Horizontal Differentiation and the survival of Train and Coach modes in medium range passenger transport, a welfare analysis comprising economies of scope and scale

The Portuguese transport system as a whole suffers from the dominance of personal transportation, this being generally less efficient. Coaches and trains struggle to stay in the business. This model explains the markets’ performance beyond price differentials, bundling the transport modes’ appeal in one index for each. The differentiated transport cost approach accounts for product differentiation, economies of scope accruing to the consumer, and allows for economies of scale, in the form of fixed costs, to be weighted in, as well as tax policies towards motoring. It goes further by building a general welfare function that permits all factors and competition regimes to be properly compared. These are a monopoly by cars, duopolies with cars and each of the public transports, and oligopolies with public transports either competing or colluding. Simulations are carried out, and discussed in light of swings in market share and changes in welfare, with a reasonable claim to plausibility. Both public transports make the public better off by staying in the market, although the coaches’ contribution is more decisive. Trains results are weighted down by heavy fixed costs, and the far reaching coach network of destinations offers the second best service (behind that of cars). Collusion in the public transports is a price worth paying, when compared with the car monopoly emerging from bankrupt operators.Horizontal Differentiation, Intermodal choice, Oligopoly, Economies of Scope, Economies of Scale, Regulation

Calculating fault propagation in functional programs

Techn. Report TR-HASLab:01:2013The production of safety critical software is bound to a number of safety and certification standards in which estimating the risk of failure plays a central role. Yet risk estimation seems to live outside most programmers’ core practice, involving simulation techniques and worst case analysis performed a posteriori. In this paper we propose that risk be constructively handled in functional programming by writing programs which choose between expected and faulty be- haviour and by reasoning about them in a linear algebra extension to the standard algebra of programming. In particular, the paper calculates propagation of faults across standard program transformation techniques known as tupling and fusion, enabling the fault of the whole to be expressed in terms of the faults of its parts.Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT

The Insects as a Workforce for Organic Fertilizers Production – Insect Frass

Following the evolution of composting technology, the process of digestion of a biological substrate by insects (entomocomposting) represents the last stage; however, from its initial context of producing an organic fertilizer, the role of entomocomposting has been imposing itself (due to increasing demographic pressure) mainly in the safe disposal of organic waste (in rampant growth) and in the breeding of insects for food and feed, for the sake of food security. Both these last goals converge in the first, as the safest disposal of the compost is its use as organic fertilizer; but the organic substrates are of a diversified nature, as are the species of insects which have already proved themselves in entomocomposting; hence, for each of the purposes in view, the choice is vast and, in the same way, the entomocompost composition is wide-ranging. Furthermore, various types of organic substrates, in addition to a microbial flora with symbiotic effects, may sometimes be able to transmit to the frass a harmful load of heavy metals and/or, depending on the composting insect agents, the presence of microorganisms harmful to crops and to humans and animals; in these situations, the former should be encouraged, and the latter counteracted through appropriate composting technology. Directives and legislation in this area, if properly considered, constitute a fundamental basis for ensuring the appropriate use of this particular kind of organic fertilizer. Apart from the production of insects for food and feed, where the choice of which insect is determined at the outset, the preference for the insect to be used in entomocomposting should be considered according to its proficiency in biological digestion of the organic substrates available for this purpose and the fertilizing quality of the frass produced. Although a multitude of species have been evaluated, to date, for the digestion of organic substrates, most have been used in assessing their specific potential for certain functionalities of frass related to crop nutrition and health, but there are few which, either by prolificacy, proficiency or rapidity in digesting substrates, exhibit capacity to compete in rural environment; nevertheless, new species could be evaluated in the framework of the research of competitors for entomocomposting of all or each substrate type and for each of the main anticipated objectives, meanwhile, genetic improvement to obtain new strains specialized for different organic substrates has already started to take its first steps. In addition to the binomial “insect x substrate” the composting technology constitutes the third fundamental factor for the efficiency of the process. Insects use as a composting agent has been suggested several decades ago, but it was only in the last decade that this process grown from the garden to the factory. Within rural areas, entomocomposting could play a key role within a circular economy, where recycling and reusing potentially polluting wastes safely returns to the land the enduring fertility that enables the sustained production that generated them, requiring no particularly upscale installations, equipment or technical training; it can, therefore, be adapted to any size of agricultural holding, from smallholdings to large industrial holdings, on the other hand, and in order to obtain a controlled production and high quality entomocompost, it is needed to implement industrial technologies and the composting unit can achieve a very high production per square meter, comparing with traditional composting methods. However, whether from the perspective of agriculture, livestock or forestry, the production of waste for entomocomposting always falls far short of the necessary scale, and therefore always requiring the use of biodigested organic waste from agricultural industries, provided that the necessary precautions are taken; in any case, it always constitutes added value, due to the products it generates, in addition to the inestimable value of the productive disposal of potentially polluting products. Despite all the advantages mentioned above, the controversy over the organic vs. mineral fertilizer option persists, often fuelled by myths on both sides, but the successes already achieved with insect entomocomposts, such as the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens L.) or the mealworm (Tenebrio molitor L.), in field trials, which are gradually adding up, anticipate an important role for insects in safeguarding global food and environmental security

