Genetic variability evaluation and selection in ancient grapevine varieties

Contrary to what usually occurs with other crops, grapevine varieties are mostly landraces that were domesticated by humans centuries or millennia ago from populations of wild grapevines (Vitis vinifera ssp. sylvestris). It is logical to assume that domestication was not been a single, instantaneous act by any of the first farmers but was rather a long succession of negative mass selections of wild plants, followed by more stringent positive selections and a final selection of a single initial plant that was destined to become the source of a new variet

Efficient Assessment and Large-Scale Conservation of Intra-Varietal Diversity of Ancient Grapevine Varieties: Case Study Portugal

There are thousands of ancient grapevine varieties in Europe, each one having a high level of intra-varietal diversity with regard to important economic traits (yield, soluble solids content, acidity, anthocyanins, and others). However, this potential has become exposed to a process of genetic erosion since the middle of the last century. The main objective of this work is to present experimental strategies for conservation and utilization of intra-varietal diversity. A concrete example is given about the actions performed in Portugal since 1978. Two main approaches for the conservation of intra-varietal diversity were performed: (1) strict conservation (in pots and in the field without experimental design) for future generations; and (2) conservation and, simultaneously, evaluation of the intra-varietal variability for selection to fulfil the immediate needs of the grape and wine sector (in the field with experimental design). More than 30,000 accessions of Portuguese autochthonous varieties are conserved. Using the theory of mixed models, intra-varietal diversity of the yield was found for the 59 varieties studied. The conservation and the evaluation of the intra-varietal diversity for quantitative traits will allow to extract high economic value, as well as to ensure its utilization to meet the objectives of the vine and wine sectorinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A measure to evaluate the sensitivity to genotype-by-environment interaction in 6 grapevine clones

Background and Aims: The development of an efficient clonal selection process requires 25 the study of genotype-by-environment (G×E) interaction. This work aims to evaluate the 26 variability of the G×E interaction among genotypes and to identify the less sensitive ones. 27 Methods and Results: The approach involves the fitting of mixed models to yield data taking 28 into account the correlation induced by the repeated measurements of the same plot over the 29 years. A measure for comparative evaluation of the G×E interaction among genotypes is 30 proposed (Interaction Sensitivity, IS), based on the variance of the values of the empirical best 31 linear unbiased predictors of G×E interaction effects across environments. In all cases studied 32 significant G×E interaction variability was found, and the proposed measure to rank the 33 sensitivity to G×E interaction varied widely among genotypes. 34 Conclusions: The existence of a common contribution shared by all observations made in the 35 same plot was detected, independently of the lag between years. The proposed measure to 36 rank the sensitivity to G×E interaction permitted identification of stable genotypes. 37 Significance of the Study: This work studied G×E interaction problem in the context of 38 grapevine and proposes a measure for the comparative evaluation of the G×E interaction 39 among genotypesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/acceptedVersio

Genetic variation among and within Quercus suber L. populations in survival, growth, vigor and plant architecture traits

Cork oak is an important forest tree species in the Western Mediterranean region due to the high economic value of its renewable cork and its ecological and social services. However, studies regarding the genetic variation within cork oak populations are scarce, and this gap of knowledge is contributing to the delay of the set-up of a breeding and conservation strategy for the species. In this study, the genetic variation in fitness (survival, height, and stem diameter) and plant architecture traits (apical dominance, stem straightness, stem inclination degree, branchiness), and tree vigor was evaluated among and within cork oak populations in two progeny field trials established in Portugal. Measurements were carried out in each trial in two different periods: ages 9 and 14 years at Monte da Fava trial and 8 and 14 years at Herdade da Caniceira trial. A significant genetic variation among and within cork oak populations was detected for survival, growth, and form traits (stem straightness and inclination). Growth traits presented high values of heritability estimates at the family mean level (≥0.75), and genetic gains were obtained when families with superior growth were selected. Additionally, results highlighted that early selection of families with superior performance could be performed, and it is possible to achieve improvement in both growth and form traits simultaneously, with implications on the profitability and sustainability of cork oak standsinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Implementação de técnicas e princípios da Produção Lean numa empresa de plásticos

Dissertação de mestrado em Engenharia IndustrialA atual concorrência nos mercados e a necessidade de satisfazer os clientes com uma elevada gama de produtos leva as empresas a encontrar estratégias que permitam a eliminação de atividades que não acrescentam valor (desperdícios) e a uma melhoria contínua do sistema produtivo. O paradigma Lean Manufacturing e as suas ferramentas e metodologias permitem reduzir os custos associados à produção e aumentar a qualidade dos produtos através da eliminação dos desperdícios. No presente trabalho pretende-se melhorar o desempenho do processo produtivo de impressão por flexografia da empresa de embalagens plásticas flexíveis PoliBagTCI – Embalagens plásticas S.A. através da aplicação de algumas das ferramentas e metodologias da filosofia Lean. A fase inicial do projeto envolveu uma análise exaustiva do processo de impressão por flexografia e de toda a área envolvente da secção. Esta análise permitiu identificar problemas na secção em estudo e recolher dados sobre tempos de setup, métodos de trabalho e de limpeza e organização. Com o objetivo de combater os desperdícios e problemas identificados foram formuladas propostas de melhoria baseadas no paradigma Lean Manufacturing, nomeadamente através das ferramentas SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die), 5S e gestão visual. A implementação da metodologia SMED permitiu obter reduções entre os 45% e 55% nos tempos de setup médios das impressoras, que se traduzem em diminuições entre os 19,3 e 28,8 minutos. O 5S e a gestão visual permitiram a diminuição dos tempos necessários para a procura de ferramentas e outros materiais durante o setup assim como uma maior fluidez do processo produtivo.The current markets’ competition and the need to satisfy customers with a high range of products leads the companies to find strategies that allow the exclusion of non-value activities (waste) and the continuous improvement of the production system. The paradigm Lean Manufacturing and its tools and methodologies allow a reduction of production costs and an increase in the product quality through the removal of waste. In the present work it is intended to improve the performance of the flexographic printing production process of the flexible plastic packaging company PolyBag TCI - Plastic Packaging SA, by applying some of the tools and methodologies provided by lean philosophy. The initial phase of the project involved an exhaustive analysis of the flexographic printing process and the adjacent area of the section. This analysis allowed to identify problems in the section under study and to collect data on setup times, and on methods of work, clean and organization. In order to reduce wastes and the problems which were identified, some proposals of improvement were provided based on Lean Manufacturing paradigm, namely through SMED (Single Minute Exchange of Die), 5S and visual management tools. The implementation of the SMED methodology allowed reductions between 45% and 55% in the average setup time of printers, which correspond into decreases between 19,3 and 28,8 minutes. The 5S and visual management led to a decrease in the time required to search tools and other materials during the setup as well as the fluidity of the production process

Dietary Patterns of the Portuguese Population with and Without Self-Reported Diabetes: Data from the Fourth National Health Interview Survey

Versão atualizada do artigo.Introduction: Given that it is not known how the dietary recommendations are followed in the diabetic population in Portugal, the general purpose of this work was to compare the dietary pattern reported by the Portuguese population with and without self-reported diabetes by combining self reported information about eating habits. Materials and methods: The study sample was derived from the fourth Portuguese National Health Interview Survey (n=41,193 respondents, aged 15 years and older living in private households). After excluding subjects with incomplete data, the study population comprised 2973 individuals with diabetes (1246 men; 1709 women) and 32244 individuals without diabetes (15536 men; 16708 women). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) statistical techniques were used to classify individuals in different groups. Results: Two latent classes: unhealthy dietary pattern (class 1) and healthy dietary pattern (class 2) were identified for people with and without diabetes. The highest proportion of participants was classified into the class of unhealthy dietary patterns both in individuals with and without diabetes. Analysis of the diet of people with and without diabetes was made including the following covariates: sex, age, marital status and education level. Conclusions: The magnitude of the association between class membership and some covariates yielded differences between diabetic and non diabetic groups. Taking into account the larger size of the class denoted by unhealthy dietary patterns, an important gap in dietary habits seems to emerge in this study and suggests that health promotion activities should be tailored to improve dietary patterns of both people with and without diabetes

