Dual-color control of nucleotide polymerization sensed by a fluorescence actuator - Reimao-Pinto, Madalena M.; Ana Cordeiro; Carina Almeida; Pinheiro, Andre V.; Artur Moro; Lima, Joao C.; Pedro V. Baptista (Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 2014)
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Moro, Artur/C-6689-2013; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Baptista, Pedro/A-1237-2009; Lima, Joao Carlos/K-2890-2014 Moro, Artur/0000-0003-3285-4919; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Baptista, Pedro/0000-0001-5255-7095; 0

Enhanced contrast efficiency in MRI by PEGylated magnetoliposomes loaded with PEGylated SPION: effect of SPION coating and micro-environment - Carvalho, A.; Martins, M. B.; Corvo, M. L.; Feio, G. (Mater Sci Eng C Mater Biol Appl, 2014)
Magnetic core coatings modify the efficiency of nanoparticles used as contrast agents for MRI. In studies of these phenomena, care should be given to take into account possible effects of the specific micro-environment where coated nanoparticles are embedded. In the present work, the longitudinal and transverse relaxivities of superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles stabilized with short-chain polyethylene glycol molecules (PEGylated SPIONs) were measured in a 7T magnetic field. PEGylated SPIONs with two different diameters (5 and 10nm) were studied. Two different PEGylated magnetoliposomes having liposome bilayer membranes composed of egg-phosphatidylcholine, cholesterol and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycerol-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy PEG-2000] were also studied for their relaxivities, after being loaded with the PEGylated SPION of 5 or 10nm. This type of liposomes is known to have long residence time in bloodstream that leads to an attractive option for therapeutic applications. The influence of the magnetic core coating on the efficiency of the nanosystem as a negative contrast agent for MRI was then compared to the cumulative effect of the coating plus the specific micro-environment components. As a result, it was found that the PEGylated magnetoliposomes present a 4-fold higher efficiency as negative contrast agents for MRI than the PEGylated SPION.
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Keywords: *Contrast Media *Liposomes *Magnetic Resonance Imaging Magnetics Polyethylene Glycols/*chemistry Contrast agents Mri Magnetoliposomes Relaxivities Spion

Exosome in Tumour Microenvironment: Overview of the Crosstalk between Normal and Cancer Cells - Catarina Roma-Rodrigues; Fernandes, Maria Alexandra Núncio de Carvalho Ramos; Pedro Baptista (BioMed Research International, 2014)
Cancer development is amultistep process in which exosomes play important roles. Exosomes are small vesicles formed in vesicular bodies in the endosomal network. The major role of exosomes seems to be the transport of bioactive molecules between cells. Depending on the cell of origin, exosomes are implicated in the regulation of several cellular events, with phenotypic consequences in recipient cells. Cancer derived exosomes (CCEs) are important players in the formation of the tumour microenvironment by (i) enabling the escape of tumour cells to immunological system and help initiating the inflammatory response; (ii) acting in the differentiation of fibroblasts and mesenchymal cells into myofibroblasts; (iii) triggering the angiogenic process; and (iv) enhancing the metastatic evolution of the tumour by promoting epithelial to mesenchymal transformation of tumour cells and by preparing the tumour niche in the new anatomical location. Since the finding that exosomes content resembles that of the cell of origin, they may be regarded as suitable biomarkers for cancer diagnosis, allowing for diagnosis and prognosis via a minimal invasive procedure. Exosome involvement in cancer may open new avenues regarding therapeutics, such as vectors for targeted drug delivery.
Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for CIGMHP Est-OE/SAU/UI0009/2014# Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for CIGMH PTDC/BBB-NAN/1812/2012# Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for CIGMH PTDC/CVT-EPI/4651/2012.
Keywords: BIOGENESIS; DELIVERY; INTERCELLULAR-COMMUNICATION; MEMBRANE; MESENCHYMAL STEM-CELLS; microRNAs; OVARIAN-CANCER; SECRETION; STROMA; VESICLES

Flavylium Network of Chemical Reactions in Confined Media: Modulation of 3 ',4 ',7-Trihydroxyflavilium Reactions by Host-Guest Interactions with Cucurbit 7 uril - Basilio, Nuno; Pina, Fernando (Chemphyschem, 2014)
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Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848 2

Formation of Photoluminescent Lead Bromide Nanoparticles on Aluminoborosilicate Glass - Ruivo, Andreia; Andrade, Suzana M.; Rocha, Joao; Laia, Cesar A. T.; Pina, Fernando (Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2014)
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Ruivo, Andreia/C-7031-2013; Rocha, Joao/A-2486-2010; Laia, Cesar/I-6280-2013; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Rocha, Joao/0000-0002-0417-9402; Laia, Cesar/0000-0001-6410-6072; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Ruivo, Andreia/0000-0003-3360-724X 0

Gold Nanoparticles as (Bio)Chemical Sensors - Peixoto de Almeida, Miguel; Eulália Pereira; Pedro Baptista; Inês Gomes; Sara Figueiredo; Leonor Soares; Ricardo Franco (Comprehensive Analytical Chemistry, 2014)
This chapter focuses on several sensing strategies and major recent advances in the use of gold nanoparticles in (bio)sensing of chemical and biological analytes. A brief introduction is presented on relevant properties of gold nanoparticles for sensing, the main types of (bio)chemical sensors, and the main detection techniques, followed by subsections according to sensing methodologies. These include colorimetric sensing and the biobarcode assay, fluorometric-based methods, electric and electrochemical sensing, and, last, more recent and advanced methodologies such as surface plasmon resonance and Raman-based sensors. In closing, relevance is given to advanced methods, featuring extremely high sensitivity and selectivity, down to single-molecule detection. Anisotropic gold nanoparticles have a special role in future developments.
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Keywords: (Bio)chemical sensor; Anisotropic nanoparticles; Bioassay; DNA; Gold nanoparticles; Immunoassay

Grape anthocyanin oligomerization: A putative mechanism for red color stabilization? - Oliveira, Joana; Bras, Natercia F.; da Silva, Mara Alhinho; Mateus, Nuno; A. Jorge Parola; de Freitas, Victor (Phytochemistry, 2014)
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Oliveira, Joana/G-8108-2012; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010; Bras, Natercia/D-5493-2013 Oliveira, Joana/0000-0002-9996-1463; Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; Bras, Natercia/0000-0002-3130-9807 2

Highlights of metal ion-based photochemical switches - Bianchi, Antonio; Delgado-Pinar, Estefania; Garcia-Espana, Enrique; Giorgi, Claudia; Pina, Fernando (Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2014)
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Times Cited: 0 Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848 0

Highlights of metal ion-based photochemical switches - Bianchi, Antonio; Delgado-Pinar, Estefania; Garcia-Espana, Enrique; Giorgi, Claudia; Pina, Fernando (Coordination Chemistry Reviews, 2014)
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icmol, icmol/I-5784-2015; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848 10

Inhibition of LOX by flavonoids: a structure-activity relationship study. - Ribeiro, D; Freitas, M; Tomé, SM; Silva, AM; Porto, G; E. J. Cabrita; M.M. Marques; Fernandes, E (European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 2014)
The lipoxygenase (LOX) products have been identified as mediators of a series of inflammatory diseases, namely rheumatoid arthritis, inflammatory bowel disease, psoriasis, allergic rhinitis, atherosclerosis and certain types of cancer. Hence, LOX inhibitors are of interest for the modulation of these phenomena and resolution of the inflammatory processes. During LOX activity, peroxyl radical complexes are part of the reaction and may function as sources of free radicals. Thus antioxidants, such as flavonoids, capable of inhibiting lipid peroxidation and scavenging free radicals, may act as LOX inhibitors. The aim of this work was to assess the structure–activity relationship among a series of flavonoids concerning 5-LOX inhibition, through a systematic study of the inhibition of the formation of LTB4 in human neutrophils. The type of inhibition of the flavonoids was further studied using soybean LOX, type I, and Saturation Transfer Difference 1H NMR (STD-1H NMR) was used to characterize the binding epitopes of the compounds to LOX-1. The obtained results reinforce flavonoids as effective inhibitors of LTB4 production in human neutrophils. It was also possible to establish a structure/activity relationship for the inhibitory activity and the type of inhibition.
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Integrated desulfurization of diesel by combination of metal-free oxidation and product removal by molecularly imprinted polymers - Ferreira, Joana P.; Raquel Viveiros; Lourenco, Anita; Mara Soares da Silva; Rosatella, Andreia; Casimiro, Teresa; Afonso, Carlos A. M. (RSC Adv., 2014)
The production of ultra-low-sulfur diesel is an important worldwide demand. In this work a novel integrated method for desulfurization of diesel is proposed based on the combination of Bronsted acid catalyzed oxidation and the selective removal of the oxidized products using a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) produced in supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2). The biphasic oxidation reaction of dibenzothiophene sulfone (DBT){,} as model substrate{,} and H2O2 as oxidant{,} was optimized by testing different acid catalysts{,} and also different phase transfer catalysts (PTC){,} including two different ionic liquids (ILs) trihexyl(tetradecyl)phosphoniumchloride [P6{,}6{,}6{,}14]Cl and Aliquat[registered sign]. The products of the efficient oxidation of DBT{,} dibenzothiophene sulfoxide (DBTSO) and dibenzothiophene sulfone (DBTSO2){,} were then selectively removed from real diesel using the MIP.
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Ionic Liquids in Pharmaceutical Applications - Marrucho, I. M.; Branco, L. C.; Rebelo, L. P. N. (Annual Review of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Vol 5, 2014)
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Branco, Luis/C-6426-2013; Branco, Luis/0000-0003-2520-1151; Rebelo, Luis Paulo/0000-0002-5247-2443; Marrucho, Isabel/0000-0002-8733-1958 1947-5438

Isolation, analytical quantification and seasonal variation of labdanolic acid from the Portuguese-grown Cistus ladaniferus - André N.C. Martins; Svilen P. Simeonov; Luís M.T. Frija; Raquel Viveiros; Lourenço, Anita; Mara Soares da Silva; Casimiro, Teresa; Afonso, Carlos A. M. (Industrial Crops and Products, 2014)
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Keywords: Benzylation reaction; Labdanolic acid; Molecular imprinted polymers; Non-imprinted polymers

Magnetically recyclable magnetite-palladium (Nanocat-Fe-Pd) nanocatalyst for the Buchwald-Hartwig reaction - Sa, Sofia; Gawande, Manoj B; Velhinho, Alexandre; Veiga, Joao Pedro; Bundaleski, Nenad; Trigueiro, Joao; Tolstogouzov, Alexander; Teodoro, Orlando M N D; Zboril, Radek; Varma, Rajender S.; Branco, Paula S. (GREEN CHEMISTRY, 2014)
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Mass transfer in reverse electrodialysis: Flow entrance effects and diffusion boundary layer thickness - Sylwin Pawlowski; Philippe Sistat; João G. Crespo; Velizarov, Svetlozar (Journal of Membrane Science, 2014)
Power generation by reverse electrodialysis (RED) depends on ionic mass transfer through alternately arranged cation- and anion-exchange membranes. Chronopotentiometric measurements were carried out in an EDR-Z Mini stack (MEGA a.s.), equipped with Ralex heterogeneous membranes, separated by either sheet flow spacers or mesh-free gaskets. Various concentrations of model NaCl solutions were used to study the ohmic and non-ohmic resistances in the stack under different hydrodynamic conditions. In order to eliminate the uncertainties associated with a non-uniform distribution of the applied current over the membrane surface, the relaxation zone of the obtained chronopotentiograms was used to estimate the diffusion boundary layer thickness. It was found that this approach provide more accurate data under RED operating conditions, which are strongly influenced by entrance effects on mass transfer, especially for a spacer-free channel configuration. For shorter flow channels, since the salt concentration profile across the diffusion boundary layer is not yet fully developed, more power can be obtained than in the case of longer channels. The presence of spacers was found to reduce the boundary layer thickness, but also increased the ohmic resistance, due to their shadow effect over the membrane surface. The description of the impact of flow entrance effects on mass transfer, and therefore on diffusion boundary layer thickness, can be useful for characterization and further design and/or optimization of RED stacks performance.
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Keywords: Chronopotentiometry; Diffusion boundary layer (DBL) thickness; Flow entrance effects; Reverse electrodialysis (RED); Salinity gradient energy

Molecular mobility, composition and structure analysis in glycerol plasticised chitosan films - Fundo, J. F.; Fernandes, R.; Almeida, P. M.; Carvalho, A.; Feio, G.; Silva, C. L.; Quintas, M. A. (Food Chem, 2014)
This study was developed with the purpose to investigate the effect of polysaccharide/plasticiser concentration on the microstructure and molecular dynamics of polymeric film systems, using transmission electron microscope imaging (TEM) and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) techniques. Experiments were carried out in chitosan/glycerol films prepared with solutions of different composition. The films obtained after drying and equilibration were characterised in terms of composition, thickness and water activity. Results show that glycerol quantities used in film forming solutions were responsible for films composition; while polymer/total plasticiser ratio in the solution determined the thickness (and thus structure) of the films. These results were confirmed by TEM. NMR allowed understanding the films molecular rearrangement. Two different behaviours for the two components analysed, water and glycerol were observed: the first is predominantly moving free in the matrix, while glycerol is mainly bounded to the chitosan chain.
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Keywords: Chitosan/*chemistry Food Packaging/*instrumentation Glycerol/*chemistry Plasticizers/*chemistry Water/analysis Edible films Microstructure Molecular dynamics Nmr Structure-function Water behaviour

Molecular recognition of aliphatic amines by luminescent Zn-porphyrins - Oriol Penon; Artur J. Moro; Davide Santucci; David B. Amabilino; Lima, Joao Carlos; Perez-Garcia, Lluisa; Rodriguez, Laura (Inorganica Chimica Acta, 2014)
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Lima, Joao Carlos/K-2890-2014; Penon, Oriol/C-9707-2014; Perez-Garcia, Lluisa/H-4384-2013; Amabilino, David/D-4671-2012; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Rodriguez, Laura/A-4169-2011; Moro, Artur/C-6689-2013 Penon, Oriol/0000-0003-0811-9631; Perez-Garcia, Lluisa/0000-0003-2031-4405; Amabilino, David/0000-0003-1674-8462; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Rodriguez, Laura/0000-0003-1289-1587; Moro, Artur/0000-0003-3285-4919 0

A Multistate pH-Triggered Nonlinear Optical Switch - Castet, Frederic; Champagne, Benoit; Pina, Fernando; Rodriguez, Vincent (Chemphyschem, 2014)
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Rodriguez, Vincent/B-9163-2008; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Rodriguez, Vincent/0000-0001-6804-9757; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848 2

New insights on vanadium binding to human serum transferrin - João Costa Pessoa; Gisela Gonçalves; Roy, Somnath; Isabel Correia; Mehtab, Sameena; Santos, Marino F. A.; Santos-Silva, Teresa (Inorganica Chimica Acta, 2014)
Abstract The knowledge on the binding of vanadium ions and complexes to serum proteins and how vanadium might be transported in blood and up-taken by cells has received much attention during the last decade, particularly as far as the transport of VIVO2+ is concerned. In this work we revise and discuss some relevant aspects of previous research, namely the two main types of binding proposed for transport of VIVO(carrier)2 complexes. New results, obtained by circular dichroism (CD), \{EPR\} and gel electrophoresis, regarding the binding of vanadium to hTF in the oxidation states +5 and +3 are also presented. Namely, evidences for the binding of VV-species to diferric-transferrin, designated by (FeIII)2hTF, as well as to (AlIII)2hTF, are presented and discussed, the possibility of up-take of vanadate by cells through (FeIII)2hTF endocytosis being suggested. It is also confirmed that \{VIII\} binds strongly to hTF, forming di-vanadium(III)-transferrin, designated by (VIII)2hTF, and gel electrophoresis experiments indicate that (VIII)2hTF corresponds to a ‘closed conformation’ similar to (FeIII)2hTF.
Recent Advances in Vanadium Chemistry Special Issue
Keywords: Vanadium(III)-transferrin

New long circulating magnetoliposomes as contrast agents for detection of ischemia-reperfusion injuries by MRI - Martins, M. B.; Corvo, M. L.; Marcelino, P.; Marinho, H. S.; Feio, G.; Carvalho, A. (Nanomedicine, 2014)
New long circulating magnetoliposomes coated with polyethylene glycol (PEG), and loaded with PEG-coated 10nm superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (SPION), were developed. The magnetoliposomes relaxivities r1, r2 measured in a magnetic field of 7 T showed a minor effect on T1, but a major effect on T2. These nanosystems were used as a negative contrast agent for MRI in a nonclinical study to visualize, in a rat model of liver ischemia, ischemia-reperfusion injuries. Magnetic resonance micro-images (MRM) at 7 T were obtained for rat liver with and without magnetoliposomes administration and analyzed in comparison with liver biomarkers and histological results. These new long circulating magnetoliposomes enhanced the detection of lesions indicating their potential use as efficient MRI negative contrast agent for the detection of liver ischemia-reperfusion injuries. FROM THE CLINICAL EDITOR: This paper describes the generation of PEGylated magnetoliposomes and demonstrates their feasibility as negative contrast agents in a liver ischemia-reperfusion rat model.
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Keywords: Animals Contrast Media Ferric Compounds/chemistry Humans Liposomes/*administration & dosage/chemistry Liver/pathology/radiography *Magnetic Resonance Angiography Magnetite Nanoparticles/chemistry Polyethylene Glycols/chemistry Rats Reperfusion Injury/*dia

Novel Bipyridinium Ionic Liquids as Liquid Electrochromic Devices - Jordao, Noemi; Cabrita, Luis; Pina, Fernando; Branco, Luis C. (Chemistry-a European Journal, 2014)
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Cabrita, Luis/A-7290-2010; Jordao, Noemi/C-6742-2013; Branco, Luis/C-6426-2013; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Cabrita, Luis/0000-0002-3614-9806; Jordao, Noemi/0000-0001-9769-1976; Branco, Luis/0000-0003-2520-1151; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848 3

Novel organic salts based on fluoroquinolone drugs: Synthesis, bioavailability and toxicological profiles - Florindo, Catarina; Costa, Alexandra; Matos, Carla; Nunes, Sara L.; Matias, Ana N.; Duarte, Catarina M. M.; Rebelo, Luis Paulo N.; Branco, Luis C.; Marrucho, Isabel M. (International Journal of Pharmaceutics, 2014)
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Florindo, Catarina/K-9325-2014; Branco, Luis/C-6426-2013; Florindo, Catarina/0000-0002-1732-6643; Branco, Luis/0000-0003-2520-1151; Duarte, Catarina/0000-0002-4633-5979; Matos, Carla/0000-0003-0617-3538; Rebelo, Luis Paulo/0000-0002-5247-2443; Marrucho, Isabel/0000-0002-8733-1958 2

Novel polyoxometalate silica nano-sized spheres: efficient catalysts for olefin oxidation and the deep desulfurization process - Nogueira, L. S.; Ribeiro, S.; Granadeiro, C. M.; Pereira, E.; Feio, G.; Cunha-Silva, L.; Balula, S. S. (Dalton Trans, 2014)
A novel method to prepare silica nano-sized particles incorporating polyoxometalates was developed leading to a new efficient heterogeneous oxidative catalyst. Zinc-substituted polyoxotungstate [PW11Zn(H2O)O39](5-) (PW11Zn) was encapsulated into silica nanoparticles using a cross-linked organic-inorganic core, performed through successive spontaneous reactions in water. The potassium salt of PW11Zn and the composite formed, PW11Zn-APTES@SiO2, were characterized by a myriad of solid-state methods such as FT-IR, FT-Raman, (31)P and (13)C CP/MAS solid-state NMR, elemental analysis and SEM-EDS, confirming the integrity of the PW11Zn structure immobilized in the silica nanoparticles. The new composite has shown to be a versatile catalyst for the oxidation of olefins and also to catalyze the desulfurization of a model oil using H2O2 as the oxidant and acetonitrile as the solvent. The novel composite material was capable of being recycled without significant loss of activity and maintaining its structural stability for consecutive desulfurization and olefin oxidative cycles.
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On the thermal degradation of anthocyanidins: cyanidin - Cabrita, Luis; Vesselin Petrov; Pina, Fernando (Rsc Advances, 2014)
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Cabrita, Luis/A-7290-2010; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Cabrita, Luis/0000-0002-3614-9806; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Petrov, Vesselin/0000-0003-4503-4602 2

Organisational challenges of human-robot interaction systems in industry: human resources implications - António Brandão Moniz (Human Resource Management and Technological Challenges, 2014)
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Organocatalysis with Chiral Ionic Liquids - Zalewska, Karolina; Branco, Luis C. (Mini-Reviews in Organic Chemistry, 2014)
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Branco, Luis/C-6426-2013; Branco, Luis/0000-0003-2520-1151; Zalewska, Karolina/0000-0003-1775-4274 1

Photochromism of the complex between 4'-(2-hydroxyethoxy)-7-hydroxyflavylium and beta-cyclodextrin, studied by H-1 NMR, UV-Vis, continuous irradiation and circular dichroism - Gago, Sandra; Basilio, Nuno; Fernandes, Ana; Freitas, Victor; Quintas, Alexandre; Pina, Fernando (Dyes and Pigments, 2014)
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Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Gago, Sandra/H-5413-2012 Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848; Gago, Sandra/0000-0003-0221-8508 Si 1

Photochromism of the natural dye 7,4 '-dihydroxy-5-methoxyflavylium (dracoflavylium) in the presence of (2-hydroxypropyl)-beta-cyclodextrin - Lopes-Costa, Tania; Basilio, Nuno; Pedrosa, Jose M.; Pina, Fernando (Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 2014)
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Basilio, Nuno/F-2389-2012; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Basilio, Nuno/0000-0002-0121-3695; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848 1

Polyurea dendrimer for efficient cytosolic siRNA delivery - Restani, Rita B.; João Conde; Baptista, Pedro V; Cidade, Maria Teresa; Bragança, Ana M.; Morgado, Jorge; Correia, Ilídio J.; Aguiar-Ricardo, Ana; Bonifácio, Vasco D. B. (RSC Advances, 2014)
The design of small interfering RNA (siRNA) delivery materials showing efficacy in vivo is at the forefront of nanotherapeutics research. Polyurea (PURE-type) dendrimers are 'smart' biocompatible 3D polymers that unveil a dynamic and elegant back-folding mechanism involving hydrogen bonding between primary amines at the surface and tertiary amines and ureas at the core. Similarly, to a biological proton pump, they are able to automatically and reversibly transform their conformation in response to pH stimulus. Here, we show that PURE-G4 is a useful gene silencing platform showing no cellular toxicity. As a proof of concept we investigated the PURE-G4-siRNA dendriplex, which was shown to be an attractive platform with high transfection efficacy. The simplicity associated with the complexation of siRNA with polyurea dendrimers makes them a powerful tool for efficient cytosolic siRNA delivery.
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/COMPETE/132964/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/COMPETE/132972/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/116097/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/127178/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/99452/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/SFRH/SFRH%2FBD%2F66858%2F2009/PT# PEst-OE/SAU/UI0009/2013 SFRH/BD/62957/2009

Pressure drop in reverse electrodialysis: Experimental and modeling studies for stacks with variable number of cell pairs - Sylwin Pawlowski; João G. Crespo; Velizarov, Svetlozar (Journal of Membrane Science, 2014)
Reverse electrodialysis (RED) is a sustainable technology for salinity gradient energy harvesting. In order to make the process economically competitive, it is desirable to operate it at the highest possible net power density, which depends on the RED stack geometry and on the pressure drop along its pathways and, thus, on the energy spent for solutions pumping. The fluid flow in RED stacks generally occurs in rectangular compartment channels, equipped with spacers. The effects of spacers design and properties have been studied extensively in recent years. However, the other possible causes for a RED stack and their relative impact on the process performance have not yet been systematically studied. In this study the partial pressure drops in (1) distribution ducts, (2) branches, (3) beams, (4) due to sudden section expansion between the beam and the compartment channel and (5) in the compartment channel were taken into consideration. A model for the total pressure drop inside a RED stack, with a parallel fluid flow distribution through the compartments, is proposed and experimentally validated for lab-scale RED stacks with sheet flow spacers and compared with an open channel (spacer-free) design. The importance of each partial pressure drop was then evaluated quantitatively through model simulations for industrial-scale stacks with an increasing number of cell pairs. It was found that the net power density decreases when the cell-pair number increases, since the partial pressure drop in the branches becomes dominant. Moreover, the possible reasons for a non-uniform fluid flow distribution are discussed, thus making the proposed model useful for planning and/or optimization of RED stacks design.
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Keywords: Cell-pair number; Net power density; Pressure drop; Reverse electrodialysis (RED); Salinity gradient energy

A promising road with challenges: where are gold nanoparticles in translational research? - Chenchen Bao; João Conde; Ester Polo; {del Pino}, Pablo; Moros, Maria; Pedro Baptista; Valeria Grazu; Daxiang Cui; {de la Fuente}, Jesus M. (Nanomedicine, 2014)
Nanoenabled technology holds great potential for health issues and biological research. Among the numerous inorganic nanoparticles that are available today, gold nanoparticles are fully developed as therapeutic and diagnostic agents both in vitro and in vivo due to their physicochemical properties. Owing to this, substantial work has been conducted in terms of developing biosensors for noninvasive and targeted tumor diagnosis and treatment. Some studies have even expanded into clinical trials. This article focuses on the fundamentals and synthesis of gold nanoparticles, as well as the latest, most promising applications in cancer research, such as molecular diagnostics, immunosensors, surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and bioimaging. Challenges to their further translational development are also discussed.
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/626386/EU# National Key Basic Research Program (973 Project; no. 2010CB933901) National Natural Scientific Fund (no. 81225010) 863 project of China (2012AA022703 and 2014AA020700) Shanghai Science and Technology Fund (no. 13NM1401500 and 11nm0504200) Shanghai 1000 People Plan, MAT2011-26851-C02-01 Sem PDF conforme despacho.
Keywords: biomedical diagnostics; Colorimetric detection; COMPUTED-TOMOGRAPHY; Contrast agent; GENOMIC DNA; Gold nanoparticles; IMAGING-SYSTEM; IN-VIVO; Metal Nanoparticles; Nanomedicine; OPTICAL-DETECTION; photothermal therapy; SURFACE-PLASMON RESONANCE; translational research

Proton NMR relaxation study of molecular dynamics of chromonic liquid crystal Edicol Sunset Yellow - Cachitas, H.; Sebastiao, P. J.; Feio, G.; Chavez, F. V. (Liquid Crystals, 2014)
Proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H-1 NMR) relaxometry, over about five decades in Larmor frequency, and pulsed field gradient NMR were used to study the molecular dynamics in the chromonic nematic and isotropic phases of stacked molecules of the binary mixture composed by Edicol Sunset Yellow (ESY) and deuterated water. Our results evidence that in both phases collective motions are responsible for the spin-lattice relaxation dispersion in the Larmor frequency range below 1 MHz. In the nematic phase, the collective motion are attributed to columnar undulations within the stacked molecules, while, in the isotropic phase, the results are explained by local order fluctuations due to the formation of the stacks. The high frequency dispersion was explained by individual molecular motions like rotations around and perpendicular to the stack axis, and also self-diffusion.
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Keywords: nmr relaxation chromonics dynamics sunset yellow nuclear-magnetic-resonance spin-relaxation director fluctuations columnar mesophase diffusion orientation system water

Protonation, coordination chemistry, cyanometallate "supercomplex" formation and fluorescence chemosensing properties of a bis(2,2 '-bipyridino)cyclophane receptor - Gago, Sandra; Gonzalez, Jorge; Blasco, Salvador; A. Jorge Parola; Albelda, MT; Garcia-Espana, Enrique; Pina, Fernando (Dalton Transactions, 2014)
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Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010; Albelda, M. Teresa/J-5929-2012; Gago, Sandra/H-5413-2012; icmol, icmol/I-5784-2015; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; Gago, Sandra/0000-0003-0221-8508; Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848 2

Reborn water-soluble CdTe quantum dots - Lourenço, Anita; Casimiro, Teresa; Vasco D.B. Bonifácio (Talanta, 2014)
Abstract Recovery of fully aggregated water-soluble CdTe quantum dots was achieved by simple treatment with a strong base. A deprotonation-triggered disaggregation is postulated to be the main mechanism involved in the quantum dots “reborn” process.
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Keywords: Bioimaging

Revisiting 30 years of biofunctionalization and surface chemistry of inorganic nanoparticles for nanomedicine - João Conde; Dias, Jorge T.; Valeria Grazu; Moros, Maria; Pedro Baptista; {de la Fuente}, Jesus M. (Frontiers in Chemistry, 2014)
In the last 30 years we have assisted to a massive advance of nanomaterials in material science. Nanomaterials and structures, in addition to their small size, have properties that differ from those of larger bulk materials, making them ideal for a host of novel applications. The spread of nanotechnology in the last years has been due to the improvement of synthesis and characterization methods on the nanoscale, a field rich in new physical phenomena and synthetic opportunities. In fact, the development of functional nanoparticles has progressed exponentially over the past two decades. This work aims to extensively review 30 years of different strategies of surface modification and functionalization of noble metal (gold) nanoparticles, magnetic nanocrystals and semiconductor nanoparticles, such as quantum dots. The aim of this review is not only to provide in-depth insights into the different biofunctionalization and characterization methods, but also to give an overview of possibilities and limitations of the available nanoparticles.
info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/EC/FP7/239931/EU# FP7-PEOPLE-2013-IOF, Project no. 626386 PEst-OE/SAU/U10009/2011-14 MAT2011-26851-C02-01
Keywords: biofunctionalization; chemistry surface; Gold nanoparticles; Magnetic nanoparticles; Quantum dots

The role of endogenous and exogenous FTA in the European High-Speed Railway Innovation System: CTA as the next step? - Moretto, S.; António Moniz; Robinson, D. (5th JRC “Future-oriented technology analysis" (FTA) conference, 2014)
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Screening and quantification of proteinaceous binders in medieval paints based on mu-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and multivariate curve resolution alternating least squares - Mas, Silvia; Miguel, Catarina; Melo, Maria Joao; Lopes, Joao A.; de Juan, Anna (Chemometrics and Intelligent Laboratory Systems, 2014)
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Lopes, Joao/H-1733-2011; Melo, Maria Joao/C-8594-2011; iMed.ULisboa, iMed.ULisboa/C-6292-2014; iMed.ULisboa, InTraCellADD /B-4826-2014; Lopes, Joao/0000-0002-1657-344X; Melo, Maria Joao/0000-0001-7393-6801; de Juan, Anna/0000-0002-6662-2019 8th Colloquium on Chemiometricum Mediterraneum (CCM) Jun 30-jul 04, 2013 Bevagna, ITALY 3

A Spectroscopic Study of Brazilwood Paints in Medieval Books of Hours - Melo, Maria Joao; Otero, Vanessa; Vitorino, Tatiana; Araujo, Rita; Muralha, Vania S. F.; Lemos, Ana; Picollo, Marcello (Applied Spectroscopy, 2014)
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Muralha, Vania/C-7018-2013; Melo, Maria Joao/C-8594-2011 Muralha, Vania/0000-0001-5488-9069; Melo, Maria Joao/0000-0001-7393-6801 2

Star-shaped magnetite@gold nanoparticles for protein magnetic separation and SERS detection - Pedro Quaresma; Inês Osório; Gonçalo Dória; Carvalho, Patrícia A.; André Pereira; Judith Langer; Araújo, João Pedro; Pastoriza-Santos, Isabel; Liz-Marzán, Luis M.; Ricardo Franco; Pedro Baptista; Eulália Pereira (RSC Advances, 2014)
A novel synthetic methodology for star shaped gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles is reported. The coating is performed in two steps: formation of gold nuclei at the surface of magnetite nanoparticles followed by growth of the gold nuclei into a complete star shaped shell. The star-shaped gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles thus obtained preserve the magnetic properties of the precursor magnetite nanoparticles, e. g. they can be easily separated with a magnet. In addition, the gold coating provides interesting optical properties while simultaneously allowing for biofunctionalization that may be advantageous for biological applications, such as (bio)detection via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). As a proof-of-concept, a capping agent terminated with a nickel(II)-nitrilotriacetate group showing high affinity for histidine was used to modify the surface of the nanoparticles. The resulting star-shaped nanoparticles were used to selectively capture histidine-tagged maltose-binding protein from a crude cell extract. Finally, the performance of star shaped gold-coated magnetic nanoparticles as SERS platforms was demonstrated through the detection of Raman active dye (Astra Blue).
WOS:000329040500001
Keywords: BIOLOGICAL APPLICATIONS; BIOMEDICAL APPLICATIONS; ENHANCED RAMAN-SCATTERING; HISTIDINE-TAGGED PROTEINS; IRON-OXIDE NANOPARTICLES; MAGHEMITE; NANOSTARS; SHELL NANOPARTICLES; SIZE; SURFACE

Structural Data on the Periplasmic Aldehyde Oxidoreductase PaoABC from Escherichia coli: SAXS and Preliminary X-ray Crystallography Analysis - Otrelo-Cardoso, Ana Rita; da Silva Correia, Marcia Alexandra; Schwuchow, Viola; Svergun, Dmitri I.; Romao, Maria Joao; Leimkuehler, Silke; Santos-Silva, Teresa (International Journal of Molecular Sciences, 2014)
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Supercritical CO2-assisted synthesis of an ultrasensitive amphibious quantum dot-molecularly imprinted sensor - Lourenco, A.; Viveiros, R.; Mouro, A.; J. C. Lima; Bonifacio, V. D. B.; T. Casimiro (RSC Adv., 2014)
Molecularly imprinted polymers are simple and robust materials for the selective binding of analytes with affinities and selectivities similar to biological probes. A green supercritical CO2-assisted molecular imprinting protocol enabled the production of smart sensory particles{,} incorporating quantum dots{,} with molecular recognition to bisphenol A at very low concentrations (4 nM). The protocol uses amphibious vinyl-coated quantum dots and enables the design of sensors for a wide range of molecules through a simple{,} low cost and clean technology.
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Supercritical CO2-assisted synthesis of an ultrasensitive amphibious quantum dot-molecularly imprinted sensor - Lourenco, A.; Viveiros, R.; Mouro, A.; J. C. Lima; Bonifacio, V. D. B.; T. Casimiro (Rsc Advances, 2014)
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Bonifacio, Vasco/A-8653-2008; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Casimiro, Teresa/D-2365-2013; Moro, Artur/C-6689-2013; Viveiros, Raquel/O-3129-2015 Bonifacio, Vasco/0000-0003-2349-8473; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Casimiro, Teresa/0000-0001-9405-6221; Moro, Artur/0000-0003-3285-4919; 2

Task specific ionic liquids as polarity shifting additives of common organic solvents - Couto, Ricardo M.; Lourenco, Catarina; Simoes, Pedro C.; Branco, Luis C. (New Journal of Chemistry, 2014)
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Simoes, Pedro/D-5061-2011; Branco, Luis/C-6426-2013 Simoes, Pedro/0000-0001-5295-8905; Branco, Luis/0000-0003-2520-1151 0

Thermodynamic and Kinetic Processes of Anthocyanins and Related Compounds and their Bio-Inspired Applications - Pina, Fernando (Recent Advances in Polyphenol Research, Vol 4, 2014)
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Romani, A Lattanzio, V Quideau, S Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011 Pina, Fernando/0000-0001-8529-6848 26th International Conference on Polyphenols Jul 22-26, 2012 Florence, ITALY Sci & Technolog Pole; Social Pole Univ Florence; PIN Prato; Natl Council Res; Agilent Technologies; BioTech Power; Indena; ISR Ecoindustria; Domus Olea; Force A; Biokyma; PhenoFarm; Dermaresia; Silva Team; Bioscen Future 978-1-118-32963-4

Time-resolved luminescence studies of Eu3+ in soda-lime silicate glasses - Ruivo, Andreia; Muralha, Vania S. F.; Hugo Aguas; de Matos, Antonio Pires; Laia, Cesar A. T. (Journal of Quantitative Spectroscopy & Radiative Transfer, 2014)
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Towards an assessment of the Portuguese e-mobility case; The Mobi-E - Nuno Boavida; António Moniz; Manuel Laranja (Technology assessment and policy areas of great transitions, 2014)
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ISBN: 978-80-7333-106-1

Use of Gold Nanoparticles as Additives in Protein Crystallization - Ribeiro, D; Kulakova, A.; P. Quaresma; Pereira, E.; Bonifacio, C.; Romao, M. J.; Franco, R.; Carvalho, A. L. (Crystal Growth & Design, 2014)
Gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) exhibit unique properties that have made them a very attractive material for application in biological assays. Given the potentially interesting interactions between AuNPs and biological macromolecules, we investigated AuNPs-induced protein crystal growth. Differently functionalized AuNPs were tested as additives in cocrystallization studies with model proteins (hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL), ribonuclease A (RNase A), and proteinase K) as well as with case studies where there were problems in obtaining well-diffracting crystals. Trials were performed considering different crystallization drawbacks, from total absence of crystals to improvement of crystal morphology, size, twinning, and number of crystals per drop. Improvement of some of these factors was observed in the cases of HEWL, RNase A, phenylalanine hydroxylase (PAR), myoglobin, native aldehyde oxidase (AOH), and human albumin. In these proteins, the presence of the AuNPs promoted an increase in the size and/or better crystal morphology. From the systematic trials and subsequent observations, it can be concluded that the introduction of AuNPs should definitely be considered in crystal optimization trials to improve previously determined crystallization conditions.
ISI Document Delivery No.: 284RC Times Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 19 Ribeiro, Diana Kulakova, Alina Quaresma, Pedro Pereira, Eulalia Bonifacio, Cecilia Romao, Maria Joao Franco, Ricardo Carvalho, Ana Luisa Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT-MEC); COMPETE [PTDC/CTM-NAN/112241/2009, PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011, PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2013] The authors would like to acknowledge Abhik Mukhopadhyay for assistance in data collection and processing of lysozyme crystals, Teresa Santos-Silva, Angelina Palma, Benedita Pinheiro, Marcia Correia, and Catarina Coelho for kindly providing the model proteins used as "real" cases in this study, and Marino Santos for data processing from albumin crystals and assistance in preparation of figures. We also acknowledge assistance in synchrotron data collection at ESRF (Grenoble, France) and SLS (Villigen, Switzerland). The work was supported by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT-MEC) and COMPETE through Grants PTDC/CTM-NAN/112241/2009 to R.F. and Grants PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011 and PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2013 (to Associate Lab REQUIMTE). Amer chemical soc Washington
Keywords: Chemistry Crystallography Materials Science

Using Distinctive Colour Signatures to Capture Team Behaviour During Matches - Silva, Jose Pedro; Araujo, Duarte; Jorge Parola, A.; Lima, Joao Carlos; Nabais, Fernando; Cardoso, Nuno (Engineering of Sport 10, 2014)
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Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; Araujo, Fernando/0000-0001-6471-5564 10th Conference of the International-Sports-Engineering-Association Jul 14-17, 2014 Sheffield Hallam Univ, Sheffield, ENGLAND Int Sports Engn Assoc 1877-7058

Vanadium Complexes as Prospective Therapeutics: Structural Characterization of a VIV Lysozyme Adduct - Santos, Marino F. A.; Isabel Correia; Oliveira, Ana R.; Garribba, Eugenio; João Costa Pessoa; Santos-Silva, Teresa (European Journal of Inorganic Chemistry, 2014)
The biological activity of vanadium complexes, namely, as insulin enhancers, is well known. We report a combined X-ray crystallography, electron paramagnetic resonance, and density functional theory study of the interaction of vanadium picolinate complexes with hen egg white lysozyme (HEWL). We show that the VIVO(pic)2 complex covalently binds to the COO– group of the side chain of Asp52 of HEWL. The long VIV=O bond obtained in the X-ray study is explained to be due to reduction of VIV to VIII during exposure of the crystals to the intense X-ray beam.
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Keywords: Density functional calculations; EPR spectroscopy; Medicinal chemistry; Protein adducts; Vanadium

Visible-Light Photochemical Activity of Nanoporous Carbons under Monochromatic Light - Velasco, Leticia F.; Lima, Joao C.; Conchi Ania (Angewandte Chemie-International Edition, 2014)
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Lima, Joao Carlos/K-2890-2014; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010; Ania, Conchi/D-4381-2013 Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967; 11

{A low cost, safe, disposable, rapid and self-sustainable paper-based platform for diagnostic testing: lab-on-paper.} - M. N. Costa; B. Veigas; J. M. Jacob; D. S. Santos; Gomes, J; P.V. Baptista; R. Martins; J. Inácio; E. Fortunato (Nanotechnology, 2014)
There is a strong interest in the use of biopolymers in the electronic and biomedical industries, mainly towards low-cost applications. The possibility of developing entirely new kinds of products based on cellulose is of current interest, in order to enhance and to add new functionalities to conventional paper-based products. We present our results towards the development of paper-based microfluidics for molecular diagnostic testing. Paper properties were evaluated and compared to nitrocellulose, the most commonly used material in lateral flow and other rapid tests. Focusing on the use of paper as a substrate for microfluidic applications, through an eco-friendly wax-printing technology, we present three main and distinct colorimetric approaches: (i) enzymatic reactions (glucose detection); (ii) immunoassays (antibodies anti-Leishmania detection); (iii) nucleic acid sequence identification (Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detection). Colorimetric glucose quantification was achieved through enzymatic reactions performed within specific zones of the paper-based device. The colouration achieved increased with growing glucose concentration and was highly homogeneous, covering all the surface of the paper reaction zones in a 3D sensor format. These devices showed a major advantage when compared to the 2D lateral flow glucose sensors, where some carryover of the coloured products usually occurs. The detection of anti-Leishmania antibodies in canine sera was conceptually achieved using a paper-based 96-well enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay format. However, optimization is still needed for this test, regarding the efficiency of the immobilization of antigens on the cellulose fibres. The detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis nucleic acids integrated with a non-cross-linking gold nanoprobe detection scheme was also achieved in a wax-printed 384-well paper-based microplate, by the hybridization with a species-specific probe. The obtained results with the above-mentioned proof-of-concept sensors are thus promising towards the future development of simple and cost-effective paper-based diagnostic devices.
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{Aqueous combustion synthesis of aluminum oxide thin films and application as gate dielectric in GZTO solution-based TFTs} - Rita Branquinho; Salgueiro, Daniela; Santos, L??dia; Barquinha, Pedro; Pereira, Lu??s; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (ACS Applied Materials and Interfaces, 2014)
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).
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Keywords: Aluminum oxide; Aqueous synthesis; Combustion reaction; GZTO; Solution TFTs

{Contrast Enhancement in Polymeric Electrochromic Devices Encompassing Room Temperature Ionic Liquids} - Zanarini, Simone; Garino, Nadia; Nair, Jijeesh Ravi; Francia, Carlotta; Pawel Jerzy Wojcik; Pereira, Luis; Elvira Fortunato; Rodrigo Martins; Bodoardo, Silvia; Penazzi, Nerino (International Journal of Electrochemical Science, 2014)
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{Cu2O polyhedral nanowires produced by microwave irradiation} - Nunes, D.; Pimentel, A.; P. Barquinha; Carvalho, P.A.; E. Fortunato; R. Martins (JOURNAL OF MATERIALS CHEMISTRY C, 2014)
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{Electrochromic behavior of NiO thin films deposited by e-beam evaporation at room temperature} - Pereira, Sónia; Gonçalves, Alexandra; Correia, Nuno; Pinto, Joana; Pereira, LuÍs; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (Solar Energy Materials and Solar Cells, 2014)
In this work we report the role of thickness on electrochromic behavior of nickel oxide (NiO) films deposited by e-beam evaporation at room temperature on ITO-coated glass. The structure and morphology of films with thicknesses between 100 and 500 nm were analyzed and then correlated with electrochemical response and transmittance modulation when immersed in 0.5 M LiClO4–PC electrolyte. The NiO exhibits an anodic coloration, reaching for the thickest film a transmittance modulation of 66{%} between colored and bleached state, at 630 nm, with a color efficiency of 55 cm2 C−1. Very fast switch between states was obtained, where coloration and bleaching times are 3.6 s cm−2 and 1.4 s cm−2, respectively.
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Keywords: Chromogenic materials; electrochromic devices; Nickel oxide; Thermal evaporation

{Evaluation of the optoelectronic properties and corrosion behavior of Al2O3-doped ZnO films prepared by dc pulsed magnetron sputtering} - Zubizarreta, C.; Berasategui, E G; Bayon, R; Galindo, R Escobar; R. Barros; Gaspar, D; Nunes, D.; Calmeiro, T; R. Martins; E. Fortunato; Barriga, J. (JOURNAL OF PHYSICS D-APPLIED PHYSICS, 2014)
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{Experimental optimization of a passive planar rhombic micromixer with obstacles for effective mixing in a short channel length} - Iwona Bernacka-Wojcik; Susana Ribeiro; Pawel Jerzy Wojcik; Pedro Urbano Alves; Tito Busani; Elvira Fortunato; Pedro Viana Baptista; José António Covas; Hugo Águas; Loic Hilliou; Rodrigo Martins (RSC Advances, 2014)
This paper presents the performance of a passive planar rhombic micromixer with diamond-shaped obstacles and a rectangular contraction between the rhombi. The device was experimentally optimized using water for high mixing efficiency and a low pressure drop over a wide range of Reynolds numbers (Re = 0.1–117.6) by varying geometrical parameters such as the number of rhombi, the distance between obstacles and the contraction width. Due to the large amount of data generated, statistical methods were used to facilitate and improve the results of the analysis. The results revealed a rank of factors influencing mixing efficiency: Reynolds number {>} number of rhombi {>} contraction width {>} inter-obstacles distance. The pressure drop measured after three rhombi depends mainly on Re and inter-obstacle distance. The resulting optimum geometry for the low Re regime has a contraction width of 101 $μ$m and inter-obstacles distance of 93 $μ$m, while for the high Re regime a contraction width of 400 $μ$m and inter-obstacle distance of 121 $μ$m are more appropriate. These mixers enabled 80{%} mixing efficiency creating a pressure drop of 6.0 Pa at Re = 0.1 and 5.1 × 104 Pa at Re = 117.6, with a mixer length of 2.5 mm. To the authors' knowledge, the developed mixer is one of the shortest planar passive micromixers reported to date.
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{Fully Solution-Processed Low-Voltage Aqueous In2O3 Thin-Film Transistors Using an Ultrathin ZrOx Dielectric} - Liu, Ao; Liu, Guo Xia; Zhu, Hui Hui; Xu, Feng; Elvira Fortunato; Rodrigo Martins; Shan, Fu Kai (ACS Applied Materials {&} Interfaces, 2014)
We reported here ?aqueous-route? fabrication of In2O3 thin-film transistors (TFTs) using an ultrathin solution-processed ZrOx dielectric thin film. The formation and properties of In2O3 thin films under various annealing temperatures were intensively examined by thermogravimetric analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and atomic force microscopy. The solution-processed ZrOx thin film followed by sequential UV/ozone treatment and low-temperature thermal-annealing processes showed an amorphous structure, a low leakage-current density (?1 ? 10?9 A/cm2 at 2 MV/cm), and a high breakdown electric field (?7.2 MV/cm). On the basis of its implementation as the gate insulator, the In2O3 TFTs based on ZrOx annealed at 250 °C exhibit an on/off current ratio larger than 107, a field-effect mobility of 23.6 cm2/V·s, a subthreshold swing of 90 mV/decade, a threshold voltage of 0.13 V, and high stability. These promising properties were obtained at a low operating voltage of 1.5 V. These results suggest that ?aqueous-route? In2O3 TFTs based on a solution-processed ZrOx dielectric could potentially be used for low-cost, low-temperature-processing, high-performance, and flexible devices.
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{High-performance fully amorphous bilayer metal-oxide thin film transistors using ultra-thin solution-processed ZrOx dielectric} - Liu, G X; Liu, A; Shan, F K; Meng, Y; Shin, B C; E. Fortunato; R. Martins (Applied Physics Letters, 2014)
In this study, we report high-performance amorphous In2O3/InZnO bilayer metal-oxide (BMO) thin-film transistor (TFT) using an ultra-thin solution-processed amorphous ZrOx dielectric. A thin layer of In2O3 offers a higher carrier concentration, thereby maximizing the charge accumulation and yielding high carrier mobility. A thick amorphous layer of InZnO controls the charge conductance resulting in low off-state current and suitable threshold voltage. As a consequence, the BMO TFT showed higher filed-effect mobility (37.9 cm2/V s) than single-layer InZnO TFT (7.6 cm2/V s). Apart from that we obtain an on/off current ratio of 109, a subthreshold swing voltage of 120 mV/decade, and a voltage shift ≤ 0.4 V under positive bias stress for 2.5 h, for a gate voltage of 3 V and drain voltage of 1 V. These data demonstrate that the BMO TFT has great potential for a broad range of applications as switching low-power transistors.
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Keywords: Amorphous metals; Carrier mobility; Dielectric thin films; Ozone; Thin film transistors

{Highly efficient nanoplasmonic SERS on cardboard packaging substrates} - Araujo, Andreia; Caro, Carlos; Mendes, Manuel J.; Nunes, Daniela; Elvira Fortunato; Ricardo Franco; Hugo Aguas; Rodrigo Martins (NANOTECHNOLOGY, 2014)
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{Ion sensing (EIS) real-time quantitative monitorization of isothermal DNA amplification} - Bruno Veigas; Rita Branquinho; Joana V. Pinto; Pawel J. Wojcik; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato; Pedro V. Baptista (Biosensors and Bioelectronics, 2014)
Field-effect-based devices are becoming a basic structural element in a new generation of microbiosensors. Reliable molecular characterization of DNA and/or RNA is of paramount importance for disease diagnostics and to follow up alterations in gene expression profiles. The use of such devices for point-of-need diagnostics has been hindered by the need of standard or real-time PCR amplification procedures. The present work focuses on the development of a tantalum pentoxide (Ta2O5) based sensor for the real-time label free detection of DNA amplification via loop mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) allowing for quantitative analysis of the cMYC proto-oncogene. The strategy based on the field effect sensor was tested within a range of 1×108–1011 copies of target DNA, and a linear relationship between the log copy number of the initial template DNA and threshold time was observed allowing for a semi-quantitative analysis of DNA template. The concept offers many of the advantages of isothermal quantitative real-time DNA amplification in a label free approach and may pave the way to point-of-care quantitative molecular analysis focused on ease of use and low cost.
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Keywords: c-Myc; Cancer; DNA; EIS; Ion sensitive field effect sensors; Isothermal amplification; label free; LAMP; qRT-PCR; Real time; Tantalum pentoxide

{Nanocrystalline cellulose applied simultaneously as the gate dielectric and the substrate in flexible field effect transistors} - Gaspar, D; Fernandes, S N; de Oliveira, A G; Fernandes, J G; Grey, P; Pontes, R V; L. Pereira; R. Martins; M. H. Godinho; E. Fortunato (Nanotechnology, 2014)
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.
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{Statistical Mixture Design and Multivariate Analysis of Inkjet Printed a - WO 3 /TiO 2 /WO} - Pawel Jerzy Wojcik; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (2014)
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Keywords: 1 biochemistry; 2; 3 chromatography; 4 and drug delivery; 5; 6; and; Chemistry; doe; Electrochemistry; environmental science; experiments is an established; inkjet printing; mathematical modeling; proven methodology in organic; statistical design of mixture; thin fi lms; tungsten oxide

{Synthesis of Long ZnO Nanorods under Microwave Irradiation or Conventional Heating} - Pimentel, A.; Nunes, D.; Duarte, P; Rodrigues, J.; Costa, F.M.; Monteiro, T.; R. Martins; E. Fortunato (The Journal of Physical Chemistry C, 2014)
The present work reports the synthesis of zinc oxide (ZnO) nanostructures produced either under microwave irradiation using low cost domestic microwave equipment or by conventional heating, both under hydrothermal conditions. X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, room/low temperature photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy have been used to investigate the structure, morphology, and optical properties of the produced ZnO nanorods. Identical structures with aspect ratio up to 13 have been achieved for both synthesis routes displaying similar final properties. The hexagonal wurtzite structure has been identified, and a red-orange emission has been detected in the presence of UV irradiation for all the conditions studied. Thermal stability of the as-prepared nanostructures has been evaluated through thermogravimetric measurements revealing an increase of superficial defects. The as-prepared ZnO nanorods were tested as UV sensors on paper substrate, which led to fast response (30 s) and rapid recovery (100 s) times, as well as sensitivity up to 10 indicating that these materials may have a high potential in low cost, disposable UV photodetector applications.
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{The influence of fibril composition and dimension on the performance of paper gated oxide transistors} - L. Pereira; Gaspar, D; Guerin, D; Delattre, a; E. Fortunato; R. Martins (Nanotechnology, 2014)
Paper electronics is a topic of great interest due the possibility of having low-cost, disposable and recyclable electronic devices. The final goal is to make paper itself an active part of such devices. In this work we present new approaches in the selection of tailored paper, aiming to use it simultaneously as substrate and dielectric in oxide based paper field effect transistors (FETs). From the work performed, it was observed that the gate leakage current in paper FETs can be reduced using a dense microfiber/nanofiber cellulose paper as the dielectric. Also, the stability of these devices against changes in relative humidity is improved. On other hand, if the pH of the microfiber/nanofiber cellulose pulp is modified by the addition of HCl, the saturation mobility of the devices increases up to 16 cm 2 V −1 s −1 , with an I ON / I OFF ratio close to 10 5 .
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{WO3 Nanoparticle-Based Conformable pH Sensor} - Santos,Lídia; Neto, Joana P.; Crespo, Ana; Nunes, Daniela; Costa, Nuno; Fonseca, Isabel M.; Barquinha, Pedro; Pereira, LuÍs; Silva, Jorge; Rodrigo Martins; Elvira Fortunato (ACS Applied Materials {&} Interfaces, 2014)
pH is a vital physiological parameter that can be used for disease diagnosis and treatment as well as in monitoring other biological processes. Metal/metal oxide based pH sensors have several advantages regarding their reliability, miniaturization, and cost-effectiveness, which are critical characteristics for in vivo applications. In this work, WO3 nanoparticles were electrodeposited on flexible substrates over metal electrodes with a sensing area of 1 mm2. These sensors show a sensitivity of ?56.7 ± 1.3 mV/pH, in a wide pH range of 9 to 5. A proof of concept is also demonstrated using a flexible reference electrode in solid electrolyte with a curved surface. A good balance between the performance parameters (sensitivity), the production costs, and simplicity of the sensors was accomplished, as required for wearable biomedical devices.
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Absolute measurements and simulations of x-ray line energies of highly charged ions with a double-crystal spectrometer - Amaro, P.; Schlesser, S.; Guerra, M.; Le Bigot, E; Santos, J. P.; Szabo, C. I.; Gumberidze, A.; Indelicato, P. (Physica Scripta, 2013)
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Ion temperature and x-ray line width measurements of highly charged argon ions in an ECR ion source - Szabo, C. I.; Amaro, P.; Guerra, M.; Santos, J. P.; Gumberidze, A.; Attard, J; Indelicato, P. (Physica Scripta, 2013)
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Transition probability values of the 1s 22s3p 3P 0level in Be-like ions - Santos, J. P.; Marques, J P; Costa, A M; Martins, M C; Indelicato, P.; Parente, F. (Physica Scripta, 2013)
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Plastic Compatible Sputtered Ta2O5 Sensitive Layer for Oxide Semiconductor TFT Sensors - Rita Branquinho; Vaz Pinto, Joana; Busani, Tito Livio; Barquinha, Pedro Miguel Cândido; Pereira, Luis Miguel Nunes; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana; Martins, Rodrigo Ferrão de Paiva; Fortunato, Elvira Maria Correia (Journal Of Display Technology, 2013)
The effect of post-deposition annealing temperature on the pH sensitivity of room temperature RF sputtered Ta2O5 was investigated. Structural and morphological features of these films were analyzed before and after annealing at various temperatures. The deposited films are amorphous up to 600 degrees C and crystallize at 700 degrees C in an orthorhombic phase. Electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) field effect based sensors with an amorphous Ta2O5 sensing layer showed pH sensitivity above 50 mV/pH. For sensors annealed above 200 degrees C pH sensitivity decreased with increasing temperature. Stabilized sensor response and maximum pH sensitivity was achieved after low temperature annealing at 200 degrees C, which is compatible with the use of polymeric substrates and application as sensitive layer in oxides TFT-based sensors.
Sem PDF conforme Despacho. This work was supported in part by the Portuguese Science and Technology Foundation (FCT), Ministry for Education and Science (MEC), under Project BloodFET PTDC/SAU-BEB/098125/2008 and also by Strategic Project PEst-C/CTM/LA0025/2011. The work of R. Branquinho was supported by INL under a Ph.D. Fellowship. The work of J. V. Pinto was supported by FCT-MCTES under fellowship SFRH/BPD/44874/2008.
Keywords: Biosensors; electrolyte-insulator-semiconductor (EIS) sensor; pH sensitivity; Sputtered +{\hbox{ta}}-{2}{\hbox{O}}5; sputtered Ta2O5

Prevenção de Violações de Atomicidade usando Contractos - Sousa, Diogo G.; Carla Ferreira; João M. Lourenço (Proceedings of INForum Simpósio de Informática, 2013)
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Replicação Multi-nível de Bases de Dados em Memória - Martins, Helder R. L.; Soares, João; João M. Lourenço; Preguiça, Nuno (Proceedings of INForum Simpósio de Informática, 2013)
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Bio-microfluidic platform for gold nanoprobe based DNA detection-application to Mycobacterium tuberculosis - Iwona Bernacka-Wójcik; Lopes, Paulo A.; Vaz, Ana Catarina; Veigas, Bruno Miguel Ribeiro; Wojcik, Pawel Jerzy; Pedro Simões; David Barata; Fortunato, Elvira Maria Correia; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana; Águas, Hugo Manuel Brito; Martins, Rodrigo Ferrão de Paiva (Biosensors & Bioelectronics, 2013)
We have projected and fabricated a microfluidic platform for DNA sensing that makes use of an optical colorimetric detection method based on gold nanoparticles. The platform was fabricated using replica moulding technology in PDMS patterned by high-aspect-ratio SU-8 moulds. Biochips of various geometries were tested and evaluated in order to find out the most efficient architecture, and the rational for design, microfabrication and detection performance is presented. The best biochip configuration has been successfully applied to the DNA detection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis using only 3 mu l on DNA solution (i.e. 90 ng of target DNA), therefore a 20-fold reduction of reagents volume is obtained when compared with the actual state of the art.
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Keywords: DNA; Fibre-optics; Microfabrication; microfluidics; nanoparticles

Coupling an universal primer to SBE combined spectral codification strategy for single nucleotide polymorphism analysis - Cordeiro, Milton; Letícia Giestas; Lima, João C.; Pedro Baptista (Journal of Biotechnology, 2013)
We previously reported a strategy that combines Forster resonance energy transfer (FRET) based spectral codification with a single base extension (SBE) reaction for single nucleotide sequence discrimination in solution. This strategy is capable of unequivocally detect the allele variants present in solution. To extend the use of this tool to any locus of interest, it would be required the development of an universal approach capable of combining a sequence specific SBE primer to an universal sequence labeled and optimized for spectral codification.Here, we extend this concept to a general strategy by means of a labeled universal oligonucleotide primer (donor), a sequence specific primer that allows for incorporation of the complementary acceptor labeled ddNTP, which allows discrimination the allele variant in the sample via the unambiguous FRET signature of the donor/acceptor pair
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Keywords: FRET; SBE; SNP; Spectral codification; Universal SBE primer

Invivo tumor targeting via nanoparticle-mediated therapeutic siRNA coupled to inflammatory response in lung cancer mouse models - João Conde; Furong Tian; Yulán Hernández; Chenchen Bao; Daxiang Cui; Janssen, Klaus Peter; Ibarra, M. Ricardo; Baptista, Pedro V; Tobias Stoeger; {de la Fuente}, Jesús M. (Biomaterials, 2013)
Up to now, functionalized gold nanoparticles have been optimized as an effective intracellular invitro delivery vehicle for siRNAs to interfere with the expression of specific genes by selective targeting, and provide protection against nucleases. Few examples however of suchlike invivo applications have been described so far. In this study, we report the use of siRNA/RGD gold nanoparticles capable of targeting tumor cells in a lung cancer syngeneic orthotopic murine model. Therapeutic RGD-nanoparticle treatment resulted in successful targeting evident from significant c-myc oncogene down-regulation followed by tumor growth inhibition and prolonged survival of lung tumor bearing mice, possibly via αvβ3 integrin interaction. Our results suggest that RGD gold nanoparticles-mediated delivery of siRNA by intratracheal instillation in mice leads to successful suppression of tumor cell proliferation and respective tumor size reduction. These results reiterate the capability of functionalized gold nanoparticles for targeted delivery of siRNA to cancer cells towards effective silencing of the specific target oncogene. What is more, we demonstrate that the gold-nanoconjugates trigger a complex inflammatory and immune response that might promote the therapeutic effect of the RNAi to reduce tumor size with low doses of siRNA.
JMF thanks ARAID and Fondo Social Europeo for financial support. PVB thanks CIGMH/FCT/MCES (PEst-OE/SAU/UI0009/2011). JC acknowledges FCT grant (SFRH/BD/62957/2009).
Keywords: Gene silencing; Inflammatory response; Lung cancer therapy; Mice tumor targeting; RGD/siRNA nanoparticles

Sistema de deteção e quantificação de matéria biológica constituído por um ou mais sensores óticos e uma ou mais fontes luminosas, processo associado e respectivas utilizações - Martins, Rodrigo Ferrao De Paiva; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana; Fortunato, Elvira Maria Correia (2013)
sistema de deteção e quantificação de matéria biológica constituído por um ou mais sensores óticos e uma ou mais fontes luminosas, processo associado e aplicações relacionadas a invenção atual relaciona- se a um sistema e a um processo para a deteção e/ou a identificação qualitativa e quantitativa do material biológico, tal como seqüências específicas de ácidos nucleicos ou de proteínas como anticorpos, presente em amostras biológicas. o sistema é composto por uma ou mais fontes luminosas ( 1) combinadas com um ou mais fotosensores óticos integrados, ou não, e vários componentes eletrônicos ( 4) , necessários para obter/processar o sinal emitido pelas nanosondas de metal funcionalizadas com uma solução de compósi to biológico, assim como igualmente um microcontrolador e um microprocessador, reparados ou portátil. esta estrutura do fotosensor pode detectar e determinar as variações da cor produzidas por nanosondas do metal, sendo este preferencialmente ouro, funcionalizado pelos oligonucleotídeos complementares às seqüências específicas, as proteínas de dna/rna, como por exemplo os anticorpos e/ou os antígenos relativos a determinada doença, ou a outra amostra ou solução de composto biológico, que devem ser investigada. a deteção e o processo da quantificação são baseados na resposta de um fotosensor, singular ou integrados, baseado na tecnologia da película fina de silicones amorfos, nanocristalinos ou microcristalino e suas ligas, assim como os semicondutores cerâmicos ativos novos, amorfos e não amorfos.
BRPI0716635; G01N21/25, G01N33/543, H01L51/42

Gold-Nanobeacons as a theranostic system for the detection and inhibition of specific genes - Conde, Joao; João Rosa; Pedro Baptista (Protocol Exchange, 2013)
This protocol describes the synthesis and detailed calibration of a gold nanoparticle-based nanobeacon (Au-nanobeacon) as an innovative theranostic approach for detection and inhibition of sequence-specific DNA and RNA for in vitro and ex vivo applications. Under hairpin configuration, proximity to gold nanoparticles leads to fluorescence quenching; hybridization to a complementary target restores fluorescence emission due to the gold nanobeacons’ conformational reorganization that causes the fluorophore and the AuNP to part from each other. This concept can easily be extended and adapted to assist the in vitro evaluation of silencing potential of a given sequence to be later used for ex vivo gene silencing and RNAi approaches, with the ability to monitor real-time gene delivery action. The time range for the entire protocol is  8 days, including synthesis, functionalization and calibration of Au-nanobeacons, RNAi and gene silencing assays.
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Keywords: cell tracking; gene silecning; Gold nanobeacons; Gold nanoparticles; MiRNAs; siRNA

Isothermal DNA amplification coupled to Au-nanoprobes for detection of mutations associated to Rifampicin resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis - Bruno Veigas; Pedro Pedrosa; Isabel Couto; Miguel Viveiros; Baptista, Pedro V (Journal of Nanobiotechnology, 2013)
Background: Tuberculosis accounted for 8.7 million new cases in 2011 and continues to be one of the leading human infectious diseases. Burdensome is the increasing rate of multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDRTB) and the difficulties created for treatment and public health control programs, especially in developing countries. Resistance to rifampicin (RIF), a first line antibiotic, is commonly associated with point mutations within the rpoB gene of Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) whose detection is considered the best early molecular predictor for MDRTB. Gold nanoparticles functionalized with thiol-modified oligonucleotides (Au-nanoprobes) have shown the potential to provide a rapid and sensitive detection method for Mtb and single base alterations associated with antibiotic resistance, namely in rpoB gene associated to RIF resistance.Results: We developed a strategy based on the isothermal amplification of sample DNA (LAMP) coupled to specific Au-nanoprobes capable of identifying members of the Mtb complex (MTBC) and discriminating specific mutations within the rpoB gene. Integration of LAMP and Au-nanoprobe assay allowed to detect MTBC member and identify mutations linked to RIF resistance. A total of 12 biological samples were tested and a 100% specificity and sensitivity was attained.Conclusions: There is an increasing demand for simple, fast and cheap methods for the molecular identification of Mtb and for the detection of molecular tags associated to drug resistance suitable for use at point-of-need. Here we describe such a method, that as the potential to get molecular diagnostic of tuberculosis to remote environments.
We acknowledge Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT-MCTES) for financial support CIGMH (PEst-OE/SAU/UI0009/2011); Projects PTDC/BBB-NAN/1812/2012, PTDC/CTM-NAN/109877/2009; SFRH/BD/78970/2011 for BV. PVB thanks Santander-Totta/UNL for financial support (Scientific Prize Edition 2012).
Keywords: DNA isothermal amplification; Gold nanoparticles; LAMP; MDRTB; Nanodiagnostics; PCR; Rifampicin; Tuberculosis

Towards the assignment of the REMPI spectrum of Ph 2O using CIS and TD-DFT methods - Guerra, M.; Pinto, R. M.; Santos, J. P.; Paiva, A C S (Molecular Physics, 2013)
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Relativistic calculations of M-shell decay rates and yields in Zn, Cd and Hg - Sampaio, J M; Parente, F.; Indelicato, P.; Marques, J P (Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 2013)
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Gold-nanobeacons for simultaneous gene specific silencing and intracellular tracking of the silencing events - João Conde; João Rosa; {de la Fuente}, Jesús M.; Baptista, Pedro V (Biomaterials, 2013)
The potential of a single molecular nanoconjugate to intersect all RNA pathways: from gene specific downregulation to silencing the silencers, i.e. siRNA and miRNA pathways, is demonstrated. Gold-nanobeacons are capable of efficiently silencing single gene expression, exogenous siRNA and endogenous miRNAs while yielding a quantifiable fluorescence signal directly proportional to the level of silencing. The silencing potential is comparable to that of traditional siRNA but the same nanoconjugates structure is also capable of reversing the effect of an exogenous siRNA. We further demonstrate the Gold-nanobeacons' efficiency at targeting and silencing miR-21, an endogenous miRNA involved in cancer development, which could become a valid nanotheranostics approach. Again, expression of miR-21 was inhibited with concomitant increase of the Au-nanobeacons' fluorescence that can be used to assess the silencing effect. This way, a single nanostructure can be used to intersect all RNA regulatory pathways while allowing for direct assessment of effective silencing and cell localization via a quantifiable fluorescence signal, making cancer nanotheranostics possible.
This work was supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, Ministry of Science and Education (FCT/MEC): PTDC/BBB-NAN/1812/2012; CIGMH, Strategic Project PEst-OE/SAU/UI0009/2011; J.C. supported by SFRH/BD/62957/2009 and J.R. by SFRH/BD/43320/2008. Additional funding was from the Nanotruck-Action from NanoSciEra+. J.M.F. thanks ARAID for financial support.
Keywords: AntimiRs; Cancer nanotheranostics; Gene silencing; Gold-nanobeacons; microRNAs; RNA interference

{Robots and humans as co-workers? The human-centred perspective of work with autonomous systems} - Moniz, António B. (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, IET/CICS.NOVA-Interdisciplinary Centre on Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, 2013)
The design of work organisation systems with automated equipment is facing new challenges and the emergence of new concepts. The social aspects that are related with new concepts on the complex work environments (CWE) are becoming more relevant for that design. The work with autonomous systems implies options in the design of workplaces. Especially that happens in such complex environments. The concepts of “agents”, “co-working” or “human-centred technical systems” reveal new dimensions related to human-computer interaction (HCI). With an increase in the number and complexity of those human-technology interfaces, the capacities of human intervention can become limited, originating further problems. The case of robotics is used to exemplify the issues related with automation in working environments and the emergence of new HCI approaches that would include social implications. We conclude that studies on technology assessment of industrial robotics and autonomous agents on manufacturing environment should also focus on the human involvement strategies in organisations. A needed participatory strategy implies a new approach to workplaces design. This means that the research focus must be on the relation between technology and social dimensions not as separate entities, but integrated in the design of an interaction system.
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Keywords: complex work environments; human-computer interaction; Manufacturing; technology; work organisation

{Technology transition towards electric mobility - technology assessment as a tool for policy design} - Nuno Boavida; Baumann, Manuel; Moniz, António B.; Schippl, Jens; Reichenbach, Max; Weil, Marcel (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, IET/CICS.NOVA-Interdisciplinary Centre on Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, 2013)
The paper aims to understand the degree of transition towards e-mobility. The assumption is that the degree of convergence between actors of each system (batteries, vehicles, grid, policies, business models and consumers) is an indicator of changes in the present socio-technical regime. After an introduction to the socio-technical transition towards e-mobility, the paper presents and discusses three technology assessment approaches to several projects related to technology, society and politics. There are several thematic crossovers between all projects presented leading to a synergetic technology assessment. This output results from the overlapping areas between the cases and can be used to first assess the extent of changes in the present socio-technical regime, as well as to extract standards and regulations, acceptance/risk analyses and behaviour changes that could be significant in the context of a transition towards electric mobility.
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Keywords: Batteries; Electric mobility; Electric vehicle; Policy design; Technology Assessment

Occupational cosmic radiation exposure in Portuguese airline pilots: study of a possible correlation with oxidative biological markers. - Silva, Rodrigo; Folgosa, Filipe; Soares, Paulo; Pereira, Alice S.; Garcia, Raquel; Gestal-Otero, Juan Jesus; Tavares, Pedro; Gomes da Silva, Marco D R (Radiation and environmental biophysics, 2013)
Several studies have sought to understand the health effects of occupational exposure to cosmic radiation. However, only few biologic markers or associations with disease outcomes have so far been identified. In the present study, 22 long- and 26 medium-haul male Portuguese airline pilots and 36 factory workers who did not fly regularly were investigated. The two groups were comparable in age and diet, were non-smokers, never treated with ionizing radiation and other factors. Cosmic radiation exposure in pilots was quantified based on direct monitoring of 51 flights within Europe, and from Europe to North and South America, and to Africa. Indirect dose estimates in pilots were performed based on the SIEVERT (Système informatisé d'évaluation par vol de l'exposition au rayonnement cosmique dans les transports aériens) software for 6,039 medium- and 1,366 long-haul flights. Medium-haul pilots had a higher cosmic radiation dose rate than long-haul pilots, that is, 3.3 ± 0.2 μSv/h and 2.7 ± 0.3 μSv/h, respectively. Biological tests for oxidative stress on blood and urine, as appropriate, at two time periods separated by 1 year, included measurements of antioxidant capacity, total protein, ferritin, hemoglobin, creatinine and 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8OHdG). Principal components analysis was used to discriminate between the exposed and unexposed groups based on all the biological tests. According to this analysis, creatinine and 8OHdG levels were different for the pilots and the unexposed group, but no distinctions could be made among the medium- and the long-haul pilots. While hemoglobin levels seem to be comparable between the studied groups, they were directly correlated with ferritin values, which were lower for the airline pilots.
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Technology transition towards electric mobility - technology assessment as a tool for policy design - Moniz, António B.; Nuno Boavida; Baumann, Manuel; Schippl, Jens; Reichenbach, Max; Weil, Marcel (Colloquium Gerpisa 2013, 2013)
The paper aims to understand the degree of transition towards e-mobility. The assumption is that the degree of convergence between actors of each system (batteries, vehicles, grid, policies, business models and consumers) is an indicator of changes in the present socio-technical regime. After an introduction to the socio-technical transition towards e-mobility, the paper presents and discusses three technology assessment approaches to several projects related to technology, society and politics. There are several thematic crossovers between all projects presented leading to a synergetic technology assessment. This output results from the overlapping areas between the cases and can be used to first assess the extent of changes in the present socio-technical regime, as well as to extract standards and regulations, acceptance/risk analyses and behaviour changes that could be significant in the context of a transition towards electric mobility.

Mechanisms of P-gp inhibition and effects on membrane fluidity of a new rifampicin derivative, 1,8-dibenzoyl-rifampicin - Vilas-Boasa, Vania; Silva, Renata; Nunes, Claudia; Reis, Salette; Ferreira, Luisa; Vieira, Catia; Carvalho, Felix; Bastos, Maria de Lourdes; Remiao, Fernando (TOXICOLOGY LETTERS, 2013)
Purpose: To assess P-glycoprotein (P-gp)-modulation ability and the mechanisms of P-gp inhibition mediated by a new synthetic rifampicin derivative, 1,8-dibenzoyl-rifampicin (DiBenzRif), in an in vitro model of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), RBE4 cells, and in membrane mimetic models (liposomes). Methods: P-gp expression (western blot) and activity {[}rhodamine 123 accumulation studies] were assessed until 72 h of exposure to DiBenzRif. The effects on intracellular ATP levels and on P-gp ATPase activity were studied using luciferin-luciferase bioluminescence assay. Membrane fluidity changes were tracked by steady-state anisotropy measurements. Non-P-gp-related rhodamine 123 accumulation was evaluated using liposomes prepared with the main lipids present in RBE4 cell membranes. Results: A significant increase in intracellular rhodamine 123 content was observed in DiBenzRif-treated cells at all tested time-points. This effect was associated with a significant reduction in ATP intracellular levels, the inhibition of P-gp ATPase activity and a significant increase in membrane fluidity. DiBenzRif also favoured rhodamine 123 accumulation in a liposomal model of RBE4 cells, suggesting that it may be useful in increasing intracellular levels of substances that passively diffuse into the cells. Conclusion: DiBenzRif-induced inhibitory effect on P-gp increases xenobiotic accumulation in BBB cells, which may contribute to the development of therapeutic adjuvants to enhance brain penetration of drugs. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.
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Dual on-off and off-on switchable oligoaziridine biosensor - Raje, Vivek P.; Morgado, Patricia I.; Ribeiro, Maximiano P; Correia, Ilidio J.; Bonifacio, Vasco D. B.; Branco, Paula S.; Aguiar-Ricardo, Ana (BIOSENSORS & BIOELECTRONICS, 2013)
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Association of FTO and PPARG polymorphisms with obesity in Portuguese women. - Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana (Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, 2013)
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Keywords: BMI; odds ratio; rs1801282; rs9939609; SNP

Cancer Nanotechnology: Prospects for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy - An Update on Novel Molecular Players - Fernandes, Maria Alexandra Núncio de Carvalho Ramos; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana (Current Cancer Therapy Reviews, 2013)
Nanotechnology has emerged as a {"}disruptive technology{"} that may provide researchers with new and innovativeways to diagnose, treat and monitor cancer. In fact, nanomedicine approaches have delivered several strategies, suchas new imaging agents, real-time assessments of therapeutic and surgical efficacy, multifunctional, targeted devices capableof bypassing biological barriers to target and silence specific pathways in tumours. Of particular interest, has been theincreased capability to deliver multiple therapeutic agents directly to bulk cancer cells and cancer stem cells that play acritical role in cancer growth and metastasis. These multifunctional targeted nanoconjugates are also capable of avoidingcancer resistance and monitor predictive molecular changes that open the path for preventive action against pre-cancerouscells, minimizing costs and incidence of relapses. A myriad of nanoconjugates with effective silencing and site-targetingmoieties can be developed by incorporating a diverse selection of targeting, diagnostic, and therapeutic components. Adiscussion of the integrative effort of nanotechnology systems with recent developments of biomolecular interactions incancer progression is clearly required. Here, we will update the state of the art related to the development and applicationsof nanoscale platforms and novel biomolecular players in cancer diagnosis, imaging and treatment.
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The chemistry and biology of gold nanoparticle-mediated photothermal therapy: promises and challenges - Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana (Nano LIFE, 2013)
Under laser radiation, cells labeled with gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) are believed to suffer thermal damage due to the transfer of the absorbed light from theAuNPsto the cells. This process, which involves complex mechanisms such as the rapid electron–phonon decay in theAuNPs, followed by phonon–phonon relaxation, culminates in the localized heating of both theAuNPsand the cells, setting the rational for the use of these nanostructures, under laser light, in cancer photothermal therapy (PTT). Here, we discuss the chemical and biological aspects of this promising new therapeutic approach, including the advantages over conventional cancer therapies and the challenges that scientists still need to overcome to progress toward translation research.Read More:http://www.worldscientific.com/doi/abs/10.1142/S179398441330001X
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Keywords: Cancer; Gold nanoparticles; nanotechnology; photothermal therapy

Fast nucleotide identification through fingerprinting using gold nanoparticle-based surface-assisted laser desorption/ionisation - Capelo, José Luis; Baptista, Pedro Miguel Ribeiro Viana (Talanta, 2013)
We report a method centred on gold nanoparticle-based surface-assisted laser desorption/ionisation for analysis of deoxynucleotides and alkylated nucleobases. Gold nanoparticles allow for enhanced analysis capability by eliminating undesired signature peaks; thus more elegant mass spectra can be attained that allow identification by nucleotide mass fingerprint. The resulting fingerprinting patterns on the spectra are compared and associated with the presence of different nucleotides in the sample. This method can be easily extended to modified nucleotides implicated in genome lesions due to exposure to environment chemicals, such as DNA adducts (e.g. guanine adducts). The use of gold nanoparticles for surface-assisted laser desorption/ionisation can be an useful tool to resolve common issues of background noise when analysing nucleic acids samples.
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Keywords: DNA adducts; GLYCIDAMIDE; Gold nanoparticles; Nucleotides; SALDI-TOF

Neurotoxicity of ``ecstasy{''} and its metabolites in human dopaminergic differentiated SH-SY5Y cells - Ferreira, Patricia Silva; Nogueira, Tiago Bernandes; Costa, Vera Marisa; Branco, Paula Serio; Ferreira, Luisa Maria; Fernandes, Eduarda; Bastos, Maria Lourdes; Meisel, Andreas; Carvalho, Felix; Capela, Joao Paulo (TOXICOLOGY LETTERS, 2013)
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Analysis of the quasicontinuum band emitted by highly ionised tungsten atoms in the 4–7 nm range - Madeira, Teresa Isabel; Amorim, Pedro; Parente, Fernando; Indelicato, Paul; Marques, José Pires (The European Physical Journal D, 2013)
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{Equity in access to MRI equipment: the Portuguese case} - Maia, Maria João (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, IET/CICS.NOVA-Interdisciplinary Centre on Social Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, 2013)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a method of image diagnose proven to be of undeniable importance when it comes to neuro and cardio related diseases. In fact, these diseases (such as: ischemic heart disease, stroke and acute myocardial infection) have high incidence in Portugal. For these reasons, the allocation of this medical technology should not be considered with light thoughts. In fact, making decision of resource allocation in health care can be a very complex and contested matter. The impacts of new technology allocation, such MRI, can be assessed in a variety of ways. However, a fundamental component should always be present: the use of evidence-based decision-making methods. One of these methods is Technology Assessment (TA). This paper aims to characterize the equity on access of the Portuguese population in general, to a specific medical device such as MRI, under the TA point of view. It is hoped to promote a bridge of scientific knowledge between the gap on research and policy-making through TA that can emerge as a tool to aid decision-makers in the organization of health systems. There are gaps in providing healthcare, due to geographical imbalances, with some areas unable to provide certain specialized services, as hospitals in the countryside do not provide all medical specialties. Portugal has also a large independent private sector that provides diagnostic and therapeutic services to NHS users under contracts called conventions. These medical contracts cover ambulatory health facilities for laboratory tests and examinations such as diagnostic tests and Radiology. However, there is no convention from the NHS when concerning the MRI exam. Therefore, this reality can be considered a limitation in the access of the general population to this kind of clinical exam. TA can play an useful and important role in helping the decision-makers to explore potential gains that might be achieved by introducing a more rational decision making into health care ma
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Keywords: decision; Equity; Health technology assessment; Magnetic resonance imaging; Medical Device; Portugal

A Comparative Look at Adaptive Memory Management in Virtual Machines - José Simão; Jeremy Singer; Luís Veiga (IEEE CloudCom 2013, 2013)
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Cyclodextrin-Based Ionic Liquids as Enantioselective Stationary Phases in Gas Chromatography - Costa, Nuno; Matos, Sara; Gomes da Silva, Marco D R; Pereira, M Manuela A (CHEMPLUSCHEM, 2013)
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Designing gold nanoparticles for in vivo gene silencing as a new therapeutic tool - João Conde; A. Ambrosone; Yulan Hernandez; V. Marchesano; Furong Tian; Ricardo Ibarra, M.; Baptista, Pedro Viana; C. Tortiglione; {de la Fuente}, Jesus M. (Human Gene Therapy, 2013)
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Collaborative Congress of the European-Society-for-Gene-and-Cell-Therapy and the Spanish-Society-for-Gene-and-Cell-Therapy ; Conference date: 25-10-2013 Through 28-10-2013

Ditto – Deterministic Execution Replayability-as-a-Service for Java VM on Multiprocessors - João Pedro Marques Silva; José Simão; Luís Veiga (ACM/IFIP/Usenix International Middleware Conference (Middleware 2013), 2013)
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Flexible SLAs in the Cloud with Partial Utility-driven Scheduling (Best-Paper Award Runner-up) - José Simão; Luís Veiga (IEEE 5th International Conference on Cloud Computing Technology and Science (CloudCom 2013), 2013)
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Resource-Aware Scaling of Multi-threaded Java Applications in Multi-tenancy Scenarios - José Simão; Rameshan, Navaneeth; Luís Veiga (IEEE CloudCom 2013, 2013)
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Development of Novel Rifampicin-Derived P-Glycoprotein Activators/Inducers. Synthesis, In Silico Analysis and Application in the RBE4 Cell Model, Using Paraquat as Substrate - Vilas-Boas, Vania; Silva, Renata; Palmeira, Andreia; Sousa, Emilia; Ferreira, Luisa Maria; Branco, Paula Serio; Carvalho, Felix; Bastos, Maria de Lourdes; Remiao, Fernando (PLOS ONE, 2013)
P-glycoprotein (P-gp) is a 170 kDa transmembrane protein involved in the outward transport of many structurally unrelated substrates. P-gp activation/induction may function as an antidotal pathway to prevent the cytotoxicity of these substrates. In the present study we aimed at testing rifampicin (Rif) and three newly synthesized Rif derivatives (a mono-methoxylated derivative, MeORif, a peracetylated derivative, PerAcRif, and a reduced derivative, RedRif) to establish their ability to modulate P-gp expression and activity in a cellular model of the rat's blood-brain barrier, the RBE4 cell line P-gp expression was assessed by western blot using C219 anti-P-gp antibody. P-gp function was evaluated by flow cytometry measuring the accumulation of rhodamine123. Whenever P-gp activation/induction ability was detected in a tested compound, its antidotal effect was further tested using paraquat as cytotoxicity model. Interactions between Rif or its derivatives and P-gp were also investigated by computational analysis. Rif led to a significant increase in P-gp expression at 72 h and RedRif significantly increased both P-gp expression and activity. No significant differences were observed for the other derivatives. Pre-or simultaneous treatment with RedRif protected cells against paraquat-induced cytotoxicity, an effect reverted by GF120918, a P-gp inhibitor, corroborating the observed P-gp activation ability. Interaction of RedRif with P-gp drug-binding pocket was consistent with an activation mechanism of action, which was confirmed with docking studies. Therefore, RedRif protection against paraquat-induced cytotoxicity in RBE4 cells, through P-gp activation/induction, suggests that it may be useful as an antidote for cytotoxic substrates of P-gp.
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Electron impact ionization cross sections of several ionization stages of Kr, Ar and Fe - Guerra, M.; Parente, F.; Santos, J. P. (International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 2013)
International Journal of Mass Spectrometry, 348 (2013) 1-8. doi:10.1016/j.ijms.2013.02.011
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A Family of Styrylcoumarins: Synthesis, Spectroscopic, Photophysical and Photochemical Properties - Avo, Joao; Martins, Sergio; Jorge Parola, A.; Lima, Joao C.; Branco, Paula S.; Prates Ramalho, Joao P.; Pereira, Antonio (CHEMPLUSCHEM, 2013)
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Analysis of the charge state distribution in an ECRIS Ar plasma using high-resolution x-ray spectra - Guerra, M.; Amaro, P.; Szabo, C. I.; Gumberidze, A.; Indelicato, P.; Santos, J. P. (Journal of Physics B: Atomic, Molecular and Optical Physics, 2013)
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Performance improvement of hydraulic lime based grouts for masonry consolidation – An experimental study - Luis G. Baltazar; Fernando M.A. Henriques (Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture, 2013)

Study of hydraulic lime grout injections in different porous media: an experimental study - Fernando Jorne; Fernando M.A. Henriques (Proceedings of the 13th International Conference on Studies, Repairs and Maintenance of Heritage Architecture, 2013)

Advances in NDT and materials characterization by eddy currents - Almeida, G.; Gonzalez, J.; Rosado, L.; Vilaça, P.; Santos, T.G. (46th CIRP Conference on Manufacturing Systems, CIRP CMS 2013, 2013)
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Conference code: 99397Cited By :1Export Date: 27 February 2015

Analyzing mechanical properties and nondestructive characteristics of brazed joints of NiTi shape memory alloys to carbon steel rods - Santos, T.G.; Fernandes, F.B.; Bernardo, G.; Miranda, R.M. (International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, 2013)
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Cited By :4Export Date: 27 February 2015CODEN: IJATE

Application of eddy currents in processed materials structural evaluation - Santos, T.G.; Faria, J.; Vilaça, P.; Miranda, R.M. (6th International Materials Symposium, Materiais 2011, 2013)
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Conference code: 94273Export Date: 27 February 2015CODEN: MSFOE

Brazilwood Reds: The (Photo)Chemistry of Brazilin and Brazilein - Rondao, R.; de Melo, JSS; Pina, J; Melo, MJ; Vitorino, T.; A. J. Parola (Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2013)
The ground and excited state (in the singlet state, S-1) acid-base equilibria, together with the photophysical properties of the two main constituents of brazilwood, brazilin and brazilein, have been investigated in aqueous solutions in the pH range: -1 < pH < 10. Brazilin is the colorless reduced form of brazilein where three ground and three excited state species (BredHn, with n = 2-4 representing the protonated hydroxyl groups) are observed with two corresponding acidity constants: pK(a1) = 6.6 and pK(a2) = 9.4 (pK(a1)(*) = 4.7 and pK(a2)(*) = 9.9, obtained from the Forster cycle). In the case of brazilein, three ground species (pK(a1) = 6.5 and pK(a2) = 9.5) and four excited state species were identified (again from the Forster cycle: pK(a1)(*) = 3.9 and pK(a2)(*) = 9.8). The colorless species (brazilin) presents a high fluorescence quantum yield (phi(F) = 0.33) and competitive radiative channel (k(F) = 1.3 x 10(9) s(-1)) over radiationless processes (k(NR) = 2.6 x 10(9) s(-1)). In contrast to this behavior, brazilein displays a phi(F) value 2 orders of magnitude lower and a dominance of the radiationless decay pathways, which is suggested to be linked to an excited state proton transfer leading to a quinoidal-like structure. This is further supported by time-resolved data (obtained in a ps time domain). The overall data indicates that brazilin is more prone to degradation than brazilein, mainly due to the high efficiency of the racliationless decay channel (likely through internal conversion), which confers a stabilizing inherent characteristic to the latter. In the case of brazilein, the efficiency of the radiationless channel is linked to an excited state intramolecular proton transfer resulting from an excited state equilibrium involving neutral and zwitterionic tautomeric species of this compound. Furthermore, a theoretical study has been performed with the determination of the optimized ground-state and excited molecular geometries for the two compounds together with the prediction of the lowest vertical one-electron excitation energy and the relevant molecular orbital contours and charge densities changes using density functional theory calculations. These were found to corroborate differences in acidity in the ground and excited states.
ISI Document Delivery No.: 240VPTimes Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 40 Rondao, Raquel Sergio Seixas de Melo, J. Pina, Joao Melo, Maria J. Vitorino, Tatiana Jorge Parola, A. POCI [PTDC/QUI-QUI/099388/2008]; FCT [SFRH/BD/38882/2007]; FEDER/COMPETE; T.V. a BI grant [PTDC/EAT-EAT/104930/2008]; REQUIMTE [PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011]; CQC [PEst-C/QUI/UI0313/2011] We are grateful to POCI (project PTDC/QUI-QUI/099388/2008), FCT and FEDER/COMPETE for further funding. RR acknowledges FCT for a Ph.D. grant (SFRH/BD/38882/2007), and T.V. a BI grant under Project PTDC/EAT-EAT/104930/2008. Finally, we thank REQUIMTE supporting project PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011 and CQC supporting project PEst-C/QUI/UI0313/2011. Amer chemical soc Washington

A cellulose liquid crystal motor: a steam engine of the second kind - Geng, Yong; Almeida, Pedro Lúcio; Fernandes, Susete Nogueira; Cheng, Cheng; Palffy-Muhoray, Peter; Godinho, Maria Helena (2013)
The salient feature of liquid crystal elastomers and networks is strong coupling between orientational order and mechanical strain. Orientational order can be changed by a wide variety of stimuli, including the presence of moisture. Changes in the orientation of constituents give rise to stresses and strains, which result in changes in sample shape. We have utilized this effect to build soft cellulose-based motor driven by humidity. The motor consists of a circular loop of cellulose film, which passes over two wheels. When humid air is present near one of the wheels on one side of the film, with drier air elsewhere, rotation of the wheels results. As the wheels rotate, the humid film dries. The motor runs so long as the difference in humidity is maintained. Our cellulose liquid crystal motor thus extracts mechanical work from a difference in humidity.
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A Family of Styrylcoumarins: Synthesis, Spectroscopic, Photophysical and Photochemical Properties - Avo, J.; Martins, S.; A. J. Parola; J. C. Lima; Branco, P. S.; Ramalho, J. P. P.; Pereira, A. (Chempluschem, 2013)
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ISI Document Delivery No.: 197XJTimes Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 24 Avo, Joao Martins, Sergio Jorge Parola, A. Lima, Joao C. Branco, Paula S. Prates Ramalho, Joao P. Pereira, Antonio Prates Ramalho, Joao Paulo/F-3519-2012; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010 Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967 Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia [PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011, FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007448]; FCT [SFRH/BD/65127/2009]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT) This study has been supported by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia through grant no. PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011 and FCOMP-01-0124-FEDER-007448. J.A. wishes to thank the FCT for a PhD grant (SFRH/BD/65127/2009). The NMR spectrometers are part of the National NMR Network (RNRMN) and are funded by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia (FCT). Wiley-v c h verlag gmbh Weinheim

Geometric optimization of a differential planar eddy currents probe for non-destructive testing - Rosado, L.S.; Gonzalez, J.C.; Santos, T.G.; Ramos, P.M.; Piedade, M. (Sensors and Actuators, A: Physical, 2013)
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Cited By :6Export Date: 27 February 2015CODEN: SAAPE

Hybrid mesoporous silica grafted with photoisomerizable 2-hydroxychalcones - Gago, S.; I. M. Fonseca; A. J. Parola (Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2013)
Hybrid photochromic mesoporous materials based on MCM-41 and SBA-15 were synthesized by covalent attachment of 3'-butoxy-7-hydroxyflavylium (Fl-OH) and 3'-butoxy-7-metoxyflavylium (Fl-OCH3) hydrogensulfates. The pristine materials were initially grafted with 3-chloropropyl groups, reacted with 3'-hydroxyacetophenone and finally condensed with appropriate salicylaldehydes to yield the new hybrids MCM-41-Fl-OH and SBA-15-Fl-OCH3. The materials were characterized by powder X-ray diffraction, N-2 adsorption, solid-state C-13 CPMAS NMR spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric and elemental analyses, which confirm the successful covalent bonding of the flavylium moieties with loadings of 16.90 +/- 0.05% and 11.78 +/- 0.04% (w/w) for MCM-41-Fl-OH and SBA-15-OCH3, respectively. Flavylium compounds originate in solution a multiequilibria reaction network than can be actuated by pH and light, defining pH-coupled photochromic systems. The new hybrids show pH-dependent reflectance spectra resembling those observed in solution, but shifted to higher pH ranges, indicating a higher stability of the grafted flavylium cations. Irradiation of these materials equilibrated at adequate pH values where the photoisomerizable trans-chalcones predominate shows formation of the respective flavylium cations that recover back to the initial compositions upon standing in the dark, leading these new organic-inorganic hybrids as pH-dependent photochromic materials. (C) 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
ISI Document Delivery No.: 221LATimes Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 36 Gago, Sandra Fonseca, Isabel M. Parola, A. Jorge Fundacao para a Ciencia a Tecnologia through the National Portuguese NMR Network [PEst-c/EQB/LA0006/2011]; [NMP4-SL-2012-310651]; [FP7-NMP-2012-SMALL-6]; [PTDC/QUI-QUI/104129/2008]; [PTDC/QUI-QUI/119932/2010] This work was supported by European project NMP4-SL-2012-310651 under FP7-NMP-2012-SMALL-6 and by Fundacao para a Ciencia a Tecnologia through the National Portuguese NMR Network, grant PEst-c/EQB/LA0006/2011 and projects PTDC/QUI-QUI/104129/2008 and PTDC/QUI-QUI/119932/2010. Dr. A. Coelho and Prof. F. Lemos (IST-UTL) are acknowledged for TGA and powder X-Ray diffraction data. Elsevier science bv Amsterdam

Impact of Water on the Cis-Trans Photoisomerization of Hydroxychalcones - Leydet, Y.; Batat, P.; Jonusauskas, G.; Denisov, S.; J. C. Lima; A. J. Parola; McClenaghan, N. D.; Pina, F (Journal of Physical Chemistry A, 2013)
The photochromism of a 2-hydroxychalcone has been studied in CH3CN and H2O/CH3OH (1/1, v/v), as well as in analogous deuterated solvents using steady-state (UV-vis absorption, H-1 and C-13 NMR) and time-resolved (ultrafast transient absorption and nanosecond flow flash photolysis) spectroscopies. Whereas the irradiation of trans-chalcone (Ct) under neutral pH conditions leads to the formation of the same final chromene derivative (B) in both media, two distinct photochemical mechanisms are proposed in agreement with thermodynamic and kinetic properties of the chemical reaction network at the ground state. Following light excitation, the first steps are identical in acetonitrile and aqueous solution: the Franck-Condon excited state rapidly populates the trans-chalcone singlet excited state (1)Ct* (LE), which evolves into a twisted state P-1*. This excited state is directly responsible for the photochemistry in acetonitrile in the nanosecond time scale (16 ns) leading to the formation of cis-chalcone (Cc) through a simple isomerization process. The resulting cis-chalcone evolves into the chromene B through a tautomerization process in the ground state (tau= 10 ms). Unlike in acetonitrile, in H2O/CH3OH (1/1, v/v), the P* state becomes unstable and evolves into a new state attributed to the tautomer (1)Q*. This state directly evolves into B in one photochemical step through a consecutive ultrafast tautomerization process followed by electrocyclization. This last case represents a new hypothesis in the photochromism of 2-hydroxychalcone derivatives.
ISI Document Delivery No.: 154CRTimes Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 30 Leydet, Yoann Batat, Pinar Jonusauskas, Gediminas Denisov, Sergey Lima, Joao Carlos Jorge Parola, A. McClenaghan, Nathan D. Pina, Fernando Caparica, cqfb_staff/H-2611-2013; Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010; REQUIMTE, AL/H-9106-2013; Lima, Joao/F-3658-2010 Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; Lima, Joao/0000-0003-0528-1967 Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, National NMR Network [PTDC/QUI-QUI/117996/2010, SERH/BPD/44230/2008]; University of Bordeaux, Region Aquitaine; PHC Pessoa Franco-Portuguese Programme This work was supported by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia, National NMR Network, through Projects PTDC/QUI-QUI/117996/2010 and SERH/BPD/44230/2008 (Y.L.); the University of Bordeaux, Region Aquitaine; and the PHC Pessoa Franco-Portuguese Programme. Amer chemical soc Washington

Kinetic and thermodynamic study of 2 '-hydroxy-8-methoxyflavylium. Reaction network interconverting flavylium cation and flavanone - Petrov, V.; Diniz, A. M.; Cunha-Silva, L.; A. J. Parola; Pina, F (Rsc Advances, 2013)
2'-Hydroxyflavylium and 2'-hydroxyflavanone derivatives can be interconverted by a precise sequence of pH jumps, through the respective intermediate (mono) ionized trans-chalcones. In acidic and neutral media, the well known network of chemical reactions involving flavylium cation, quinoidal base, hemiketal, and cis and trans chalcones is established. In the pH range 8 < pH < 10, the chalcone (Ct) deprotonates and evolves to the formation of a flavanone (F). At higher pH values, the di-ionized trans-chalcone is the stable species, formed from the flavylium cation. Acidification of the di-ionized trans-chalcone gives the flavylium cation or the flavanone, via the mono-ionized trans-chalcone, respectively at pH < 1 and pH approximate to 9. In contrast with the chalcones, the flavanone once formed is stable even in acidic media. However, under strongly basic conditions, it leads back to the di-ionized trans-chalcone, the most stable species at more basic pH values, and the reactions leading to Ct(-), F, Ct(2-), Ct(-), constitute a one direction cycle for interconversion of these species.
ISI Document Delivery No.: 165FBTimes Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 30 Petrov, Vesselin Diniz, Ana Marta Cunha-Silva, Luis Parola, A. Jorge Pina, Fernando Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010; Cunha-Silva, Luis/A-8765-2012; REQUIMTE, AL/H-9106-2013 Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia through the National Portuguese NMR Network [PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011, PTDC/QUI-QUI/119932/2010] This work was supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia through the National Portuguese NMR Network, grant PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011 and project PTDC/QUI-QUI/119932/2010. Royal soc chemistry Cambridge

Liquid crystal necklaces: cholesteric drops threaded by thin cellulose fibres - Geng, Yong; Seč, David; Almeida, Pedro L; Lavrentovich, Oleg D.; Žumer, Slobodan; Godinho, Maria H (Soft Matter, 2013)
Liquid crystals in confined geometries exhibit numerous complex structures often including topological defects that are controlled by the nematic elasticity, chirality and surface anchoring. In this work, we study the structures of cholesteric droplets pierced by cellulose fibres with planar anchoring at droplet and fibre surfaces. By varying the temperature we demonstrate the role of twisting power and droplet diameter on the equilibrium structures. The observed structures are complemented by detailed numerical simulations of possible director fields decorated by defects. Three distinct structures, a bipolar and two ring configurations, are identified experimentally and numerically. Designing cholesteric liquid crystal microdroplets on thin long threads opens new routes to produce fibre waveguides decorated with complex microresonators.
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Microbial communities on deteriorated artistic tiles from Pena National Palace (Sintra, Portugal) - Coutinho, M. L.; Miller, A.Z.; Gutierrez-Patricio, S.; Hernandez-Marine, M.; Gomez-Bolea, A.; Rogerio-Candelera, M.A.; Philips, A.J.L.; Jurado, V.; Saiz-Jimenez, C.; Macedo, MF (International Biodeterioration and Biodegradation, 2013)
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Cited By :16Export Date: 5 June 2018

Nanoparticle Drug Delivery Systems: Recent Patents and Applications in Nanomedicine - Pedro Martins; Daniela Rosa; Alexandra R. Fernandes and Pedro V. Baptista (2013)
Traditional methods of drug delivery present several drawbacks, mainly due to off-target effects that mayoriginate severe side and toxic effect to healthy tissues. Parallel to the development of novel more effective drugs, particular effort has been dedicated to develop and optimize drug delivery vehicles capable of specifically targeting the required tissue/organ and to deliver the cargo only where and when it is needed. New drug delivery systems based on nanoscale devices showing new and improved pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamics properties like enhanced bioavailability, high drug loading or systemic stability have surged in the past decade as promising solutions to the required therapeutic efficacy. Amongst these nanoscale vectors, nanoparticles for drug delivery, such as polymeric, lipidbased, ceramic or metallic nanoparticles, have been at the forefront of pharmaceutical development. The interest in nanomedicine for treatment and diagnosis is clearly reflected on the increasing number of publications and issued patents every year. Here, we provide a broad overview of novel nanoparticle based drug delivery systems, ranging from polymeric systems to metal nanoparticles, while simultaneously listing the most relevant related patents.
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Keywords: Cancer; Drug Carriers; Drug delivery; drug targeting; Nanomedicine; nanoparticles; nanotechnology; patents.

Reinforcement strategies for producing functionally graded materials by friction stir processing in aluminium alloys - Miranda, R.M.; Santos, T.G.; Gandra, J.; Lopes, N.; Silva, R.J.C. (Journal of Materials Processing Technology, 2013)
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Cited By :7Export Date: 27 February 2015CODEN: JMPTE

Structural characterization of a A-type linked trimeric anthocyanin derived pigment occurring in a young Port wine - Oliveira, Joana; da Silva, Mara Alhinho; Jorge Parola, A.; Mateus, Nuno; Bras, Natercia F.; Ramos, Maria Joao; de Freitas, Victor (Food Chemistry, 2013)
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Synthetic analogues of anthocyanins as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells - Calogero, G.; Sinopoli, A.; Citro, I.; Di Marco, G.; Petrov, V.; Diniz, A. M.; A. J. Parola; Pina, F (Photochemical & Photobiological Sciences, 2013)
Seven flavylium salt dyes were employed for the first time as sensitizers for dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). The theoretical and experimental wavelengths of the maximum absorbances, the HOMO and LUMO energy levels, the coefficients, the oscillator strengths and the dipole moments are calculated for these synthetic dyes. The introduction of a donor group in the flavylium molecular structure was investigated. Photophysical and photoelectrochemical measurements showed that some of these synthetic analogues of anthocyanins are very promising for DSSC applications. The best performance was obtained by a DSSC based on the novel compound 7-(N,N-diethylamino)-3',4'-dihydroxyflavylium which produced a 2.15% solar energy-to-electricity conversion efficiency, under AM 1.5 irradiation (100 mW cm(-2)) with a short-circuit current density (J(sc)) of 12.0 mA cm(-2), a fill factor of 0.5 and an open-circuit voltage (V-oc) of 0.355 V; its incident photocurrent efficiency of 51% at the peak of the visible absorption band of the dye is remarkable. Our results demonstrated that the substitution of a hydroxylic group with a diethylamine unit in position 7 of ring A of the flavylium backbone expanded the pi-conjugation in the dye and thus resulted in a higher absorption in the visible region and is advantageous for effective electron injection from the dye into the conduction band of TiO2.
ISI Document Delivery No.: 131WETimes Cited: 3 Cited Reference Count: 57 Calogero, Giuseppe Sinopoli, Alessandro Citro, Ilaria Di Marco, Gaetano Petrov, Vesselin Diniz, Ana M. Jorge Parola, A. Pina, Fernando Pina, Fernando/C-8161-2011; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010; Caparica, cqfb_staff/H-2611-2013; REQUIMTE, AL/H-9106-2013 Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; "EFOR" Project; CNR; Project "SAGRO"; Regione Siciliana (Assessorato Regionale Attivita Produttive progetti PO FESR linea d'intervento) [4.1.1.1]; Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia through the National Portuguese NMR Network [C/EQB/LA0006/2011, PTDC/QUI-QUI/119932/2010]; Programma Operativo Nazionale Ricerca e Competitivita [PON 01_02257 FOTORIDUCO2] This research was supported by "EFOR" Project financed by CNR and by Project "SAGRO" financed by Regione Siciliana (Assessorato Regionale Attivita Produttive progetti PO FESR 2007/2013 linea d'intervento 4.1.1.1). This work was also supported by Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia through the National Portuguese NMR Network, grant PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011 and project PTDC-QUI-QUI/119932/2010. Furthermore we acknowledge Programma Operativo Nazionale Ricerca e Competitivita 2007-2013-project PON 01_02257 FOTORIDUCO2. We gratefully acknowledge Roberto Caruso and Giuseppe Lupo (IPCF_CNR) for their technical assistance for device assembly. Royal soc chemistry Cambridge

Varnish removal from paintings using ionic liquids - Pacheco, M. F.; Pereira, A. I.; Branco, L. C.; A. J. Parola (Journal of Materials Chemistry A, 2013)
The possibility of replacing volatile and toxic organic solvents by ionic liquids (ILs) could contribute to safer procedures for conservation and restoration. This study introduces the use of ILs in varnish removal from paintings. The efficacy of this new procedure was assessed by applying different types of ILs in mock-ups of several painting materials and varnishes. The removal of IL residues from the surface of paintings was assessed mainly by FTIR-ATR. The application of ILs to a real painting is illustrated.
ISI Document Delivery No.: 152ISTimes Cited: 0 Cited Reference Count: 18 Pacheco, Maria Filipa Pereira, Ana Isabel Branco, Luis C. Jorge Parola, A. Caparica, cqfb_staff/H-2611-2013; Parola, A. Jorge/F-4048-2010; REQUIMTE, AL/H-9106-2013 Parola, A. Jorge/0000-0002-1333-9076; portuguese FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia [PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011, PTDC/CTM/103664/2008] We are grateful to Doctor Leslie Carlyle for providing mock-up 1 and to portuguese FCT - Fundacao para a Ciencia e Tecnologia for financial support through projects PEst-C/EQB/LA0006/2011 and PTDC/CTM/103664/2008. Royal soc chemistry Cambridge

Water-Based Cellulose Liquid Crystal System Investigated by Rheo-NMR - Geng, Yong; Almeida, Pedro L; Feio, Gabriel M.; Figueirinhas, João L.; Godinho, Maria H (MacromoleculesMacromolecules, 2013)
Water-based cellulose cholesteric liquid crystalline phases at rest can undergo structural changes induced by shear flow. This reflects on the deuterium spectra recorded when the system is investigated by rheo-nuclear magnetic resonance (rheo-NMR) techniques. In this work, the model system hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC)+water is revisited using rheo-NMR to clarify unsettled points regarding its behavior under shear and in relaxation. The NMR spectra allow the identification of five different stable ordering states, within shear and relaxation, which are well integrated in a mesoscopic picture of the system’s structural evolution under shear and relaxation. This picture emerging from the large body of studies available for this system by other experimental techniques, accounts well for the NMR data and is in good agreement with the three distinct regions of steady shear flow recognized for some lyotropic LC polymers. Shear rates in between 0.1 and 1.0 s–1 where investigated using a Taylor–Couette flow and deuterated water was used as solvent for the deuterium NMR (DNMR) analysis.Water-based cellulose cholesteric liquid crystalline phases at rest can undergo structural changes induced by shear flow. This reflects on the deuterium spectra recorded when the system is investigated by rheo-nuclear magnetic resonance (rheo-NMR) techniques. In this work, the model system hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC)+water is revisited using rheo-NMR to clarify unsettled points regarding its behavior under shear and in relaxation. The NMR spectra allow the identification of five different stable ordering states, within shear and relaxation, which are well integrated in a mesoscopic picture of the system’s structural evolution under shear and relaxation. This picture emerging from the large body of studies available for this system by other experimental techniques, accounts well for the NMR data and is in good agreement with the three distinct regions of steady shear flow recognized for some lyotropic LC polymers. Shear rates in between 0.1 and 1.0 s–1 where investigated using a Taylor–Couette flow and deuterated water was used as solvent for the deuterium NMR (DNMR) analysis.
doi: 10.1021/ma400601b

Renewable power cost supply curves (AIC) TIMES_PT: Portugal - Júlia Seixas; Patrícia Fortes; Luís Dias (IRENA-ETSAP joint Session, 2013)

HYBTEP- Hybrid technological economic platform - Patrícia Fortes; Júlia Seixas (Regular ETSAP Energy Workshop, 2013)

Renewable Power Cost Supply Curves - TIMES_PT: Portugal - Seixas, J.; Fortes, P.; Dias, L. (IRENA-ETSAP Joint Session, 2013)

Adaptability Driven by Quality Of Execution in High Level Virtual Machines for Shared Environments - José Simão; Luís Veiga (International Journal of Computer Systems Science and Engineering, 2013)
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Algorithm for testing behavioural phenotypes in a Zebrafish model of Parkinson's Disease - Pimentel, A.; Gamboa, H.; Cunha, S.; Correia, A. (Proceedings of Biosignals - 6th International Conference on Bio-Inspired and Signal Processing (BIOSIGNALS 2013), 2013)

Art/Science: A case study of luminescent vitreous materials - T. Almeida (Proceedings of the World Congress on Communication and Arts, 2013)

A big data approach to the ultra-fast prediction of DFT-calculated bond energies - X. Qu; D.A. Latino; J. Aires-de-Sousa (J. Cheminform., 2013)

Biological characterization of the antiproliferative potential of Co(II) and Sn(IV) coordination compounds in human cancer cell lines: a comparative proteomic approach - A. Silva; Luis, D.; Santos, S.; Silva, J.; Mendo, A. S.; Coito, L.; Silva, T. F.; da Silva, M. F. G.; Martins, L. M.; Pombeiro, A. J.; Borralho, P. M.; Rodrigues, C. M.; et al. (Drug Metabol Drug Interact, 2013)

Cellulose-based bioelectronic devices - Baptista, Ana Catarina; Ferreira, Isabel; Borges, João (Cellulose - Medical, Pharmaceutical and Electronic Applications, 2013)

Cellulose-based composite systems for biomedical applications - Baptista, Ana Catarina; Ferreira, Isabel; Borges, João Paulo (Biomass based Biocomposites, 2013)

Cobalt and Zinc Compounds Bearing 1,10-Phenanthroline-5,6-dione or 1,3,5-Triaza-7-phosphaadamantane Derivatives - Synthesis, Characterization, Cytotoxicity, and Cell Selectivity Studies - Silva, T. F.; Smolenski, P.; Martins, L. M. D. R. S.; da Silva, M. F. G.; Fernandes, A. R.; Luis, D.; A. Silva; Santos, S.; Borralho, P. M.; Rodrigues, C. M. P.; Pombeiro, A. J. L. (Eur J Inorg Chem, 2013)

Colours of Luminescent Glasses for Artworks - Ruivo, A.; T. Almeida; F. Quintas; Wiley, R.; M. Troeira; Paulino, N.; C.AT. Laia; C.A. Queiroz; A. Pires de Matos (Proceedings of 12th International AIC Colour Congress, 2013)

Comparative study of transparent rectifying contacts on semiconducting oxide single crystals and amorphous thin films - Lajn, Alexander,; von Wenckstern, Holger,; Grundmann, Marius,; Wagner, Gerald,; Barquinha; Fortunato; Rodrigo Martins (Journal of Applied Physics, 2013)

Complementary cross-section based protocol of investigation of polychrome samples of a 16th century Moravian Sculpture by optical, vibrational and mass spectrometric techniques (Microchemical Journal, 2013)

Concurrent Typed Intermediate Language - Luís Miguel Lourenço; João Costa Seco; Francisco Martins (Object Oriented Programming Languages and Systems at 28th Symposium On Applied Computing, 2013)
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Construção Sustentável – Contributos para um Sistema de Certificação Lusófono - Sousa, Pedro; Amado, Miguel P. (2º Congresso Internacional da habitação no Espaço Lusófono, 2013)

Construction of improved tools for protein localization studies in Streptococcus pneumoniae - M. X. Henriques; M. J. Catalão; Figueiredo, J; J. P. Gomes; S. R. Filipe (PLoS One, 2013)

Copper-substituted forms of the wild type and C42A variant of rubredoxin - Thapper, A.; Rizzi, A. C.; Brondino, C. D.; A.G. Wedd; R.J. Pais; B.K. Maiti; Moura, I.; Pauleta, S. R.; Moura, J. J. G. (J Inorg Biochem, 2013)

Coupling an universal primer to SBE combined spectral codification strategy for single nucleotide polymorphism analysis - Cordeiro, Milton; Leticia Giestas; Lima, Joao C.; Pedro Baptista (Journal of Biotechnology, 2013)
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Crowdfunding in urban planning: Opportunities and Obstacles - Correia de Freitas, J.; Amado, Miguel P. (RC 43 Conference 2013 At home in the housing market, 2013)

Current transport mechanism at metal-semiconductor nanoscale interfaces based on ultrahigh density arrays of p-type NiO nano-pillars - Nandy, Suman,; Gonçalves, Gonçalo; Pinto, Joana,; Busani, Tito,; Figueiredo, V.,; Pereira; Paiva Martins, Rodrigo Ferrao; Elvira Fortunato (Nanoscale, 2013)

A Decentralized Utility-based Grid Scheduling Algorithm - João Luís Vazão Vasques; Luís Veiga (28th ACM Symposium On Applied Computing (SAC 2013), 2013)
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Designing model house based on the Cradle-to-Cradle methodology - Ramalhete, Inês; Amado, Miguel P. (SB 13 PORTUGAL - CONTRIBUTION OF SUSTAINABLE BUILDING TO MEET EU 20-20-20 TARGETS, 2013)

Development of antimicrobial Ion Jelly fibers - Santos, Renato dos; Ângelo Rocha; Matias, Ana; Duarte, Catarina; Sá-Nogueira, Isabel; Nuno Lourenço; Borges, João Paulo (RSC Advances, 2013)
We report a method to obtain electrospun fibers based on ionic liquids and gelatin, exhibiting antimicrobial properties.

Distributed replicated macro-components - Helder Martins (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2013)

ECO-WALL: MODULAR SOLUTION FOR LOW-COST HOUSES - Amado, Miguel; Lopes, Tânia; Ramalhete, Inês (CISBAT 2013, 2013)

Effect of pH on the Structure and Composition of Porphyrin Binary Ionic Solids: ZnTPPS/SnTMePyP Nanomaterials - Kathleen E. Martin; Yongming Tian; Tito Busani; Craig J. Medforth; Ricardo Franco; KathlFrank van Swol; John Shelnutt (Chemistry of Materials, 2013)

Effects of ultraviolet excitation on the spectroscopic properties of Sm3+ and Tb3+ doped aluminophosphate glasses - Nico C; Graça M.P.F.; Elisa M.; Sava B.A.; Monteiro R.C.C.; Rino L.; Monteiro T. (Optical Materials, 2013)
Li2O–BaO–Al2O3–La2O3–P2O5 glasses optically activated with rare earth ions with the 4f5, and 4f8 electronic configuration (Sm3+ and Tb3+, respectively) were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy, absorption, excitation photoluminescence, decay curves and temperature dependent photoluminescence. The spectroscopic characteristics of the as-prepared and heat treated samples at temperatures below and above Tg were studied as well as their room temperature photometric properties under ultraviolet excitation. All the doped glasses exhibit typical signatures of the lanthanides in their trivalent charge state. For the samarium doped glass heat treated at 250 °C (lower than Tg) the Sm2+ luminescence was also observed. The analysis of the luminescence efficiency was performed in the interval range of 14 K to room temperature, where the integrated intensity of the luminescence was found to decrease for the Sm3+ and Tb3+ ions in the studied temperature range. Luminescence decay curves were found to be non-exponential for the 4G5/2 → 6H7/2 and5D3 → 7F4 transitions of the Sm3+ and Tb3+ ions, respectively. The results strongly suggest the occurrence of energy transfer processes through cross relaxation phenomena, mediated by dipole–dipole interaction in all the studied samples. The decay of the 5D4 → 7F5 emission of the Tb3+ ions was found to be single exponential with a time constant of ∼3.1 ms. Based on the spectroscopic characteristics, models for recombination processes are proposed. The room temperature luminance photometric properties with ultraviolet excitation show that the samarium doped glasses have much lower luminance intensity (around 0.3 Cd/m2) when compared with the 6–7 Cd/m2 observed for the terbium doped ones.

Efficiency Based Model for Solar Urban Planning - Amado, Miguel; Amado, Antonio; Poggi, Francesca; Correia de Freitas, J. (International Journal of Civil, Architectural Science and Engineering, 2013)

Efficient Support for In-Place Metadata in Java Software Transactional Memory - Ricardo J. Dias; Vale, Tiago M.; João M. Lourenço (Concurrency and Computation: Practice & Experience, 2013)
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Accepted for publication

Electrochemical behavior of bacterial nitric oxide reductase – evidences of low redox potential non-heme FeB give new perspectives on the catalytic mechanism - Cordas, C. M.; Duarte, A. G.; J.J.G .Moura; Moura, I. (Biochim Biophys Acta, 2013)

Electrospun fibers in composite materials for medical applications - Baptista, Ana Catarina; Ferreira, Isabel; Borges, João Paulo (Journal of Composites and Biodegradable Polymers, 2013)
The development of nanoscaled materials has deserved a remarkable interest for biomedical applications. Biological tissues are essentially composite materials with particular mechanical properties that should be carefully considered during the design of innovative biomedical scaffolds. Electrospun membranes are often found in medical applications due to its high specific surface which creates a 3D porous structure that mimics the native extracellular matrix. These electrospun membranes can also be designed to have enhanced mechanical properties, biocompatibility and cellular response making them appealing and inspiring to be used in composites materials. This paper reviews the new insights in the development of advanced nanostructured composites materials based on electrospun fibers. From tissue engineering to bioelectronics, these composite materials can be found in the most promising research developments for the medical applications.

ENERGIA SOLAR: FATOR NO PROCESSO DE PLANEAMENTO DA CIDADE Solar Energy: Factor in the Process of Planning City - Poggi, Francesca; Amado, Miguel P. (2º Congresso Internacional da habitação no Espaço Lusófono, 2013)

Epigenetic and transcriptional signatures of stable versus plastic differentiation of proinflammatory γδT cell subsets. - Schmolka, Nina; Serre, Karine; Ana Rita Grosso; Rei, Margarida; Pennington, Daniel J; Gomes, Anita Q; Silva-santos, Bruno (Nature immunology, 2013)
Two distinct subsets of γδ T cells that produce interleukin 17 (IL-17) (CD27(-) γδ T cells) or interferon-γ (IFN-γ) (CD27(+) γδ T cells) develop in the mouse thymus, but the molecular determinants of their functional potential in the periphery remain unknown. Here we conducted a genome-wide characterization of the methylation patterns of histone H3, along with analysis of mRNA encoding transcription factors, to identify the regulatory networks of peripheral IFN-γ-producing or IL-17-producing γδ T cell subsets in vivo. We found that CD27(+) γδ T cells were committed to the expression of Ifng but not Il17, whereas CD27(-) γδ T cells displayed permissive chromatin configurations at loci encoding both cytokines and their regulatory transcription factors and differentiated into cells that produced both IL-17 and IFN-γ in a tumor microenvironment.
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Keywords: Animals; Antigen; Cell Differentiation; Cell Differentiation: genetics; Cytokines; Cytokines: genetics; Cytokines: metabolism; Epigenesis; Female; gamma-delta; gamma-delta: genetics; gamma-delta: metabolism; gd T; Gene Expression Profiling; Gene Expression Regulation; Genetic; Genome-Wide Association Study; Histones; Histones: metabolism; Knockout; Methylation; Mice; Receptors; T-Cell; T-Lymphocyte Subsets; T-Lymphocyte Subsets: cytology; T-Lymphocyte Subsets: immunology; T-Lymphocyte Subsets: metabolism; Th1 Cells; Th1 Cells: immunology; Th1 Cells: metabolism; Th17 Cells; Th17 Cells: immunology; Th17 Cells: metabolism; Transcriptome

Evaluation of the effect of hearing aids using electroencephalographic analysis - Isabel Marques Rosa (Enterprise and Work Innovation Studies, 2013)
We wonder how it is possible to use the Electroencephalogram (EEG) as a TA instrument, rather than a diagnosis procedure, to evaluate how children hear the sounds. The first concern was related to the definition of concepts, namely the primary and secondary objectives, the importance of the study, the materials and equipment, the procedures, the criteria for inclusion and exclusion and the expected outcomes. We present the main research questions, the proposed methodology and report the first steps of the practical work, some results and a few considerations about the thesis next development.
based on the report for the Doctoral Conference of the PhD programme in Technology Assessment, held at FCT-UNL Campus, Monte de Caparica, July 2013. The PhD thesis has the supervision of Dr. Salomé Almeida (Central Hospital of Lisbon), and co-supervision of Prof. Manuel Ortigueira (FCT-UNL).

Foresight Exercises as a tool for decision-making: the example of two case studies in health - Maia, Maria João (Enterprise and Work Innovation Studies, 2013)
Healthcare systems are characterized by a rapid technology push and demand. Most decisions taken in this field usually are accompanied by risk and uncertainties. Due to financial constrains (common in every healthcare system), all decision must be made based on evidences of reliable studies. It may be not possible to know the future needs of healthcare systems in general, but it should be possible to foreseen them. This paper aims to shed some light on how prospective analysis can be an adding tool for the decision-making process, by enhancing exploratory and strategic dimension of planning and managing in a sensitive field such as healthcare. In order to provide for a simple overview on foresight exercises applied to health, this paper presents two study-cases that applied different methods. Since different foresight methods were applied, a comparative case-study analysis was applied, taking into consideration the following aspects of the exercise: aim, methodology, stakeholders and outputs. The specific objectives of this report are: to explore the usage of foresight methods applied to healthcare level in two different countries and therefore to understand if there are any similarities in the approach; and based on the analysis results, to develop recommendations for healthcare level decision-making in general. The results of this report can be useful for a better understanding on how foresight methods can be applied in healthcare and their importance. This article can help healthcare professionals, providing them a glimpse of some steps on the use of these foresight methods, so they can be more alert for foresight methodological framework and their practical applications. The knowledge on how to apply foresight methodology can be a differential and potential asset of a well-organized and informed institution, as well as an asset for a shared and participative strategic planning.
Based on the report for the unit “Foresight Methods Analysis” of the PhD programme on Technology Assessment at the Universidade Nova de Lisboa, under the supervision of Prof. Dr. António B. Moniz

Functional characterization of PccH, a key cytochrome for electron transfer from electrodes to the bacterium Geobacter sulfurreducens - Joana M Dantas; Tomaz, Diogo M.; Leonor Morgado; Salgueiro, , Carlos A. (FEBS Letters, 2013)
The cytochrome PccH from Geobacter sulfurreducens (Gs) plays a crucial role in current-consuming fumarate-reducing biofilms. Deletion of pccH gene inhibited completely electron transfer from electrodes toward Gs cells. The pccH gene was cloned and the protein heterologously expressed in Escherichia coli. Complementary biophysical techniques including CD, UV-visible and NMR spectroscopy were used to characterize PccH. This cytochrome contains one low-spin c-type heme with His-Met axial coordination and unusual low-reduction potential. This reduction potential is pH-dependent, within the Gs physiological pH range, and is discussed within the context of the electron transfer mechanisms from electrodes to Gs cells.

Functional monolithic platforms: Chromatographic tools for antibody purification - Barroso, Telma; Hussain, Abid; Roque, Ana C A; Ana Aguiar‐Ricardo (Biotechnology journal, 2013)
Polymer monoliths are an efficient platform for antibody purification. The use of monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) and engineered antibody structures as therapeutics has increased exponentially over the past few decades. Several approaches use polymer monoliths to purify large quantities of antibody with defined clinical and performance requirements. Functional monolithic supports have attracted a great deal of attention as they offer practical advantages for antibody purification, such as more rapid analysis, smaller sample volume requirements and the opportunity for a greater target molecule enrichment. This review focuses on the development of synthetic and natural polymer-based monoliths for antibody purification. The materials and methods employed in monolith production are discussed, highlighting the properties of each system. We also review the structural characterization techniques available using monolithic systems and their performance under different chromatographic approaches to antibody capture and release. Finally, a summary of monolithic platforms developed for antibody separation is presented, as well as expected trends in research to solve current and future challenges in this field. This review comprises a comprehensive analysis of proposed solutions highlighting the remarkable potential of monolithic platforms.

GelatinnZn(CF3SO3)2 Polymer Electrolytes for Electrochromic Devices - Alves R.D.,; Rodrigues L.C.; Andrade J.R.; Fernandes M.,; Pinto J.V.,; Pereira L.; Pawlicka A.,; Martins R.; Fortunato E.,; Bermudez V.D.,; Silva M.M. (Electroanalysis, 2013)

Genome-wide analysis of alternative splicing during dendritic cell response to a bacterial challenge - Rodrigues, Raquel; Ana Rita Grosso; Moita, Luís (PloS one, 2013)
The immune system relies on the plasticity of its components to produce appropriate responses to frequent environmental challenges. Dendritic cells (DCs) are critical initiators of innate immunity and orchestrate the later and more specific adaptive immunity. The generation of diversity in transcriptional programs is central for effective immune responses. Alternative splicing is widely considered a key generator of transcriptional and proteomic complexity, but its role has been rarely addressed systematically in immune cells. Here we used splicing-sensitive arrays to assess genome-wide gene- and exon-level expression profiles in human DCs in response to a bacterial challenge. We find widespread alternative splicing events and splicing factor transcriptional signatures induced by an E. coli challenge to human DCs. Alternative splicing acts in concert with transcriptional modulation, but these two mechanisms of gene regulation affect primarily distinct functional gene groups. Alternative splicing is likely to have an important role in DC immunobiology because it affects genes known to be involved in DC development, endocytosis, antigen presentation and cell cycle arrest.
Keywords: Alternative Splicing; Alternative Splicing: genetics; Dendritic Cells; Dendritic Cells: immunology; Dendritic Cells: microbiology; Escherichia coli; Escherichia coli: immunology; Gene Expression Profiling; Genome; Human; Human: genetics; Humans; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis; Protein Isoforms; Protein Isoforms: genetics; Protein Isoforms: metabolism; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; Reproducibility of Results; RNA-Binding Proteins; RNA-Binding Proteins: metabolism

Gold Nanoparticles and Proteins, Interactions - Ricardo Franco; Eulália Pereira (Encyclopedia of Metalloproteins, 2013)

A green approach toward antibody purification: a sustainable biomimetic ligand for direct immobilization on (bio)polymeric supports - Barroso, Telma; Lourenço, Anita; Araújo, Marco; V.D.B. Bonifácio; Roque, A. C. A.; Aguiar-Ricardo, Ana (Journal of Molecular Recognition, 2013)

Histone methyltransferase SETD2 coordinates FACT recruitment with nucleosome dynamics during transcription - Carvalho, Sílvia; Raposo, Ana Cláudia; Martins, Filipa Batalha; Ana Rita Grosso; Sridhara, Sreerama Chaitanya; Rino, José; Carmo-fonseca, Maria; de Almeida, Sérgio Fernandes (Nucleic acids research, 2013)
Histone H3 of nucleosomes positioned on active genes is trimethylated at Lys36 (H3K36me3) by the SETD2 (also termed KMT3A/SET2 or HYPB) methyltransferase. Previous studies in yeast indicated that H3K36me3 prevents spurious intragenic transcription initiation through recruitment of a histone deacetylase complex, a mechanism that is not conserved in mammals. Here, we report that downregulation of SETD2 in human cells leads to intragenic transcription initiation in at least 11% of active genes. Reduction of SETD2 prevents normal loading of the FACT (FAcilitates Chromatin Transcription) complex subunits SPT16 and SSRP1, and decreases nucleosome occupancy in active genes. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation experiments suggest that SPT16 is recruited to active chromatin templates, which contain H3K36me3-modified nucleosomes. Our results further show that within minutes after transcriptional activation, there is a SETD2-dependent reduction in gene body occupancy of histone H2B, but not of histone H3, suggesting that SETD2 coordinates FACT-mediated exchange of histone H2B during transcription-coupled nucleosome displacement. After inhibition of transcription, we observe a SETD2-dependent recruitment of FACT and increased histone H2B occupancy. These data suggest that SETD2 activity modulates FACT recruitment and nucleosome dynamics, thereby repressing cryptic transcription initiation.
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Keywords: Cell Cycle Proteins; Cell Cycle Proteins: genetics; Cell Cycle Proteins: metabolism; DNA-Binding Proteins; DNA-Binding Proteins: metabolism; Gene Knockdown Techniques; Genetic; HEK293 Cells; HeLa Cells; High Mobility Group Proteins; High Mobility Group Proteins: metabolism; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase: genetics; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase: metabolism; Histone-Lysine N-Methyltransferase: physiology; Humans; Kinetics; Membrane Proteins; Membrane Proteins: genetics; Membrane Proteins: metabolism; Nucleosomes; Nucleosomes: metabolism; Protein Binding; RNA; RNA Polymerase II; RNA Polymerase II: metabolism; Small Interfering; Small Interfering: genetics; Transcription; Transcription Factor CHOP; Transcription Factor CHOP: genetics; Transcription Factor CHOP: metabolism; Transcription Factors; Transcription Factors: genetics; Transcription Factors: metabolism; Transcription Initiation; Transcription Initiation Site; Transcriptional Activation; Transcriptional Elongation Factors; Transcriptional Elongation Factors: metabolism; Transcriptome

In situ magnetic separation of antibody fragments from Escherichia coli in complex media - Martin Cerff; Alexander Scholz; Matthias Franzreb; Batalha, Iris L; Roque, Ana Cecilia A; Clemens Posten (BMC biotechnology, 2013)
Background In situ magnetic separation (ISMS) has emerged as a powerful tool to overcome process constraints such as product degradation or inhibition of target production. In the present work, an integrated ISMS process was established for the production of his-tagged single chain fragment variable (scFv) D1.3 antibodies (?D1.3?) produced by E. coli in complex media. This study investigates the impact of ISMS on the overall product yield as well as its biocompatibility with the bioprocess when metal-chelate and triazine-functionalized magnetic beads were used. Results Both particle systems are well suited for separation of D1.3 during cultivation. While the triazine beads did not negatively impact the bioprocess, the application of metal-chelate particles caused leakage of divalent copper ions in the medium. After the ISMS step, elevated copper concentrations above 120?mg/L in the medium negatively influenced D1.3 production. Due to the stable nature of the model protein scFv D1.3 in the biosuspension, the application of ISMS could not increase the overall D1.3 yield as was shown by simulation and experiments. Conclusions We could demonstrate that triazine-functionalized beads are a suitable low-cost alternative to selectively adsorb D1.3 fragments, and measured maximum loads of 0.08?g D1.3 per g of beads. Although copper-loaded metal-chelate beads did adsorb his-tagged D1.3 well during cultivation, this particle system must be optimized by minimizing metal leakage from the beads in order to avoid negative inhibitory effects on growth of the microorganisms and target production. Hereby, other types of metal chelate complexes should be tested to demonstrate biocompatibility. Such optimized particle systems can be regarded as ISMS platform technology, especially for the production of antibodies and their fragments with low stability in the medium. The proposed model can be applied to design future ISMS experiments in order to maximize the overall product yield while the amount of particles being used is minimized as well as the number of required ISMS steps.

Induced peroxidase activity of haem containing nitrate reductases revealed by protein film electrochemistry - Coelho, C.; Marangon, J.; Rodrigues, D.; Moura, J. J. G.; Romão, M.J.; Paes de Sousa, P. M.; Correia dos Santos, M. M. (J Electroanal Chem, 2013)

An innovative, interdisciplinary, and multi-technique study of gilding and painting techniques in the decoration of the Main Altarpiece of Miranda do Douro Cathedral (XVII-XVIIIth centuries, Portugal), (Microscopy Research and Technique, 2013)

Insights into the electrochemical behaviour of composite materials: Monovacant polyoxometalates porous metal-organic framework - Paes de Sousa, P. M.; Grazina, R.; Barbosa, A.D.S.; Baltazar de Castro; Moura, J. J. G.; Cunha-Silva, L.; Salete, S. (Electrochim Acta, 2013)

Instability of mRNA expression signatures of drug transporters in chronic myeloid leukemia patients resistant to imatinib - Gromicho, M.; Magalhaes, M.; Torres, F.; Dinis, J.; Fernandes, A. R.; Rendeiro, P.; Tavares, P; Laires, A.; Rueff, J.; Rodrigues, A. S. (Oncol Rep, 2013)

Investigating the influence of morphology in the dynamical behavior of semicrystalline Triton X100: insights in the detection/nondetection of the α′-Process - Esther G. Merino; Florence Danéde; P. Derrollez; Carlos J. Dias; M. Teresa Viciosa; Natália T. Correia; Madalena Dionísio (The Journal of Physical Chemistry B, 2013)

Iron-sulfur centers: New roles for ancient metal sites - Grazina, R.; S. Pauleta; Moura, J. J. G.; Moura, I. (Comprehensive Inorganic Chemistry II, Vol. 3: Bioinorganic Fundamentals and Applications: Metals in Natural Living Systems and Metals in Toxicology and Medicine, 2013)

Kinetic and structural studies of aldehyde oxidoreductase from Desulfovibrio gigas reveal a dithiolene-based chemistry for enzyme activation and inhibition by H2O2 - Marangon, J.; Correia, H.D.; Brondino, C. D.; Moura, J. J. G.; Romao, M. J.; Gonzalez, P. J.; Santos-Silva, T. (PLoS One, 2013)

Lightweight monitoring of transactional memory programs - João Martins (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2013)

Magnetic separations in biotechnology - L. Borlido; A. M. Azevedo; Roque, A. C. A.; M. R. Aires-Barros (Biotechnology Advances, 2013)
Magnetic separations are probably one of the most versatile separation processes in biotechnology as they are able to purify cells, viruses, proteins and nucleic acids directly from crude samples. The fast and gentle process in combination with its easy scale-up and automation provide unique advantages over other separation techniques. In the midst of this process are the magnetic adsorbents tailored for the envisioned target and whose complex synthesis spans over multiple fields of science. In this context, this article reviews both the synthesis and tailoring of magnetic adsorbents for bioseparations as well as their ultimate application.

Maintaining the Correctness of Transactional Memory Programs - Ricardo J. Dias (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2013)

Marinobacter hydrocarbonoclasticus is an aerobic denitrifier - Pauleta, S. R.; Ramos, S.; Pietsch, M.; Carreira, C.; Dell'Acqua, S.; Moura, I. (EuroBIC 11, 2013)

Molecular Recognition of Rosmarinic Acid from Salvia sclareoides Extracts by Acetylcholinesterase: A New Binding Site Detected by NMR Spectroscopy - Marcelo, Filipa; Dias, Catarina; Madeira, Paulo J.; Jorge, Tiago; Florêncio, M. Helena; Canada, F. Javier; Cabrita, Eurico J.; Jiménez-Barbero, Jésus; Rauter, Amelia P. (Chemistry: A European Journal, 2013)
Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibition is one of the most currently available therapies for the management of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) symptoms. In this context, NMR spectroscopy binding studies were accomplished to explain the inhibition of AChE activity by Salvia sclareoides extracts. HPLC-MS analyses of the acetone, butanol and water extracts eluted with methanol and acidified water showed that rosmarinic acid is present in all the studied samples and is a major constituent of butanol and water extracts. Moreover, luteolin 4′-O-glucoside, luteolin 3′,7-di-O-glucoside and luteolin 7-O-(6′′-O-acetylglucoside) were identified by MS2 and MS3 data acquired during the LC-MSn runs. Quantification of rosmarinic acid by HPLC with diode-array detection (DAD) showed that the butanol extract is the richest one in this component (134 μg mg−1 extract). Saturation transfer difference (STD) NMR spectroscopy binding experiments of S. sclareoides crude extracts in the presence of AChE in buffer solution determined rosmarinic acid as the only explicit binder for AChE. Furthermore, the binding epitope and the AChE-bound conformation of rosmarinic acid were further elucidated by STD and transferred NOE effect (trNOESY) experiments. As a control, NMR spectroscopy binding experiments were also carried out with pure rosmarinic acid, thus confirming the specific interaction and inhibition of this compound against AChE. The binding site of AChE for rosmarinic acid was also investigated by STD-based competition binding experiments using Donepezil, a drug currently used to treat AD, as a reference. These competition experiments demonstrated that rosmarinic acid does not compete with Donepezil for the same binding site. A 3D model of the molecular complex has been proposed. Therefore, the combination of the NMR spectroscopy based data with molecular modelling has permitted us to detect a new binding site in AChE, which could be used for future drug development.
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Nanofibers and nanoparticles in biomedical applications - Baptista, Ana Catarina; Paula I P Soares; Ferreira, Isabel; Borges, João Paulo (Bioengineered Nanomaterials, 2013)

Nanoparticles of copper oxide on layered double hydroxides and the derived solid solutions as wide spectrum active nano-photocatalysts - Carja, Gabriela,; Dartu, Laura,; Okada, Kiyoshi,; Fortunato, Elvira. (Chemical Engineering Journal, 2013)

Nanotechnology for Cancer Diagnostics and Therapy – An Update on Novel Molecular Players - Fernandes, A. R.; P.V. Baptista (Curr Canc Ther Rev, 2013)

NavMol 2.0 – A Molecular Structure Navigator/Editor for Blind and Visually Impaired Users - R.P.S. Fartaria; F. Pereira; V.D.B. Bonifácio; Mata, P.; J. Aires-de-Sousa; A. M. Lobo (Eur. J. Org. Chem, 2013)

New method to analyze dielectric relaxation processes: a study on polymethacrylate series - S. Soreto Teixiera; C. J. Dias; M. Dionísio; L. C. Costa (Polymer International, 2013)

Nitrite biosensing using cytochrome c nitrite reductase: Towards a disposable strip electrode - Correia C.; Rodrigues M.; Silveira C.M.; Moura J.J.G.; Ochoteco E.; Jubete E.; Almeida M.G. (Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies, Communications in Computer and Information Science, 2013)

Nitrous Oxide Reductase - S. Dell’Acqua; Pauleta, S. R.; Moura, I.; Moura, J. G. (Encyclopedia of Metalloproteins - Copper, 2013)

Nitrous Oxide Reductase - Pauleta, S. R.; S. Dell’Acqua; Moura, I. (Coord Chem Rev, 2013)

NMR Solution Structure and SRP54M predicted interaction of the N-Terminal sequence (1-30) of the ovine Doppel protein - Jorge Pimenta; Viegas, Aldino; Sardinha, João; Martins, Ivo C; Cabrita, Eurico J.; Fontes, Carlos M. G. A.; Prates, Jose A. M.; Pereira, Rosa M. L. N. (Peptides, 2013)
Prion protein (PrPC) biosynthesis involves a multi-step process that includes translation and post-translational modifications. While PrP has been widely investigated, for the homolog Doppel (Dpl), limited knowledge is available. In this study, we focused on a vital step of eukaryotic protein biosynthesis: targeting by the signal recognition particle (SRP). Taking the ovine Dpl (OvDpl(1-30)) peptide as a template, we studied its behavior in two different hydrophobic environments using CD and NMR spectroscopy. In both trifluoroethanol (TFE) and dihexanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphatidylcholine (DHPC), the OvDpl(1-30) peptide revealed to fold in an alpha-helical conformation with a well-defined central region extending from residue Cys8 until Ser22. The NMR structure was subsequently included in a computational docking complex with the conserved M-domain of SRP54 protein (SRP54M), and further compared with the N-terminal structures of mouse Dpl and bovine PrPC proteins. This allowed the determination of (i) common predicted N-terminal/SRP54M polar contacts (Asp331, Gln335, Glu365 and Lys432) and (ii) different N–C orientations between prion and Dpl peptides at the SRP54M hydrophobic groove, that are in agreement with each peptide electrostatic potential. Together, these findings provide new insights into the biosynthesis of prion-like proteins. Besides they also show the role of protein conformational switches in signalization toward the endoplasmic membrane, a key event of major significance in the cell cycle. They are thus of general applicability to the study of the biological function of prion-like as well as other proteins.
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On the Relevance of Total-Order Broadcast Implementations in Replicated Software Transactional Memories - Vale, Tiago M.; Ricardo J. Dias; João M. Lourenço (Multicore Software Engineering, Performance, and Tools, 2013)
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Keywords: selected_and_recent

Optical and structural characterization of samarium and europium-doped phosphate glasses - Elisa M; Sava B.A.; Vasiliu I.C.; Monteiro R.C.C.; Veiga J.P.; Ghervase L.; Feraru I.; Iordanescu R. (Journal of Non-Crystalline Solids, 2013)
The work deals with optical and structural properties of aluminophosphate glasses from Li2O–BaO–Al2O3–La2O3–P2O5 system containing Sm3+ and Eu3+ ions. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) has been used to establish the elemental composition of these materials. The influence of Sm3+ and Eu3+ ions on the optical properties of these glasses has been investigated in relation with their structural characteristics. The optical behavior of these materials has been studied by ultra-violet–visible (UV–Vis) spectroscopy, revealing absorption maxima specific to the doping ions. Structural information via vibration modes was provided by Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) absorption spectra evidenced as P–O–P symmetrical and asymmetrical stretching vibration modes, P–O–P bend, PO2- symmetrical and asymmetrical stretching vibration modes, P=O stretching vibration mode and P–O–H water absorbance. Raman spectra acquired by 514.5 nm laser excitation disclosed peaks specific to metaphosphate network. Information about the elemental compositional homogeneity of Sm3+ and Eu3+ -containing glasses as well as about the defects of the doped-glasses is revealed by scanning electron microscopy/energy dispersive spectrometry (SEM/EDS). Fluorescence spectroscopy measurements put in evidence important fluorescence peaks found at 596 nm and 643 nm for Sm3 + ions in phosphate matrix and 611 nm and 700 nm in the case of Eu3+ -doped glass.

p-Type CuxO Thin-Film Transistors Produced by Thermal Oxidation - Figueiredo, V.,; Pinto, Joana,; Deuermeier, J.,; Barros, R.,; Alves, C,; Martins; E. Fortunato (Journal of Display Technology, 2013)

PAREDE ECO-ESTRUTURAL – SOLUÇÃO MODULAR PARA A CONSTRUÇÃO DE HABITAÇÃO SUSTENTÁVEL A CUSTOS REDUZIDOS Eco-structural wall – Modular Solution for Sustainable Construction of Low Cost Residential Buildings - Lopes, Tânia; Amado, Miguel P. (2º Congresso Internacional da habitação no Espaço Lusófono, 2013)

Partial replication in distributed software transactional memory - Silva, João (Universidade Nova de Lisboa, 2013)

Performances of Microcrystalline Zinc Tin Oxide Thin-Film Transistors Processed by Spray Pyrolysis - Parthiban, S.,; Elangovan, E.,; Nayak, Pradipta K.,; Gonçalves, G.,; Nunes, D.,; Pereira; Barquinha; Busani, Tito,; Fortunato; Rodrigo Martins (Journal of Display Technology,, 2013)

Periplasmic nitrate reductases and formate dehydrogenases: Biological control of the chemical properties of Mo and W for fine tuning of reactivity, substrate specificity and metabolic role - Gonzalez, P. J.; Rivas, M. G.; Mota, C. S.; Brondino, C. D.; Moura, I.; Moura, J. J. G. (Coord Chem Rev, 2013)

PLANNING FOR SOLAR SMART CITIES - Amado, Miguel P.; Poggi, Francesca (CISBAT 2013, 2013)

Precise Detection of Atomicity Violations - Ricardo J. Dias; Pessanha, Vasco; João M. Lourenço (Hardware and Software: Verification and Testing, 2013)
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HVC 2012 Best Paper Award

Preparation and characterization of cellulose nanocomposite hydrogels as functional electrolytes - Ramos, A.M.,; Pereira; Cidade, M.T.,; Pereira; Branquinho, R.,; Pereira; Martins; E. Fortunato (Solid State Ionics, 2013)

Preparation and Characterization of Hybrid Oxyethylene/Siloxane Electrolyte Systems - Rodrigues, L. C.,; Silva, M. A. G.,; Smith, Michael J.,; Gonçalves, G.,; E. Fortunato (Electroanalysis, 2013)