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Tratamento para afinação de águas residuais pré-tratadas da indústria do queijo em zonas húmidas artificiais plantadas com vetiveria zizanioides
Patente de Invenção Nacional 108146A presente invenção diz respeito ao tratamento de águas residuais pré-tratadas provenientes de indústrias queijeiras com recurso a técnicas de fito-remediação com Vetiveria zizanioides.
Para esse efeito, as águas residuais, provenientes de indústrias queijeiras, são sujeitas a precipitação química básica sendo, em seguida, o sobrenadante neutralizado através de reação de carbonatação com dióxido de carbono ou ácido. A etapa de fito-remediação das águas residuais (1) é realizada numa Zona Húmida Artificial (ZHA) que compreende Vetiveria zizanioides (5) em agregados leves de argila expandida (4 e 8) e alimentação em modo contínuo (2 e 3) com escoamento sub-superficial vertical (6 e 7).
Este processo permite afinar estes efluentes num tempo de retenção hidráulico baixo, da ordem das 4 horas, e com utilização de cargas orgânicas mássicas e concentração de CQO até 206 gm-2d-1 e 1690 mgO2L-1, respetivamente, sem recurso a reagentes químicos e sem produção de lamas
Enhancement of energy performance in cheese ripening chambers through renewable energy integration
This research explores the integrated application of renewable energy sources—specifically wind, solar thermal, and photovoltaic—combined with Phase Change Materials (PCMs) to enhance energy efficiency and reduce CO₂ emissions in the production of traditional ewe’s milk cheese. Particular emphasis is placed on optimizing the cooling mechanisms within cheese ripening chambers. Given the increasing urgency of addressing climate change, especially within the European Union, the shift toward sustainable energy systems is imperative. Moreover, the volatility of fossil fuel markets underscores the necessity of prioritizing renewable alternatives. Conducted under the framework of the CASEUS project, the study evaluates key parameters such as influencing thermal stability and energy demand across the pasteurization, coagulation, and ripening stages of cheese production. It further assesses the performance of the energy system by aiming to maximize the efficiency of electrical energy sources (wind and photovoltaic) and thermal energy sources (solar thermal and biomass). The incorporation of PCMs is shown to play a vital role in stabilizing chamber temperatures and improving thermal energy storage, thereby contributing to overall system efficiency.EC13-5D83-788A | João DiasN/
Adoção da IFRS 16 pelas PME portuguesas: Estudo de caso nas PME do distrito de Beja
oai:repositorio.ipbeja.pt:20.500.12207/7128A harmonização contabilística internacional visa assegurar a comparabilidade e transparência da informação financeira num mercado global. O presente estudo analisa a aplicabilidade e o impacto da IFRS 16 nas Pequenas e Médias Empresas (PME) portuguesas, centrando-se no distrito de Beja, onde predominam empresas familiares e estruturas simples. O problema de investigação consiste em compreender se a adoção voluntária desta norma é proporcional e vantajosa para PME com recursos limitados. O enquadramento teórico acompanha a evolução da normalização contabilística internacional, desde o IASC até ao IASB, demostrando como a IFRS 16 surgiu para aumentar a transparência, exigindo que todos os contratos de locação ( incluindo os operacionais) fossem reconhecidos no balanço. Esta mudança, embora positiva para comparabilidade, implica maior complexidade técnica e custos adicionais. A metodologia combina revisão de literatura, inquérito a Contabilistas Certificados e estudo de caso aplicado a uma PME da região. Esta abordagem permite avaliar perceções profissionais e impactos quantitativos. Os resultados revelam conhecimento técnico moderado e barreiras significativas, tais como: carga administrativa, exigências de mensuração, ajustamentos fiscais e efeitos nos rácios financeiros. No estudo de caso, a capitalização das locações aumentou o ativo e o passivo, reduziu a autonomia financeira e alterou os indicadores de rentabilidade, sem benefícios proporcionais à dimensão da empresa. Conclui-se que a adoção voluntária da IFRS 16 não apresenta relação custo-benefício favorável para as PME do Baixo Alentejo. O estudo reforça a necessidade de políticas contabilísticas ajustadas à realidade empresarial, alertando para os limites da harmonização internacional quando aplicada a contextos heterogéneos
Impact of situational variables on goal-scoring offensive sequences in the 2022 FIFA World Cup
Research in match performance analysis has progressed markedly, yet detailed studies on technical-tactical indicators, notably those addressing multiple situational variables, remain sparse. To narrow this literature gap, this study aimed to examine the impact of four situational variables (competition stage, match period, match status, and team quality) on key performance indicators (KPIs) in goal-scoring sequences during the 2022 FIFA World Cup. All 168 goal-scoring sequences from regular time were evaluated post-event using the Offensive Sequences Characterisation System, which included simple and composite indicators. Another three categorical variables (ball recovery type, ball recovery location, and team possession type) were also coded. To evaluate the effects of situational variables, Mann-Whitney U and Kruskal-Wallis tests were applied to KPIs, whilst Chi-square and Multinomial Logistic Regression were conducted for categorical variables. The analysis revealed that while competition stage, match period, and match status did not significantly affect KPIs related to build-up and progression, they noticeably influenced defensive-to-offensive transitions, particularly during mid-game (31–60 min) and when teams were losing. In such scenarios, teams regained possession higher up the pitch, employing more aggressive defensive strategies. Team quality emerged as the most decisive factor, with better-ranked teams displaying longer, more structured attacks and faster ball interventions to score. The findings suggest that success in elite soccer is driven not only by team quality, but also by adaptability to match-specific conditions. Integrating these situational factors into both training and match preparation is vital to developing a team’s adaptability to the ever-evolving contextual dynamics of elite soccer