Positive Self Rated Health in a Portuguese Population with Diabetes: Association with Socio-Demographic Characteristics and Behaviour Risk Factors Patterns

Introduction: Self-rated health (SRH) is a health measure related to mortality, healthcare services utilization and quality of life. Given that behaviour related risk factors do not occur in isolation, rather they cluster together it is important to examine their patterns in a population with diabetes to inform a more holistic approach in both health promotion and illness prevention strategies. This study explores the association between the patterns of behaviour risk factors in a Portuguese population aged 15 years and over with diabetes and their SRH. Methods: The study sample was derived from 2005/2006 Portuguese National Health Interview Survey. Associations with SHR were assessed using binary logistic regression model. SRH was categorized as positive (very good or good) and negative (fair, bad or very bad). Latent Class Analysis (LCA) was used to classify individuals in groups of behavioural risk factors patterns. Results: Among the population with diabetes aged ≥ 15 years (226,068 valid cases), 11% reports positive SRH and 89% reports negative SRH. Men gender, younger age, higher level of education in contrast with lower education level´s, divorced and widower marital statuses in contrast with married were associated with positive SRH in the multiple logistic regression model. Physical activity and healthy diet were associated with positive SRH, after adjusting for socio demographics characteristics. Three behavioural risk factors patterns were identified: Physically inactive (83.3%), Smokers (11.2%) and Heavy drinkers (5.5%). Conclusion: The perception of health status is essential for better planning in health, thus these findings have implications for policy makers to develop specific programmes aimed at improving public health

Genetic variation in susceptibility to pine wilt disease of maritime pine (Pinus pinaster Aiton) half-sib families

International audienceAbstractKey messageThis paper presents a greenhouse study for assessing the genetic variation in maritime pine (Pinus pinasterAiton) in response to pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus(Steiner et Buhren) Nickle), which is a causal agent of pine wilt disease. Fifteen out of 96 half-sib families were selected as less susceptible. This experiment is an important first step for creating a resistance breeding program.ContextPine wilt disease is caused by the pinewood nematode (Bursaphelenchus xylophilus (Steiner et Buhren) Nickle), a quarantine pest, and is a concern to maritime pine (Pinus pinaster) in Portugal due to its economic, environmental, and social impacts. This disease is regarded as a major threat to European forests.AimsThis paper aimed to evaluate the genetic variation in maritime pine families that were inoculated with pinewood nematode, identify the most resistant families, and establish the guidelines for a resistance improvement program.MethodsTwo-year-old half-sib progenies obtained from 96 plus trees were inoculated. The plants were monitored for survival on four different dates. The statistical analysis followed the mixed model theory.ResultsGenetic variability of the susceptibility to pine wilt disease was observed. At 157 days after inoculation, the 15 highest genetic ranking families out of 96 were selected, having a predicted survival mean of 15.6% instead of 11.0% on average for the all 96 families.ConclusionThis study allows for the implementation of an improvement program to help control pine wilt disease