Cardiomiopatia dilatada canina, a propósito de 13 casos clínicos

Dissertação de Mestrado Integrado em Medicina VeterináriaA cardiomiopatia dilatada (CMD) é uma doença muito importante no seio das doenças cardiovasculares caninas, sendo uma das mais frequentes. Caracteriza-se principalmente por uma redução gradual e progressiva da contractilidade miocárdica que determina uma disfunção inicialmente sistólica, marcada por uma evolução lenta que se encontra equilibrada pelos sistemas compensatórios do organismo. Contudo, a falência destes mecanismos leva ao súbito desenvolvimento de sintomatologia sendo, a maioria dos casos de CMD, apenas diagnosticados por esta altura. O diagnóstico baseia-se essencialmente no uso da ecocardiografia, do electrocardiograma e da radiologia, sendo o prognóstico reservado com um percurso invariavelmente fatal. Porém, a terapêutica permite manter a condição de vida do paciente e prolongar a sobrevivência. Este trabalho visa inicialmente o estágio realizado no Instituto Veterinário do Parque (IVP) seguindo-se a abordagem ao tema, que começa por uma revisão dos conhecimentos existentes sobre a CMD, tentando desenvolver-se uma pesquisa o mais completa possível. O estudo centra-se na avaliação clínica dos animais afectados presentes à consulta entre Setembro de 2008 e Julho de 2009 (n=13), com o recurso à ecocardiografia e ao electrocardiograma, fazendo-se uma análise geral das alterações observadas, da medicação instituída e um acompanhamento de três casos clínicos nos quais é possível perceber a progressão da doença e os efeitos terapêuticos. É apresentada, ainda, a prevalência desta doença no IVP (1,06%), a idade e raça dos pacientes, onde se deve realçar dois animais Serra da Estrela, cuja importância se destaca por se tratar de uma raça autóctone de relevância nacional.ABSTRACT - Dilated Cardiomyopathy, in view of 13 clinical cases Dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) is a very relevant and prevalent disease in dogs, being one of the main affections of the cardiovascular system. It occurs mainly in pure large breed dogs and is characterized by a slow progression that is maintained, without being noticed, by the cardiovascular compensatory system. The disease leads to a progressive reduction of miocardic contractility which determines, initially, a systolic dysfunction. Compensatory mechanisms, that are efficient in the beginning, end up failing through the DCM progression, which provokes the development of symptoms. The majority of the DCM cases are diagnosed by this time. Diagnose is essentially based on echocardiographic, electrocardiographic and radiologic observations. Prognosis is poor and always leads to death. Therapy administration can initially stabilize the patient and offers an opportunity to extend the survival time. This work, at beginning, is related to the practice period developed in Instituto Veterinário do Parque (IVP), where the referred cases have been diagnosed. A revision of the actual knowledge of the disease have been made, which assists the reading and understanding of the study developed. The study is centered on the clinical evaluation of DCM affected animals presented to IVP since September 08 until July 09 (n=13). The analysis was made recurring to echocardiography, electrocardiogram, and considering general changes and drugs administered. Besides, tree clinical cases have been followed, in which is possible to understand disease progression and therapeutic effects. It has been determined the DCM prevalence in IVP (1.06%) and the age and breed of the patients. Considering patient’s breeds, it should be raised two Serra da Estrela dogs, which belong to an autochthonous breed with national relevance

Notch signaling, genital remodeling and reproductive function

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências Veterinárias. Especialidade de Ciências Biológicas e BiomédicasThe objective of this thesis is to evaluate the association between Notch signaling, genital cellular remodeling and reproductive function, in the mouse model. Five experimental chapters are included in this thesis. In experiments 1 and 2, we evaluated transcription and expression patterns of Notch component and effector genes in testis post-natal development, along the spermatogenic cycle and the epididymis. In experiment 3, we evaluated the male reproductive phenotype of in vivo Notch blockade by DAPT. In experiments 4 and 5 we evaluated transcription and expression patterns of Notch component and effector genes in the ovary, oviduct and uterus along the estrous cycle. Results indicate that Notch signaling is active and associated to male and female genital cellular remodeling. In the male, results prompt for a regulatory role of Notch signaling in spermatogonia pool maintenance, onset of spermatogenesis, in the pace of the spermatogenic cycle, germ cell identity, and epididymis spermatozoa maturation. In the female, results prompt for a regulatory role in ovarian follicle and corpus luteum development, and oviduct and uterus epithelial cell turnover and function. Notch signaling is operating in the testis and ovarian cellular interstitium, and in luminal and glandular epithelia of genital tract, probably regulating intercellular communication.RESUMO - A via de sinalização Notch, remodelação celular genital e a função reprodutiva. - Esta tese avalia a relação entre a via de sinalização Notch, o remodelação celular genital e a função reprodutiva, sendo constituída por cinco capítulo experimentais. Nos dois primeiros, avaliamos o padrão de transcrição e expressão dos componentes e efectores da via Notch no desenvolvimento testicular pós-natal, ao longo do ciclo espermático e no epidídimo. Na experiência 3, avaliamos o fenótipo reprodutivo masculino decorrente do bloqueio in vivo da via Notch por DAPT. Nas experiências 4 e 5 analisamos o padrão de transcrição e de expressão dos componentes e efectores da via Notch no ovário, oviduto e no útero ao longo do ciclo éstrico. Os resultados indicam que a via Notch está activa e associada à remodelação genital masculino e feminino. No macho, os resultados apontam-lhe um papel regulador na manutenção do pool de espermatogónias, no início da espermatogénese, na coordenação do ciclo espermático, na identidade celular germinal, e na maturação espermática. Na fêmea, os resultados apontam para um papel regulador no desenvolvimento folicular e do corpo lúteo, e na função e ciclicidade do oviduto e útero. A via Notch opera no interstício celular do testículo e do ovário, e no epitélio luminal e glandular do tracto reprodutivo, regulando a comunicação intercelular

In vivo notch signaling blockade induces abnormal spermatogenesis in the mouse

Copyright: © 2014 Murta et al. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.In a previous study we identified active Notch signaling in key cellular events occurring at adult spermatogenesis. In this study, we evaluated the function of Notch signaling in spermatogenesis through the effects of in vivo Notch blockade. Adult CD1 male mice were either submitted to a long term DAPT (?-secretase inhibitor) or vehicle treatment. Treatment duration was designed to attain one half the time (25 days) or the time (43 days) required to accomplish a complete cycle of spermatogenesis. Blockade of Notch signaling was depicted from decreased transcription of Notch effector genes. Notch signaling blockade disrupted the expression patterns of Notch components in the testis, induced male germ cell fate aberrations, and significantly increased germ cell apoptosis, mainly in the last stages of the spermatogenic cycle, and epididymis spermatozoa morphological defects. These effects were more pronounced following the 43 day than the 25 day DAPT treatment schedule. These results indicate a relevant regulatory role of Notch signaling in mammalian spermatogenesis.We thank the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) for the financial support (Project PTDC/CVT/105022/2008) and (Project PEst-OE/AGR/U10276/2014). DM is a PhD student supported by grant SFRH/BD/64416/2009 from FCT. MB has a research contract under the grant PTDC/CVT/105022/2008. ES is a Postdoctoral Researcher under the Portuguese Government initiative for research jobs, Ciência 2008-FCT. AT is a Postdoctoral Researcher supported by grant SFRH/BPD/47079/2008 from FCT.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The use of key enabling technologies in the nearly zero energy buildings monitoring, control and intelligent management

SUDOKET—SOE2/P1/E0677The 2018 revision of the European Performance Building Directive (EPBD) requires that from the year 2020 onwards, all new buildings will have to be “nearly zero energy buildings”. It also further promotes smart building technologies, raising awareness amongst building owners and occupants of the value behind building automation. The European Commission also identified, in 2011, Key Enabling Technologies (KETs), which provide the basis for innovation in the EU. In the frame of the SUDOKET project, the Solar XXI building was used as a pilot case, as innovative integrated solutions and technologies are monitored and controlled. The objective of this paper is to validate a simulation of the laboratorial test room in EnergyPlus with data obtained experimentally and determine the impact of the control systems on energy needs and on thermal comfort. Two systems, in particular, were studied: the Building‐Integrated Photovoltaic (BIPV) and the earth tubes. Once validated, the simulation of the test room without the systems was created, allowing their impact to be determined. The results show that, for the analysed periods, BIPVs reduced the heating consumption by 22% while also increasing thermal comfort, and the earth tube system would reduce the cooling needs by 97%.publishersversionpublishe

Characterization of lipid extracts from the Hermetia illucens larvae and their bioactivities for potential use as pharmaceutical and cosmetic ingredients

There is an increasingly growing demand for the use of natural and sustainable bioactives in the field of the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries. The biomass from black soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) can be viewed as an innovative source of compounds with high aggregate value and marketing potential due to the sustainable organic matter bioconversion process used as substrate for its development. This insect can be a source of lipid compounds with high added value, mainly due to its high content in fatty acids (FA) with potential applicability in the pharmaceutical and cosmetic industry. In this context, in this work different extraction methods were tested (decoction, microwaves, maceration and ultrasound), using water, acetone, n-hexane as extraction solvents, to evaluate yields of the BSF larvae lipid extracts, as well as their lipid profile, and a pre- liminary safety screening was conducted. Results show that despite using different extraction techniques and solvents, similar FA composition profiles were obtained. The lauric acid content (C12: 0) is elevated in all the extracts in relation to the other FA, ranging 37%–62%. The contents in palmitic (C16: 0) and oleic (C18: 1n-9) acids, were also high in all applied extraction methods. The omega-6 FA (ω-6 PUFAs), mainly linoleic acid (C18: 2n6c), were also identified in the lipid fraction of BSF larvae biomass, with a content variation between 4.5% and 17.7%, while the omega-3 group, namely α-Linolenic acid (C18: 3n3), presented values between 0.66% and 1.95%. None of the extracts presented toxicity in preliminary tests with the Artemia salina model. Through this study, it was possible to confirm that BSF larvae oil can be obtained by sustainable methods, containing a broad mixture of FA and being highly rich in lauric acid, with a promising skin care applicability.This work was supported by national funds through FCT - Foundation for Science and Technology, I.P., under the UIDB/04567/2020 and UIDP/04567/2020 projects attributed to CBIOS, and UIDB/00690/2020 to CIMO and by the PhD grant attributed to C.A. (UI/BD/151423/2021). National funding by FCT, P.I., through the institutional scientific employment program-contract for the contracts of A. Fernandes and L. Barros. Additionally, the authors would like to acknowledge funding of the projects ENTOVALOR (POCI-01-0247-FEDER294 017675/ 2016–2019) and NETA (POCI-01-0247-046959).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio