How social performance indicators and leadership contribute to the development of non-profits an approach to long-term care homes

Presently, non-profit organisations (NPOs) are increasingly representative in society and largely contribute to the economic and social development of countries. This development is linked to the creation of social value through their proximity to citizens, flexibility, and sensitive format, since most NPOs are service providers. Our paper focuses on long-term care (LTC) homes, a very particular type of NPO, and aims to understand how social performance indicators and leadership contribute to the development of such organisations. For that purpose, we will identify the most important social performance indicators and the main leadership characteristics. Our results provide a better understanding of the non-profit sector, and we intend to raise awareness to the importance of NPO boards' characteristics and leadership traits, emphasising the need for a more professionalised NPO management style.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Problemáticas da educação física I

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Aspects of reproduction in pink dentex Dentex gibbosus (Rafinesque, 1810) from the Archipelago of Madeira in the northeast Atlantic

This work describes and identifies the macroscopic, and corresponding microscopic, changes of gonads through the annual reproductive cycle of pink dentex, Dentex gibbosus, from the Madeira Archipelago. This new contribution focused on validating a macroscopic maturity scale for this species using a histological technique. A total of 906 individuals were collected from waters around the Madeira Archipelago between September 1997 and December 2008. A six-stage maturity scale based on macroscopic characteristics was used to classify the gonads. The overall ratio of males to females was 1:1.12. The annual gonad development, together with the analysis of monthly indices (gonadosomatic and hepatoso-matic) and complementary histological observations allowed us to conclude that spawning takes place during the summer months, with a peak in May-June

Integrated system for macroalgae production and conversion into biogas

Recently research on energy from macroalgae is being reconsidered driven by the following factors: fuel price increase, CO2 mitigation policies and interest on renewable energy sources after the Kyoto protocol, and need for energy crops not competing with land for food production. However, the commercial expansion of this energy source is limited by its economic feasibility. In this presentation we analyse the development of integrated systems that promote synergies between macroalgae/biogas production and activities such as aquaculture and urban wastewater treatment. The recycling of nutrients and CO2 by macroalgae can be an opportunity to reduce the biomass-biogas production cost. Other advantage is the proximity between biomass production, conversion into energy and its consumption, thus avoiding energy losses and pollution in transportation. Experimental work is underway and includes batch tests to evaluate biodegradability of Ulva spp. and Gracilaria sp. and co-digestion of these macroalgae with sewage sludge from Beirolas wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Furthermore, continuous co-digestion experiments are planned to be carried out in a 30 L experimental reactor to be placed in the same WWTP. The objectives are to reproduce sludge digestion in Beirolas WWTP and evaluate algae/sludge co-digestion performance. Preliminary results indicate methane yields in accordance with similar batch experiments, whereby our CH4 yields per volatile solids added range between 0.14-0.20 m3 CH4 kg-1 VSadded against 0.16-0.27 m3 CH4 kg-1 VSadded [1,2] depending on the algae species and pretreatment. Overall, Ulva sp. shows a better performance over Gracilaria sp. as also confirmed in other experiments [1]

Solid Waste Mixtures as Constructed Wetlands Filling: Effect of Hydraulic Loading Rate on Nutrient Removal from Wastewater

This study aims to contribute to constructed wetlands’ (CWs) eco-efficiency by applying the concepts of circular economy and waste to treat waste. Five sets of lab-scale CWs with different combinations of filling materials were evaluated and the effect of the hydraulic loading rate (HLR) on the nutrient removal efficiencies was studied. Each CW set consisted of two, duplicate, plastic pots with solid waste filling supporting Phragmites australis macrophyte plants. The filling materials were layer combinations of limestone rock fragments, a waste from construction activities, and one of four other solid wastes: cork granulates from the cork industry (LCG); snail shells from the food and catering industry (LSS); coal slag from coal power plants (LCS); and clay brick fragments from construction activities (LBF). A reference set (LO) was filled only with limestone fragments. The CWs were operated using a low-strength wastewater in successive fill-and-drain cycles with a retention time of one to eight days and a one-day rest. Their removal efficiency was evaluated for COD, total phosphorus (TP) and total nitrogen (TN). All four CWs with mixed filling showed COD removal efficiencies higher than the reference CW and above 79%. The highest removal efficiency was achieved by the LCS CW (91 to 97%). The reference LO CW showed the highest TP removal efficiency. With exception of the LSS CW, the mixed filling CWs showed removal efficiencies close to the reference CW (above 55%). All but the LSS CW showed higher TN removal efficiencies than the reference CW (above 51%). The observed effect of HLR depends on the type of CW. The effect on COD, TP and TN removal efficiencies averaged 9%, 15% and 20%, respectively, for a range of HLR from 0.005 to 0.087 m/day. From this study it can be concluded that all tested layer-packed mixed solid waste fillings are adequate substrate combinations for nutrient removal from wastewater. Moreover, high nutrient removal efficiencies were maintained over a wide range of hydraulic loading rates. This innovative combination of waste materials can improve the CW adaptability to specific types of wastewater and contribute to reducing solid waste disposal in landfills.This work was supported by Program FEDER, ref. POCI-01-0145-FEDER-023314, project VALORBIO. The authors acknowledge the collaboration of the Lab.IPT staff and the assistance of the Instituto Politécnico de Tomar maintenance staff.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Combination of various solid wastes with fragmented limestone as filler for constructed wetlands used for wastewater treatment

This study aims to contribute to the development of eco-efficient constructed wetlands through the concept of circular economy and the use of waste to treat waste Combinations of five solid wastes were evaluated as filler materials for CWs used for wastewater treatment To evaluate the combined capability of the waste materials to wastewater treatment, five sets of unplanted lab-scale CWs were established The CWs were operated in a discontinuous mode for three successive fill and drain cycles The highest COD removal rate was obtained for a CW filled with limestone and cork waste 90.3+/-0.9%. The highest total nitrogen removal rate was obtained for a CW filled with limestone and clay brick fragments 84.8+/-0.1%. Total phosphorus removal percentage of 91.8+/-0.1% was achieved for a control CW filled with limestone It was observed that layer packed solid waste combination fillings are adequate in improving COD removal in limestone based CWs, and that all but the limestone snail shells filling have a very good performance for total nitrogen and total phosphorus removal from wastewater.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

In situ enabling approaches for tissue regeneration: current challenges and new developments

In situ tissue regeneration can be defined as the implantation of tissue-specific biomaterials (by itself or in combination with cells and/or biomolecules) at the tissue defect, taking advantage of the surrounding microenvironment as a natural bioreactor. Up to now, the structures used were based on particles or gels. However, with the technological progress, the materials’ manipulation and processing has become possible, mimicking the damaged tissue directly at the defect site. This paper presents a comprehensive review of current and advanced in situ strategies for tissue regeneration. Recent advances to put in practice the in situ regeneration concept have been mainly focused on bioinks and bioprinting techniques rather than the combination of different technologies to make the real in situ regeneration. The limitation of conventional approaches (e.g., stem cell recruitment) and their poor ability to mimic native tissue are discussed. Moreover, the way of advanced strategies such as 3D/4D bioprinting and hybrid approaches may contribute to overcome the limitations of conventional strategies are highlighted. Finally, the future trends and main research challenges of in situ enabling approaches are discussed considering in vitro and in vivo evidence.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Tracer experiments with lithium chloride to evaluate the hydrodynamics of constructed wetlands. Comparison of alternative analytical methods

The characterization of water flow dynamics (hydrodynamics) through constructed wetlands is relevant for optimizing wastewater treatment. Although constructed wetlands consist of simple systems, the water flow is complex and irregular, therefore, the study of hydrodynamics requires the use of experimental technics such as tracer experiments. To evaluate the effects of the use of three different analytical methods to compute the concentration of lithium chloride on the main hydrodynamics parameters, tracer experiments were conducted in ten independent lab-scale constructed wetlands. The concentration of lithium chloride in the output flow of the wetlands was calculated by flame photometry, electrical conductivity using a calibration curve and electrical conductivity using the salt molar conductivity. The paired samples T-test or the non-parametric Wilcoxon’s Signed-Ranks test were used to demonstrate that the computed hydraulic retention time and the number of tanks accordingly with the tanks-in-series model were not significantly affected by the selected analytical method.This work has been financially supported by FEDER grant COMPETE-01-0145-023342 to project VALORBIO. Authors acknowledge the support of BIOTEC.ipt and Lab.IPT and the work of Carlos Ferreira, Isabel Silva and Alcino Serras.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ciprofloxacin removal catalysed by conductive carbon materials

Current wastewater treatment technologies are not effective in the removal of pharmaceuticals. In anaerobic bioreactors, the electrons produced during the oxidation of organic matter can potentially be used for the biological reduction of pharmaceuticals. However, these reactions occur generally at a slow rate, due to electron transfer limitations, and might be accelerated through redox mediators (RM). Carbon nanomaterials (CM) have been effective RM in the biological reduction of other pollutants. For instance, CNT@2%Fe were found to increase 76-fold the biological reduction of Acid Orange 10. The magnetic properties of those composites allow their easier recover after the process by using a magnetic field. In this study, CNT and CNT@2%Fe were studied in the anaerobic removal of Ciprofloxacin (CIP). Furthermore, the potential contribution of adsorption and biodegradation processes for CIP removal was assessed. Toxicity assessment is highly important as it is desired that the products formed after the process are not more toxic than the initial compound. Moreover, the evaluation of the possible contribution of nanomaterials used in the process for the final toxic effect of threated solution, is crucial. In this sense, the detoxification of the treated solutions was evaluated towards Vibrio fischeri.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2019 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio