An evaluation of parchments' degradation a hybrid approach

Parchment stands for a multifaceted material made from animal skin, which has been used for centuries as a writing support or as bookbinding. Due to the historic value of objects made of parchment, understanding their degradation and their condition is of utmost importance to archives, libraries and museums, i.e., the assessment of parchment degradation is mandatory, although it is hard to do with traditional methodologies and tools for problem solving. Hence, in this work we will focus on the development of a hybrid decision support system, in terms of its knowledge representation and reasoning procedures, under a formal framework based on Logic Programming, complemented with an approach to computing centered on Artificial Neural Networks, to evaluate Parchment Degradation and the respective Degree-of-Confidence that one has on such a happening.(undefined

Casos de obra: Trecho Experimental na EN 111 Fafe – Várzea Cóvoa

Apresentação efectuada no Seminário sobre Valorização de Resíduos em Infraestruturas de Transportes e Obras Geotécnicas : Aplicação a Agregados Siderúrgicos Inertes para a Construção (ASIC), no Laboratório Nacional de Engenharia Civil, LisboaA apresentação trata a descrição de um trecho experimental rodoviário na vertente da construção, do controlo de qualidade e da monitorização, sobretudo na componente do comportamento mecânico e da avaliação do comportamento ambiental. Esta experimentação visa, em particular, avaliar o desempenho mecânico e ambiental de um agregado siderúrgico inerte para a construção (ASIC) proveniente do processamento de escórias da Siderurgia Nacional da Maia.Siderurgia Nacional , EPL S.AGeocontroleSomagueBBF - Tecnologias do AmbienteLiporQuimitécnica Ambient

Marine terrace staircases of western Iberia: uplift rate patterns from rocky limestone coasts of central Portugal (Cape Espichel and Raso)

The Western Iberian passive margin is under compressive tectonic reactivation resulting in spatial and temporal variations in surface uplift. This uplift can be quantified in coastal settings using staircases of wave-cut platforms developed onto rocky headlands. This study focuses on two marine terrace staircases of central Portugal: Cape Raso (west of Lisbon) and Cape Espichel (western Arrábida mountain chain). Geomorphic and stratigraphic analyses identified four marine terraces above sea level at Cape Raso area and twelve at Cape Espichel. ESR and pIRIR dating were used to develop a chronological framework for the staircases, from which uplift rates were calculated. Using the interaction between the global mean sea-level elevations in the Quaternary and the local uplift rate (Roberts et al., 2013) the marine terraces were correlated with Marine Isotope Stages (MIS). At Cape Raso, Tm1 (+38 m) corresponds to MIS 17 (712-676 ka), Tm2 (+34 m) corresponds to the MIS 15 (621-563 ka) and was reworked during the MIS 11 (399-408 ka), Tm3 (+ 22 m) correlates with MIS 13 (533-478 ka) and was reworked during the highstand of MIS 9 (330-316 ka) and Tm4 (+9 m) correlates with MIS 7 (243 -191 ka). At Cape Espichel, a correlation was found between the relative sea-level elevations of the eight lowest terraces with several MISs (MIS 5 until MIS 17). The correlation becomes unclear for terraces older than MIS 17, translating into an apparent decrease in uplift rate towards older times. Either in Cape Raso or Espichel, the terrace staircases do not correlate in all cases with sea level high stands sequentially. For instance, the palaeoshoreline elevation of MIS 11 is higher than the palaeoshoreline of MIS 13. This suggests that marine terraces have been formed by superposition of multiple sea-level fluctuations in a long-term uplift context, but with an uplift rate low enough to allow the reworking of older shorelines during subsequent MISs. At Cape Raso, the dating of Tm2 correlated with MIS 15 allows for an estimation of an uplift rate of ~0.07 m/ka for this coast, seemingly decreasing over the last ~125 ka. At Cape Espichel, the chronological framework of Tm5 and Tm6 allows associations with MIS 15 and MIS 11, respectively.The estimated mean uplift rate from MIS 5e to MIS 17 was ~0.14m/ka. For times older than MIS 17 (up to ca. 3.7 Ma) the uplift rate was lower than during the last ~125 ka (~0.04 m/ka). The present elevations of the late Zanclean wave-cut platform, represented by the Raso Cape Platform (~100 m) and the Cape Espichel (up to ~220 m) platforms, further express the differential uplift between the study areas for the last ~3.7 Ma. References: Roberts, G.P., Meschis, M., Houghton, S., Underwood, C., Briant R.M., 2013. The implications of revised Quaternary paleo-shoreline chronologies for the rates of active extension and uplift in the upper plate of subduction zones. Quaternary Science Reviews 78, 169-187

Levantamento diferencial evidenciado pelas escadarias de terraços marinhos do Cabo Espichel e do Cabo Raso durante o Plistocénico

This study focuses on two marine terrace staircases of central Portugal: Cabo Raso (west of Lisboa) and Cabo Espichel (western Arrábida chain). Four emerse marine terraces were found in the Cabo Raso area, while twelve were found at Cabo Espichel, according to geomorphological and stratigraphical studies. Electron Spin Resonance and luminescence dating were used to establish a chronology for the coastal staircases, from which uplift rates were calculated. The present elevations of the culminating marine abrasion platform represented at Cabo Raso and Cabo Espichel, express the differential uplift between these areas over the last ~3,7 Ma

Marine terrace staircases of western Iberia: uplift rate patterns from rocky limestone coasts of central Portugal (Cape Espichel and Raso)

The Western Iberian passive margin is under compressive tectonic reactivation resulting in spatial and temporal variations in surface uplift. This uplift can be quantified in coastal settings using staircases of wave-cut platforms developed onto rocky headlands. This study focuses on two marine terrace staircases of central Portugal: Cape Raso (west of Lisbon) and Cape Espichel (western Arrábida mountain chain). Geomorphic and stratigraphic analyses identified four marine terraces above sea level at Cape Raso area and twelve at Cape Espichel. ESR and pIRIR dating were used to develop a chronological framework for the staircases, from which uplift rates were calculated. Using the interaction between the global mean sea-level elevations in the Quaternary and the local uplift rate (Roberts et al., 2013) the marine terraces were correlated with Marine Isotope Stages (MIS). At Cape Raso, Tm1 (+38 m) corresponds to MIS 17 (712-676 ka), Tm2 (+34 m) corresponds to the MIS 15 (621-563 ka) and was reworked during the MIS 11 (399-408 ka), Tm3 (+ 22 m) correlates with MIS 13 (533-478 ka) and was reworked during the highstand of MIS 9 (330-316 ka) and Tm4 (+9 m) correlates with MIS 7 (243 -191 ka). At Cape Espichel, a correlation was found between the relative sea-level elevations of the eight lowest terraces with several MISs (MIS 5 until MIS 17). The correlation becomes unclear for terraces older than MIS 17, translating into an apparent decrease in uplift rate towards older times. Either in Cape Raso or Espichel, the terrace staircases do not correlate in all cases with sea level high stands sequentially. For instance, the palaeoshoreline elevation of MIS 11 is higher than the palaeoshoreline of MIS 13. This suggests that marine terraces have been formed by superposition of multiple sea-level fluctuations in a long-term uplift context, but with an uplift rate low enough to allow the reworking of older shorelines during subsequent MISs. At Cape Raso, the dating of Tm2 correlated with MIS 15 allows for an estimation of an uplift rate of ~0.07 m/ka for this coast, seemingly decreasing over the last ~125 ka. At Cape Espichel, the chronological framework of Tm5 and Tm6 allows associations with MIS 15 and MIS 11, respectively.The estimated mean uplift rate from MIS 5e to MIS 17 was ~0.14m/ka. For times older than MIS 17 (up to ca. 3.7 Ma) the uplift rate was lower than during the last ~125 ka (~0.04 m/ka). The present elevations of the late Zanclean wave-cut platform, represented by the Raso Cape Platform (~100 m) and the Cape Espichel (up to ~220 m) platforms, further express the differential uplift between the study areas for the last ~3.7 Ma. References: Roberts, G.P., Meschis, M., Houghton, S., Underwood, C., Briant R.M., 2013. The implications of revised Quaternary paleo-shoreline chronologies for the rates of active extension and uplift in the upper plate of subduction zones. Quaternary Science Reviews 78, 169-187

Livro Verde dos Montados

O Livro Verde dos Montados apresenta diversos objectivos que se interligam: Em primeiro lugar, o Livro Verde pretende reunir e sistematizar, de uma forma simples e acessível ao público, o conhecimento produzido em Portugal pelos investigadores e técnicos de várias instituições de investigação ou de gestão que estudam o Montado. Assume-se como uma oportunidade de caracterizar o sistema tendo em conta as suas várias dimensões, identificando as principais ameaças à sua preservação assim como os caminhos que podem ajudar à sua sustentabilidade. Não sendo um documento científico, baseia-se no conhecimento científico e pretende constituir a base para uma plataforma de organização, tanto dos investigadores como do conhecimento científico actualmente produzido em Portugal sobre o Montado.Em segundo lugar, o Livro Verde deverá contribuir para um entendimento partilhado do que é o Montado, por parte do público, de técnicos e de especialistas, conduzindo a uma classificação mais clara do que pode ser considerado Montado e de quais os tipos distintos de Montados que podem ser identificados. Em terceiro lugar, o Livro Verde estabelece as bases para uma estratégia coordenada de disponibilização de informação sobre o sistema Montado, visando o seu conhecimento, apreciação e valorização pela sociedade portuguesa no seu conjunto. Deste modo, o Livro Verde poderá constituir um instrumento congregador e inspirador para a realização de acções de sensibilização e informação sobre o Montado. Em quarto lugar, pretende-se que o Livro Verde contribua para um maior reconhecimento e valorização do Montado como sistema, a nível do desenho das políticas nacionais por parte dos vários sectores envolvidos.Finalmente, o Livro Verde constituirá um documento parceiro do Livro Verde das Dehesas, produzido em Espanha em 2010, de forma a reforçar o reconhecimento e a devida valorização destes sistemas silvo-pastoris no desenho das estratégias e políticas relevantes pelas instituições europeias. Em suma, os autores pretendem que o Livro Verde dos Montados se afirme como o primeiro passo para uma efectiva definição e implementação de uma estratégia nacional para os Montados

CLICTOUR - Roteiro para o turismo sustentável nas áreas protegidas do norte de Portugal

A indústria do turismo desempenha um papel de elevada relevância nas economias nacionais e regionais a nível global. Com o crescente interesse na visitação de áreas protegidas, muitas destas regiões, anteriormente intocadas, têm-se transformado em destinos turísticos de importância significativa e amplamente populares, atraindo um número elevado de visitantes anualmente. Ao mesmo tempo, várias áreas naturais e ecossistemas encontram-se ameaçados pelos desafios decorrentes das alterações climáticas, perda de biodiversidade e atividades antropogénicas, os quais podem comprometer a sua sustentabilidade. O sector do turismo representa, em muitos casos, um elemento central do crescimento económico das áreas protegidas, constituindo um instrumento crítico para o desenvolvimento sustentável das comunidades locais e para a geração de receitas para os esforços de conservação. Consequentemente, é crucial identificar mecanismos que permitam o desenvolvimento de um sector turístico resiliente e adaptado, capaz de suportar os impactes eminentes das alterações climáticas. A investigação realizada no âmbito do projeto CLICTOUR foca três áreas protegidas distintas localizadas no norte de Portugal, nomeadamente, o Parque Nacional da Peneda-Gerês (PNPG), o Parque Natural do Alvão (PNA) e o Parque Natural do Litoral Norte (PNLN). Apesar das suas caraterísticas contrastantes, estas áreas protegidas acompanharam a forte tendência de crescimento do turismo português desde 2013, interrompida apenas pela pandemia do COVID-19. O turismo de natureza surge como um dos destaques destas áreas, oferecendo percursos pedestres, caminhadas e oportunidades para observar flora, fauna e paisagens. Além disto, destacam-se uma variedade de atividades de turismo desportivo e de aventura no PNPG, enquanto o PNLN oferece um conjunto alargado de atividades náuticas, bem como o tradicional sol e praia. Considerando os desafios impostos pela emergência climática e a elevada vulnerabilidade do sector do turismo aos seus efeitos, é fundamental avaliar os impactes desses eventos extremos, mas não só, no turismo e noutros sectores estratégicos. A realização dessa avaliação possibilita a criação de estratégias de resposta e adaptação, promovendo o desenvolvimento de um turismo sustentável e resiliente às alterações climáticas nas áreas protegidas do norte de Portugal. Concretizam-se, assim, os objetivos do projeto na avaliação do impacte das alterações climáticas nesta zona, e consequente efeito no turismo, e na promoção de linhas diretrizes de desenvolvimento de um turismo de natureza resiliente às alterações climáticas, que constituem o “Roteiro”. Este trabalho segue nas secções seguintes apresentando na Parte II os estudos desenvolvidos, em específico apresentando os parques envolvidos na secção 1, as alterações climáticas esperadas para as próximas décadas no norte de Portugal na secção 2, e os principais perspetivas aplicadas realizados na secção 3. Na Parte III desenvolve-se o “Roteiro” nas suas quatro dimensões, concluindo o trabalho

The alpha-galactosidase A p.Arg118Cys variant does not cause a Fabry disease phenotype: data from individual patients and family studies

Lysosomal α-galactosidase A (α-Gal) is the enzyme deficient in Fabry disease (FD), an X-linked glycosphingolipidosis caused by pathogenic mutations affecting the GLA gene. The early-onset, multi-systemic FD classical phenotype is associated with absent or severe enzyme deficiency, as measured by in vitro assays, but patients with higher levels of residual α-Gal activity may have later-onset, more organ-restricted clinical presentations. A change in the codon 118 of the wild-type α-Gal sequence, replacing basic arginine by a potentially sulfhydryl-binding cysteine residue – GLA p.(Arg118Cys) –, has been recurrently described in large FD screening studies of high-risk patients. Although the Cys118 allele is associated with high residual α-Gal activity in vitro, it has been classified as a pathogenic mutation, mainly on the basis of theoretical arguments about the chemistry of the cysteine residue. However its pathogenicity has never been convincingly demonstrated by pathology criteria. We reviewed the clinical, biochemical and histopathology data obtained from 22 individuals of Portuguese and Spanish ancestry carrying the Cys118 allele, including 3 homozygous females. Cases were identified either on the differential diagnosis of possible FD manifestations and on case-finding studies (n=11; 4 males), or on unbiased cascade screening of probands’ close relatives (n=11; 3 males). Overall, those data strongly suggest that the GLA p.(Arg118Cys) variant does not segregate with FD clinical phenotypes in a Mendelian fashion, but might be a modulator of the multifactorial risk of cerebrovascular disease, since the allelic frequency in stroke patients was 0.0087 (p=0.0185 vs the general population). The Cys118 allelic frequency in healthy Portuguese adults (n=696) has been estimated as 0.001, therefore not qualifying for “rare” conditio

Protocolos em Medicina Interna - Serviço de Medicina lnterna do Hospital Central do Funchal

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Viral genetic clustering and transmission dynamics of the 2022 mpox outbreak in Portugal

Pathogen genome sequencing during epidemics enhances our ability to identify and understand suspected clusters and investigate their relationships. Here, we combine genomic and epidemiological data of the 2022 mpox outbreak to better understand early viral spread, diversification and transmission dynamics. By sequencing 52% of the confirmed cases in Portugal, we identified the mpox virus sublineages with the highest impact on case numbers and fitted them into a global context, finding evidence that several international sublineages probably emerged or spread early in Portugal. We estimated a 62% infection reporting rate and that 1.3% of the population of men who have sex with men in Portugal were infected. We infer the critical role played by sexual networks and superspreader gatherings, such as sauna attendance, in the dissemination of mpox virus. Overall, our findings highlight genomic epidemiology as a tool for the real-time monitoring and control of mpox epidemics, and can guide future vaccine policy in a highly susceptible population.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio