Iron age pottery from Garvão votive deposit

The Iberian Peninsula was an attractive area in ancient times due to its abundance in geological resources. Hence, the Iberian Iron Age is a period of successive social and political transformations, sometimes resulting in conflicts [1]. In 1982, an impressive votive deposit was discovered in Garvão (SW Portugal) revealing an important Iron Age II holy site [2]. Beside some uncertainties, this region is marked by very strong Mediterranean cultural influence but the inhabitants are celtic. The materials recovered (mainly pottery) were intentionally deposited, carefully arranged in order to optimize the available space [2, 3]. The pottery recovered shows that during Iron Age this archeological site was a merging geostrategic point of the Iberian societies with strong influences of the Mediterranean world and the Iberia celtic influences. Pottery fragments are one of the most common signs of human occupation. Its aesthetic aspects are extensively studied as one of mankind’s earliest expressions of representational art. But the ceramic characteristics depend also on the technology accessibility, the relationship of the societies with their environment, especially with the availability of raw materials, and on the commercial and cultural connections with other societies [4, 5]. Raw materials used by these communities provide essential information to understand specific historical periods. The geological resources are particularly useful for this purpose because even processed they can figure out identifiable signatures of provenance or technology used. Moreover, their intermittent occurrence and human necessity justify the existence of trade routes. A detailed study of the pottery based on stylistic analysis was envisaged which allowed the classification into different clusters. Special emphasis will be given to the provenance of the pottery, the technological aspects and the relationship between populations and Garvão holy site. The study of geological raw materials applying and combining modern techniques of earth materials sciences and the principles of physical sciences (e.g. geology and chemistry) can provide answers and a better understanding of the Garvão importance in this area of the Iberian Peninsula. A multi-analytical methodology was setup using optical and electron microscopy, infrared spectroscopy, X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction. The combination of these techniques applied to selected Garvão pottery materials allowed the recognition of the ceramic phase composition, firing temperature, kiln atmosphere, ceramic manufacturing processes and origin of raw materials. With this study, connections with Mediterranean areas and with local production areas were underlined revealing that Garvão was a multicultural area. References [1] Alfenin, R. & Pariera, R.: Taller Poliorcética, Conclusiones, in “Poliorcética, Fortificación y Patrimonio (Asalto y Defensa de Plazas Fuertes)”, Editorial Universidad Politécnica de Valencia, pp. 307-322, 2005. [2] Beirão, C. de M., Tavares, C., Soares, J., Varela, M. and Varela, R.: Depósito votivo da II Idade do Ferro de Garvão. Notícia da primeira campanha de escavações, O Arqueólogo Português, 3, 45-136, 1985. [3] Beirão, C. de M., Tavares, C., Soares, J., Gomes, M. and Varela, R.: Um depósito votivo da II Idade do Ferro, no sul de Portugal, e as suas relações com as culturas da Meseta, Veleia, 2-3, 2017-221, 1985-86. [4] Maggetti, M. & Galetti, G.: Late La Téne pottery from western Switzerland: one regional or several local workshops? in Maggetti, M. & Messiga, B. (eds) “Geomaterials in Cultural Heritage”. Geological Society, London, Special Publications, 257, 63-80, 2009. [5] Arnold, D.: Linking society with the compositional analyses of pottery: a model from comparative ethnography. in: Livingstone Smith, A., Bosquet, D. & Marttineau, R. (eds) “Pottery Manufacturing Process: Reconstitution and Interpretation”. British Archaeological Reports International Series. Archaeopress, Oxford, 1349, 1-12, 2001. Acknowledgments This work was financial supported by “Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia” (FCT) through the project PTDC/HIS-ARQ/108758/2008 and the PhD grant SFRH/BD/67093/2009

Assessment of microbiota present on a Portuguese historical stone convent using high-throughput sequencing approaches

The study performed on the stone materials from the Convent of Christ revealed the presence of a complex microbial ecosystem, emphasizing the determinant role of microorganisms on the biodecay of this built cultural heritage. In this case study, the presence of Rubrobacter sp., Arthrobacter sp., Roseomonas sp., and Marinobacter sp. seems to be responsible for colored stains and biofilm formation while Ulocladium sp., Cladosporium sp., and Dirina sp. may be related to structural damages. The implementation of high-throughput sequencing approaches on the Convent of Christ's biodecay assessment allowed us to explore, compare, and characterize the microbial communities, overcoming the limitations of culture-dependent techniques, which only identify the cultivable population. The application of these different tools and insights gave us a panoramic view of the microbiota thriving on the Convent of Christ and signalize the main biodeteriogenic agents acting on the biodecay of stone materials. This finding highlighted the importance of performing metagenomic studies due to the improvements and the reduced amount of sample DNA needed, promoting a deeper and more detailed knowledge of the microbiota present on these dynamic repositories that support microbial life. This will further enable us to perform prospective studies in quarry and applied stone context, monitoring biogenic and nonbiogenic agents, and also to define long-term mitigation strategies to prevent biodegradation/biodeterioration processes

Efficiency of Exciton and Charge Carrier Photogeneration in a Semiconducting Polymer

Euan Hendry, Juleon M. Schins, L. P. Candeias, L. D. A. Siebbeles, and Mischa Bonn, Physical Review Letters, Vol. 92, article 196601 (2004). "Copyright © 2004 by the American Physical Society."We determine the efficiencies for the formation of excitons and charge carriers following ultrafast photoexcitation of a semiconducting polymer (MEH-PPV). The simultaneous, quantitative determination of exciton and charge photoyields is achieved through subpicosecond studies of both the real and the imaginary components of the complex conductivity over a wide frequency range. Predominantly excitons, with near-unity quantum efficiency, are generated on excitation, while only a very small fraction (<10-2) of free charges are initially excited, consistent with rapid (∼100  fs) hot exciton dissociation. These initial charges are very short lived, decaying on subpicosecond time scales

The KnowRISK project: Tools and strategies to reduce non-structural damage

The project KnowRISK (Know your city, Reduce seISmic risK through non-structural elements) is financed by the European Commission to develop prevention measures that may reduce non-structural damage in urban areas. Pilot areas of the project are within the three European participating countries, namely Portugal, Iceland and Italy. Non-structural components of a building include all those components that are not part of the structural system, more specifically the architectural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as furniture, fixtures, equipment, and contents. Windows, partitions, granite veneer, piping, ceilings, air conditioning ducts and equipment, elevators, computer and hospital equipment, file cabinets, and retail merchandise are all examples of nonstructural components that are vulnerable to earthquake damage. We will use the experience gained during past earthquakes, which struck in particular Iceland, Italy and Portugal (Azores). Securing the non-structural elements improves the safety during an earthquake and saves lives. This paper aims at identifying non-structural seismic protection measures in the pilot areas and to develop a portfolio of good practices for the most common and serious non-structural vulnerabilities. This systematic identification and the portfolio will be achieved through a “crossknowledge” strategy based on previous researches, evidence of non-structural damage in past earthquakes. Shake table tests of a group of non-structural elements will be performed. These tests will be filmed and, jointly with portfolio, will serve as didactic supporting tools to be used in workshops with building construction stakeholders and in risk communication activities. A Practical Guide for non-structural risk reduction will be specifically prepared for citizens on the basis of the outputs of the project, taking into account the local culture and needs of each participating countryPublishedVienna3T. Pericolosità sismica e contributo alla definizione del rischiorestricte

Diferencias intra e inter individuales en inteligencia social de estudiantes portugueses

Social intelligence is a favorable condition for career decision-making and development. The social intelligence indices of Portuguese students in school years prior to a career transition are characterized and intra and interindividual differences are analyzed. Participants were 1095 students (552, 50.4% women) with a mean age of 14.78 years (SD = 1.86), in the 8th (542, 49.5%), 10th (295, 26.9%) and 11th (258, 23.6%) grades. The Cognitive Test of Social Intelligence (PCIS) was administered at two moments, six months apart. Results indicate that the 8th grade obtained higher average scores in Problem Solving, Motivation and Self-confidence (time 1), while the 10th grade obtained better results in Problem Solving, Motivation and Familiarity (time 2). Between the assessment moments, all school years register an increase in Problem Solving and Self-confidence in social situations. These results constitute favorable psychological conditions for the promotion of ethical questioning in career guidance interventions.A inteligência social constitui uma condição favorável à tomada de decisão e ao desenvolvimento vocacional. Este trabalho visa caracterizar os níveis de inteligência social, e analisar as diferenças intra e interindividuais, em alunos portugueses em anos de pré-transição vocacional. Participaram 1095 alunos (552, 50% mulheres), com uma média de idades de 14,78 anos (DP = 1,86), do 8º, 10º, e 11º níveis escolares. Administrou-se a Prova Cognitiva de Inteligência Social (PCIS), em dois momentos (T1 e T2), com seis meses de intervalo. Os resultados indicam que o 8º ano obteve resultados médios superiores, nos índices de Resolução de Problemas, Motivação e Autoconfiança (T1), enquanto o 10º ano obteve resultados superiores, em Resolução de Problemas, Motivação e Familiaridade (T2). Entre momentos de avaliação, registra-se, para todos os níveis escolares, um aumento em Resolução de Problemas e Autoconfiança em situações sociais. Estes resultados constituem condições psicológicas favoráveis à promoção do questionamento ético nas intervenções de orientação vocacional.La inteligencia social es una condición favorable para la toma de decisiones y el desarrollo de la carrera. Se caracterizan los niveles de inteligencia social y sus diferencias intra e interindividuales en estudiantes portugueses en transición pre-profesional. Participaron 1095 estudiantes (552, 50.4% mujeres) con una edad media de 14.78 (DE = 1.86), del 8º (542, 49,5%), 10º (295, 26.9%) y 11º (258, 23.6%) años escolares. Se administró la Prueba Cognitiva de Inteligencia Social (PCIS) en dos ocasiones, con seis meses de diferencia. Los resultados indican que los estudiantes del 8º grado obtuvieron puntajes medios más altos en la Resolución de Problemas, Motivación y Confianza (T1), mientras que los del 10º grado obtuvieron mejores resultados en la Resolución de Problemas, Motivación y Familiaridad (T2). Entre momentos de evaluación se registra, para todos los años, un aumento en la Resolución de Problemas y Confianza en situaciones sociales. Estos resultados constituyen condiciones psicológicas favorables a la promoción del cuestionamiento ético en las intervenciones de orientación profesional.Project coordinated by the fourth author and co-funded by the Foundation for Science and Technology and the Compete Program - PTDC/CPE-CED/098896/200

Evidenciação do antígeno da hepatite B (HBsAg) em Triatominae

A total of 3,200 impressions were fixed on filter paper and were identified as containing human blood obtained from blood-sucking arthropods of the Triatoma and Panstrongylus genre. The impressions were then examined for the presence of the hepatitis B antigen (HBsAg). The immunodifusion technique showed that 12 impressions were presumably HBsAg positive, but the radioimmunoassay technique only confirmed 7 positive results. The positive samples were all obtained from Triatoma infestans nymphae.De 3.200 "manchas" provenientes de insetos dos gêneros Triatoma e Panstrogylus, positivas para sangue humano, 12 deram resultados presuntivamente positivos, por imunodifusão, para HBsAg. Deste total, só 7 casos foram confirmados como positivos, por radioimunoensaio, correspondendo todos eles a "manchas" obtidas de ninfas de Triatoma infestans

Portuguese emigration to Angola (2000-2015): Strengthening a specific postcolonial relationship in a new global framework?

Outflows to the Portuguese-speaking countries, although not dominant, played an important role in the growth of Portuguese emigration during the economic recession and austerity period, between 2010 and 2016. This chapter examines this migration process, considering that contemporary migration from Portugal to Angola is an example of reverse post-colonial migration within the framework of North-South movements. It presents the historical and socio-demographic background of Angola and some theoretical insights on the issue of North-South migration. The analyses of the migration process and the emigrants’ profiles rely in statistics and academic literature but especially on data gathered in a direct survey. Attention is given to indicators of integration, relations with Portugal and the post-colonial nature of the process. The profile of Portuguese in Angola shows an overrepresentation of highly skilled males over 35 years old, which migrated for professional reasons and sustain relations with Portugal through diverse transnational practices. This supports explanations for the emergence of North-South migration by appeal to economic expansion associated to the increasing insertion of several developing countries into global networks. However, the analysis fails to back up the hypothesis that Portuguese emigration to Angola is a form of reverse post-colonial migration based in ancestral return.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Shake-table testing of a stone masonry building aggregate: overview of blind prediction study

City centres of Europe are often composed of unreinforced masonry structural aggregates, whose seismic response is challenging to predict. To advance the state of the art on the seismic response of these aggregates, the Adjacent Interacting Masonry Structures (AIMS) subproject from Horizon 2020 project Seismology and Earthquake Engineering Research Infrastructure Alliance for Europe (SERA) provides shake-table test data of a two-unit, double-leaf stone masonry aggregate subjected to two horizontal components of dynamic excitation. A blind prediction was organized with participants from academia and industry to test modelling approaches and assumptions and to learn about the extent of uncertainty in modelling for such masonry aggregates. The participants were provided with the full set of material and geometrical data, construction details and original seismic input and asked to predict prior to the test the expected seismic response in terms of damage mechanisms, base-shear forces, and roof displacements. The modelling approaches used differ significantly in the level of detail and the modelling assumptions. This paper provides an overview of the adopted modelling approaches and their subsequent predictions. It further discusses the range of assumptions made when modelling masonry walls, floors and connections, and aims at discovering how the common solutions regarding modelling masonry in general, and masonry aggregates in particular, affect the results. The results are evaluated both in terms of damage mechanisms, base shear forces, displacements and interface openings in both directions, and then compared with the experimental results. The modelling approaches featuring Discrete Element Method (DEM) led to the best predictions in terms of displacements, while a submission using rigid block limit analysis led to the best prediction in terms of damage mechanisms. Large coefficients of variation of predicted displacements and general underestimation of displacements in comparison with experimental results, except for DEM models, highlight the need for further consensus building on suitable modelling assumptions for such masonry aggregates

Progression From Paroxysmal to Persistent Atrial Fibrillation. Clinical Correlates and Prognosis

Objectives: We investigated clinical correlates of atrial fibrillation (AF) progression and evaluated the prognosis of patients demonstrating AF progression in a large population. Background: Progression of paroxysmal AF to more sustained forms is frequently seen. However, not all patients will progress to persistent AF. Methods: We included 1,219 patients with paroxysmal AF who participated in the Euro Heart Survey on AF and had a known rhythm status at follow-up. Patients who experienced AF progression after 1 year of follow-up were identified. Results: Progression of AF occurred in 178 (15%) patients. Multivariate analysis showed that heart failure, age, previous transient ischemic attack or stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and hypertension were the only independent predictors of AF progression. Using the regression coefficient as a benchmark, we calculated the HATCH score. Nearly 50% of the patients with a HATCH score &gt;5 progressed to persistent AF compared with only 6% of the patients with a HATCH score of 0. During follow-up, patients with AF progression were more often admitted to the hospital and had more major adverse cardiovascular events. Conclusions: A substantial number of patients progress to sustained AF within 1 year. The clinical outcome of these patients regarding hospital admissions and major adverse cardiovascular events was worse compared with patients demonstrating no AF progression. Factors known to cause atrial structural remodeling (age and underlying heart disease) were independent predictors of AF progression. The HATCH score may help to identify patients who are likely to progress to sustained forms of AF in the near future. \ua9 2010 American College of Cardiology Foundation