Microbial syngas conversion by mesophilic and thermophilic anaerobic mixed-cultures

Synthesis gas (or syngas) can be produced from the gasification of a variety of recalcitrant or biodegradable wastes. Syngas is a mixture composed of mainly H2, CO and CO2 that can be used in a biological process for the production of fuels or usable chemicals. The main goal of this work was to study the physiology and microbial composition of anaerobic cultures able to utilize syngas. The results indicated that the thermophilic sludge inoculum presents a promising carboxydotrophic potential comparing to the mesophilic sludge inoculum. Monitoring of microbial structure of thermophilic enriched cultures by using PCR-DGGE and cloning techniques showed that bacterial community profiles clustered in three different groups

Biological fermentation of syngas

Este resumo faz parte de: Book of abstracts of the Meeting of the Institute for Biotechnology and Bioengineering, 2, Braga, Portugal, 2010. A versão completa do livro de atas está disponível em: http://hdl.handle.net/1822/1096

Geomorphological heritage assessment: a methodology proposal

A metodologia de avaliação de património geomorfológico que é agora proposta, foi desenvolvida e aplicada no Parque Natural de Montesinho, no âmbito de um projecto dedicado ao património geológico dos parques naturais do NE de Portugal. Pretende-se que esta metodologia de avaliação possa ser adoptada em outras áreas, independentemente das suas características e dimensão. Esta metodologia baseia-se em três tipos de “objectos” com valor geomorfológico: locais isolados, áreas e miradouros. A avaliação é realizada em duas etapas principais, a inventariação e a quantificação, suportadas pela caracterização geomorfológica da área em análise. Na etapa da inventariação, após a identificação dos locais potenciais é feita a sua avaliação qualitativa e a selecção dos locais de interesse geomorfológico, os quais são caracterizados. A quantificação consiste na pontuação dos critérios relativos ao valor geomorfológico e ao valor de gestão. Estes resultados permitem a comparação e a seriação final.During the last years, the geomorphological heritage of Montesinho Natural Park was assessed, in the scope of a research project on the geological heritage of the Natural Parks of NE Portugal. The assessment methodology proposed considers three types of geomorphosites and two main stages. Geomorphosites can be single places, areas and panoramic viewpoints. The two main stages are the inventory and the quantification. The inventory includes the identification and the qualitative assessment of potential geomorphosites and therefore the selection and characterization of geomorphosites. The quantification stage includes the numerical assessment and the final ranking. Geomorphological (scientific, ecological, cultural and aesthetic) and management (protection and use) values are numerically assessed using selected criteria.Centro de Estudos Geográficos, Universidade de Lisboa.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Geomorphosite assessment in Montesinho Natural Park (Portugal)

The Montesinho Natural Park (MNP), with an area of about 750 km2, is one of the largest protected areas in Portugal. Since its inauguration as a natural park in 1979, geological and geomorphological aspects have not been taken into consideration in its nature conservation policies. Over the last few years, this deficit has been compensated with an assessment of its geomorphological heritage. The assessment was made possible due to a research project on the geological heritage of the natural parks of north-eastern Portugal. The assessment method propagated herein proposes a clear definition of three types of geomorphosites: single places, geomorphological areas or panoramic viewpoints. Further, it proposes as two-staged approach to assessment with inventory compilation followed by quantification of value. Inventory compilation, for example, involves the identification and qualitative assessment of potential geomorphosites and, therefore, the selection and characterization of geomorphosites. The quantification stage includes the numerical assessment of sites and their final ranking. The values are numerically assessed using selected criteria. The implementation of this approach in the MNP led to the identification of 154 potential geomorphosites, of which only 26 were selected after the qualitative assessment or characterisation process. The numerical assessment of the sites and their ranking allowed a final selection of 13 sites for public use.(undefined

L’approccio del patrimonio geomorfologico nelle aree protette: geoconservazione contro geoturismo nei parchi naturali portoghesi

Artigo bilingue, em inglês e italianoAs in many other countries, geology and geomorphology are absent from the majority of the Portuguese protected areas statutes. These areas could be places to protect landforms as a significant component of the natural heritage. However, joining the preservation effort to some ecotourism activities or other human activities could damage or even destroy geomorphological sites. During the last decade, multidisciplinary projects were developed in protected areas from Northern Portugal, with special emphasis in supporting geoconservation strategies and making available products for public advertising of geological and geomorphological features. This paper shows the results of our activities on Montesinho Natural Park (PNM) and International Douro Natural Park (PNDI). Deliverables are being made available to protected areas managers as scientific support for management plans. Other products and initiatives have been implemented in order to raise public awareness of geodiversity and geoconservation and also to improve geotouristic offer. These products are developed in dialogue with park managers who can include them in management plans. Preserving geomorphological sites and making them public at the same time can be possible in protected areas. This approach can be applied to other protected areas with positive results.Come in molti paesi, la geologia e la geomorfologia sono praticamente assenti dagli statuti delle aree protette del Portogallo. Queste aree potrebbero essere luoghi dove proteggere le forme del rilievo come componenti significative del patrimonio naturale. Tuttavia, gli sforzi per la conservazione unitamente ad alcune attività di ecoturismo o ad altre attività antropiche possono danneggiare o addirittura distruggere i beni geomorfologici. Durante l’ultimo decennio, sono stati sviluppati progetti multidisciplinari in aree protette del nord del Portogallo, ponendo particolare attenzione alle strategie di geoconservazione e sviluppando prodotti per divulgare ad un pubblico vasto le caratteristiche geologiche e geomorfologiche del paesaggio. In questo articolo vengono illustrati i risultati delle attività svolte nel Parco Naturale del Montesinho (PNM) e nel Parco naturale internazionale del (PNDI). Una documentazione appropriata è stata fornita alle aree protette come supporto scientifico ai loro piani di gestione. Sono stati inoltre sviluppati prodotti ed iniziative con lo scopo di aumentare la sensibilità del grande pubblico ai temi della geodiversità e della geoconservazione ed anche per migliorare l’offerta per un turismo geologico. Questi prodotti sono stati realizzati di concerto con i parchi e talvolta sono stati inseriti nei piani di gestione. Conservare i beni geomorfologici e renderli allo stesso tempo fruibili ai turisti è infatti possibile nelle aree protette. Questo approccio può essere applicato ad altre aree protette con risultati positivi

Unidades geomorfológicas e “áreas homogéneas” no Parque Natural de Montesinho

A paisagem no Parque Natural de Montesinho (PNM) é caracterizada por diversos elementos naturais e culturais, mas são sobretudo os de natureza geomorfológica que mais individualizam sectorialmente o parque. A litologia e a tectónica são as condicionantes principais da morfologia actual na área do PNM. Com os trabalhos de caracterização definiram-se como unidades geomorfológicas fundamentais do PNM: as serras; as superfícies de aplanamento; a depressão tectónica a norte de Bragança; os vales fluviais. Relacionados com estas unidades identificaram-se os principais elementos morfológicos da paisagem: aplanamentos a várias altitudes; relevos residuais; modelado granítico de pormenor; depressão tectónica a norte de Bragança; cristas e vertentes assimétricas em xistos; vales profundos; elementos geoculturais. Com base nesses factores, identificaram-se como “áreas homogéneas” no PNM: i) Quintanilha-Maçãs; ii) Alta Lombada; iii) Baixa Lombada; iv) Onor; v) Montesinho, vi) Escusanha-Soutelo; vii) Espinhosela-Mofreita; viii) Moimenta; ix) Coroa-Vinhais; x) Rabaçal-Assureira; xi) Pinheiros-Igrejinha; xii) Lomba; xiii) MenteMontesinho Natural Park (PNM) is characterised by a high diversity on natural and cultural elements although geomorphological features are the most impressive in the landscape. Lithology and tectonics are the main factors for landforms genesis in the PNM. The geomorphological characterisation supported the definition of the geomorphological units in PNM: mountains; erosion surfaces; tectonic basin at the north of Bragança; fluvial valleys. Related with these, the more representative geomorphological aspects on the landscape were identified: erosion surfaces; quartzitic ridges; granite landforms; tectonic basin; schist crests and asymmetric slopes; canyon valleys; cultural landforms. According o these elements, the following “homogenous areas” are proposed: i) Quintanilha-Maçãs; ii) Alta Lombada; iii) Baixa Lombada; iv) Onor; v) Montesinho, vi) Escusanha-Soutelo; vii) Espinhosela-Mofreita; viii) Moimenta; ix) Coroa-Vinhais; x) Rabaçal-Assureira; xi) Pinheiros-Igrejinha; xii) Lomba; xiii) Mente

Error threshold in finite populations

A simple analytical framework to study the molecular quasispecies evolution of finite populations is proposed, in which the population is assumed to be a random combination of the constiyuent molecules in each generation,i.e., linkage disequilibrium at the population level is neglected. In particular, for the single-sharp-peak replication landscape we investigate the dependence of the error threshold on the population size and find that the replication accuracy at threshold increases linearly with the reciprocal of the population size for sufficiently large populations. Furthermore, in the deterministic limit our formulation yields the exact steady-state of the quasispecies model, indicating then the population composition is a random combination of the molecules.Comment: 14 pages and 4 figure

Enhancing pedagogical innovation in a Portuguese vocational school: insights from a community of practice

The school mission addresses a social purpose: providing each student with quality and meaningful learning experiences that prepare them for a limitless future. In the Decree-Law nº55/2018 establishes changes in the curriculum and, consequently, expects that teachers play a more active role in its development. Teacher collaboration in the workplace is a key dimension to fostering school innovation (Kelchtermans, Smith & Vanderlinde, 2018), despite being a missing practice (Ben-Peretz & Flores, 2018). This study is part of an ongoing project carried out by SAME (Support Service for the Improvement of Education) from the Faculty of Education and Psychology of Universidade Católica Portuguesa (Porto, Portugal), in which is expected to enhance pedagogical innovation in a Portuguese vocation school, by re-thinking the planning of the curricula.The methodological approach of this project is based on action research, in which a team of researchers from SAME is closely working and collaborating with a group of teachers in the development of a solution based on the diagnosis of a problem identified (Bryman, 2012). The expected outcome of the project is to co-create a set of guidelines to support teachers in improving their practices. With this in mind, three phases were considered: 1) diagnosis of the problem based on a focus group carried out with leaders and teachers (September 2021); 2) development of solutions by creating a community of practice (December to June 2022); 3) delivering the final result (July 2022). This work aims to present and describe the insights of the teachers (n=13) engaged in this community of practice, regarding the co-creation process of developing solutions to enhancing pedagogical innovation in their schools. The data include the observation of the meetings by one researcher from SAME carried out since December 2021, and a questionnaire to be sent to this group of teachers, in the final of the second phase of the project. The expected outcomes will include the analyses of two dimensions, namely: 1) nature and content of the final solution (guidelines to improve teaching practice); 2) the community of practice value (level of collaboration and interaction, sense of belonging, focus on value, and sustainability). Implications for teachers’ professional development will be discussed and considered.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio