Centro de Biotecnologia de Plantas da Beira Interior.

Comunicação da qual só está disponível o resumo.O Centro de Biotecnologia de Plantas da Beira Interior (CBP-BI) é uma infraestrutura do Sistema Científico e Tecnológico Nacional criado ao abrigo de um protocolo de colaboração entre o Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, a Câmara Municipal do Fundão, a Universidade da Beira Interior e o Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas da Universidade de Campinas, Brasil, contando ainda como parceiro com o Biocant Park. A missão do Centro é criar conhecimento e valorizar a investigação na área da biotecnologia das plantas associada aos setores produtivos da fileira agrícola, florestal e das plantas aromáticas e medicinais. Os seus objetivos pretendem desenvolver conhecimento ligado à biotecnologia das plantas e promover a sua utilização como fator de promoção da atividade económica; estabelecer parcerias e fornecer produtos e serviços que possibilitem a criação e o crescimento de empresas ligadas aos setores produtivos das fileiras agrícola, florestal e das plantas aromáticas e medicinais; disponibilizar infraestruturas, equipamentos, tecnologia e apoio a empresas start-up; colaborar com instituições de I&D nacionais e internacionais no desenvolvimento de projetos.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Centro de Biotecnologia de Plantas da Beira Interior (CBPBI)

O Centro de Biotecnologia de Plantas da Beira Interior (CBPBI) é uma infraestrutura do Sistema Científico e Tecnológico Nacional, criado na Escola Superior Agrária de Castelo Branco ao abrigo de um protocolo de colaboração técnica e científica entre o Instituto Politécnico de Castelo Branco, a Universidade da Beira Interior, o Centro Pluridisciplinar de Pesquisas Químicas, Biológicas e Agrícolas da Universidade de Campinas, Brasil e o Biocant Park de Cantanhede.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Optimization and Allocation in Some Decision Problems with Several Agents or with Stochastic Elements

Programa Oficial de Doutoramento en Estatística e Investigación Operativa. 5017V01[Abstract] This dissertation addresses sorne decision problems that arise in project management, cooperative game theory and vehicle route optimization. We start with the problem of allocating the delay costs of a project. In a stochastic context in which we assume that activity durations are random variables, we propose and study an allocation rule based on the Shapley value. In addition, we present an R package that allows a comprehensive control of the project, including the new rule. We propose and characterize new egalitarian solutions in the context of cooperative games with a coalitional structure. Also, using a necessary player property we introduce a new value for cooperative games, which we later extend and characterize within the framework of cooperative games with a coalitional structure. Finally, we present a two-step algorithm for solving multi-compartment vehicle route problems with stochastic demands. This algorithm obtains an initial solution through a constructive heuristic and then uses a tabu search to improve the solution. Using real data, we evaluate the performance of the algorithm.[Resumo] Nesta memoria abórdanse diversos problemas de decisión que xorden na xestión de proxectos, na teoría de xogos cooperativos e na optimización de rutas de vehículos. Empezamos estudando o problema da repartición dos custos de demora nun proxecto. Nun contexto estocástico no que supoñemos que as duracións das actividades son variables aleatorias, propoñemos e estudamos unha regra de repartición baseada no valor de Shapley. Ademais, presentamos un paquete de R que permite un control integral do proxecto, incluíndo a nova regra de repartición. A continuación, propoñemos e caracterizamos axiomaticamente novas solucións igualitarias no contexto dos xogos cooperativos cunha estrutura coalicional. E introducimos un novo valor, utilizando unha propiedade de xogadores necesarios, para xogos cooperativos, que posteriormente estendemos e caracterizamos dentro do marco dos xogos cooperativos cunha estrutura coalicional. Por último, presentamos un algoritmo en dous pasos para resolver problemas de rutas de vehículos con multi-compartimentos e demandas estocásticas. Este algoritmo obtén unha solución inicial mediante unha heurística construtiva e, a continuación, utiliza unha búsqueda tabú para mellorar a solución. Utilizando datos reais, levamos a cabo unha análise do comportamento do algoritmo.[Resumen] En esta memoria se abordan diversos problemas de decisión que surgen en la gestión de proyectos, en la teoría de juegos cooperativos y en la optimización de rutas de vehículos. Empezamos estudiando el problema del reparto de los costes de demora en un proyecto. En un contexto estocástico en el que suponemos que las duraciones de las actividades son variables aleatorias, proponemos y estudiamos una regla de reparto basada en el valor de Shapley. Además, presentamos un paquete de R que permite un control integral del proyecto, incluyendo la nueva regla de reparto. A continuación, proponemos y caracterizamos axiomáticamente nuevas soluciones igualitarias en el contexto de los juegos cooperativos con una estructura coalicional. E introducimos un nuevo valor, utilizando una propiedad de jugadores necesarios, para juegos cooperativos, que posteriormente extendemos y caracterizamos dentro del marco de los juegos cooperativos con una estructura coalicional. Por último, presentamos un algoritmo en dos pasos para resolver problemas de rutas de vehículos con multi-compartimentos y demandas estocásticas. Este algoritmo obtiene una solución inicial mediante una heurística constructiva y, a continuación, utiliza una búsqueda tabú para mejorar la solución. Utilizando datos reales, llevamos a cabo un análisis del comportamiento del algoritmo

Growth analysis of in vitro-regenerated chestnuts during the acclimatization stage using elevated CO2

Great advances have been made but some cultured plantlets still having a poor performance during the ex vitro stages and more specifically during the acclimatization and the nursery establishment stages. The problem is highly complex and requires the fast adaptation of plants growing in artificial conditions when transferred to the natural conditions. Until now, there is no consensus on the better strategy to obtain a higher efficiency of the propagation protocols while optimising acclimatization success. In this study we present the results of growth analysis of in vitro-regenerated chestnut hybrid plantlets (Castanea sativa x C. crenata), during the acclimatization stage, using two CO2 concentrations (350 µLL-1 and 700 µLL-1) at 250 µmol m- 2 s-1 as irradiance level (PPFD). Elevated CO2 did not affect the survival rate and it was susceptible to increase progressive autotrophy, expressed by a significant increase in relative growth, shoot/root ratio and leaf area ratio (LAR). For both CO2 concentrations, the plants are successfully acclimatized and they are in good conditions to be transferred to a greenhouse to continue their development for the rest of the season, and in the next winter/spring they can go to the field. The plants under elevated CO2 showed a higher stomatal frequency but the new leaves developed at the end of acclimatization revealed a gradual normal stomatal morphology and they reduced the stomatal frequency. Their morphology showed an effective water loss control, which is one of the most important problems during this critical phase of the autotrophic competence acquiring process. The net photosynthesis rate (A) was similar in both treatments but the plants acclimatized at elevated CO2 showed an increase in maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax), and this can lead to a better physiological development. The different analysed leaf types showed a marked increment of the maximum photosynthetic rate as the new leaves developed during the acclimatization stage. Net photosynthesis rate and the maximum photosynthetic rate are light dependent, and are positively affected by the highest irradiance level. We think that the gains that we have achieved with the use of elevated CO2 can be more significant if a higher light intensity can be used instead because they have a better response capacity to an increment of the level of irradiance

Influência da benzilaminopurina e da cinetina na micropropagação de plantas jovens de Lavandula luisieri (Rozeira) Rivas-Martínez

Com o objectivo de desenvolver metodologias de micropropagação de Lavandula luisieri, foram realizados um conjunto de ensaios tendo como material vegetal explantes provenientes de germinação de sementes in vitro. Os ensaios de multiplicação estabelecidos com explantes secundários provenientes das plantas in vitro da população stock mostraram que a 6- benzilaminopurina se mostrou mais eficaz, comparativamente com a cinetina, na promoção e desenvolvimento dos rebentos tendo na concentração de 0.44 µM sido obtidos uma média de 2.2 rebentos com taxa de multiplicação de 3 e comprimentos de 20.9 mm. Contudo a utilização de concentrações mais elevadas de 6-benzilaminopurina são susceptíveis de promoverem elevadas taxa de vitrificação (35%) com consequente perda das culturas. Durante esta fase de multiplicação registou-se a formação de raízes nos rebentos tendo as percentagens de enraizamento sido maiores nos meios com cinetina, 57.5% com 0.46 µM, e no controlo. A aclimatização destas plantas foi feita com 100% de sobrevivência o que indicia o bom estado fisiológico das plantas regeneradas in vitro

Avaliação de parâmetros fotossintéticos em microplantas de Castanheiro durante a fase de aclimatização.

O objetivo deste trabalho foi realizar um estudo comparativo em microplantas de castanheiro com dois sistemas de expressão e desenvolvimento radicular, in vitro e ex vitro, e com duas intensidades luminosas (150 e 250 μmol m-2 s-1) durante a aclimatização, e a sua influência no desenvolvimento das microplantas durante esta fase, através da quantificação de parâmetros fotossintéticos. A concentração de clorofilas, após os tratamentos de aclimatização, dependeu quer do tipo de sistema radicular que as plantas possuíam no início da aclimatização, quer do regime luminoso a que as plantas estiveram submetidas. As plantas com enraizamento in vitro e aclimatizadas sob menor irradiância foram as que apresentaram valores superiores para a clorofila total (7,74 mg g-1ps), mas com o valor mais baixo na razão entre clorofila a/b (2,7). Quando comparamos os valores registados para os parâmetros fotossintéticos das plantas dos diferentes tratamentos, verificamos que as taxas de fotossíntese aparente vão gradualmente aumentando à medida que as novas folhas se vão desenvolvendo (0,75 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1 nas folhas persistentes e 3,43 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1 na folha 3 das plantas aclimatizadas a 250 μmol m-2 s-1). O mesmo acontece na capacidade fotossintética (3,93 μmol O2 m-2 s-1 nas folhas persistentes e 7,87 μmol O2 m-2 s-1 na folha 3 das plantas aclimatizadas a 250 μmol m-2 s-1). Estes valores foram tendencialmente superiores nas plantas com enraizamento ex vitro e aclimatizadas a maior irradiância, pelo que a um melhor sistema radicular e uma maior disponibilidade luminosa correspondeu um acréscimo na competência fotossintética, o que resultou num melhor desenvolvimento morfofisiológico das plantas.Abstract The aim of this study was to conduct a comparative study in chestnut microplants with two systems of expression and root development, in vitro and ex vitro, and with two light intensities (150 and 250 μmol m-2 s-1) during acclimatization, and its influence on the development of microplants during this phase, through the quantification of photosynthetic parameters. The chlorophyll concentration after acclimatization treatments depended on both type of root system that the plants had at the beginning of acclimatization, whether the light intensity to which the plants were subjected. Plants with roots in vitro and acclimatized under lower irradiance showed the higher values for total chlorophyll (7.74 mg g-1ps), but with the lowest value of the ratio of chlorophyll a/b (2.7). When the values recorded for the photosynthetic parameters of plants of different treatments were compared, we found that the rates of apparent photosynthesis gradually increasing as the new leaves are developed (0.75 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1 in persistent leaves and 3.43 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1 on leaf 3 on plants acclimatized to 250 μmol m-2 s-1). The same happens in photosynthetic capacity (3.93 μmol O2 m-2 s-1 in persistent leaves and 7.87 μmol O2 m-2 s-1 on leaf 3 of plants acclimatized to 250 μmol m-2 s-1). These values were higher in plants with ex vitro rooting and acclimatization to higher irradiance, so a better root system availability and a higher light availability, corresponding to an increase in the photosynthetic ability, resulting in a better morphophysiological plant development.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Effects of elevated CO2 on acclimatization of in-vitro regenerated chestnuts

Comunicação oral apresentada no II International Symposium on Acclimatization and Establishment of Micropropagated Plants que decorreu em 2004 em Cancún, no México.In this study we present the results of growth analysis of in vitro-regenerated chestnut hybrid plantlets (Castanea sativa x C. crenata), during the acclimatization stage, using two CO2 concentrations (350 and 700 μLL-1) at 250 μmol m-2 s-1 as irradiance level (PPFD). Elevated CO2 did not affect the survival rate and it was susceptible to increase progressive autotrophy, expressed by a significant increase in relative growth, shoot/root ratio and leaf area ratio (LAR). The plants under elevated CO2 showed an higher stomatal frequency but the new leaves developed at the end of acclimatization revealed a gradual normal stomatal morphology and they reduced the stomatal frequency. Their morphology showed an effective water loss control which is one of the most important problem during this critical phase of the autotrophic competence acquiring process. The net photosynthesis rate was similar in both treatments but the plants acclimatized at elevated CO2 showed an increase in maximum photosynthetic rate (Amax), and this can lead to a better physiological development. We think that the gains that we have achieved with the use of elevated CO2 can be more significant if an higher light intensity can be used instead because they have a better response capacity to an increment of the level of irradiance

Essential oils of two portuguese endemic species of lavandula as a source of antifungal and antibacterial agents

Chemical investigations of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri and L. pedunculata essential oils were analyzed by GC-MS, and the antimicrobial activity was performed against bacteria and fungi isolated from food sources. The cytotoxicity of the essential oil was performed in NHDF cells using the MTT method. According to the results, the main compounds of L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil were trans-α-necrodyl acetate (40.2%), lavandulyl acetate (11%), and trans-α-necrodol (10.4%), while fenchone (50.5%) and camphor (30.0%) in L. pedunculata essential oil. The antifungal activity of essential oils was confirmed with MIC values ranging from 1.2 to 18.7 µL/mL; for bacteria, it ranged from 4.7 to 149.3 µL/mL. Both the Lavandula species tested showed low or equal MIC and MBC/MFC values for L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil, revealing greater efficacy in antimicrobial activity. The L. stoechas subsp. luisieri essential oil revealed cytotoxic effects (30 ± 2% of cell viability) in NHDF cells at all concentrations tested.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Laboratório de Biologia.

Laboratório de Biologia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Safe-Port project: an approach to port surveillance and protection

SAFE-PORT is a recently started project addressing the complex issue of determining the best configurations of resources for harbour and port surveillance and protection. More specifically, the main goal is to find, for any given scenario, an adequate set of configuration solutions — i.e., number and type of sensors and equipments, their locations and operating modes, the corresponding personnel and other support resources — that maximize protection over a specific area. The project includes research and development of sensors models, novel algorithms for optimization and decision support, and a computer-based decision support system (DSS) to assist decision makers in that task. It includes also the development of a simulation environment for modelling relevant aspects of the scenario (including sensors used for surveillance, platforms, threats and the environment), capable to incorporate data from field-trials, used to test and validate solutions proposed by the DSS. Test cases will consider the use of intelligent agents to model the behaviour of threats and of NATO forces in a realistic way, following experts’ definitions and parameters