metal cluster on the addition to apo-ORP of copper chloride and tetrathiomolybdate or tetrathiotungstate. This latter procedure was successful, and the visible spectrum of the Mo-Cu reconstituted ORP is identical to the one reported for the native protein with absorption maxima at 340 and 480 nm. The (1)H-(15)N heteronuclear single quantum coherence spectra of the reconstituted ORP obtained by strategy 2, in contrast to strategy 1, exhibited large changes, which required sequential assignment in order to identify, by chemical shift differences, the residues affected by the incorporation of the cluster, which is stabilized inside the protein by both electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions.