Comunicação pública em territórios rurais – perceções e participação dos atores globais em Avelãs de Cima

Vivemos num mundo cada vez mais globalizado e uma das consequências é a crescente concorrência que existe entre territórios, reforçando-se a necessidade de fazer chegar aos públicos interessados, um conjunto de atributos e diferenciações, suficientemente atrativos e apelativos, para que estes territórios sejam “consumidos”, não só pelo seu reconhecimento temporal, mas também pela forma como ele se comunica. Se até ao momento esta diferenciação era apenas explicitada numa base meramente turística (pelos impactos económicos positivos que normalmente se conseguem), hoje a estratégia deve seguir um plano de marketing capaz de atrair e fixar quer residentes, excursionistas, turistas e investidores, satisfazendo-os. Dos estudos realizados é comumente aceite que o sucesso da execução de um plano de marketing territorial assenta num modelo participativo que promova e antecipe necessidades e desejos dos atores globais e que valide e identifique os pontos fortes, para ajudar a desenvolver (definir e implementar) uma estratégia sustentável, a prazo. Então é relevante chamar ao processo estes atores (públicos e privados, residentes e visitantes) envolvendo-os nesta identificação, comprometendo-os também nos seus resultados.Com este artigo apresenta-se então um estudo de caso aplicado a um território rural, na freguesia de Avelãs de Cima, tendo sido utilizada como metodologia um inquérito por questionário a todos os atores. Enumeram-se os fatores relevantes identificados, assim como os que não se desejam ver aplicados, requisitos evidentes para iniciar uma nova política de comunicação pública. Deste trabalho já resultou uma nova abordagem pelos atores públicos locais, destacando a perspetiva de utilização de sinergias pela integração dos recursos de duas outras freguesias, estando em construção um projeto comum de rotas com base nos atributos dessas localidades.-----We live in an increasingly globalized world and one of the consequences is the increasing competition that exists between areas, reinforcing the need to reach out to stakeholders, a set of attributes and differences sufficiently attractive and appealing, so that these territories are "consumed ", not only by their temporal recognition, but also for how it communicates. If so far this differentiation was only explained in a purely tourist base (by the positive economic impacts that usually can get), today the strategy must follow a marketing plan able to attract and retain residents, hikers, tourists and investors. There are studies where is commonly accepted that the successful implementation of a territorial marketing plan based on a participatory model that promotes and anticipate needs and desires of the global players and validate and identify the strengths, to help develop (define and implement) one sustainable strategy in the long term. So it is relevant to call these actors (public and private, residents and visitors) involving them in this identification and also committing them in their results. With this article we present a case study applied to a rural area in the parish of Avelãs de Cima, having been used a survey methodology for all actors. All the relevant identified factors are listed, as well as those which do not wish to see applied, clear requirements to start a new policy of public communication. This work has resulted in a new approach by local public actors, highlighting the prospect of using synergies by integrating the features of two other parishes, under construction with a common design routes based on attributes of those localities

Performance Investigations of IEEE 802.11 a54 Mbps WPA2 Laboratory Links

The increasing importance of wireless communications, involving electronic devices, has been widely recognized. Performance is a fundamental issue, resulting in more reliable and efficient communications. Security is also crucially important. Laboratory measurements are presented for several performance aspects of Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11a54 Mbps WPA2 point-to-point and four node point-to-multipoint links. Our study contributes to performance evaluation of this technology under WPA2 encryption, using available equipment (HP V-M200 access points and Linksys WPC600N adapters). New results are given from TCP and UDP experiments concerning TCP throughput versus TCP packet length, jitter and percentage datagram loss versus UDP datagram size. Comparisons are made to corresponding results for Open links. Conclusions are drawn about the comparative performance of the links. Keywords: Wi-Fi, WLAN, IEEE 802.11a, Wireless network laboratory performance, Multi-Node WPA2 link

Rapid diagnostic tests for molecular surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum malaria -assessment of DNA extraction methods and field applicability

Background: The need for new malaria surveillance tools and strategies is critical, given improved global malaria control and regional elimination efforts. High quality Plasmodium falciparum DNA can reliably be extracted from malaria rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs). Together with highly sensitive molecular assays, wide scale collection of used RDTs may serve as a modern tool for improved malaria case detection and drug resistance surveillance. However, comparative studies of DNA extraction efficiency from RDTs and the field applicability are lacking. The aim of this study was to compare and evaluate different methods of DNA extraction from RDTs and to test the field applicability for the purpose of molecular epidemiological investigations. Methods: DNA was extracted from two RDT devices (Paracheck-PfW and SD Bioline Malaria Pf/Pan (R)), seeded in vitro with 10-fold dilutions of cultured 3D7 P. falciparum parasites diluted in malaria negative whole blood. The level of P. falciparum detection was determined for each extraction method and RDT device with multiple nested-PCR and real-time PCR assays. The field applicability was tested on 855 paired RDT (Paracheck-Pf) and filter paper (Whatman (R) 3MM) blood samples (734 RDT negative and 121 RDT positive samples) collected from febrile patients in Zanzibar 2010. RDT positive samples were genotyped at four key single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in pfmdr1 and pfcrt as well as for pfmdr1 copy number, all associated with anti-malarial drug resistance. Results: The P. falciparum DNA detection limit varied with RDT device and extraction method. Chelex-100 extraction performed best for all extraction matrixes. There was no statistically significant difference in PCR detection rates in DNA extracted from RDTs and filter paper field samples. Similarly there were no significant differences in the PCR success rates and genotyping outcomes for the respective SNPs in the 121 RDT positive samples. Conclusions: The results support RDTs as a valuable source of parasite DNA and provide evidence for RDT-DNA extraction for improved malaria case detection, molecular drug resistance surveillance, and RDT quality control.ACT Consortium through Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Swedish International Development Agency (SIDA) [SWE 2009-193]; Swedish Civil Contingencies Agency (MSB) [2010-7991]; Swedish Medical Research Council (VR) [2009-3785]; Goljes Foundationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A genotyping array for the globally invasive vector mosquito, Aedes albopictus

Background: Although whole-genome sequencing (WGS) is the preferred genotyping method for most genomic analyses, limitations are often experienced when studying genomes characterized by a high percentage of repetitive elements, high linkage, and recombination deserts. The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), for example, has a genome comprising up to 72% repetitive elements, and therefore we set out to develop a single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) chip to be more cost-effective. Aedes albopictus is an invasive species originating from Southeast Asia that has recently spread around the world and is a vector for many human diseases. Developing an accessible genotyping platform is essential in advancing biological control methods and understanding the population dynamics of this pest species, with significant implications for public health. Methods: We designed a SNP chip for Ae. albopictus (Aealbo chip) based on approximately 2.7 million SNPs identified using WGS data from 819 worldwide samples. We validated the chip using laboratory single-pair crosses, comparing technical replicates, and comparing genotypes of samples genotyped by WGS and the SNP chip. We then used the chip for a population genomic analysis of 237 samples from 28 sites in the native range to evaluate its usefulness in describing patterns of genomic variation and tracing the origins of invasions. Results: Probes on the Aealbo chip targeted 175,396 SNPs in coding and non-coding regions across all three chromosomes, with a density of 102 SNPs per 1 Mb window, and at least one SNP in each of the 17,461 protein-coding genes. Overall, 70% of the probes captured the genetic variation. Segregation analysis found that 98% of the SNPs followed expectations of single-copy Mendelian genes. Comparisons with WGS indicated that sites with genotype disagreements were mostly heterozygotes at loci with WGS read depth \u3c 20, while there was near complete agreement with WGS read depths \u3e 20, indicating that the chip more accurately detects heterozygotes than low-coverage WGS. Sample sizes did not affect the accuracy of the SNP chip genotype calls. Ancestry analyses identified four to five genetic clusters in the native range with various levels of admixture. Conclusions: The Aealbo chip is highly accurate, is concordant with genotypes from WGS with high sequence coverage, and may be more accurate than low-coverage WGS. Graphical Abstract: (Figure presented.) © The Author(s) 2024

O monumento pré-histórico de Tituaria, Moinhos da Casela (Mafra)

O monumento pré-histórico da Tituaria, perto dos moinhos de Casela (Mafra), fica situado em pequena colina cerca de 1000m a Noroeste da povoação de Póvoa da Galega e a Norte da chaminé vulcânica do Cabeço de Montachique. O local onde se encontra implantado é, do ponto de vista geológico, constituído por arenitos do Kimmeridgiano, andar do Jurássico superior (Já IV). A identificação do monumento, ainda parcialmente enterrado no tumulus, que constituía pequeno montículo artificial, foi efectuada no decurso dos levantamentos geológicos da folha de Loures, na escala de 1/50000, por G. Zbyszewski e O. da Veiga Ferreira. na altura, da estrutura afloravam apenas duas fiadas concêntricas de ortóstatos, destinadas a suportar o tumulus, em discordância com a orientação geral das camadas geológicas, no local com a direcção de Este-Oeste. Tal circunstância levou à conclusão de que se tratava de estrutura pré-histórica, justificando a escavação sistemática, a qual se veio a realizar no Verão de 1978 sob a égide dos Serviços Geológicos de Portugal. Mais de quinze anos volvidos, o espólio recolhido permanecia por estudar; tal facto motivou a presente publicação, resultante do convite que M. L. e O.V.F. endereçaram ao primeiro signatário para que procedesse ao seu estudo, com base nos registos de campo coordenados por ambos, a quem coube a coordenação dos trabalhos de campo, em que participaram C.T.N, J.N., J.M. e P.F.S. Agradece-se ainda à Câmara Municipal de Mafra a cedência de operários durante os trabalhos de campo

Can starling eggs be useful as a biomonitoring tool to study organohalogenated contaminants on a worldwide scale

Large-scale international monitoring studies are important to assess emission patterns and environmental distributions of organohalogenated contaminants (OHCs) on a worldwide scale. In this study, the presence of OHCs was investigated on three continents (Europe, North America and Australasia), using eggs of starlings (Sturnus vulgaris and Sturnus unicolor) to assess their suitability for large-scale monitoring studies. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study using bird eggs of the same species as a biomonitor for OHCs on an intercontinental scale. We found significant differences in OHC concentrations of the eggs among sampling locations, except for hexachlorocyclohexanes (HCHs). Mean concentrations of sum polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in eggs ranged from 78 ± 26 ng/g lipid weight (lw) in Australia to 2900 ± 1300 ng/g lw in the United States. The PCB profile was dominated by CB 153 and CB 138 in all locations, except for New Zealand, where the contribution of CB 95, CB 101 and CB 149 was also high. The highest mean sum polybrominated diphenyl ether (PBDE) concentrations were found in Canada (4400 ± 830 ng/g lw), while the lowest mean PBDE concentrations were measured in Spain (3.7 ± 0.1 ng/g lw). The PBDE profile in starling eggs was dominated by BDE 47 and BDE 99 in all countries, but in Belgium, the higher brominated PBDEs had a higher contribution compared to other countries. For the organochlorine pesticides (OCPs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethanes (DDTs) ranged from 110 ± 16 ng/g lw in France to 17,000 ± 3400 ng/g lw in New Zealand, while HCHs and hexachlorobenzene were generally in low concentrations in all sampling locations. Chlordanes were remarkably high in eggs from the United States (2500 ± 1300 ng/g lw). The OCP profile in all countries was largely dominated by p,p′-DDE. In general, the worldwide trends we observed in starling eggs were in accordance with the literature on human and environmental OHC data, which suggests that there is potential for using starling eggs as a biomonitoring tool on a large geographical scale. This article is available under the Creative Commons CC-BY-NC-ND license and permits non-commercial use of the work as published, without adaptation or alteration provided the work is fully attributed

Rarity of monodominance in hyperdiverse Amazonian forests.

Tropical forests are known for their high diversity. Yet, forest patches do occur in the tropics where a single tree species is dominant. Such "monodominant" forests are known from all of the main tropical regions. For Amazonia, we sampled the occurrence of monodominance in a massive, basin-wide database of forest-inventory plots from the Amazon Tree Diversity Network (ATDN). Utilizing a simple defining metric of at least half of the trees ≥ 10 cm diameter belonging to one species, we found only a few occurrences of monodominance in Amazonia, and the phenomenon was not significantly linked to previously hypothesized life history traits such wood density, seed mass, ectomycorrhizal associations, or Rhizobium nodulation. In our analysis, coppicing (the formation of sprouts at the base of the tree or on roots) was the only trait significantly linked to monodominance. While at specific locales coppicing or ectomycorrhizal associations may confer a considerable advantage to a tree species and lead to its monodominance, very few species have these traits. Mining of the ATDN dataset suggests that monodominance is quite rare in Amazonia, and may be linked primarily to edaphic factors

Revista de Vertebrados de la Estación Biológica de Doñana

Relación longitud-peso y condición del Barbo de Sclater (Barbus barbus sclateri G.), en el río Guadiato, Córdoba, España.Estudio biométrico y biológico de la tortuga mora (Testudo graeca) en la Reserva Biológica de Doñana, HuelvaEtograma del lagarto de Tenerife, Gallotia galloti galloti (Sauria-LacertidaeOrganización temporal en las comunidadesde avesAlimentación y relaciones tróficas entre los paseriformes en paso otoñal por una localidad de Andalucía centralVariación anual de régimen alimenticio y densidad de población de dos estrigiformes:sus causaslas Adeidas en la cuenca del Duero.Niveles de contaminantes organoclorados y metales pesados en huevos de aves de las Marismas del Guadalquivir, 1975Alimentación primaveral de la garcilla bueyera.la reproducción de un ave parásita: el tordomirlo (Molothrus bonariensis) en los llanos de Apure (Venezuela)Estructuras de sexos y edades en una poblaciónde conejos (Oryctolagus cunicuLus l.) de Andalucía OccidentaParámetros de gregarismo del gamo (Dama dama) en el Coto de Doñana.Primeros datos sobre la distribución de Cobitis calderoni Bacescu, 1961 (pisces, cobitidae) en la Península IbéricaSobre la existencia de Telestes soufia Risso, 1826 y Leuciscus leuciscus L. 1758 en España.La distrtibución de Hemidactylus turciscus en la provincia de Córdoba.Predación de Vipera latastei sobre Mustela nivalis.Sobre las poblaciones de Podarcis en el macizo del GuadarramaDatos sobre la reproducción de Lacerta vivipara en la cordillera CantábricaCasos de melanismo en Natrix natrix y Malpolon monspessulanusMedidas máximas para Coluber hippocrepis LUna nueva población de Lacerta sicula rafinesque para el norte de España.Captura de la barnacla carinegra, Branta bernicla en la costa mediterránea Europea.Datos sobre la dieta frugívora del mirlo (Turdus merula) en dos localidades del sur de EspañaLa ocupación de nidos de Hirundo daurica.La invasión de Hirunda daurica Temm. en la Península IbéricaHíbridos de anátidas en las marismas del GuadalquiviDatos sobre la reproducción de Alouatta seniculus en los Llanos de VenezuelaPeer reviewe