Defining a management strategy for the azorean natural thermal resources : valuing criteria identification

Dissertação de Mestrado, Gestão de Empresas (MBA), 23 de Maio de 2016, Universidade dos Açores.Recursos termais são importantes para as regiões onde ocorrem e, em alguns casos, são pedras angulares para o desenvolvimento económico. Os Açores não são excepção. O presente trabalho e uma primeira abordagem europeia desta natureza e pretende ser um estudo académico exploratório. Uma natureza diversa de recursos termais promove uma diversificação de usos, especialmente no caso dos Açores, uma pequena área geográfica descontinua. Não existe actualmente no arquipélago nem uma compilação nem uma quantificação adequada de usos de recursos termais. No entanto, o desenvolvimento socioeconómico, com base na utilização destes recursos naturais, faz parte da estratégia governamental regional. O aumento da procura não só ira aumentar a pressão sobre a sua exploração, mas também, eventualmente, impulsionar o aparecimento de conflitos de interesses em áreas em que os usos se sobrepõem. Nenhuma informação de base esta disponível no momento. Os dados gerados pelo presente trabalho podem ser uma base de trabalho que permitira futuros estudos e/ou projectos na área, proporcionando uma melhoria na identificação dos problemas e questões a ser endereçadas, a fim de desenvolver uma estratégia de gestão coerente com o uso de recursos termais dos Açores. Um painel internacional de especialistas selecionou, a partir de uma extensa lista compilada e facultada durante este estudo, os usos de recursos termais naturais mais comuns que consideraram importantes. Os usos relacionados com utilização da energia termal foram os mais referidos, seguidos de usos tradicionais no campo da saúde e bem‐estar, não sendo esquecida a importância de usos diretos específicos como a “cozinha geotermal”. Os critérios económicos de valorização (diretos e indiretos) foram os principais critérios escolhidos quando pedido para atribuir valor aos recursos termais naturais. A estes critérios, seguiu‐se o valor relativo a saúde publica associado a utilização dos mesmos. A capacidade de criar emprego (direto e/ou induzido) ocupou a quarta e a quinta posição do ranking dos critérios de valorização. O valor dos recursos termais naturais como potencial uso de lazer, as diversas funções de serviço de ecossistema que garantem, o valor de não‐uso com fins altruístas, e a importância da existência dos recursos como promotores de conhecimento e de inovação completam a lista dos dez critérios de valoração mais relevantes para o painel internacional de especialistas. O uso dos recursos termais açorianos pode potenciar o desenvolvimento regional de forma transversal nas diferentes áreas estratégicas prioritárias para a região. Estes recursos podem proporcionar o aparecimento de produtos únicos, distintos e diferenciados na região, contribuindo assim para aumentar a base de exportação regional. Apesar do presente trabalho ter sido desenvolvido no âmbito académico pretende‐se que as informações aqui fornecidas sirvam de base para o desenvolvimento de uma estratégia de gestão adaptativa, consertada e unificante (ambiental e económica) para os recursos termais do arquipélago dos Açores.ABSTRACT: Thermal resources are of major importance at the regions where they occur and, in some cases are cornerstones to their economic development, the Azores are no exception. The current work is the first approach to this subject in Europe and aims to be an exploratory study. In the Azores the diverse nature of thermal resources promotes a multitude of uses within the small geographical area. A resource accurate quantification is non-existent. Socioeconomically development based on use of this natural resource is part of the regional governmental strategy. The rise of the demand will not only increase pressure on the resources exploitation, but will also eventually led to the rise of conflict of interest in areas with overlapping needs. No baseline information is currently available. The data generated by the present work can help launch a preliminary framework that will enable future developments within the field. One expects also that this work will lead to a better identification of the problems and questions that need to be addressed in order to develop a coherent management strategy for the use of the Azorean thermal resources. Frequent and putative uses of natural thermal resources were selected from an extensive list of uses supplied to a panel of international experts. The energy related uses where the most often selected, followed by traditional uses within the field of health&wellness, not to be forgotten the importance of geothermal direct use as the geothermal cooking. The economical valuing criteria (direct and indirect values) were chosen as priority valuing criteria when planning for and, evaluating, the use of the natural thermal resource. Values related with public health were the next valuing criteria selected, followed by the ability to create jobs (direct and/or induced). The value attributed to leisure and relaxation activities that thermal resources can provide for residents and visitors, the value inherent to the several ecosystem functions, the value of non‐use for altruistic purposes, and the value attributed to the putative knowledge&innovation development use leverage that this resource provides completed the top 10 most important valuing criteria. It is our understanding that the use of Azorean thermal resources can enhance the regional development across the various priority sectors, giving rise to unique products (services as well as goods) within the region, and improving the regional exportation level. The present study was developed as an academic exercise, nevertheless it is intended that the information provided in this document will assist in creating a unifying, adaptative environmental and economic management strategy for the use of this resource within the Azores

Diferenças de género nas consultas de planeamento familiar e saúde materna

Homens e mulheres apresentam particularidades de carácter biológico que incluem diferenças genéticas, físicas, hormonais e reprodutivas, supostamente invariáveis nas diferentes sociedades. Contudo, as diferenças de género incluem uma grande variabilidade de características em função dos padrões culturais que condicionam os valores, as normas e os comportamentos atribuídos a homens e mulheres, nomeadamente na saúde sexual e reprodutiva. Este estudo analisa as necessidades em educação para a saúde sexual e reprodutiva de utentes das consultas de Planeamento Familiar (PF) e Saúde Materna (SM). Com essa intenção realizou-se um estudo de natureza qualitativa onde se aplicou uma entrevista semi-estruturada a uma amostra propositada de utentes (n=12). Verificou-se que havia mais homens a usar como fontes de informação a televisão, Internet e revistas e mais mulheres a recorrerem às amigas, livros e família. A maior parte dos/as utentes, pensou prevenir a gravidez quando iniciou a actividade sexual, sem consulta médica prévia. Só uma pequena parte dos/as utentes, considerou que os homens associam a consulta de PF só às mulheres e que as mulheres preferem ser atendidas por mulheres. Destes resultados, emerge a necessidade de incluir a perspectiva de género nas consultas de PF e SM.Instituto de Educação, Centro de Investigação em Educação (CIEd

El principio de non bis in idem como pilar fundamental del estado de derecho. Aspectos esenciales de su configuración

The present article analyzes the scope of the principle of non bis in idem as a fundamental pillar of the rule of law, ius puniendi limited to the State, and ensuring enforcement of fundamental rights related to due process. Its definition, analysis and design is linked not only with the rules of law, but also supranational provisions relating to human rights, requiring their mandatory compliance by all entities of the State.En el presente artículo se analiza el alcance del principio de non bis in idem como pilar fundamental del Estado de derecho, límite al ius puniendi estatal, y garantía de observancia de los derechos fundamentales relacionados con el debido proceso. Su delimitación, análisis y estructuración se relaciona no sólo con las normas de derecho interno, sino además con disposiciones supranacionales vinculadas con los derechos humanos, que exigen su observancia en las vertientes material y procesal, y su obligatorio cumplimiento por todos los entes del Estado

Amphiphile Adsorption on Rigid Polyelectrolytes

A theory is presented which quantitatively accounts for the cooperative adsorption of cationic surfactants to anionic polyelectrolytes. For high salt concentration we find that the critical adsorption concentration (CAC) is a bilinear function of the polyion monomer and salt concentrations, with the coefficients dependent only on the type of surfactant used. The results presented in the paper might be useful for designing more efficient gene delivery systems

Inhibition of Clostridioides difficile by lactic acid bacteria

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Recovery of clostridioides difficile in different enrichment culture media

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In vitro antimicrobial activity of various essential oils against clostridioides difficile

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Refining the ecological role of stingrays in coral reef ecosystems

Coral reefs are some of the most diverse and complex ecosystems in the world. They are known for their ability to support a high diversity of marine life. Unfortunately, coral reefs and their associated marine life are under intense anthropogenic pressures; climate change, habitat loss and overfishing are some of the main threats. These pressures also have negative effects on stingrays inhabiting coral reef areas. Management and conservation of stingrays is currently hindered by a lack of knowledge on essential aspects of their ecology. Therefore, this thesis aimed to refine the roles juvenile stingrays play in coral reef habitats and determine the importance of coral reef habitat to stingray populations in a nursery area in the Great Barrier Reef. To do so, this thesis addressed five specific aims: (1) review the current knowledge on batoid nursery areas; (2) identify movement patterns and determine habitat use of juvenile cowtail stingrays Pastinachus ater; (3) evaluate the accuracy of towed-float GPS tags to assess movement patterns and habitat use of stingrays; (4) identify diel movement patterns and habitat use of juvenile mangrove whiprays Urogymnus granulatus; and (5) investigate the relative trophic relationships of four juvenile elasmobranch species within a communal nursery area, with an emphasis on stingrays. Nursery areas are crucial for many elasmobranch species, providing advantages such as increased access to prey and reduced mortality. To date, batoid nurseries have been poorly studied in comparison with shark nurseries. The current decline of batoid populations worldwide, resulting in serious extinction threats, highlights the importance of better understanding these critical habitats. This dissertation presented a synthesis of the available knowledge on batoid nurseries and suggests the use of a combination of well-established criteria to standardize batoid nursery definition. Two telemetry approaches were used to examine movement patterns and habitat use of two stingray species commonly found in coral reef habitats: cowtail stingrays Pastinachus ater and mangrove whiprays Urogymnus granulatus. First, active acoustic telemetry was used to investigate cowtail stingray movements. Active acoustic telemetry provided fine-scale results, but had some limitations (e.g. potential human disturbance and difficulties in performing night tracks). Therefore, a new method was developed – towed-float GPS telemetry –- to investigate mangrove whipray activity patterns and habitat use. Lastly, stable isotope analysis was used to define the contribution of potential carbon sources in the food web and the trophic position and relationship of four juvenile elasmobranch species (mangrove whipray, cowtail stingray, blacktip reef shark Carcharhinus melanopterus and giant shovelnose ray Glaucostegus typus). Active acoustic telemetry results generated a total of 14 active tracks of cowtail stingrays ranging from 4.91 to 9 hours. Cowtail stingrays moved at an average speed of 2.44 m.min⁻¹ + 0.87 SE, with minimum distances travelled ranging from 546 to 1446 meters. Tracking data showed that juvenile cowtail stingrays move in response to tidal cycles, moving faster and with straighter pathways during incoming and outgoing tides, compared to low and high tides. Juvenile cowtail stingrays also showed a strong affinity to sand flat areas and mangrove edge areas, but were infrequently detected in mangrove root habitats. These areas provide food resources and potential refuges for juvenile rays to avoid potential predators. Reef crest habitats were identified as secondary refuge for juveniles during the lowest tides. Towed-float GPS tags were tested on juvenile stingrays with active tracking performed simultaneously for comparison. Individuals travelled 1332.15 ± 269.58 m SE across Pioneer Bay at an average speed of 6.87 m.min⁻¹ and average tracking time of 3.7 hours. Stationary tests demonstrated that the quality of the data obtained by towed-float GPS tags could not be matched by active, acoustic or ARGOS telemetry – on average reaching 99% of successful location recording and <15 meters accuracy. Location Error varied significantly based on the number of satellites detected, with error decreasing as satellite number increased. Towed-float GPS telemetry showed juvenile mangrove whiprays travelled distances from 394 to 2189 meters during tracks, moving at a mean rate of movement of 4.51 m.min⁻¹ ± 3.1 SE with track durations ranging from 1.5 to 9.0 hours. Juvenile mangrove whipray movements were strongly influenced by tidal cycles and rate of movement was significantly different between day and night. Individuals moved faster and chose more direct paths during the outgoing and incoming tide, and were significantly faster during the day than at night. Juvenile mangrove whiprays showed preference for mangrove root habitats during high tides. These areas are thought to reduce juvenile stingray predation risk. Stable isotope analysis showed all juvenile elasmobranchs in Pioneer Bay are at a trophic level of ~4. Isotopic niche size of blacktip reef sharks was smaller than both stingrays, and cowtail stingrays showed the largest niche size. Results showed strong evidence of niche partitioning between mangrove whiprays and cowtail stingrays with differences in feeding strategy. Nearshore pelagic and benthic prey items (e.g. crabs, annelid worms and small baitfishes) contributed most to juvenile elasmobranch diets, while mangrove or offshore prey and carbon sources appear to not have significant input. Results of telemetry and stable isotope analysis revealed juvenile stingrays were fully dependent on the Pioneer Bay system. This dissertation confirms juvenile stingrays play important roles as mesopredators and energetic links within the Pioneer Bay nursery area. By looking at fine scale movements and trophic relationships, this PhD provides important information to better understanding juvenile stingray's ecology, but also to support management and conservation policies