Narrativas transmedia: un esfuerzo de conceptualización

On fait aujourd’hui beaucoup de bruit autour des récits transmédiatiques, mais leur conceptualisation est encore fragile parce qu’elle entre constamment en conflit avec d’autres exercices dérivatifs qui propagent également une histoire au-delà d’un seul énoncé, comme c’est le cas de l’adaptation, des séries et des franchises, entre autres. Aujourd’hui, la plupart des histoires s’étendent à divers médias et artefacts, mais les différences et similitudes entre ces pratiques n’ont pas été discutées. La transmédiation n’est pas totalement nouvelle et, sans définitions solides, il devient difficile de la distinguer et de l’encadrer par rapport à ces pratiques. Notre recherche est en cours et son objectif est de dessiner un modèle théorique qui permette de définir et de classer les différentes formes de propagation d’histoires. Nous comptons sur l’analyse d’un large corpus de récits, dans une approche se faisant en termes de narratologie ou en termes de sciences de la communication. Bien que le modèle puisse ne pas être exhaustif, il reflète un effort de conceptualisation qui est urgent, en raison même de la fréquence croissante des pratiques transmédiatiques et de la crise conceptuelle qui s’ensuit.Atualmente, há uma grande agitação à volta das narrativas transmediáticas, mas a sua conceptualização é ainda frágil, pois esbarra constantemente com outros exercícios derivativos que igualmente propagam uma história para além de um único enunciado, como a adaptação, as séries, os franchises, entre outros. Hoje, a maioria das histórias estende-se por diversos meios e artefactos, mas as diferenças e semelhanças entre estas práticas não têm sido debatidas. A transmediação não é algo inteiramente novo e, sem definições sólidas, tornase difícil distingui-la e enquadrá-la em relação a essas práticas. A investigação doutoral em curso que aqui se apresenta visa desenhar um modelo teórico que permita definir e categorizar as diferentes formas de propagar histórias, com base na análise de um corpus alargado de narrativas, numa abordagem assente na Narratologia e nas Ciências da Comunicação. Ainda que o modelo possa não ser exaustivo, ele reflete um esforço de conceptualização que urge, dada a crescente frequência destas práticas e o turbilhão conceptual que têm originado

Normas de familiaridade, emocionalidade e actividade motora de acções

Para a construção destas normas recorremos a 59 adultos de duas Universidades de Portugal, e aplicamos a adaptação de um instrumento de avaliação de normas para eventos de acções publicado por Molander e Arar (1998). O presente estudo avalia acções em três dimensões diferentes: familiaridade, emocionalidade e envolvimento motor. Os resultados demonstram que as acções presentes no questionário são susceptíveis de gerar uma variação suficiente de resposta quanto à avaliação das acções nas suas três dimensões. Ao contrário dos resultados de Molander e Arar (1998) constata-se uma independência das dimensões avaliadas.In this study we are interested in the development of norms for actions in three dimensions: familiarity, emotionality and motor activity. Our sample was 59 adults from two Portuguese Universities that answered to the Molander and Arar (1998) instrument of norms to action events. Results showed that the action events are able to produce response variation in relation to the three dimensions and that there is a clear independence between the three dimensions evaluated