Efeito de ácidos fúlvicos e nitrato na fotodegradação do metoprolol

Mestrado em Química Analítica e QualidadeO metoprolol é um beta-bloqueador utilizado no tratamento de várias doenças como hipertensão, arritmias, angina do peito, glaucoma e outros distúrbios rela-cionados com o sistema cardiovascular. Devido ao seu elevado consumo e baixa biodegradabilidade em particular nas estações de tratamento de águas residuais, (ETARs) torna-se importante conhecer o seu comportamento no meio ambiente. Uma das principais vias de degradação de contaminantes em águas naturais é a fotodegradação pela luz solar, a qual pode ser fortemente influenciada pelas subs-tâncias húmicas e os iões nitrato. Assim, o objetivo deste trabalho é o estudo da fotodegradação do metoprolol em água e na presença de sensibilizadores, nomeadamente ácidos fúlvicos, e iões nitrato. Para este estudo foram utilizados ácidos fúlvicos extraídos do Rio Vouga. Após uma primeira etapa para a escolha das melhores condições de análise do metoprolol por HPLC-UV, foram efetuados estudos de fotodegradação do meto-prolol em solução aquosa, usando um simulador de luz solar. A seguir, estudou-se o efeito da presença de ácidos fúlvicos e iões nitrato nas soluções. Verificou-se que a fotodegradação direta do metoprolol é praticamente nula ao fim de 48 horas de irradiação, no entanto as substâncias húmicas funcionam como fotossensibili-zadores acelerando a degradação. Os resultados experimentais ajustaram-se satisfatoriamente a uma cinética de pseudo - primeira ordem. Foi possível detetar por HPLC-UV a formação de três produtos de degradação do metoprolol. A fim de identificar a via pela qual as substâncias húmicas promovem a degrada-ção do metoprolol em soluções aquosas, foram utilizados sequestradores especí-ficos de 1O2 e radicais ·OH, verificando-se que a principal via de ação das subs-tâncias húmicas envolve o 1O2, formado na presença das mesmas, sob ação da luz solar. No entanto, os radicais ·OH estão também envolvidos. No que diz respeito à influência do nitrato, verificou-se que acelerava a fotodegra-dação do metoprolol, mas o seu efeito é muito menos acentuado do que o efeito das substâncias húmicas.Metoprolol is a beta-blocker used for treatment of various diseases such as hypertension, arrhythmia, angina, glaucoma and other diseases related to cardiovascular system. Due to its high consumption and low biodegradability especially in sewage treatment plants (STPs), it is important to know its be-havior in the environment. One of the main degradation pathways of contami-nants in natural waters is the photo-degradation by sunlight. In natural waters, humic substances and ions (nitrate) may play an important role in the photo-degradation of contaminants. The objective of this work is the study of photo-degradation of metoprolol in water and in the presence of sensitizers including fulvic acid, and nitrate ions. After a first step for choosing the best conditions of analysis of metoprolol by HPLC-UV, metoprolol photo-degradation studies were made in aqueous solu-tion, using a sunlight simulator. Next, the effects of the presence of fulvic ac-ids and nitrate ion in the solution were studied. For this purpose fulvic acids extracted from River Vouga were used. It was found that the direct photo-degradation of metoprolol is practically zero after 48 hours of irradiation. However, humic substances act as photosensi-tizes accelerating the degradation. The experimental results were satisfactori-ly fitted to pseudo-first order kinetics. It was possible to detect by HPLC-UV the formation of three degradation products. In order to identify the route by which the humic substances promote the degradation of metoprolol in aque-ous solutions specific scavengers of 1O2 and ·OH radicals were used and it was verified that the main pathway of action of the humic substances involves 1O2, formed in their presence, under sunlight. However, ·OH radicals are also involved. In what concerns the effect of nitrate, it was observed that it promotes the photo-degradation of metoprolol, but its effect is much less notorious than the effect the humic substances

As castas de videira autóctones, raízes do vinho e da cultura mediterrânica: como estão a ser valorizadas, adaptadas à mudança e conservadas

Portugal herdou do passado um parque de castas autóctones invulgarmente elevado, quando comparado com os de outros grandes países vitivinícolas da orla mediterrânica, centro de origem e de diversidade da videira: cerca de 250 castas, isto é, um número da mesma ordem de grandeza dos de Espanha, França e Itália, mas mais significativo quando confrontado com a menor superfície do paísinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio