El comercio de Terra Sigillata en Mesas do Castelinho (Almodôvar-Portugal): datos contextuales y patrones de importación en la Lusitania meridional

Mesas do Castelinho (Almodôvar) is located in southern Portugal, an area traditionally recognized as a natural path connecting coastal region in the Algarve and the inland Alentejo region. Occuppied since 5th century BC, the site is still relevant during the Roman Republican phase. After the Augustan reforms it progressively loses importance to be abandoned at the end of the 1st century AD. Terra sigillata, recovered in the project directed by C. Fabião and A. Guerra is abundant and forms a set of 322 pieces. Main categories are Eastern sigillata A, Italian-type, South Gaulish, Hispanic (from Andújar and Tritium) and Peñaflor type sigillata (“sigillata de imitación tipo Peñaflor”), ARS A and Phocean red slip ware. Following the economic dynamics of the site, the major phase of imports took place in Augustan-Tiberian period with progressive decrease until the end of the urban settlement in late 1st century AD. Episodic presence in the end of the 5th century AD is testified by one fragment of Phocaean red slip ware. The strategic position of Mesas do Castelinho determined its role during the Islamic period with fortress and settlement from the 9th-10th until the12th century, affecting and disturbing previous Early Roman phases.Mesas do Castelinho (Almodôvar) se encuentra en el sur de Portugal, una zona tradicionalmente reconocida como camino natural conectando la región costera del Algarve y el interior del Alentejo. Con ocupación desde el siglo V a.C., sigue siendo relevante durante la fase romana republicana. Después de las reformas de Augusto, pierde progresivamente importancia para ser abandonado en el final del siglo I d.C. La Terra sigillata recuperada en un proyecto dirigido por C. Fabião y A. Guerra es abundante formando un conjunto de 322 piezas. Las principales categorías son Sigillata oriental A, de tipo itálico, sur de la Gália, Hispanica (de Andújar y Tritio) y “sigillata de imitación tipo Peñaflor”, sigillata africana A e Foceense. Siguiendo la dinámica económica del sitio, la fase principal de las importaciones tuvo lugar en el período de Augusto-Tiberio con disminución progresiva hasta el final del asentamiento urbano a fines del siglo primero d.C. La presencia episódica está atestiguada en el final del siglo V d.C. por un fragmento de Foceense. La posición estratégica de Mesas de Castelinho determinó su papel durante el período islámico con una fortaleza y asentamiento desde el siglo IX-X hasta el XII afectando y perturbando la fase previa romana imperial

African cooking ware in the Algarve (Southern Portugal): an overview

Imports of African cooking ware in the Algarve region are very abundant and started appearing at the end of the 1st century AD, with the first forms of ARS A. The typological and contextual data shows that these imports lasted until the 5th century. In this paper we focus on the African cooking ware imports, to establish their position within the larger volume of traffic in African products (amphorae and ARS wares) during the early and the late Roman Empire. We present a re-evaluation of old assemblages, as well as some new data.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Late Republican and Early Empire common ware in southern Lusitania (Algarve-Portugal) : the Italian imports

Recent research on common wares from different Algarve sites has provided relevant information concerning different types of imported material, as well as on local and regional productions. This paper presents the data concerning Italian common ware that was distributed in southern Lusitania (today Algarve-Portugal) in the Roman Republic and Early Empire. The main forms identified are the unslipped common ware from Campania: platters and lids and Pompeian-Red ware platters. Common ware from the Roman towns of Balsa (today Torre de Ares, Tavira), Baesuri (Castro Marim) and Ossonoba (Faro) and elsewhere show that most of the vessels have their origin in Ulterior/Baetica. Apart from Roman towns in eastern and central Algarve, sites such as Loulé Velho (which could have been a Roman villa or even a vicus) provided examples of Pompeian-Red ware, showing that the distribution of these vessels spread beyond the strict urban sphere, as also Dramont D2 mortaria from Central Italy testify. The Algarve towns such as Balsa (Torre de Ares Tavira) were particularly open to Mediterranean trade. The identification, for the first time in southern Lusitania, of a few examples of a Syracusan ‘ceramica comune tipo San Giuliano’ was confirmed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Assessing public figures’ reputation through sentiment analysis on twitter using machine learning : creation of a system

Mestrado em Gestão de Sistemas de InformaçãoNunca se geraram tantos dados e a um ritmo tão alucinante como atualmente. Vive-se indubitavelmente numa era de Big Data e este termo não passa despercebido, trazendo consigo inúmeros desafios, mas também múltiplas oportunidades. Cerca de 80% dos dados encontra-se de forma desestruturada. Aqui, há um foco especial para o formato de texto, formato esse que para além de comum, agrega um grande potencial. Existem várias aplicações, técnicas e ferramentas associadas à análise de documentos textuais, e esta área surge fortemente ligada ao Processamento de Linguagem Natural. Um dos grandes desafios de ambos está relacionado com Análise de Sentimentos. Sendo interessante aliar tendências e abordar questões como a reputação online, o presente projeto focou-se na criação de um sistema capaz de identificar o sentimento associado a figuras públicas demonstrado através de publicações no Twitter. Com essa finalidade, o levou-se a cabo uma revisão de literatura capaz de explicitar os tópicos associados à temática escolhida. Relativamente ao sistema, optou-se por uma abordagem de Machine Learning com recurso a métodos supervisionados de aprendizagem. Para tal, criou-se um dataset manualmente anotado e procedeu-se ao treino de três classificadores (Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machines e Entropia Máxima). O impacto de algumas técnicas de pré-processamento também foi medido. Os resultados obtidos não foram tão bons como desejado, mas o melhor modelo foi incorporado no sistema. Este projeto contribuiu para aumentar a base de conhecimento das áreas em que se insere, e fornece ainda um dataset manualmente anotado que poderá ser utilizado em investigações futuras.Never has so much data been generated and at such an astounding rate as nowadays. This is undoubtedly an era of Big Data and this term does not go unnoticed, bearing within innumerous challenges, but also a multitude of opportunities. Of the generated data, roughly 80% comes unstructured, and there is a special focus on the text format, which appears frequently and carries great potential. There are several applications, techniques and tools connected to the analysis of textual documents and this area is strongly linked to Natural Language Processing. One of the greatest challenges of both is related to Sentiment Analysis. Since it would be interesting to combine trends and address issues such as online reputation, this project focused on creating a system capable of identifying the sentiment associated with public figures, demonstrated through Twitter publications. Firstly, a literature review capable of exploring the topics associated with the chosen subject was carried out. Afterwards,and regarding the system, a Machine Learning approach using supervised learning methods was adopted. For this, a manually annotated dataset was created and three of the most used classifiers (Naïve Bayes, Support Vector Machines and Maximum Entropy) were trained. The impact of some pre-processing techniques was also assessed. The obtained results were not as good as initially desired, nonetheless the best model was chosen to incorporate the system. This project contributed to increase the knowledge base of the areas in which it is comprised and provides a manually annotated dataset that can be used in further research.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The circulation of South Gaulish sigillata in southern Lusitania: Alentejo region and the Algarve (Portugal)

Research carried out recently in different contexts at Roman sites in the Algarve and Alentejo has defined distinct sets of South Gaulish sigillata, so elucidating an understanding of the main consumption trends in that region. In this work, recent and older sets of data concerning this category of tableware imported from La Graufesenque are revisited, presented and discussed. The plain and decorated forms are analyzed, as well as the potter’s stamps from sites in southern areas of the present Portuguese territory, which in Roman times corresponded to the province of Lusitania. Even in the case of samples with very unequal compositions, we have identified different consumption patterns between the Alentejo and the Algarve sites, and have compared them with each other and with sets from other regions of Lusitania and Baetica.A investigação realizada recentemente nos sítios algarvios e alentejanos em distintos contextos permitiu uma abordagem aos diferentes conjuntos de sigillata sudgálica possibilitando uma leitura acerca das principais tendências do consumo naquela região Neste trabalho, apresentam-se dados recentes e revisitam-se conjuntos antigos desta categoria de cerâmica de mesa importada de La Graufesenque. Analisam-se as formas lisas e decoradas assim como as marcas de oleiro provenientes de sítios do Sul do actual território português que em época romana correspondia à província da Lusitânia. Mesmo tratando-se de amostras com significados bastante desiguais identificaram-se diferentes padrões de consumo no Alentejo e Algarve que foram comparados entre si e com conjuntos de outras regiões da Lusitânia e da Bética.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Contribution of EQA to improve Preanalytical practices by systematic verification of Laboratory Services

International literature describes the preanalytical phase as the most susceptible to errors due to the numerous non automated activities it involves Most EQA organizers offer preanalytical schemes to participants. There are basically three types of surveys procedures registration, samples circulation and errors registration The Portuguese EQA Programme ( provides these type of schemes for 13 years, using as a guide the ISO 15189 2012 In order to improve the evaluation of the preanalytical phase, PNAEQ recently launched two other preanalytical EQA schemes, mystery client and presential audits in 2015 and 2016 respectively. The aim of the mystery client survey is to verify whether the information provided to the patient is constant regardless the day and time or if it is dependent on the collaborator. The aim of the presential audit survey is to give the participants a tool to verify if the procedures performed daily are in accordance with laboratorial good practices recommendations. Conclusions: Results from Mystery Client surveys demonstrate the need for written procedures and harmonization of practices for all collaborators, as more than a third of the responses differed in date/time and operator in a global view. In the Presential Audit surveys we highlight as critical points the results regarding questions 3 5 and 6 as they point to specific problems that occurred during the blood collection procedure, such as operator and patient safety, as well as the quality of the sample collected, suggesting the need to review legal and normative issues and to train collaborators. Participants who use systematically these two methodologies are monitoring some of the requirements of ISO 15189:2012, namely 4. 1.2.6, 4.3, 4.4.1, 4.14, 5.4.2 (both), 5.4.4.2 (mystery client) and 5.1.2, 5.2.2, 5.2.5, 5.3.2.5, 5.3.2.7, 5.4.4 (presential audit), contributing to release reliable results for medical decisions. For the future, we will extend the questions and items in evaluation in these two surveys to Microbiology area and continuing to offer training in Preanalytical matters.N/

BIOREMEDIATION OF AGRO-INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS MEDIATED BY MICROALGAE

Every year, large amounts of agro-industrial effluents are produced all over the world and its sustainable management is still a technological challenge. This thesis addresses the remediation of four agro-industrial effluents (aquaculture, cattle, swine, and poultry) and an industrial effluent (landfill leachate) by treatment with biomass ash and microalgae. The pre-treatment with biomass ash allowed the partial precipitation of total solids, reduction of the turbidity and microbial load of the effluents, resulting in a partially treated effluent and a precipitate rich in mineral and organic components. The aqueous effluents were treated in batch and semi-continuous modes with the microalgae Chlorella vulgaris (Cv), Auxenochlorella protothecoides (Ap), Tetradesmus obliquus (To), Isochrysis galbana (Ig), Microchloropsis salina (Ms), and Spirulina major (Sm). Maximum biomass yields were reached for microalgae Cv (193.6 to 879.8 mg L-1 day-1) and To (236.7 to 811.7 mg L-1 day-1) in agro-industrial effluents. The remediation of effluents allowed reaching discharge values mandatory by law for total nitrogen and total phosphorus, COD, BOD5, and total solids. The precipitate obtained in the pre-treatment of the effluents and the algal biomass showed positive effects as biostimulants for the germination of watercress (Nasturtium officinale) and wheat (Triticum aestivum) seeds. The microalgae biomass was characterised and evaluated as a food supplement for mussels (Mytilus edulis) for 45 days, with changes in the contents of lipids, carbohydrates, and ash of the mussels being observed. The torrefaction of algae biomass and its mixtures with lignocellulosic biomass made it possible to obtain biochars with potential for energy recovery, use as biostimulants for seed germination, or as adsorbents for cationic pigments. The work carried out allowed to demonstrate the feasibility of treating the studied effluents by chemical precipitation and bioremediation with microalgae and to suggest different ways of valuing the solid by-products generated.Anualmente, grandes quantidades de efluentes agroindustriais são produzidas em todo o mundo e a sua gestão sustentável constitui, ainda, um desafio tecnológico. Esta tese aborda a remediação de quatro efluentes agroindustriais (aquacultura, gado bovino, gado suíno e aviário) e um efluente industrial (lixiviado de aterro) por tratamento com cinzas de biomassa e microalgas. O pré-tratamento com cinzas de biomassa permitiu provocar uma precipitação parcial dos sólidos totais, reduzir a turvação e a carga microbiana dos efluentes, originando um efluente parcialmente tratado e um precipitado rico em componentes minerais e orgânicos. Os efluentes aquosos foram tratados em modos descontínuo e semi-contínuo com as microalgas Chlorella vulgaris (Cv), Auxenochlorella protothecoides (Ap), Tetradesmus obliquus (To), Isochrysis galbana (Ig), Microchloropsis salina (Ms) e Spirulina major (Sm). Foram atingidas produtividades máximas de biomassa para as microalgas Cv de 193,6 a 879,8 mg L-1 dia-1 e To de 236,7 a 811,7 mg L-1 dia-1 em efluentes agroindustriais. A remediação dos efluentes permitiu atingir valores de descarga obrigatórios por lei para azoto total, fósforo total, CQO, CBO5 e sólidos totais. O precipitado obtido no pré-tratamento dos efluentes e a biomassa algal apresentaram efeitos positivos como bioestimulantes da germinação de sementes de agrião (Nasturtium officinale) e de trigo (Triticum aestivum). A biomassa microalgal foi caracterizada e avaliada como suplemento alimentar de mexilhões (Mytilus edulis) durante 45 dias, tendo-se observado alterações nos teores de lípidos, hidratos de carbono e cinzas dos mexilhões. A torrefação de biomassa algal e das suas misturas com biomassa lenhocelulósica permitiu obter biocarvões com potencial para valorização energética, utilização como bioestimulantes na germinação de sementes ou adsorventes para pigmentos catiónicos. O trabalho realizado demonstrou a viabilidade do tratamento dos efluentes analisados por precipitação química e biorremediação com microalgas e sugerir diferentes vias de valorização dos subprodutos sólidos gerados

Vitamin K as a diet supplement with impact in human health: current evidence in age-related idseases

Vitamin K health benefits have been recently widely shown to extend beyond blood homeostasis and implicated in chronic low-grade inflammatory diseases such as cardiovascular disease, osteoarthritis, dementia, cognitive impairment, mobility disability, and frailty. Novel and more efficient nutritional and therapeutic options are urgently needed to lower the burden and the associated health care costs of these age-related diseases. Naturally occurring vitamin K comprise the phylloquinone (vitamin K1), and a series of menaquinones broadly designated as vitamin K2 that differ in source, absorption rates, tissue distribution, bioavailability, and target activity. Although vitamin K1 and K2 sources are mainly dietary, consumer preference for diet supplements is growing, especially when derived from marine resources. The aim of this review is to update the reader regarding the specific contribution and effect of each K1 and K2 vitamers in human health, identify potential methods for its sustainable and cost-efficient production, and novel natural sources of vitamin K and formulations to improve absorption and bioavailability. This new information will contribute to foster the use of vitamin K as a health-promoting supplement, which meets the increasing consumer demand. Simultaneously, relevant information on the clinical context and direct health consequences of vitamin K deficiency focusing in aging and age-related diseases will be discussed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

South Gaulish sigillata in Southwest Hispania: Circulation and Consumption

The present volume is the outcome of a two-day International Workshop held at the School of Arts and Humanities in Lisbon on the subject “A terra sigillata sudgálica no Sudoeste da Península Ibérica: circulação e consumo | South Gaulish terra sigillata in Southwest Hispania: circulation and consumption”, organized by UNIARQ – Centre for Archaeology of the University of Lisbon (28th and 29th of September 2015). The first day was dedicated to presenting the data about the varying consumption patterns of south Gaulish sigillata in different sites in Lusitania – such as Coimbra, Ammaia, Lisbon, Mérida, Tróia and also in sites in the Algarve and Alentejo regions, as well as at Braga (in Tarraconensis) and Baelo Claudia and Seville, in the former province of Baetica. The papers presented provide an up-to-date overview of the import for this tableware both in urban and rural contexts. The second day was a practical session to enable the participants (archaeologists, researchers and students) to learn about how to consult, use and feed information into the “Samian Research database”.Este volume é o resultado do workshop internacional que teve lugar na Faculdade de Letras de Lisboa intitulado: “A terra sigillata sudgálica no Sudoeste da Península Ibérica: circulação e consumo | South Gaulish terra sigillata in Southwest Hispania: circulation and consumption”, organizado pela UNIARQ – Centro de Arqueologia da Universidade de Lisboa (28-29 de Setembro de 2015). O primeiro dia foi dedicado à apresentação de comunicações sobre os padrões de consumo da terra sigillata sudgálica em diferentes sítios da Lusitania - como Coimbra, Ammaia, Lisboa, Mérida, Tróia e também de sítios no Algarve e no Alentejo, assim como Braga (na Tarraconensis) e Baelo Claudia and Sevilha, na antiga província da Baetica. O conjunto de estudos apresentados fornece uma panorâmica actualizada da diversidade de importação desta cerâmica de mesa em contextos urbanos e rurais. O segundo dia correspondeu a uma sessão prática permitindo aos participantes (arqueólogos, investigadores e estudantes) aprender como consultar, utilizar e alimentar a base de dados “Samian Research database”.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A JADE-based tool to assess the network dynamics of mechatronic multiagent systems

The increase in requirements and diversified demand in the fields of production has been triggering constant changes in manufacturing areas. This scenario has prevented traditional systems to meet the needed requirements to support these changes. New paradigms have been emerging in the fields of manufacturing in order to support the evolution of manufacturing. These paradigms intend to supply modern production systems with a better responsiveness, flexibility, robustness and reconfiguration. However, systems with these characteristics imply the need to predict their behavior in various production scenarios in order to avoid failures. In this sense, it is necessary to study and understand the behavior of these systems. Methods that allow the study of distributed systems are still very scarce. This thesis proposes a multiagent architecture that supports a tool to infer the agents’ network in any multiagent system. The developed tool, through the networks that infers, allows to study the interactions’ dynamics, often hidden in this type of systems, that contributes to the emergence of desired and undesired features. The proposed tool infers multiagent networks based on the interactions that occur between agents in real time and codifies the information resultant of those interactions in a compatible format with specialized tools for network analysis. To prove and test the effectiveness and applicability of the developed tool, an instance of an Evolvable Production System was simulated and analyzed by the tool. The usage of tool in the study and observation of the system allowed to test the performance of the tool in a highly dynamic environment and to validate the system’s operation