LIBEROPINION –A Web Platform for Public Participation

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

LIBEROPINION – a web platform for public participation

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of different slipping methods on the mortality of sardine, Sardina pilchardus, after purse-seine capture off the Portuguese Southern coast (Algarve)

The effects of two different slipping methods on the survival, physical and physiological response of sardines, Sardina pilchardus, captured in a purse-seine fishery were investigated in southern Portugal. Sardines were collected and transferred into holding tanks onboard a commercial fishing vessel after being captured, crowded and deliberately released using two slipping procedures: standard and modified. The standard slipping procedure aggregated fish at high densities and made them "roll over" the floatline, while the modified procedure aggregated the fish at moderate densities and enabled them to escape through an opening created by adding weights to the floatline. Both slipping methods were compared with minimally harmed non-slipped sardines (sardines collected from the loose pocket of the purse seine). Survival rates were monitored in captivity over 28 days using three replicates for each treatment. The estimated survival of sardines was 43.6% for the non-slipped fish, 44.7% for the modified slipping and 11.7% for the standard slipping treatments. Scale loss indicated the level of physical impact experienced, with dead fish from the non-slipped and modified slipping technique showing significantly lower scale loss than those fish from the standard slipping treatment within the same period. Of the physiological indicators of stress measured, cortisol, glucose, lactate and osmolality attained peak values during slipping and up to the first hours after introduction to captivity. This work indicates that although delayed mortality after release may be substantial, appropriately modified slipping techniques significantly enhance survival of slipped sardines.FCT [SFRH/BPD/116307/2016]; European Commission's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme [634495

An Enhanced Reservation-Based MAC Protocol for IEEE 802.15.4 Networks

The IEEE 802.15.4 Medium Access Control (MAC) protocol is an enabling standard for wireless sensor networks. In order to support applications requiring dedicated bandwidth or bounded delay, it provides a reservation-based scheme named Guaranteed Time Slot (GTS). However, the GTS scheme presents some drawbacks, such as inefficient bandwidth utilization and support to a maximum of only seven devices. This paper presents eLPRT (enhanced Low Power Real Time), a new reservation-based MAC protocol that introduces several performance enhancing features in comparison to the GTS scheme. This MAC protocol builds on top of LPRT (Low Power Real Time) and includes various mechanisms designed to increase data transmission reliability against channel errors, improve bandwidth utilization and increase the number of supported devices. A motion capture system based on inertial and magnetic sensors has been used to validate the protocol. The effectiveness of the performance enhancements introduced by each of the new features is demonstrated through the provision of both simulation and experimental results

Extensão tecnológica – uma possibilidade viável com relevantes impactos socioeconômicos

Este artigo trata da extensão universitária e tecnológica e do enquadramento dos projetos do Centro de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Tecnológico da Universidade de Brasília como agente articulador e executor de ações que visam à promoção da cooperação entre universidades, governo e sociedade. Para tanto, baseando-se nas definições do Plano Nacional de Extensão Universitária e do Manual de Oslo, entende-se que as atividades desenvolvidas no âmbito dos projetos de extensão do CDT e com foco para inovação, enquadram-se no conceito de extensão universitária e tecnológica. O impacto dessas atividades vem contribuindo, de forma direta ou indireta, para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos/serviços, o fomento à atividade empresarial e a capacitação da comunidade acadêmica e da sociedade quanto ao empreendedorismo e à inovação. ____________________________________________________________________________________ ABSTRACTThis article describes the projects of the Center of Support of Technological Development at the University of Brasília and their relation to the university and the technology extension. This Center acts as an articulator and executor of actions that aim the cooperation among university, government and society. Based on the concepts of the National Plan of University Extension and the Oslo Manual, it is considered that the extension activities developed in the Center conform to the concepts of university and technology extension. The impact of those actions have either a direct or an indirect impact on society, contributing to the elaboration of new products/services, development of businesses and qualification of the academic community and the society in the area of entrepreneurship and innovation

Model of Digital Mediation for Direct Public Participation in Electoral Periods - How Important are the Media?

Apresentação realizada na International Conference on Theory and Practice of Electronic Governance (ICEGOV), 7, Seoul, 201

Extensão Tecnológica ”“ uma Possibilidade Viável com Relevantes Impactos Sócio-Econômicos

O presente artigo trata da extensão universitária e tecnológica e do enquadramento dos projetos do Centro de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Tecnológico da Universidade de Brasília como agente articulador e executor de ações que visam à promoção da cooperação entre universidades, governo e sociedade. Para tanto, baseando-se nas definições do Plano Nacional de Extensão Universitária e do Manual de Oslo, entende-se que as atividades desenvolvidas no âmbito dos projetos de extensão do CDT e com foco para inovação, enquadram-se no conceito de extensão universitária e tecnológica. O impacto dessas atividades vem contribuindo, de forma direta ou indireta, para o desenvolvimento de novos produtos/serviços, o fomento à atividade empresarial e a capacitação da comunidade acadêmica e da sociedade quanto ao empreendedorismo e à inovação

Distribution models of deep-sea elasmobranchs in the Azores, Mid-Atlantic Ridge, to inform spatial planning

Elasmobranchs inhabiting depths beyond 200 m are extremely susceptible to overexploitation but are extracted by fisheries around the world either as target species or as bycatch. There is little information available to formulate management strategies to reduce elasmobranch-fishery interactions in the deep sea. In European Union waters, prohibiting the catches of deep-sea elasmobranchs has provided the necessary impetus to study by-catch avoidance of these threatened species. We used over 20 years of fisheries-independent and fisheries-dependent data to model the spatial distribution of 15 species of deep-sea elasmobranchs (12 sharks and 3 rays) captured frequently in the Exclusive Economic Zone of the Azores Archipelago (Mid-Atlantic Ridge) to explore spatial management to reduce unwanted catches of these species. We applied Generalised Additive Models to predict the probability of presence of 15 species, as well as the abundance of 6 of those species, within the Azores EEZ and neighbouring seamounts (up to 2000 m depth), using environmental and operational variables as predictors. Our results identified that depth is most influential in determining the distribution of these sharks and rays, in addition to seafloor topography. Distinctive bathymetric features such as seamounts and ridges were highlighted as areas where the probability of presence of the greatest number of species overlapped. Although not related to habitat, gear type influenced the capture probability of certain species, with the artisanal handline, gorazeira, having lower captures than bottom longline. Our results support using depth-based, area-based, and gear-based tactics to design management measures to reduce elasmobranch bycatch, for more sustainable deep-sea fisheries.Postprint2,42

Rhizomucor and Scedosporium Infection Post Hematopoietic Stem-Cell Transplant

Hematopoietic stem-cell transplant recipients are at increased risk of developing invasive fungal infections. This is a major cause of morbidity and mortality. We report a case of a 17-year-old male patient diagnosed with severe idiopathic acquired aplastic anemia who developed fungal pneumonitis due to Rhizomucor sp. and rhinoencephalitis due to Scedosporium apiospermum 6 and 8 months after undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplant from an HLA-matched unrelated donor. Discussion highlights risk factors for invasive fungal infections (i.e., mucormycosis and scedosporiosis), its clinical features, and the factors that must be taken into account to successfully treat them (early diagnosis, correction of predisposing factors, aggressive surgical debridement, and antifungal and adjunctive therapies)

Depression and Anxiety of Portuguese University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study about Prevalence and Associated Factors

ABSTRACT: The mental health of university students has worsened over time, and it is young people who have suffered the most from the COVID-19 pandemic in terms of mental health. Anxiety and depression are the most common symptoms reported by university students and are often the cause of disabilities, either in academic performance or in other spheres of life. Aim. The aim of this study was to both assess the prevalence of depressive and anxiety symptoms in Portuguese university students and analyze the factors associated with these symptoms. Methods. A quantitative cross-sectional study with a sample of 3,399 university students from seven Portuguese higher education institutions was conducted. The following questionnaires were used: the generalized anxiety disorder assessment scale (GAD-7), the patient health questionnaire (PHQ-9), and a study-created sociodemographic questionnaire. The Kendall correlation coefficient, chi-square test of independence, Spearman correlation coefficient, Shapiro-Wilk test, Mann–Whitney-Wilcoxon test, and Kruskall-Wallis test were used to analyze the association between variables. The statistical analysis was done using the software R Statistics (Version 4.0.4), using a significance level of 0.05. Results. Mild to severe anxiety symptoms were reported by 75% of the participants, and 61.2% described mild to severe depressive symptoms. Of the sample, 19.5% reported a previous diagnosis of a mental disorder, with 38.7% diagnosed after the pandemic began. Additionally, 23% reported taking medication for mental health issues, and 26.7% had considered self-harm or harbored thoughts of being “better off dead.” The study found lower anxiety and depressive symptoms (p < 0 05) among men, students with higher socioeconomic status, those who frequently traveled home, individuals without prior mental health diagnoses, those with better academic performance, and those who avoided substances like coffee, tobacco, cannabis, and other illegal psychoactive substances. Interestingly, students in romantic relationships exhibited more anxiety symptoms (p < 0 05). Moreover, participants who believed they had experienced moral or sexual harassment displayed higher levels of anxiety and depressive symptoms (p < 0 001). Conclusions. There was a decrease in the mental health of university students after the pandemic compared to prepandemic studies, and the proportion of students with anxiety and depressive symptoms was alarming. There is an urgent need to implement programs in universities to promote students’ mental health.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio