University of Minho

About: University of Minho is a education organization based out in Braga, Portugal. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Context (language use) & Population. The organization has 10585 authors who have published 34736 publications receiving 732436 citations. The organization is also known as: Universidade do Minho & UMinho.

Study of the rare decays of B s 0 and B 0 mesons into muon pairs using data collected during 2015 and 2016 with the ATLAS detector

Abstract: A study of the decays B0 s ! + and B0 ! + has been performed using 26 : 3 fb of 13TeV LHC proton-proton collision data collected with the ATLAS detector in 2015 and 2016. Since the detector resolut ...

The relationship between resource dependence and market orientation

Abstract: Purpose – This article sets out to examine the market orientation construct within the context of the non‐profit sector. Given the specificity of non‐profit organisations and the increasingly demanding resource environments in which these organisations operate, the adoption of the concept of marketing is viewed as an adaptive strategy for ensuring that organisations receive the necessary resources for accomplishing their missions and carrying out their activities. In line with this, the present article aims to investigate the extent to which the type of revenue strategy is related to the organisation's market orientation, towards donors and/or users.Design/methodology/approach – Drawing from a resource dependence conceptual framework, the article reports findings from a quantitative study of a representative sample of Portuguese non‐profit organisations (NPOs). This approach was complemented by qualitative research methods. Combining these two approaches has given access to different levels of reality and...

Processing and characterization of a novel nonporous poly(vinilidene fluoride) films in the β phase

Abstract: Poly(vinylidene fluoride) (PVDF) has remarkable properties leading to electro-optics, electro-mechanical and biomedical applications. In particular, its piezo- and pyroelectric properties provide possibilities for many technological applications. The semicrystalline nature of PVDF, combined with the occurrence of at least four crystalline phases implies a complicated physical microstructure. The most frequently described and important phase is the β phase. The piezo- and pyroelectric properties mainly depend on this phase, so increasing the β phase content has always been a great concern. It is possible to obtain films in the β phase by solution but this material presents a high porosity leading to an opaque appearance and a decrease of the mechanical and electrical properties. In this work, porous films in the β phase were obtained directly from the solution at 60 °C. After applying pressure perpendicular to the surface of the film at elevated temperature, the pores in the original sample are eliminated. The changes on the morphology and crystallinity associated to the pressure treatment were also studied.

Performance of electron and photon triggers in ATLAS during LHC Run 2

Abstract: Electron and photon triggers covering transverse energies from 5 GeV to several TeV are essential for the ATLAS experiment to record signals for a wide variety of physics: from Standard Model processes to searches for new phenomena in both proton–proton and heavy-ion collisions. To cope with a fourfold increase of peak LHC luminosity from 2015 to 2018 (Run 2), to 2.1×1034cm-2s-1, and a similar increase in the number of interactions per beam-crossing to about 60, trigger algorithms and selections were optimised to control the rates while retaining a high efficiency for physics analyses. For proton–proton collisions, the single-electron trigger efficiency relative to a single-electron offline selection is at least 75% for an offline electron of 31 GeV, and rises to 96% at 60 GeV; the trigger efficiency of a 25 GeV leg of the primary diphoton trigger relative to a tight offline photon selection is more than 96% for an offline photon of 30 GeV. For heavy-ion collisions, the primary electron and photon trigger efficiencies relative to the corresponding standard offline selections are at least 84% and 95%, respectively, at 5 GeV above the corresponding trigger threshold.

Biodegradation of Ochratoxin A for Food and Feed Decontamination

Abstract: Ochratoxin A (OTA) is one of the most important mycotoxins that is found in food and feed products. It has proven toxic properties, being primarily known for its nephrotoxicity and carcinogenicity to certain animal species. OTA is produced by several species of Aspergillus and Penicillium that can be found in a wide variety of agricultural products, which makes the presence of OTA in these products common. Many countries have statutory limits for OTA, and concentrations need to be reduced to as low as technologically possible in food and feed. The most important measures to be taken to control OTA are preventive in order to avoid fungal growth and OTA production. However, these measures are difficult to implement in all cases with the consequence of OTA remaining in agricultural commodities. Remediation processes are often used to eliminate, reduce or avoid the toxic effects of OTA. Biological methods have been considered increasingly as an alternative to physical and chemical treatments. However, examples of practical applications are infrequent. This review will focus on the (i) known microorganisms and enzymes that are able to biodegrade OTA; (ii) mode of action of biodegradation and (iii) current applications. A critical discussion about the technical applicability of these strategies is presented.