4161 research outputs found
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Report 2023 : Portugal
No full textABSTRACT: In 2023, the new installed wind power capacity amounted to 159 MW. This capacity refers to overcapacity procedures, building on existing sites. Important milestones were attained by the ministerial working group created by the Portuguese government to accelerate the offshore wind market, expecting a total installed capacity of 10 GW.N/
Middle Jurassic dinosaur footprints from the Serras de Aire and Candeeiros [Resumo]
No full textABSTRACT: The Dinosaur Footprints Natural Monument of Ourém/Torres Novas, known as Galinha quarry,
and the Vale de Meios quarry, are located in the Serras de Aire e Candeeiros Nature Park (Central Portugal). They are two geosites, duly geoconserved, of recognized international scientific value, due to its exceptionality regarding to the age, size, and quality of preservation of ichnites. Both quarries are located in limestones of the Serra de Aire Formation (Bathonian, Middle Jurassic) (Azerêdo 2007). The Galinha quarry preserves 20 trails with sauropod footprints, in an excellent state of conservation, and it is possible to observe finger marks and a ridge formed by the sediment that was removed under the weight of the animal. This deposit has some of the oldest and longest sauropod tracks known in the world (up to 147 m long) and allows to obtain a dynamic image of the locomotion of these sauropods (Santos et al 2009). The Vale de Meios quarry preserves more than 700 theropod tracks. They are organized in at least 80 unidirectional trackways, arranged in a bimodal orientation pattern (W/NW and E/SE). Paleoenvironmental studies in this quarry indicates an inter-tidal flat located at the margin of a coastal barrier (Razzolini et al 2016).N/
Comparación geoquímica de los complejos plutónicos circulares con las rocas extrusivas de la isla de Sal (Cabo Verde)
No full textABSTRACT: Sal island is located in the northeast and is the oldest of the Cape Verde archipelago, with magmatic activity starting ~25 Ma ago. It presents a series of circular plutons that could represent the subvolcanic roots of the exposed extrusive rocks. In this work we compare the geochemical characteristics of melagabbro-gabbro of circular (~16.3 Ma) intrusions in the Old Eruptive Complex, with basaltic and nephelinitic lavas of equivalent age (~15.8 and 14.2 Ma, Torres et al., 2010). This comparison allows observing a geochemical overlap between basalts and gabbros, and the similarity between trends of part of the samples in Harker-type diagrams and REE patterns. However, this compositional overlap is incomplete, with considerable differences and absence of fractionated (intermediate) lava types related to these terms of the circular complexes. This partial but incomplete overlap of the compositional fields of the plutonic and volcanic trends argues against the possibility of a direct genetic relationship between the two.RESUMEN: Sal se localiza en el noreste de Cabo Verde y es la isla más antigua del archipiélago, con actividad magmática que comenzó hace 25 Ma. Presenta una serie de plutones circulares que podrían representar las raíces subvolcánicas de las rocas extrusivas expuestas. En este trabajo comparamos las características geoquímicas de melagabros-gabros de los complejos circulares (~16.3 Ma) intrusivos en el Old Eruptive Complex, con lavas basálticas y nefeliníticas de edad equivalente (~15.8 y 14.2 Ma, Torres et al., 2010). Esta comparativa permite observar un solapamiento geoquímico entre basaltos y gabros, y la similitud entre tendencias de parte de las muestras en diagramas tipo Harker y patrones de REE. Sin embargo, este solapamiento composicional es incompleto, existiendo diferencias considerables y una ausencia de lavas fraccionadas (intermedias) que se relacionen con estos términos de los complejos circulares. Esta superposición parcial pero incompleta de los campos composicionales de las rocas
plutónicas y volcánicas complica la posibilidad de existencia de una relación genética directa entre ambos conjuntos magmáticos
Citizen science in the analysis of geohazards in the Atlantic Area
No full textRESUMEN: La participación ciudadana constituye la piedra angular común de los cinco Observatorios piloto de peligros geológicos (movimientos en masa, terremotos, inundaciones fluviales y costeras, riesgos geotécnicos y erosión costera) implementados en cuatro países del Área Atlántica en el marco del proyecto AGEO INTERREG, con varias iniciativas de divulgación llevadas a cabo para mejorar la concienciación de los ciudadanos sobre los peligros geológicos. En este contexto, el logro notable de AGEO reside en el desarrollo de herramientas estandarizadas capaces de satisfacer las numerosas necesidades de estos pilotos, de modo que tanto los ciudadanos como los colaboradores expertos tengan acceso a canales de comunicación que les permitan informar sobre la ocurrencia de eventos de peligros geológicos. Además, la utilización de productos y servicios de emergencia del programa europeo Copernicus asume un papel importante en el establecimiento y funcionamiento de los Observatorios. Debido a su adaptabilidad en todo el variado espectro de pilotos de AGEO, estas herramientas prometen una integración perfecta en posibles futuros observatorios ciudadanos de riesgos geológicos y por tanto una contribución a la mejora de los sistemas de gestión de riesgos.ABSTRACT: Citizen involvement stands as a common cornerstone of the five pilot Observatories on Geohazards (mass movements, earthquakes, river and coastal floods, geotechnical hazards, and coastal erosion) implemented in four countries in the Atlantic Area in the frame of AGEO INTERREG project, which includes a range of outreach initiatives aimed at increasing public awareness of geohazards. In this context, AGEO's notable accomplishment lies in the development of standardized tools adept at accommodating the numerous needs of these pilots. Thus, both citizens or expert collaborators, are afforded access to communication channels that allow them to report any geohazard event. Moreover, the utilization of products and emergency services from the European Copernicus program assumes a pivotal role in the Observatories establishment and operation. Due to their adaptability across the varied spectrum of AGEO pilots, these tools can be seamlessly integrated into potential future citizen geohazards observatories elsewhere and thus contribute to improve geohazard management systems more generally
Evaluation of Biotechnological Active Peptides Secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae with Potential Skin Benefits
No full textABSTRACT:Biotechnological active peptides are gaining interest in the cosmetics industry due to their antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-collagenase (ACE) effects, as well as wound healing properties, making them suitable for cosmetic formulations. The antimicrobial activity of peptides (2–10 kDa) secreted by Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ethanol-Red was evaluated against dermal pathogens using broth microdilution and challenge tests. ACE was assessed using a collagenase activity colorimetric assay, antioxidant activity via spectrophotometric monitoring of nitrotetrazolium blue chloride (NBT) reduction, and anti-inflammatory effects by quantifying TNF-α mRNA in lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-exposed dermal fibroblasts. Wound healing assays involved human fibroblasts, endothelial cells, and dermal keratinocytes. The peptides (2–10 kDa) exhibited antimicrobial activity against 10 dermal pathogens, with the Minimum Inhibitory Concentrations (MICs) ranging from 125 µg/mL for Staphylococcus aureus to 1000 µg/mL for Candida albicans and Streptococcus pyogenes. In the challenge test, peptides at their MICs reduced microbial counts significantly, fulfilling ISO 11930:2019 standards, except against Aspergillus brasiliensis. The peptides combined with MicrocareⓇ SB showed synergy, particularly against C. albicans and A. brasilensis. In vitro, the peptides inhibited collagenase activity by 41.8% and 94.5% at 250 and 1000 µg/mL, respectively, and demonstrated antioxidant capacity. Pre-incubation with peptides decreased TNF-α expression in fibroblasts, indicating anti-inflammatory effects. The peptides do not show to promote or inhibit the angiogenesis of endothelial cells, but are able to attenuate fibrosis, scar formation, and chronic inflammation during the final phases of the wound healing process. The peptides showed antimicrobial, antioxidant, ACE, and anti-inflammatory properties, highlighting their potential as multifunctional bioactive ingredients in skincare, warranting further optimization and exploration in cosmetic applications.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Correction: Correia et al. Sustainability Assessment of 2G Bioethanol Production from Residual Lignocellulosic Biomass. Processes 2024, 12, 987
No full textCorrection to Processes 2024, 12(5), 987.Error in Table: In the original publication [1], there was a mistake in Table 8 as published. The presented cost of purchased equipment and Total CAPEX cost shall not differ between the two scenarios. The purchased equipment cost and Total CAPEX cost should be, for both scenarios, 21.35 and 75.66M€, respectively. The corrected Table 8 appears below. The authors state that the scientific conclusions are unaffected. This correction was approved by the Academic Editor. The original publication has also been updated.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Estudio preliminar de gravas y vetas de cuarzo existentes en la región de Equimina, Benguela (Angola): usos potenciales en la industria
No full textABSTRACT: Vast occurrences of quartz in veins and extensive gravel beds in the coastal area of Equimina,
approximately 100 km south of Benguela, constitute the object of this study, aiming for its industrial use. These occurrences are related to Paleoproterozoic gneisses and migmatites on which they outcrop. The veins are quite dismantled on the surface, and show a pronounced strike scattering, but the NE-SW orientation prevails. Some veins are pegmatitic (feldspar, quartz, and mica), others, if not the majority to the East in the study area, have a strong predominance of milky quartz with low content of other minerals. Except for a superficial and removable patina of iron oxides that often coats the quartz, it is free of visible impurities. Chemical analysis confirms high purity (SiO2 > 99.5%) and very low content of penalizing oxides. Although the composition of quartz is suitable for use in the ceramic and glass industry, due to the ways it occurs, the main potential of this abundant resource in the studied area is for the refractory and metallurgy industry. Besides the chemical composition, the size of the gravel mostly meets the dimensional requirements for silicon metal production, needing minimal beneficiation.RESUMEN: Grandes yacimientos de vetas de cuarzo y extensos lechos de grava en el litoral de Equimina,
aproximadamente a 100 kilómetros al sur de Benguela, constituyen el objeto de este estudio, con vistas a
su uso industrial. Estos indicios afloran entre gneises y migmatitas paleoproterozoicos. Las vetas de cuarzo
están bastante desmanteladas superficialmente y muestran una pronunciada dispersión del rumbo, pero
prevalece la orientación NE-SW. Algunas vetas son pegmatíticas (feldespato, cuarzo y mica), otras, si no
la mayoría hacia el Este del área estudiada, tienen un fuerte predominio de cuarzo lechoso con bajo contenido de otros minerales. Excepto por una pátina superficial y removible de óxidos de hierro que a menudo recubre el cuarzo, está libre de impurezas visibles. Los análisis químicos confirman una alta pureza (SiO2 > 99,5%) y un contenido muy bajo de óxidos penalizadores. Si bien la composición del cuarzo es adecuada para su uso en la industria cerámica y del vidrio, por la forma en que se presenta, el principal potencial de este recurso es para la industria refractaria y metalúrgica. Además de la composición química, el tamaño de la grava cumple mayormente con los requisitos dimensionales para la producción de silicio metálico, necesitando un procesamiento mínimo.N/
Método para a determinação da atividade emulsificante de compostos surfactantes e/ou emulsificantes - Patente nacional: PT 117456 (B)
No full textRESUMO: A presente invenção traduz-se num método expedito para detetar e/ou quantificar a atividade emulsificante de compostos com propriedades surfactantes ou emulsificantes, a saber, detergentes domésticos e industriais, surfactantes sintéticos de uso laboratorial e biosurfactantes e/ou bioemulsificantes, presentes em soluções aquosas. Especificamente, o método compreende a definição de uma nova unidade de emulsificação, sendo esta o volume mínimo de uma solução do composto a testar, que diluído num mililitro de solução aquosa, é capaz de completa emulsificação de um mililitro de uma fase orgânica hidrofóbica.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Método de produção em contínuo de biocatalizadores com atividade de biodessulfurização utilizando fontes de enxofre inibitórias - Patente nacional: PT 118539 (A)
No full textRESUMO: A presente invenção traduz-se num método para a produção em cultura contínua de células microbianas e/ou biocatalizadores, com atividade de biodessulfurização, utilizando fontes de enxofre inibitórias, como as fontes de enxofre facilmente metabolizáveis, através do controlo da concentração relativa do enxofre, para que este seja sempre o nutriente limitante.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio
Optimizing deep eutectic solvent pretreatment for enhanced glucan recovery from miscanthus
No full textABSTRACT: This work focuses on the use of the deep eutectic solvent composed of choline chloride and acetic acid (1 : 2) in the pretreatment of the perennial energy crop Miscanthus, commonly called silvergrass. The pretreatment time and temperature were optimized to achieve a maximum of the glucan and minimum of the lignin contents in the pretreated biomass. In the optimization approach, the maximal glucan recovery in the pretreated solid was also considered. The performed optimization resulted in conditions (2 h 52 min and 150 degrees C), at which a pretreated biomass contained 74.1 wt% and 9.5 wt% of glucan and lignin respectively, and a glucan recovery was as high as 87.0 wt%. Furthermore, the biocompatibility of deep eutectic solvent was evaluated by using enzymatic hydrolysis washed and unwashed pretreated biomass produced at optimal conditions. The enzymatic hydrolysis of washed biomass resulted in higher glucan and xylan conversion than those achieved from unwashed biomass, deeming the step of biomass washing necessary. This was confirmed by the fractal kinetics modelling that confirmed higher accessibility of glucan for washed biomass than for unwashed Miscanthus sample.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio