Searching for chemical elements: a multidisciplinary activity in the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements

[Excerpt] 2019 is the 150th anniversary of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements and has therefore been proclaimed the "International Year of the Periodic Table of Chemical Elements (IYPT2019)" by the United Nations General Assembly and UNESCO [1]. A working tool very useful to various professionals and in diverse scientific areas, this table would not exist if someone had not distributed and ordered the chemical elements according to the value of their atomic weights. The father of the Periodic Table, the Russian chemist Dmitri Mendeleev (1834-1907), was so visionary that his Table allows housing not only the known chemical elements at that time but also the ones still unknown that came to be discovered or synthesized. When we come across this Table, with so many chemical elements, we ask ourselves how we use them and where we can find each of them, in our real world

Scientia das coisas: uma exposiçâo interactiva e multidisciplinar

[Excerto] A exposição “Scientia das Coisas”, concebida pelo projeto Scientia.com.pt, desafia a olhar de forma diferente para objetos que fazem parte do nosso dia-a-dia, procurando evidenciar como as diversas ciências contribuem e influenciam (positivamente) o nosso modo de vida e estão envolvidas nas peças selecionadas. O Scientia.com.pt é um projeto de comunicação e divulgação de Ciência multifacetado. Criado e dinamizado por três docentes da Escola de Ciências da Universidade do Minho, Portugal, tem por missão divulgar Ciência dum modo interativo, ajustado a públicos diversificados, em locais variados, catalisando vontades de variados setores (universitário/ não universitário, científico/ humanístico, público/ privado, etc.), para chegar ao maior número de pessoas, independentemente do seu nível cultural e/ ou etário. Nesta linha tem-se dedicado, em particular, a conceber e implementar atividades essencialmente de índole experimental, com um forte cunho interdisciplinar

FOCUS – prepara o futuro: cria a cidade sustentável

Preparar já o futuro, concebendo/idealizando uma cidade sustentável, foi o objetivo primeiro de um projeto a que se deu o nome FOCUS. Pautado pelos objetivos da Agenda 2030, o projeto FOCUS permitiu desenvolver, em espaços diversos, atividades lúdico-educativas, promovendo experiências, aprendizagem, interatividade e a reflexão crítica da realidade. Posto em prática em ambientes extraescolares, o programa do projeto possibilitou a promoção da educação para a vida, tanto individual, como coletiva. No âmbito desse projeto descrito neste texto, foram concebidas e implementadas diferentes atividades para diversos públicos, envolvendo mais de três mil indivíduos durante um ano

Avaliando o modelo de estágio dos Mestrados em Ensino da Universidade do Minho: entre a qualidade desejada e a qualidade percebida

O presente artigo incide num estudo de avaliação do atual modelo de estágio dos Mestrados em Ensino da Universidade do Minho (Portugal), criados no âmbito da Reforma de Bolonha. Esse modelo integra um conjunto de estratégias formativas de orientação reflexiva, conferindo destaque à investigação pedagógica como estratégia de desenvolvimento profissional dos futuros professores. O estudo, efetuado 10 anos após a implementação do modelo, envolveu o inquérito por questionário a supervisores da universidade (n=34), orientadores cooperantes das escolas (n=112) e ex-estagiários (n=133). Apresentamos resultados relativos às suas perceções sobre o contributo do modelo no desenvolvimento profissional e as medidas institucionais desenvolvidas para melhorar o seu funcionamento. Ao confrontar pressupostos e linhas de ação do modelo com as perceções dos atores, identificam-se aproximações e afastamentos entre a qualidade desejada e a qualidade percebida, o que permite traçar algumas propostas de desenvolvimento futuro

Evidence of High Levels of Gene Flow in a Widely Distributed Catadromous Species: The Thin-Lippedgrey Mullet

The thin-lipped grey mullet Chelon ramada (Risso, 1827) is a catadromous species that is distributed along the Northeast Atlantic, from the Norwegian coastline down to Mauritania, on the African coast (20–60◦ N, 18◦ E–42º W), and displays diverse patterns of habitat use and migratory behaviors. This widely distributed species is observed in large shoals throughout coastal areas and in brackish and freshwater environments, yet no previous studies have addressed the population's genetic structure. To study the patterns of genetic variation, gene flow and connectivity in the C. ramada distribution range), 457 fin clips sampled from 14 locations (Portuguese coast, Bay of Biscay, North seas, Celtic sea, Western Mediterranean and Eastern Mediterranean) were genotyped using 11 microsatellite DNA markers. No significant genetic differentiation among locations or geographic clustering of samples was observed, which points towards the existence of a unique genetic group. The results suggest strong gene flow from the Western Mediterranean to the Portuguese coast (Nm = 1) and vice versa (Nm = 0.87). The Portuguese coast has displayed the highest values of gene flow with all the sampling sites ([0.4–0.6]) whereas Northeast Atlantic coast and Eastern Mediterranean maintained symmetrical lower values of gene flow that ranged between [0.20–0.30]. The present study provides evidence that high levels of gene flow are maintained within the distribution range, contributing to the existence of a panmictic population

Genetic Structure of Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) in Portugal: Implications for Fisheries Management

The meagre Argyrosomus regius (Asso, 1801) is a marine migratory species with a wide distribution range encompassing the north-eastern and central-eastern Atlantic Ocean, the Mediter ranean Sea, and the western Black Sea. A. regius is one of the largest overexploited sciaenids, being a valuable resource for aquaculture and fisheries along its distribution range. The Iberian Peninsula is considered an intermediate area between two genetically distinct groups of A. regius populations, one in the north-eastern Atlantic Ocean and one in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. The current knowledge on the population dynamics and distribution of this species has been derived from commercial and recreational fishery catches; therefore, little is known about the importance of the Iberian Peninsula for the species’ management and conservation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the A. regius population genetic structure along the Portuguese coast taking into consideration the north-eastern Atlantic region. To achieve this goal, the genetic diversity, differentiation, populational structure and demographic history of A. regius populations along the Atlantic coast were analyzed using 15 microsatellite loci. The detected populational structure indicates that A. regius species in Portugal are divided into two distinct stocks, one across the Portuguese western coast, possibly related to the Tagus spawning and nursery area, and another one on the southern coast. This study reveals the need for A. regius-specific fishery management plans in Portugal and underlines the importance of considering the genetic structure of A. regius populations when delineating such management plans

Homens de Estado, crises políticas e guerra

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Homens de Estado, crises políticas e guerra

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Evidence of Genetic Segregation among Meagre (Argyrosomus regius) Atlantic Spawning Areas

The meagre Argyrosomus regius, one of the largest sciaenidae in the world, is a valuable resource for fisheries and aquaculture. Despite its socioeconomic relevance, knowledge about population dynamics and wild stocks is still scarce, and conservation risks are associated with overexploitation. Two genetic distinct groups, one in the North Atlantic Ocean and one in the eastern Mediterranean Sea, were identified by previous studies. However, little is known about the genetic structure of the Atlantic group, where four important spawning areas have been identified. To assess if each spawning area is an independent breeding unit, the genetic diversity, populational structure, and demographic history of A. regius along the North–East and Eastern Central Atlantic coast were analyzed, using 15 microsatellite loci. Results corroborate the hypothesis tested, suggesting four genetic groups: a first group encompassing individuals from the Gironde spawning area, a second group encompassing individuals from the Tagus spawning area, a third group corresponding to individuals captured in the Algarve region, and a forth group gathering individuals from Morocco and Mauritania. This study reveals the need for specific fisheries management plans considering genetic structure information, and highlights the need for international cooperation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio