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As dinâmicas ao redor da habitação segundo a imprensa local de Tavira e regional do Algarve 1974-1980
No full textIntelligent monitoring systems for electric vehicle charging
No full textFeatured Application This paper reviews EV charging challenges and existing monitoring methods to pinpoint key gaps. From our review, we propose a practical monitoring framework that leverages IoT sensors, edge computing, and cloud services for real-time oversight, predictive maintenance, and responsive analysis of user behavior.Abstract The growing adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) presents new challenges for managing parking infrastructure, particularly concerning charging station utilization and user behavior patterns. This review examines the current state-of-the-art in intelligent monitoring systems for EV charging stations in parking facilities. We specifically focus on two key inefficiencies: vehicles occupying charging spots beyond the optimal fast-charging range (80% state-of-charge) and remaining connected even after reaching full capacity (100%). We analyze the theoretical and practical foundations of these systems, summarizing existing research on intelligent monitoring architectures and commercial implementations. Building on this analysis, we also propose a novel monitoring framework that integrates Internet of things (IoT) sensors, edge computing, and cloud services to enable real-time monitoring, predictive maintenance, and adaptive control. This framework addresses both the technical aspects of monitoring systems and the behavioral factors influencing charging station management. Based on a comparative analysis and simulation studies, we propose performance benchmarks and outline critical research directions requiring further experimental validation. The proposed architecture aims to offer a scalable, adaptable, and secure solution for optimizing EV charging infrastructure utilization while addressing key research gaps in the field.UID/04516/NOV
Antimicrobial and wound healing effects associated to cytocompatibility and the relationship with phytochemical profile of selected Portuguese monofloral honeys
No full textOwing to its applications in both food and pharmaceutical industries honey is regarded as a functional product. This study evaluated 32 Portuguese monofloral honeys and their activity was compared with manuka honey 850 +. The antimicrobial activity was determined against Gram-positive and negative bacteria, and yeast. Antioxidant activity, wound healing ability, and cell viability were studied in the human keratinocyte cell line (HaCaT). Phytochemical profile analysis was performed by UPLC/DAD/ESI-MSn. Chestnut, bell heather, eucalyptus, manuka, and strawberry tree honeys demonstrated higher antioxidant activity and were effective against S. aureus. Incense and orange honeys showed wound healing rates of 89 % and 86 %, respectively. All the honeys had cell viability above 76 %. Bell heather and strawberry tree honeys showed the highest total phenolic content, while incense and orange honeys, showed the lower ones. Phytochemical profile analysis evidenced two main clusters, one dominated by isoprenoids and norisoprenoids, as well as phenolic acids and derivatives, while the other included flavonoids as main compounds. Blending different Portuguese monofloral honeys may be an alternative to faster wound healing, by combining their diverse bioactive components. The gathered knowledge can be further explored in formulations that consider the biological activity capacity and composition of each honey.UIDP/05183/20
Aquaculture in the crossroad of microplastic contamination
No full textPlastic pollution threatens life and human health, with microplastics (MP) linked to seafood consumption. MPs enter aquaculture through the environment and from aquaculture gear. During aquaculture production, plastic is used in nets and sacks for the growth process and in collecting and processing so it becomes important to expand the knowledge about how much MPs are present in seafood. The aim was to investigate the presence of MPs in three bivalve's species; oysters (Crassostrea gigas), clams (Ruditapes decussatus), and mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) produced in offshore and intertidal aquaculture in two different climate conditions. Water, bivalves and sediments were collected from each site and abundance, size, colour, type and composition of the MPs polymers analysed. The most common colour in offshore aquaculture was blue while in intertidal was black, and the type was fragments. Sixty per cent of bivalves did not have MPs in their tissues. Bivalves from offshore aquaculture was less impacted by MPs probably due to the hydrographic conditions and distance from the coast. Most of MPs ingested by bivalves were related to the plastic type used in aquaculture materials. Transformative solutions and/ or procedures to eliminate plastic from aquaculture equipment are needed, and depuration might be a practical solution
Skeletal maturity in adolescence: evaluating bone development and age metrics
No full textBackground/Objectives: Bone maturation and development are crucial for growth and development, especially in children and adolescents; however, some qualitative methods, such as Greulich & Pyle, do not provide accurate data. Our aim is to verify whether skeletal age (SA) can predict and correlate with bone mineral content (BMC), bone mineral density (BMD), and body composition (BC). Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 115 male adolescents (ages 12.1-15.8 years). Skeletal age was assessed using the Tanner-Whitehouse 3 (TW3) method, while BMC, BMD, and BC were measured using full-body DXA. Anthropometric data, including height and body mass, were also recorded. Statistical analysis included descriptive methods and bivariate correlation coefficients. Results: SA was significantly correlated with stature (r = 0.598, p = 0.001) and body mass (r = 0.517, p = 0.001), showing a stronger association than chronological age (CA) for these variables. Body composition variables, including lean mass (LM) (r = 0.521, p = 0.001) and fat tissue (FT) (r = 0.522, p = 0.001), also showed a stronger correlation with SA than CA. However, associations between SA and bone parameters were weaker: BMC (r = 0.103, p = 0.275) and BMD (r = 0.161, p = 0.086) did not reach statistical significance. When stratified by SA/CA tertiles, individuals in the highest tertile exhibited slightly greater BMC (1439 +/- 108.32 g) and BMD (1.028 +/- 0.127 g/cm2), though without a significant effect. These findings suggest a dynamic but complex relationship between skeletal age and bone development. Conclusions: SA demonstrates a stronger association with anthropometric and body composition variables than CA, highlighting its potential as a predictor of growth used in conjunction with LM and FM. However, its relationship with BMD and BMC remains inconclusive, warranting further longitudinal research, considering limitations regarding nutritional intake.CE/FCDEF-UC/0017201
New data on the provenance of copper from Leceia
No full textThe archaeological site of Leceia is a Chalcolithic settlement with one of the largest amounts of metal artefacts in the Lisbon peninsula, although the absence of ores and smelting remains suggests that local metallurgical operations were essentially related to the last stages of the chaine opératoire, namely the casting and forging of artefacts. In fact, the local archaeological record shows several ingots including axe‑ingots, some of which bear clear traces of sectioning. Five of these ingots were analysed to establish their elemental compositions and Pb isotope signatures in order to identify the possible sources of copper used in their manufacture. Elemental results identified copper with variable contents of arsenic (up to 2.94 wt%) and very low amounts of other impurities, which compares well with the composition of local objects. Pb isotope ratios are also in line with the values previously obtained for copper prills and objects from Leceia, supporting the likely use of these ingots for the casting of local artefacts. Moreover, the most likely candidates for supplying the metal based on in the ingots analysed are copper deposits located in the Linares‑La Carolina mine district and also, but to a lesser extent, in mines located in the Los Pedroches Batholith and the South Portuguese Zone. This evidences a long‑distance copper trade between the Portuguese Estremadura and the Southern Iberian Peninsula and implies multiple trade connections of Chalcolithic communities inhabiting this region
A European biobanking strategy for safeguarding macroalgal genetic material to ensure food security, biosecurity and conservation of biodiversity
No full textBiobanking (also known as germplasm banking) of genetic material is a well-established concept for preserving plant genetic diversity and also contributes to food security, conservation and restoration. Macroalgae currently represent a very small percentage of the strains in publicly accessible European germplasm banks, despite the increasing recognition of their contribution to achieving several of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. There is no strategic coordination of existing macroalgal strains, which could have severe ecological and economic implications as species and their genetic diversity disappear rapidly due to local and global environmental stressors. In this opinion paper, we stress the importance of a coordinated European effort for preserving macroalgal genetic diversity and suggest the development of a three-pillared system to safeguard European macroalgal genetic material consisting of (1) a European Board of Macroalgal Genetic Resources (EBMGR) to provide supervision, support and coordination, (2) a network of germplasm banks consisting of currently existing and newly established infrastructures and (3) an interoperable databank integrating existing databanks. While it will be the task of the EBMGR to identify and coordinate priorities, we offer initial recommendations for preserving macroalgal genetic material, discuss the risks of inaction, and highlight the challenges that must be overcome
Fire use during the last glacial maximum: evidence from the epigravettian at korman' 9, middle dniester valley, Ukraine
No full textThe Last Glacial maximum (LGM), spanning from 26.5 to 19 thousand years before present (ka bp), is a period of extreme climatic degradation associated with reduced biomass production and resource stress throughout Eurasia. Arguably, one of the most fundamental tools for human survival during this cold and arid period was the ability to create, maintain and use fire. While fire is widely considered a ubiquitous tool in modern human behaviour, there are surprisingly few well-described combustion features during the LGM in Europe. In this paper, we provide high-resolution geoarchaeological research into three combustion features associated with Epigravettian occupations at the site of Korman' 9 (Ukraine) with ages falling in the LGM. Our results show distinct variations in the size and structure of the combustion features, potentially indicating multiple occupations within the same layer or reflect differences in site organization or function during a single occupation. Additionally, our analysis shows clear evidence of the effect of solifluction and the lack of preservation of the ash layer(s) of the combustion features, as well as the development of bioturbation features enhanced by anthropogenic input. To better estimate heating temperatures of the combustion events, we employed a novel approach using colour analysis showing temperatures reaching 600 degrees C in the substrate underlying the combustion features. In all, the combustion features at Korman' 9 provide invaluable new insights as well as high resolution description of pyrotechnological behaviours during the LGM, which has been lacking during this critical period in our evolutionary history.101041245, 65632
Behavioural responses to visual and chemical cues in Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus): a putative pheromonal activity for 17β-estradiol 3-glucuronate
No full textIn reproduction of Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), chemical communication mainly relies on urinary steroidal glucuronides (sex pheromones) that dominant males release to prime the final ovulation in pre-ovulatory females and increase reproductive readiness. However, the role of steroids in chemical communication in females has received less attention. Here, we aimed to determine whether 17 beta-estradiol 3-glucuronate released by pre-ovulatory females functions as a reproductive signal towards males. We investigated the preference of focal males to visual, chemical (female conditioned water), and a combination of both stimuli from pre-ovulatory or post-spawning females, as well as 10- 9 M 17 beta-estradiol 3-glucuronate. Compared to the control zone, where no stimuli were present, males were more responsive (time spent near the stimuli, digging behaviour, and urination frequency) in the visual and visual + chemical zones than in the chemical-only zone. Males preferred pre-ovulatory to post-spawning female-conditioned water. Interestingly, the time spent by focal males near the source of 17 beta-estradiol 3-glucuronate was similar to pre-ovulatory conditioned water. However, there was no significant difference in digging and urine pulses in response to 17 beta-estradiol 3-glucuronate compared to the control group. We suggest that male tilapia recognise the ovulation status of females using visual and chemical cues, and 17 beta-estradiol 3-glucuronate is part of the odorant content released by pre-ovulatory females to communicate their reproductive status.2020.08404.B
Variação terminológica no domínio do ensino superior e da gestão acadêmica
No full textEste trabalho trata de um estudo sobre a variação terminológica no domínio do ensino superior e da gestão universitária nas variantes de português do Brasil (PB) e de Portugal (PE). Esta investigação orienta-se a partir do pressuposto teórico-metodológico da Teoria Comunicativa da Terminologia (TCT), (Cabré, 1999), bem como da Linguística de Corpus. Aplica-se ainda o modelo teórico da variação terminológica de Freixa (2002; 2005; 2013; 2014). Com base nessas perspectivas teóricas, o estudo analisa um corpus em PE com apoio em um segundo corpus em PB com características específicas: trata-se de textos disponibilizados em sites de instituições de ensino superior (IES) com o objetivo de orientar os novos alunos a respeito dos procedimentos e rotina relacionados à vida universitária. De outra maneira, os corpora foram compilados, primordialmente, com guias de aluno em português do Brasil (PB) e português europeu (PE). A investigação tem como ponto central identificar, analisar e apresentar os fenômenos mais relevantes para a variação terminológica denominativa a partir de seus contextos.This work focuses on a study of terminological variation within the domain of higher education and university management in the Brazilian Portuguese and European Portuguese variants. The research is guided by the theoretical and methodological principles of the Communicative Theory of Terminology (CTT), (Cabré, 1999) and incorporates elements of Corpus Linguistics. Based on these theoretical foundations, the study analyzes a corpus in European Portuguese, supported by a second corpus in Brazilian Portuguese with specific characteristics: it consists of texts available on websites of higher education institutions (HEIs) designed to guide new students regarding procedures and routines associated with university life. The central objective of this research is to identify, analyze, and present the most relevant phenomena of denominative terminological variation based on their contexts