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Publication . Tissot, I.; Ottone Alves, B.; Silva, T.; Nogueira, F.; Manso, M.; LIBPhys-UNL; DF – Departamento de Física; UNIDEMI - Unidade de Investigação e Desenvolvimento em Engenharia Mecânica e Industrial; DEMI - Departamento de Engenharia Mecânica e Industrial; VICARTE - Vidro e Cerâmica para as Artes; DCR - Departamento de Conservação e Restauro; Elsevier
The condition assessment of Industrial Heritage machinery in operation is an open research subject of utmost importance for defining conservation and maintenance plans. The present work approaches this issue by proposing the study of Industrial Heritage machinery that includes the assessment of substrates, coatings, lubricants and operating mechanisms by applying analytical techniques currently used for heritage studies together with techniques employed in condition monitoring of modern machinery. An early 20th century steam engine from the Vale de Milhaços Gunpowder Factory (Portugal), in operation for demonstration purposes, was selected as a case study. The engine metallic alloys and coatings were studied by XRF and Raman spectroscopies, and the main properties of lubricants studied according to EN ISO and ASTM standard tests. Metallic particles present in the oil due to wear were assessed by XRF. The mechanisms were examined by gamma radiography, magnetoscopy, thermography and vibrational analysis. Data showed the use of distinct alloys according to the engine components' function similar to those reported for the same period. Green copper phthalocyanine and toluidine red identified as coatings’ pigments are typical from the late 20th century and thus ascribed to a previous repair. The properties of the fresh and used lubricants are slightly different but without evidence of a significant alteration that could endanger the machine's functioning. However, the presence of metallic particles in the oil suggested the existence of wear phenomena. The engine's operating speed (51 rpm) and the vapour temperature (≈154 °C) attained inside the cylinder were indirectly determined. The presence of cracks on the engine structure was assessed, and possible faults that can imperil the engine functioning were analysed. The vibrational analysis of equipment in operation revealed a lack of lubrication and wear on the feed pump journal bearings.
The Effect of UV-Vis Radiation on DNA Systems Containing the Photosensitizers Methylene Blue and Acridine Orange
Publication . Pivetta, Thais P.; Ribeiro, Paulo A.; Raposo, Maria; DF – Departamento de Física; CeFITec – Centro de Física e Investigação Tecnológica; LIBPhys-UNL; MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
As a vital biomolecule, DNA is known as a target of antineoplastic drugs for cancer therapy. These drugs can show different modes of interaction with DNA, with intercalation and groove binding being the most common types. The intercalation of anticancer drugs with DNA can lead to the disruption of its normal function, influencing cell proliferation. Methylene blue (MB) and acridine orange (AO) are examples of DNA-intercalating agents that have been studied for their application against some types of cancer, mainly for photodynamic therapy. In this work, the impact of light irradiation on these compounds in the absence and presence of DNA was analyzed by means of UV-vis spectroscopy. Bathochromic and hypochromic shifts were observed in the absorbance spectra, revealing the intercalation of the dyes with the DNA base pairs. Dyes with and without DNA present different profiles of photodegradation, whereby the dyes alone were more susceptible to degradation. This can be justified by the intercalation of the dyes on the DNA base pairs allowing the DNA molecule to partially hinder the molecules’ exposition and, therefore, reducing their degradation.
PARP1
Publication . Conceição, Carlota J.F.; Moe, Elin; Ribeiro, Paulo A.; Raposo, Maria; Instituto de Tecnologia Química e Biológica António Xavier (ITQB); LIBPhys-UNL; Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia (FCT); Elsevier
The Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP1) enzyme is involved in several signalling pathways related to homologous repair (HR), base excision repair (BER), and non-homologous end joining (NHEJ). Studies demonstrated that the deregulation of PARP1 function and control mechanisms can lead to cancer emergence. On the other side, PARP1 can be a therapeutic target to maximize cancer treatment. This is done by molecules that can modulate radiation effects, such as DNA repair inhibitors (PARPi). With this approach, tumour cell viability can be undermined by targeting DNA repair mechanisms. Thus, treatment using PARPi represents a new era for cancer therapy, and even new horizons can be attained by coupling these molecules with a nano-delivery system. For this, drug delivery systems such as liposomes encompass all the required features due to its excellent biocompatibility, biodegradability, and low toxicity. This review presents a comprehensive overview of PARP1 biological features and mechanisms, its role in cancer development, therapeutic implications, and emerging cancer treatments by PARPi-mediated therapies. Although there are a vast number of studies regarding PARP1 biological function, some PARP1 mechanisms are not clear yet, and full-length PARP1 structure is missing. Nevertheless, literature reports demonstrate already the high usefulness and vast possibilities offered by combined PARPi cancer therapy.
The colour palette of 16th-18th century azulejos
Publication . Bandiera, Mario; Veronesi, Umberto; Manso, Marta; Ruivo, Andreia; Vilarigues, Márcia; Esteves, Lurdes; Pais, Alexandre; Coentro, Susana; VICARTE - Vidro e Cerâmica para as Artes; LIBPhys-UNL; DCR - Departamento de Conservação e Restauro; Elsevier
This work provides an overview of the pigments used by Portuguese azulejo painters through the study of 34 glazed tiles belonging to the National Azulejo Museum in Lisbon, Portugal. The tiles are dated from the late 16th century to the early 19th century, with most samples attributed to the 17th and 18th centuries. Building on a previous study where the chemical composition of the 17th-century colour palette was characterised [1], we used a non-invasive methodology to further identify compositional differences among groups of colours spanning a wider timeframe. Blue, white, yellow, orange, purple, green and brown decorations were analysed by EDXRF to obtain qualitative and (in some samples) quantitative information on their chemical composition. µ-Raman spectroscopy was used to identify the main colouring agents. Finally, colorimetric measurements of the different hues of each colour were performed to address the relation between colour and chemical composition. Our results show that greens could be obtained through a copper-based pigment or by mixing lead-antimonate with cobalt-blue pigment. Although cobalt is the colouring agent of all blue decorations, compositional differences suggest the use of different types of raw materials or the addition of specific reagents to modify the hue. On the other hand, yellow hues ranging from lemon yellow to orange were manufactured by adding zinc, tin, or iron oxide to a lead antimonate base. Finally, a manganese ore was used to make the purple pigment. Overall, we noted that while the basic pigments remained the same, the colour palette was progressively widened during the 18th century. This was done by using more pure pigments (i.e., with less iron), by changing the ratio in pigment mixtures (i.e., blue and yellow), or by overlapping colour layers for artistic effects. Finally, the results of the chemical and colorimetric analyses are always influenced by the concentration of the pigment in the glaze, its thickness and the overlapping of pigments used by azulejo painters to expand the shades available for the final artistic composition.
Ammonia Detection by Electronic Noses for a Safer Work Environment
Publication . Reis, Tiago; Moura, Pedro Catalão; Gonçalves, Débora; Ribeiro, Paulo A.; Vassilenko, Valentina; Fino, Maria Helena; Raposo, Maria; DF – Departamento de Física; LIBPhys-UNL; DEE - Departamento de Engenharia Electrotécnica e de Computadores; CTS - Centro de Tecnologia e Sistemas; UNINOVA-Instituto de Desenvolvimento de Novas Tecnologias; MDPI - Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute
Providing employees with proper work conditions should be one of the main concerns of any employer. Even so, in many cases, work shifts chronically expose the workers to a wide range of potentially harmful compounds, such as ammonia. Ammonia has been present in the composition of products commonly used in a wide range of industries, namely production in lines, and also laboratories, schools, hospitals, and others. Chronic exposure to ammonia can yield several diseases, such as irritation and pruritus, as well as inflammation of ocular, cutaneous, and respiratory tissues. In more extreme cases, exposure to ammonia is also related to dyspnea, progressive cyanosis, and pulmonary edema. As such, the use of ammonia needs to be properly regulated and monitored to ensure safer work environments. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration and the European Agency for Safety and Health at Work have already commissioned regulations on the acceptable limits of exposure to ammonia. Nevertheless, the monitoring of ammonia gas is still not normalized because appropriate sensors can be difficult to find as commercially available products. To help promote promising methods of developing ammonia sensors, this work will compile and compare the results published so far.
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Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia
Programa de financiamento
Concurso de avaliação no âmbito do Programa Plurianual de Financiamento de Unidades de I&D (2017/2018) - Financiamento Base
Número da atribuição
UIDB/04559/2020