Digital tools for a greener Europe: democracy, environmental justice and sustainability in the EU through information and communication technologies and geographic information systems

In the European Union there is solid legal support for the use of information and communication technologies associated with geographic information systems in favour of the environment. Digital technologies not only shape the way we live but they can be a lever for environmental awareness and protection. The potential of the association between information and communication technologies and geographic information systems is huge in order to deepen the European democracies and to promote sustainable development. The ultimate demonstration is the 2007 Inspire Directive. The advantages of the Inspire Directive for the citizens, the Member States and the European Union in what concerns democracy, environmental justice and sustainability in the EU will be briefly analysed

EFFECTS OF AGGREGATES ON PROPERTIES AND PERFORMANCE OF MASTICS AND SUPERPAVE HOT MIX ASPHALT MIXTURES

Superpave, a set of advancements in testing devices and specifications for asphalt binders and mixtures, was limited to address the effects of aggregates. Because aggregates represent around 95% in mass of the asphalt mixtures, it is important to understand how these materials affect properties and performance of such mixtures. This research focus on how different types and contents of aggregates affect properties of mastics and asphalt mixtures, and their performance considering the viscoelastic nature of the asphalt material. Five different types of aggregates and hydrated lime were used for sample fabrication together with two different binders. Several different tests were performed to the aggregates separately. Viscoelastic properties for both mastics and hot mix asphalt mixtures were characterized. In addition, the mixtures produced with those aggregates were also evaluated for rutting and fatigue performances using the APA and UTM-25kN machines. Among the studies conducted in this research work are: restricted zone, a controversial concept and its redundancy; rutting potential of mixtures with different coarse and fine angularities; the stiffening potential of binders provided by different fillers; the stiffening provided by different contents of hydrated lime to asphalt concrete mixtures and fatigue and rutting potential of mixtures with different contents of hydrated lime. The results indicate that the restricted zone should not be a criterion for the selection of mixture gradations, that angularity somewhat affects the rutting potential of asphalt concrete mixtures, that fillers of different materials provide different gain in stiffness for binders and that this improvement is binder dependent. Also, hydrated lime was found to have higher stiffening potential than general mineral fillers used in this study. Hydrated lime was also proven to improve the stiffness of asphalt concrete mixtures. Even though stiffening the mixtures, hydrated lime was shown to improve the fatigue performance of the mixtures. Finally, this filler also improved the rutting resistance of mixtures

Optimizing rearing and welfare in Senegalese sole (Solea senegalesensis) broodstock: effect of ambient light intensity and handling time on stress response

Broodstock rearing conditions and handling procedures should be optimized in aquaculture species in order to benefit fish welfare and guarantee optimal conditions for spawning. In teleosts, basal cortisol levels display daily rhythms, oscillating along the 24 h of the day. In this sense, handling fish at different moments of the day may lead to different stress responses. The present study aimed at investigating the optimal rearing conditions for Senegalese sole broodstock, considering ambient light intensity and handling time. The optimal light intensity (50, 100 or 200 lx) was investigated by measuring fish cortisol levels and monitoring locomotor activity rhythms under each intensity tested. Results showed a significant increase in cortisol levels of fish exposed to 200 lx, when compared to values obtained under 100 lx, accompanied by changes in locomotor activity rhythms in both tanks under study. These results suggested that 200 lx may be too high as light intensity for this species, whereas 100 lx seems to be more adequate. Also, daily rhythms of stress response were investigated in breeders from different origins (Wild and first generation, G1). Basal cortisol levels and cortisol stress response after an acute stressor (air exposure) were monitored at two distinct moments of the day (Mid-Light and Mid-Dark). Basal levels were higher during the day in the wild group, while G1 fish seemed to have lost the daily fluctuations in basal cortisol plasma levels, as well as their daily rhythms of locomotor activity. Both groups showed lower stress responses during night-time, an indication that this is an adequate period of the day to handle this species. Senegalese sole breeders born in captivity presented more pronounced stress responses when compared to wild fish, reflecting their different life history in terms of stress challenges.FP7/SME/2008/1; UID/Multi/04326/2019; DL 57/2016/CP1361/CT0007; DL 57/2016/CP1361/CT0033info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

EFFECTS OF AGGREGATES ON PROPERTIES AND PERFORMANCE OF MASTICS AND SUPERPAVE HOT MIX ASPHALT MIXTURES

Superpave, a set of advancements in testing devices and specifications for asphalt binders and mixtures, was limited to address the effects of aggregates. Because aggregates represent around 95% in mass of the asphalt mixtures, it is important to understand how these materials affect properties and performance of such mixtures. This research focus on how different types and contents of aggregates affect properties of mastics and asphalt mixtures, and their performance considering the viscoelastic nature of the asphalt material. Five different types of aggregates and hydrated lime were used for sample fabrication together with two different binders. Several different tests were performed to the aggregates separately. Viscoelastic properties for both mastics and hot mix asphalt mixtures were characterized. In addition, the mixtures produced with those aggregates were also evaluated for rutting and fatigue performances using the APA and UTM-25kN machines. Among the studies conducted in this research work are: restricted zone, a controversial concept and its redundancy; rutting potential of mixtures with different coarse and fine angularities; the stiffening potential of binders provided by different fillers; the stiffening provided by different contents of hydrated lime to asphalt concrete mixtures and fatigue and rutting potential of mixtures with different contents of hydrated lime. The results indicate that the restricted zone should not be a criterion for the selection of mixture gradations, that angularity somewhat affects the rutting potential of asphalt concrete mixtures, that fillers of different materials provide different gain in stiffness for binders and that this improvement is binder dependent. Also, hydrated lime was found to have higher stiffening potential than general mineral fillers used in this study. Hydrated lime was also proven to improve the stiffness of asphalt concrete mixtures. Even though stiffening the mixtures, hydrated lime was shown to improve the fatigue performance of the mixtures. Finally, this filler also improved the rutting resistance of mixtures

Anatomy of Extramuscular Soleus Veins: Clinical Impact

The venous system of the lower limbs has great structural and functional anatomical complexity which must be considered in different dysfunctions of this system. This complexity lies mainly in the venous return, which is changed from the upright position and ambulation and other factors such as level of physical activity, heart function, circulating blood volume, and ambient temperature. Anatomical description of soleus veins (SV) has received little attention from books’ anatomy texts. These veins are intramuscular deep veins and known as the main chamber of the calf pump. Soleus veins have been implicated as the site for deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Detailed anatomical knowledge is required for early diagnosis using noninvasive ultrasound techniques. In the present work, we describe the anatomy of the veins that emerge from the ventral surface of the soleus muscle. Twenty-eight soleus muscles were dissected and 543 veins were found. The number of veins per leg ranged from 7 to 38. The distribution of these veins per quadrant ranged from 0 to 12. The greatest number of veins occurred in the upper lateral quadrant. Most of the soleus veins drained into the posterior tibial and fibular veins. The mean length of the soleus veins ranged from 0.907 to 2.804 cm. We conclude that there is a wide variability in the distribution of soleus veins through the soleus muscle and its quadrants. The majority of the soleus veins drain into the tibial and fibular veins

Gradient-like nonlinear semigroups with infinitely many equilibria and applications to cascade systems

We consider an autonomous dynamical system coming from a coupled system in cascade where the uncoupled part of the system satisfies that the solutions comes from −∞ and goes to ∞ to equilibrium points, and where the coupled part generates asymptotically a gradient-like nonlinear semigroup. Then, the complete model is proved to be also gradient-like. The interest of this extension comes, for instance, in models where a continuum of equilibrium points holds, and for example a Lojasiewicz-Simon condition is satisfied. Indeed, we illustrate the usefulness of the theory with several examples.Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São PauloConselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Científico e TecnológicoCoordenação de aperfeiçoamento de pessoal de nivel superiorMinisterio de Ciencia e InnovaciónJunta de AndalucíaMinisterio de Educació

Look Both Ways: Intersections Of Past And Present In The Shaping Of Relations Between Cyclists, Pedestrians, And Driverless Cars

Driverless cars are expected to transform society in many ways. Since nowadays most collisions are due to human error, safety is among the most anticipated benefits of the technology. The promise of near zero fatalities on roads appears in many industry statements and government reports. Because of that, every collision, especially involving fatalities, receives much attention from the media and public. That kind of scrutiny resembles the early days of the conventional automobiles. In those days, automobiles – also called “horseless carriages” – were not well received by the majority of the population. Cars brought conflicts and fatalities on roads to a level never seen before. The automobile industry, using public relations, shifted society’s perception about who belongs to the roads, and who should be blamed for the rise of fatalities. That shift influenced legislation and tort law in motor-vehicle centric ways. It also created cities with infrastructure focused on the automobile at the expense of other means of transportation. Today, one of the most difficult challenges for driverless cars is the unpredictability of pedestrian and cyclist behaviour. To accelerate the deployment of the technology, some are considering the necessity of law enforcement against pedestrians and other street users. Centred on urban environments, pedestrians and cyclists, and with an interdisciplinary and advocacy-oriented approach, this thesis seeks to contribute to the debate about the safety and deployment of driverless cars, its influence on law and legislation, and how a car-centred view of the technology may limit its potentialities