Understanding education and professional practice of UML: Insights from Brazil and Portugal
The Unified Modeling Language (UML) has been a foundational component of software engineering education for decades. However, the increasing adoption of agile methodologies and the emphasis on lean documentation have raised questions about the practical relevance and usage of UML in industry. Understanding the gap between academic instruction and professional practice is crucial for improving modeling education and supporting the development of meaningful software design. Goal: This study aims to investigate how UML is currently taught and learned in academic settings and adopted in professional environments, comparing perspectives from Brazil and Portugal. The objective is to identify alignment or misalignment between education and industry needs and provide actionable insights to improve modeling practices. Method: We conducted two structured surveys: one with 80 instructors from higher education institutions and another with 206 software practitioners. Unlike previous studies focused on a single context, this research adopts a cross-country mixed-methods design that integrates quantitative and qualitative analyses to enable a comprehensive comparison of UML education and practice. The methodological triangulation combines descriptive statistics with Grounded Theory coding of open-ended responses, providing both breadth and depth of interpretation. Results: The findings show that UML is primarily taught using a subset of diagrams, namely class, use case, and sequence diagrams, within traditional Software Engineering courses. In contrast, practitioners report limited use of UML in real projects, often constrained by agile workflows, lack of tool support, or perceived complexity. While instructors emphasize the value of UML for abstraction and documentation, professionals tend to favor practical communication tools and simplified modeling practices. Conclusions: There is a significant gap between how UML is taught and learned and how it is used in practice. This study advances the understanding of software engineering education by offering the first cross-country empirical comparison of UML teaching and practice between Brazil and Portugal. The results highlight how contextual factors, such as agile adoption, tool accessibility, and institutional curricula, influence the persistence of this gap. To bridge this divide, modeling education should incorporate agile-compatible strategies, emphasize the practical use of tools, and focus on diagram types most relevant to the industry. These findings provide important implications for modern software engineering education, supporting the design of curricula that better align theoretical instruction with professional practice in agile-driven environments
Emotional competencies and physical activity in primary school children: A comparative study across levels of learning support
Children's emotional development is a determining factor for their school success and overall well-being. Additionally, physical activity is recognized as a relevant contribution in promoting emotional self-regulation, self-esteem, and social inclusion. This aspect is especially important in the inclusive educational context, where it seeks to respond to the needs of students with learning difficulties through diversified support measures. The study aimed to analyse the relationship between differentiation and emotional identification indices and levels of physical activity in primary school children (ages 6–10). Three distinct groups were considered: students without Learning and Inclusion Support Measures (No-LISM), with Selective Learning and Inclusion Support Measures (S-LISM), and with Universal Learning and Inclusion Support Measures (U-LISM). The sample size consisted of 69 children (mean age = 814 ± 1.13 years). Data were collected on sports practice and physical activity using accelerometry, as well as emotional indices were collected through the Inventory of Identification of Emotions and Feelings. The results revealed statistically significant differences in emotional indices between the groups, with No-LISM students presenting higher levels of differentiation and emotional identification. In contrast, students with U-LISM demonstrated higher levels of moderate to vigorous physical activity. It is concluded that, although physical activity is important in the inclusive educational context, its associations on emotional development are not always consistent. These results suggest the need for more structured psychoeducational strategies to enhance the potential impact of physical activity on emotional development, particularly in students with greater support needs
Educação de adultos e capacitação social: Contributos do processo de RVCC para o desenvolvimento comunitário em Almodôvar
Esta dissertação analisa o papel da Educação de Adultos e dos processos de Reconhecimento, Validação e Certificação de Competências (RVCC) no desenvolvimento comunitário do concelho de Almodôvar, um território rural marcado por desafios demográficos, sociais e económicos. A investigação parte da premissa de que a aprendizagem ao longo da vida constitui não apenas uma oportunidade de desenvolvimento individual, mas também um recurso estratégico para a coesão social e a inclusão de grupos em contextos de desigualdade social. A metodologia adotada é de natureza qualitativa, recorrendo a entrevistas a participantes nos processos de Educação de Adultos e à análise documental. Os resultados indicam que a Educação de Adultos em Almodôvar contribuiu para que muitos cidadãos retomassem percursos educativos anteriormente interrompidos, promovendo o reforço da autoestima e o desenvolvimento de competências relevantes tanto para a inserção profissional como para o desenvolvimento pessoal. Os processos de Reconhecimento, Validação e Certificação de Competências foram ainda percecionados como um mecanismo de valorização e legitimação de saberes adquiridos em contextos informais, favorecendo o reconhecimento social e o alargamento das oportunidades de empregabilidade. Adicionalmente, os resultados do estudo evidenciam o impacto destes processos no empoderamento comunitário, no fortalecimento das redes de apoio mútuo e na construção de relações de confiança entre os participantes, dinâmicas que reforçam o sentido de pertença, estimulam a cooperação local e incentivam a participação em iniciativas coletivas, contribuindo para o fortalecimento do tecido social local. Apesar destes efeitos positivos, persistem constrangimentos estruturais - como limitações de transporte, horários pouco flexíveis, escassez de recursos e falta de técnicos especializados, que condicionam a plena eficácia dos programas. Conclui-se que a Educação de Adultos e o processo RVCC desempenham um papel relevante na inclusão social e no desenvolvimento comunitário em contextos rurais, sendo fundamental o reforço de políticas públicas e estratégias ajustadas às especificidades territoriais para assegurar a sua sustentabilidade e impacto a longo prazo
Impact of organic and conventional production systems on mineral, chemical, antioxidants, and colorimetric composition of grape pomace from different cultivars
The winemaking industry represents one of the most important sectors of the Mediterranean agrifood economy, generating large amounts of solid residues, especially grape pomace. The study aimed to evaluate during two consecutive harvest years the influence of the production system (conventional vs. organic) and cultivar on the mineral, chemical, and antioxidant composition, as well as the colorimetric properties, of grape pomaces obtained from four Vitis vinifera L. cultivars in Alentejo-Portugal. The results showed that mineral composition was significantly affected by both production system and cultivar, with organic grape pomace showing higher K and Mn contents, whereas Ca and Cu showed consistently higher content under conventional. Protein content tended to increase under organic production, while fiber and fat were overall higher in conventional, particularly in the first year. Sugars displayed strong cultivar specificity, with Arinto showing the highest concentrations (30 to 40%), and considering all cultivars, total phenolic content ranged between 4000 ando 9000 mg GAE/100 g, while antioxidant capacity varied among cultivars and years. Colorimetric parameters were essentially influenced by cultivar and harvest year rather than production system. The PCA revealed that PC1 (44.06%) represented a gradient associated with mineral and antioxidant composition, while PC2 (21.26%) reflected minor variation in color and sugars, and the hierarchical clustering distinguished Syrah and Alicante Bouschet as the cultivars most responsive to production system, whereas Aragonez and Arinto exhibited greater compositional stability across years. Overall, the findings indicate that both cultivar and management practices (organic and conventional) influence the compositional profile of grape pomace, with organic showing a tendency to enhance K, Mn, protein, and antioxidant parameters, whereas conventional practices favored higher levels of Ca, Cu, and fiber. The results provide valuable insights for the valorization of grape pomace and the development of sustainable viticultural strategies in Mediterranean environments.EC13-5D83-788A | João DiasN/
Energy sustainability in the ripening of traditional cheese: Renewable energy sources and Internet of Things Based Energy Monitoring
Improving the energy efficiency of traditional production methods while preserving their cultural and economic value is a challenge aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 agenda. Refrigeration during cheese maturation is particularly energy-intensive, contributing significantly to greenhouse gas emissions and operating costs. An approach to make traditional cheese production more sustainable, through the development of a prototype ripening chamber with a natural refrigerant-based refrigeration system powered by renewable energy was studied. A dedicated system based on an Internet of Things architecture was developed using low-cost sensors, microcontroller units, and single-board computers to enable real-time measurement and monitoring of environmental variables and energy consumption throughout the ripening process. A comparative analysis was conducted using ewe’s milk cheese, produced and ripened with Protected Designation of Origin conditions, in both the prototype and the conventional chambers over four weeks, quantifying energy consumption and evaluating product quality. Results demonstrate the technical feasibility of energy efficient and sustainable refrigeration systems, as well as the possibility of retrofitting installed cheese ripening chambers with affordable IoT monitoring systems, while maintaining traditional cheese quality standards.EC13-5D83-788A | João DiasN/