assessment of growth performance and nutraceutical value of a natural resource

Recentemente, a humanidade tem sondado os oceanos na procura de fontes naturais de compostos bioativos, tais como os provenientes de macroalgas, que hoje em dia ocupam lugares de destaque em campos da Ciência e Medicina. As macroalgas figuram na história e tradição de várias culturas, sendo hoje em dia exploradas e cultivadas para diversos propósitos, dependendo da espécie e país, mas geralmente como alimento ou produção de ficocolóides. A alga Gracilariopsis longissima (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) pertence a uma família de macroalgas vermelhas amplamente autenticadas pelo seu valor como agarófitas, sendo a espécie em si ultimamente reconhecida em sistemas IMTA como biorremediadora. A alga G. longissima da Lagoa de Óbidos foi assim o objeto do presente estudo, estando este dividido em dois capítulos principais, relativos a pesquisa com objetivos distintos. O Capítulo Um foca-se sobretudo na avaliação das taxas de crescimento de G. longissima em salinidades distintas e sob condições controladas, e onde se inferiu que a macroalga apresenta o melhor crescimento e performance a uma salinidade de 35‰ (com um aumento de comprimento de 1.611%.dia-1, e 16 novas ramificações), não sobrevivendo contudo em salinidades de 15‰ e inferiores. O Capítulo Dois estabelece um perfil nutricional para G. longissima, nomeadamente deteção de sazonalidade no conteúdo em proteína e determinação do perfil lipídico, fornecendo também um parecer sobre variação sazonal na sua atividade antioxidante. Foi igualmente testada sazonalidade na atividade antimicrobiana, contra as bactérias Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis e Vibrio alginolyticus. Os resultados indicam um considerável conteúdo em proteína (desde 11.19 a 27.04% de peso seco), e um perfil de ácidos gordos rico em ácido araquidónico e ácido palmítico (36.78 e 43.84 % do total de ácidos gordos, respetivamente) mostrando, no entanto, uma fraca atividade antioxidante (conteúdo total em polifenóis desde 0.54 a 1.90 mg EAG.g-1, e atividade sequestradora do DPPH desde 3.93 a 8.92%). A atividade antibacteriana de G. longissima é notável, não apresentando variação sazonal contra qualquer uma das bactérias testadas. De modo geral, G. longissima apresenta-se como uma potencial fonte de compostos biológicos ativos, com apreciável relevância em um vasto leque de aplicações biotecnológicas. Apesar de distintos, os resultados obtidos nos Capítulos Um e Dois devem ser considerados mutuamente, pois oferecem contribuições respeitantes a condições de crescimento para G. longissima, e um parecer sobre compostos fornecidos pela macroalga, que poderão eventualmente justificar o futuro cultivo em larga-escala dedicado a esta espécie

Testing for the survey mode effect on contingent valuation data quality: A case study of web based versus in-person interviews

This paper addresses the lack of empirical evaluation of the use of web based surveys in the context of contingent valuation surveys. We compare, using a case study, in-person interviews with web based surveys regarding response rate, information additivity effects and respondents' attitudes towards paying. The web based survey had a much lower response (5.1%) than the in-person interviewing (84%). We find the web based contingent valuation surveys to be neither more susceptible to information additivity effects nor more prone to zero protest responses. We conclude in favor of the use of web based surveys, namely in Portugal, where the number of Internet users is rapidly increasing, although further research efforts are required on their use.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/B6VDY-4NBRFTR-1/1/8fa454b56154abf6569359519de2610

ANAEROBIC DIGESTION OF OLIVE MILL WASTEWATER: ANAEROBIC FILTER VS. HYBRID

Two types of anaerobic digesters - a filter (AF) and a hybrid (H) - are tested in the treatment of original olive mill wastewater (OMW), without any pre-treatment or chemical correction of this substrate. The anaerobic filter is equipped with a packed bed material that fills the entire column of digestion; the hybrid digester results from the combination of anaerobic filter with the up-flow anaerobic sludge blanket and the packed bed only occupies the top section of the column. OMW is the effluent generated from olive oil industries, which activity has a great economic and social importance in the olive growing countries of the Mediterranean area. Outside this area, olives are also cultivated in the USA, Argentina, Australia and South Africa. Carrying a high chemical oxygen demand (COD) content (up to 200 kg m-3), OMW is one of the most polluting agro-industrial effluents but on the other hand it holds a great energetic potential. Anaerobic digestion is a promising technology since it allows the conversion of a considerable fraction of the chemical energy of effluent into a renewable energy source (biogas). A packed bed material was developed and tested in our laboratory in order to avoid working troubles related to the operation of the fixed bed units. Both anaerobic digesters are packed with the same material and compared on their advantages and drawbacks in terms of star-up, conversion efficiency and running problems. The volumetric amount of raw OMW was gradually increased in the feed mixture from 8 to 18 % v/v under HRT of around 6 days, by using a complementary effluent. Similar concentrations and organic loads of OMW (0.6 – 1.5 kg m-3 d-1) are provided to the units. Good behaviors are observed in both and an identical COD removal of influent (49-70%) and a high biogas quality (70-81% of CH4) are registered along an experiment of 200 days. The characterization of biomass evolution concerning biodegradation capacity and its adaptation process to the influent is also examined. The results obtained indicate that the hybrid digester can replace the AF for the treatment and valorization of OMW. The hybrid reactor is an interesting choice because it provides lower costs related to the amount of packing material

Os limites da Dramaturgia

info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Seasonal changes in the nutritional composition of agarophyton vermiculophyllum (Rhodophyta, Gracilariales) from the Center of Portugal

Seaweeds exhibit high nutritional value due to a balanced concentration of proteins, vitamins and minerals, a high concentration of low digestibility polysaccharides, and reduced levels of lipids, many of which are n-3 and n-6 fatty acids. The species Agarophyton vermiculophyllum is no exception and, as such, a comprehensive study of the chemical and nutritional profile of this red seaweed was carried out for 1 year. Seasonal variations in moisture, ash, protein and amino acids content, crude fibers, ascorbic acid, agar, lipids, and the corresponding fatty acid profile, were analyzed. We found low levels of fatty acids and a high protein content, but also noticed interesting seasonal change patterns in these compounds. The present study gives insights on the environmental conditions that can lead to changes in the nutritional composition of this species, aiming, therefore, to bring new conclusions about the manipulation of environmental conditions that allow for maximizing the nutritional value of this seaweed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bioenergy recovery from olive mill effluent in a hybrid reactor

An anaerobic hybrid reactor was tested in the treatment of raw olive mill effluent (OME)without water dilution, chemical correction and any pretreatment. A feeding strategy was applied by increasing progressively the OME volume fraction from 8% to 83% in the feed mixture combined with an OME complementary substrate (piggery effluent). A biogas production of 3.16 m3 m-3 d-1 was achieved at an organic loading rate of COD at 7.1 kg m-3 d-1, when the highest fraction of OME was added to the influent (volume fraction of 83%; COD concentration fraction of about 94%). At these conditions, the degradation of olive mill effluent occurred without any inhibition. The reactor was capable to digest an acid influent (pH = 4.7), revealing a high buffering capacity. The increase of influent phenols concentration from 0.87 kg m-3 to 2.31 kg m-3 did not influence the reactor removal capacity (phenolic fraction removal from 51% to 61%). Biomass acclimation to OME was accomplished by using a feeding strategy based on effluents complementarity. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the hybrid digester was able to recover after an accidental overload, and the packing material on the top of the unit prevented excessive loss of biomass. Comparatively to the classic configuration digesters, the hybrid digester is an effective alternative to maximize bioenergy recovery from OME

Strategic social responsibility and its impact on startup strategy: A qualitative study with Portuguese startups

Strategic Social Responsibility is the incorporation of a holistic perspective within an organization so that the company is managed in the interests of a broad set of stakeholders to achieve sustainable economic, environmental and social value over the medium to long-term. Considering the Portuguese context in which the number of Startups continues increasing significantly, this constitutes a relevant study universe to understand how the conceptualization of Social Responsibility and the perceived motivations and obstacles to its implementation have an impact on Strategy in the initial phase of the business life-cycle. With this purpose, an interview was applied to nine founder-managers of Portuguese Startups to understand their role in determining Strategic Social Responsibility engagement. The main conclusion seems to be that there is a common understanding that Social Responsibility practices must be connected to the core of the business. Despite with this understanding, Startups admit they are considering Social Responsibility; however they are not in a stage of applying it, mainly due to the lack of resources that inherent to the birth stage of the business life-cycle in which they are. Furthermore, the conceptualization of Social Responsibility as well as the perceived benefits in its integration across the organization, are deeply connected with the founder-manager’s moral attributes which are reflected in the company’s Mission (either explicit or perceived) that will frame Strategy. What becomes evident is the development of new forms of Social Responsibility in these Startups that expand the traditional view and evidence the need for further research on their specificities.Responsabilidade Social Estratégica é a incorporação de uma perspetiva holística dentro da organização para que a empresa seja gerida no interesse de um conjunto amplo de stakeholders com o objetivo de conseguir alcançar simultaneamente, e de modo sustentável, valor económico, ambiental e social a médio-longo prazo. O contexto português, no qual o número de Startups continua a aumentar, constitui um universo de estudo relevante para compreender como a conceptualização da Responsabilidade Social e as motivações e obstáculos identificados à sua implementação, têm impacto na Estratégia do negócio. Com este objetivo, foi aplicada uma entrevista a nove Fundadores-Gestores de Startups portuguesas, para compreender o seu papel na determinação da implementação de Responsabilidade Social Estratégica. A conclusão principal parece ser que as práticas de Responsabilidade Social têm de estar conectadas ao core do negócio. Apesar deste entendimento, as Startups admitem que, embora considerem a questão da Responsabilidade Social, não estão numa fase em que seja possível implementá-la, sobretudo devido à falta de recursos que é inerente à fase do ciclo-de-vida do negócio em que se encontram. Adicionalmente, compreendeu-se que a conceptualização do conceito de Responsabilidade Social, assim como os benefícios identificados na sua integração em toda a organização, estão profundamente ligados aos atributos morais do Fundador-Gestor, que são refletidos na Missão da empresa (quer explícita, quer implícita) que irá enquadrar a formulação da Estratégia. Torna-se evidente o desenvolvimento de novas formas de Responsabilidade Social nestas Startups que expande a visão tradicional e demonstra a necessidade de desenvolver pesquisa acerca das suas especificidades

The importance of structural diversity of spores in the taxonomy of Aspergillus (section Nigri)

Species of Aspergillus from section Nigri, also known as black aspergilli, are distributed worldwide and have been widely used for purposes of various types such as: biotechnological, industrial, medical, among others. They have been extensively studied for being the causing agents of biodeterioration of commodities and food. Within this section, new species have been recently described and among them Aspergillus ibericus and Aspergillus uvarum were both isolated from grapes. The polyphasic approach used in the analysis of these species, either by morphological techniques as well as by molecular methods, allowed not only their characterisation but also their consequent separation from all others in the section. Microbial taxonomy has the identification of species as one of its fundamental goals. Data such as: morphological characteristics description, physiological and biochemical properties, ecological roles, and societal risks or benefits, are key elements in any fungal identification process. But, this process is subjected to periodic changes due to frequent revisions of the taxonomic schemes, therefore becoming time consuming and more demanding and difficult, even for skilled specialists. Furthermore, each taxonomic group has specialised literature, terminology and characters. This takes place since identifications have difficulties of consensual naming, depending on the criteria used and the amount of information available when producing all data. It is increasingly becoming clear that, to better achieve a more accurate concept of species, microbial identification and authentication require a polyphasic approach to produce consistent, useful and quality data. Characterisation of morphologic and structural aspects of spores from Aspergillus strains, section Nigri, has been carried out using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and intends to contribute to the associated data of the strains from this section. Colonies from 13 Aspergillus from section Nigri, from the Micoteca da Universidade do Minho (MUM), were grown at 25 ºC for 3 or 4 days in malt extract agar directly mounted in a sterilised SEM stub. The samples were covered with a mixture of gold and platinum (80/20%) and then examined in the SEM [NanoSEM - FEI NovaTM 200 (FEG/SEM); EDAX - Pegasus X4M (EDS/EBSD)]. A stereomicroscope (Leica MZ12.5) was used to have a clear image comparison of the size of the conidial head. Although the analysed strains presented dimensional, morphological and structural diversity, common or typical features could be inferred and related to each taxon like those represented in Fig 1. From the SEM analysis we were able to conclude that in the section Nigri of genus Aspergillus the spore wall ornamentation, and its size and shape continue to present themselves as important primary diagnostic traits for species differentiation