Destination Image, Motivation, Attitudes and Expenditure: An Integrated PLS-SEM Measurement Approach of Structural Relationships

Although destination image, tourists’ motivations and their behavioural intentions towards the destination constitute crucial concepts and popular subjects in the tourism literature, the integration of these three key concepts in structural models is still infrequent. The same case happens in regards to the incorporation of tourists’ attitudes and expenditure in integrated models that propose to better understand the tourists’ behaviours, thus, establishing new market segments and destinations’ strategies. In this framework, the present investigation was firstly focused on how tourists perceive the attributes of two UNESCO world heritage cities (Porto and Santiago) and on the possible differences between the tourists of these two destinations. Secondly, this work presents a PLS-SEM model with the purpose of assessing the antecedents of behavioural intentions integrating composite and reflective constructs for the measurement of motivation and destination image. Thirdly, the investigation provides an integrated approach to the understanding of the structural relationships between cognitive image and tourists’ attitudes (i.e., overall image, overall satisfaction and behavioural intentions) and the possible impact of these attitudes on the overall individual tourist expenditure

Variação sazonal da disponibilidade hidrica num montado de sobro: efeitos na fenologia e na produtividade do ecossistema

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Synthesis of sugar-biguanide hybrids to study their potential biological effects

Synthesis of sugar-biguanide hybrids was attempted by starting the approach from dicyanamide salts, by use of acidic medium to activate the dicyanamide for amine addition to create a biguanide compound to be connected to a sugar by a triazole ring. Green Chemistry principles were considered to try and maintain the reaction as “green” as possible and that was partially achieved in the biguanide synthesis pathway. NMR was the primary tool for monitoring the success of the reactions. The reactions with the sugars were already known in literature, Galactose and Mannose derivatives were obtained, dimethyl, β-naphtyl and imidazole cyanoguanidine were obtained as well, the yields obtained varied, between 20-60%. The carbon NMRs allowed for a fast way to know if the guanidine reactions happened, with the appearance of a signal around 160 ppm, this facilitates identification and doesn’t waste as much resources.A síntese de híbridos açúcar-biguanida foi tentada começando a abordagem a partir de sais de dicianamida, pelo uso de meio ácido para ativar a dicianamida adicionando a amina para criar um composto de biguanida, a ser conectado a um açúcar por um anel triazole. Os princípios da Química Verde foram considerados para tentar manter a reação o mais “verde” possível e isso foi parcialmente alcançado na via de síntese da biguanida. RMN foi a principal ferramenta para monitorar o sucesso das reações. As reações com os açúcares já eram conhecidas na literatura, foram obtidos derivados de Galactose e Manose, foram obtidos também dimetil, β-naftil e imidazol cianoguanidinas, os rendimentos obtidos variaram, entre 20-60%. Os RMNs de carbono possibilitaram uma maneira rápida de saber se ocorreram as reações de guanidina, com o aparecimento de um sinal em torno de 160 ppm, o que facilita a identificação e não desperdiça tantos recursos

Interacção entre técnicas compositivas e programação para formações mistas

A presente dissertação tem como objectivo definir algumas das principais formas de interacção entre instrumentos e electrónica presente na minha prática compositiva, totalmente focada na música para formações mistas. Durante o período de frequência no Mestrado em Composição e Teoria Musical, seis obras para este tipo de formação foram compostas com o propósito de experimentar diferentes formas de relação entre instrumentos e electrónica. Estas mesmas obras demonstram diversas abordagens pessoais à música mista, com formações desde instrumento solo e electrónica, até grande orquestra e electrónica, podendo assim obter diferentes perspectivas sobre esta prática compositiva. São apresentadas três importantes abordagens na composição para este tipo de formações: em primeiro lugar, serão apresentadas algumas das principais técnicas de escrita instrumental abordadas na minha prática compositiva, usadas com o objectivo de criar uma ponte entre as estas duas realidades coexistentes – instrumentos e electrónica. Em segundo lugar, serão abordadas as diferentes formas de sincronização entre instrumentos e electrónica, relativamente à escrita instrumental e electrónica, bem como as suas influências nos processos compositivos e performativos. Em terceiro e último lugar, serão apresentadas diferentes abordagens à realização da electrónica em concerto, com base nas obras originais referidas anteriormente. A programação informática da electrónica usada nas minhas obras, será analisada com o objectivo de demonstrar algumas das possibilidades de realização de electrónica em contexto performativo. No primeiro capítulo, será efectuada uma revisão bibliográfica, na qual serão analisados excertos de várias obras de diversos compositores, nas quais as técnicas anteriormente referidas são abordadas. Desta forma, será possível perceber as diferentes visões sobre estas mesmas técnicas do ponto de vista dos principais compositores e teóricos no âmbito da música mista. No segundo capítulo, serão analisados diversos excertos das minhas obras apresentadas e anexadas na presente dissertação. Desta forma, pretendo analisar e demonstrar como as diferentes formas de interacção e coexistência entre grupo instrumental e electrónica são atingidas através das técnicas abordadas nestas obras. No terceiro capítulo, serão abordadas as diferentes técnicas de sincronização para formações mistas, relativamente à escrita instrumental e electrónica, com base na minha produção compositiva. No quatro e último capítulo, será abordada a problemática da execução da electrónica em concerto, de um ponto vista pessoal, tendo como base as minhas obras apresentadas na presente tese. Desta forma, os vários sistemas programados em Max/MSP serão descritos e analisados, demonstrando as várias abordagens à electrónica em contexto performativo, a qual é readaptada de obra para obra, consoante as especificidades técnicas e musicais.The main goal of this thesis is to define some of the main forms of interaction between instrumental groups and electronics in my recent compositional practice, totally focused on the music for mixed formations. During the frequency in the Master’s degree in Composition and Music Theory, six works for this type of instrumentation were composed in order to experience different forms of relationship between instruments and electronics. These works demonstrate several personal approaches to this kind of compositional practice, from solo instrument and electronics, to large orchestra and electronics, in order to get different perspectives. Three major approaches to this kind of compositional practice are presented: Firstly, I will present some of the main techniques of instrumental writing in my compositional practice, used in order to create a bridge between these two coexisting realities - instruments and electronics. Secondly, I will discuss different ways of synchronization between instruments and electronics, as well as their influence in the compositional process and live performance. Finally, different approaches to the realization of electronics in concert will be presented. The computer programming of electronics used in my works will be analyzed in order to demonstrate some possibilities of executing electronics in a performance context. In the first chapter, I will present a literature review, in which excerpts from various works of various composers utilizing in which the techniques mentioned above will be analyzed, in order to show different views on these same techniques. In the second chapter, I will analyze several excerpts from my works presented and attached to in this dissertation, in order demonstrate how different forms of interaction and coexistence of instrumental group and electronics are achieved through the techniques used in these works. In the third chapter, I will approach the different synchronization techniques for mixed formations and its influence in the composition and performance process, used in my compositional practice. In the fourth and final chapter I will analyze the use of electronics in live performance, from a personal point of view based on my own work presented in this thesis. Different systems programmed in Max/MSP will be described and analyzed, demonstrating the various approaches to electronics concert context, which is refashioned from work to work

Diferenças na resposta a défices hídricos e a baixas temperaturas em dois clones de Eucalyptus globulus Labill. com contrastante sensibilidade à secura

Doutoramento em Engenharia Florestal - Instituto Superior de AgronomiaWe evaluated responses to water deficits and low temperatures in two Eucalyptus globulus Labill. clones with contrasting drought sensitivity. Our aim was to identify morphological, physiological and biochemical markers of stress resistance mechanisms. In response to water deficit and chilling, CN5 clone (drought-resistant) sustained a higher root growth and displayed greater carbon allocation to the root system than ST51 clone (drought-sensitive). In addition, under drought and low temperature conditions, CN5 ramets maintained higher leaf water potential (better water status) and decreased leaf osmotic potential significantly more than the drought-sensitive ST51 ramets. Differences in the response to drought in root biomass, coupled with changes in hydraulic properties, accounted for the clonal differences in drought tolerance, allowing CN5 ramets to balance transpiration and water absorption during drought and thereby prolong the period of active carbon assimilation. Moreover, in response to low temperatures, CN5 clone exhibited a higher capacity to acclimate in a shorter period than ST51. We conclude that Clone CN5 has greater plasticity in terms of adaptive traits than ST51, allowing its plantation range to increase to sites subject to seasonal droughts or sudden frosts

Slow pyrolysis of cork granules under nitrogen atmosphere: by-products characterization and their potential valorization

ABSTRACT: Cork granules (Quercus suber L.) were slowly pyrolyzed at temperatures between 400-700 degrees C and under N-2 flow. While preserving its structure, some cells of the cork biochar became interconnected, allowing such carbon residue to be used as templates for manufacturing ceria redox materials. The pyrolytic char morphology was similar to that of the natural precursor. The produced cork biochar belonged to Class 1 (C > 60%) and possessed a high heating value of 32 MJ kg(-1). Other pyrolysis-derived compounds were identified and quantified through GC-FID and GC-MS analyses. The yield of gases released during cork pyrolysis was strongly dependent on the temperature used due to the thermal decomposition reactions involved in the degradation of cork. In particular, rising pyrolysis temperature from 500 to 700 T resulted in reducing the total hydrocarbon gases from 74 to 24 vol%. On the other hand, the yield of H-2 increased from 0 to 58% by increasing the pyrolysis temperature from 400 to 700 T. Due to the presence of suberin in cork, the composition and yield of bio-oil could be regulated by the pyrolysis temperature. Cork bio-oil was found to consist of long-chain hydrocarbons (from C11 to C24). The bio-oil resulting from the slow pyrolysis of cork residues is suitable as an appropriate feedstock for producing aliphatic-rich pyrolytic biofuels or as a source of olefms. Overall, the findings of this study suggest that Quercus suber L. could be a promising feedstock for biochar and biofuel production through the pyrolytic route and could contribute to the environmental and economic sustainability of the cork production industry.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Principais irregularidades em estabelecimentos sujeitos a controle sanitário

Introduction: Sanitary inspection verifies compliance with technical standards and regulations for safety and quality. The Health Surveillance of Minas Gerais has a notification procedure for sanitary risk situations that allows the systematic collection and analysis of data related to health inspections. These data are used to identify the sanitary hazard in the territory and the consequent definition of actions. Objective: To determine the irregularities most frequently encountered during health inspections carried   out in Minas Gerais. Method: Cross-sectional study of sanitary irregularities reported by health inspectors of Minas Gerais in the form of risk notification and risk situation sheet 2019 (Planilha de Notificações de Riscos e Situações de Riscos 2019). The frequencies found for each type of irregularity were determined and ordered. Results: The most commonly found irregularities are, in decreasing order: Documentation/Quality Assurance issues; Inadequate infrastructure; Organization and Hygiene irregularities; Equipment irregularities, including preventive maintenance and calibration; Failure in product quality; Human resources, and waste management issues. All of these irregularities have varying degrees of potential health risk, even though they are often subject to the same course of action, educational and/or coercive, by the Health Surveillance. Conclusions: The knowledge of the main irregularities found in the inspected establishments is a highly relevant information for health inspection for the purposes of territorial diagnosis, optimization of the work process and to guide the education and instruction actions, in order to allow an effective intervention of the services in these problems.Introdução: A fiscalização sanitária verifica o cumprimento de normas e regulamentos técnicos visando segurança e qualidade. A Vigilância Sanitária de Minas Gerais possui um sistema de notificação de situações de risco sanitário que possibilita a coleta sistemática e análise de dados relativos às inspeções sanitárias. Esses dados são usados para identificação do risco sanitário no território e consequente definição de ações. Objetivo: Determinar as irregularidades mais frequentemente encontradas durante as inspeções sanitárias realizadas em Minas Gerais. Método: Estudo transversal das irregularidades sanitárias declaradas por fiscais sanitários de Minas Gerais nos formulários relativos às inspeções, inseridas na Planilha de Notificações de Riscos e Situações de Riscos 2019. As frequências encontradas de cada tipo de irregularidade foram determinadas e ordenadas. Resultados: As irregularidades mais comumente encontradas, decrescentemente, são: problemas de Documentação/Garantia da qualidade; infraestrutura inadequada; irregularidades de Organização e Higiene; irregularidades em equipamentos, incluindo manutenção preventiva e calibração; falhas na qualidade dos produtos; recursos humanos; e problemas de gerenciamento de resíduos. Todas essas irregularidades têm graus variados de potencial risco sanitário, mesmo que estejam, muitas vezes, sujeitas às mesmas medidas, educativas e/ou coercitivas, por parte da Vigilância Sanitária. Conclusões: O conhecimento das principais irregularidades encontradas nos estabelecimentos inspecionados é uma informação de alta relevância para a fiscalização sanitária para um diagnóstico territorial, otimização do processo de trabalho e para orientar as ações de educação e instrução, de forma a permitir uma efetiva intervenção dos serviços nesses problemas

Stable oxygen isotope and flux partitioning demonstrates understory of an oak savanna contributes up to half of ecosystem carbon and water exchange

Semi-arid ecosystems contribute about 40% to global net primary production (GPP) even though water is a major factor limiting carbon uptake. Evapotranspiration (ET) accounts for up to 95% of the water loss and in addition, vegetation can also mitigate drought effects by altering soil water distribution. Hence, partitioning of carbon and water fluxes between the soil and vegetation components is crucial to gain mechanistic understanding of vegetation effects on carbon and water cycling. However, the possible impact of herbaceous vegetation in savanna type ecosystems is often overlooked. Therefore, we aimed at quantifying understory vegetation effects on the water balance and productivity of a Mediterranean oak savanna. ET and net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE) were partitioned based on flux and stable oxygen isotope measurements and also rain infiltration was estimated. The understory vegetation contributed importantly to total ecosystem ET and GPP with a maximum of 43 and 51%, respectively. It reached water-use efficiencies (WUE; ratio of carbon gain by water loss) similar to cork-oak trees. The understory vegetation inhibited soil evaporation (E) and, although E was large during wet periods, it did not diminish WUE during water-limited times. The understory strongly increased soil water infiltration, specifically following major rain events. At the same time, the understory itself was vulnerable to drought, which led to an earlier senescence of the understory growing under trees as compared to open areas, due to competition for water. Thus, beneficial understory effects are dominant and contribute to the resilience of this ecosystem. At the same time the vulnerability of the understory to drought suggests that future climate change scenarios for the Mediterranean basin threaten understory development. This in turn will very likely diminish beneficial understory effects like infiltration and ground water recharge and therefore ecosystem resilience to drought

Effects of an extremely dry winter on net ecosystem carbon exchange and tree phenology at cork oak woodland

In seasonally dry climates, such as the Mediterranean, lack of rainfall in the usually wet winter may originate severe droughts which are a main cause of inter-annual variation in carbon sequestration. Leaf phenology variability may alter the seasonal pattern of photosynthetic uptake, which in turn is determined by leaf gas exchange limitations. The current study is based on the monitoring of an extremely dry winter in an evergreen cork oak woodland under the Mediterranean climate of central Portugal. Results are focused on net ecosystem CO2 exchange (NEE), phenology and tree growth measurements during two contrasting years: 2011, a wet year with a typical summer drought pattern and 2012, with an extremely unusual dry winter (only 10mmof total rainfall) that exacerbated the following summer drought effects. Main aims of this study were to assess the effects of an extreme dry winter in (1) annual and seasonal net ecosystem CO2 exchange, and in (2) cork oak phenology. The dry year 2012 was marked by a 45% lower carbon sequestration (−214 vs. −388gCm−2 year−1) and a 63% lower annual tree diameter growth but only a 9% lower leaf area index compared to the wet year 2011. A significant reduction of 15% in yearly carbon sequestration was associated with leaf phenological events of canopy renewal in the early spring. In contrast to male flower production, fruit setting was severely depressed by water stress with a 54% decrease during the dry year. Our results suggest that leaf growth and leaf area maintenance are resilient ecophysiological processes under winter drought and are a priority carbon sink for photoassimilates in contrast to tree diameter growth. Thus, carbon sequestration reductions under low water availabilities in cork oak woodland should be ascribed to stomatal regulation or photosynthetic limitations and to a lesser extent to leaf area reductionsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio