The bicentenary of Georg Hartung, a German pioneer geologist, explorer, and illustrator

We present a tribute to Georg Friedrich Karl Hartung (1821–1891), a less-known, non-academic German geologist, on his 200th birthday anniversary. Influenced by eminent 19th century scientific personalities, such as Oswald Heer, Charles Lyell, and Alexander von Humboldt, he performed pioneer geological observations and sampling in the Azores, Madeira, and Canary Islands volcanic archipelagos. Later in his life, he travelled to the USA and explored the Scandinavian countries. His scientific endeavours were published in several books and papers, many of them co-authored by academic German geologists and palaeontologists. His works on Macaronesia are deemed as classics, and many have been enriched by his detailed geological illustrations.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

First evidence of ants (Hymenoptera, Formicidae) in the early Pleistocene of Madeira Island (Portugal)

To be successfully established on oceanic islands, native ants (Hymenoptera: Formicidae) have to migrate from the mainland or from nearby islands, crossing the ocean barriers, to find a suitable habitat. Despite the general interest on oceanic islands biotas, nothing is known about the deep-time migration and settling of native ants in these insular ecosystems. Palaeoentomological studies on oceanic islands that could provide palaeobiological information on Formicidae are scarce. Here, we describe and illustrate the first fossil of an ant from the Macaronesian archipelagos (Atlantic Ocean), based on a partial forewing found within 1.3 Ma (Calabrian, Pleistocene) lacustrine sediments from Madeira Island, Portugal. Although unidentifiable beyond the family level, this fossil record provides a minimum age for the presence of ants in the Madeira archipelago. Palaeoecologically, this record indicates the presence of suitable habitats for ants during the early Pleistocene.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

A Cloud Service Integration Architecture for the Hospitality Sector

We describe the design and implementation of an innovative software platform that enables hoteliers to configure custom solutions to manage their business, by building on multiple existing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. A flexible cloud integration mechanism uses “drivers” to communicate with various SaaS via their existing APIs. Selection of the solutions is made easy by the inclusion of a Marketplace, and the user experience is made seamless by an homogenous user interface (UI) that orchestrates the calls to the heterogenous underlying logic provided by multiple vendors. The resulting platform is, itself, offered as a SaaS, whose functionality is highly adaptable depending on the chosen integrations. These can be reconfigured at any time, thus avoiding lock-in to any particular one, and without incurring in the costs associated with retraining and learning curves of end-users. The core cloud integration architecture of the platform is generic, so it can be adapted for other domains. We describe the design and implementation of an innovative software platform that enables hoteliers to configure custom solutions to manage their business, by building on multiple existing Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) solutions. A flexible cloud integration mechanism uses “drivers” to communicate with various SaaS via their existing APIs. Selection of the solutions is made easy by the inclusion of a Marketplace, and the user experience is made seamless by an homogenous user interface (UI) that orchestrates the calls to the heterogenous underlying logic provided by multiple vendors. The resulting platform is, itself, offered as a SaaS, whose functionality is highly adaptable depending on the chosen integrations. These can be reconfigured at any time, thus avoiding lock-in to any particular one, and without incurring in the costs associated with retraining and learning curves of end-users. The core cloud integration architecture of the platform is generic, so it can be adapted for other domains

The Quaternary plant fossil record from the volcanic Azores Archipelago (Portugal, North Atlantic Ocean): a review

Plant fossils are known from the Azores Islands, yet poorly studied. We present a comprehensive bibliographical review for the archipelago. A first pre-scientific reference dates from late fifteenth century, while the first scientific description was reported in 1821, accounting for trunks in pyroclastic units and silicified plants within hydrothermal deposits. Throughout the second-half of the nineteenth century and the first-half of the twentieth century, prospection by naturalists and geological mapping work, led to the discovery and description of plant fossils in most islands. From the 1970s onwards, the taxonomic interest ceased, and plant fossils were used mainly for 14C dating. Recently, sediment cores from lakes and peatlands were used for palaeoecological reconstructions and to measure anthropogenic impacts. Generally, plant fossils are younger than 50 ka, although older fossils may exist. Azorean plant fossils include somatofossils of leaves, stems, logs and seeds preserved as impressions, compressions, adpressions, permineralizations, lava tree casts and mummifications. The taphonomy of macrofloral elements is usually related to explosive volcanic activity, while palynological record is associated with lake sediments and peat bogs. The persistence in palaeobotanical and palaeopalynological studies will decisively contribute to disentangle the paleodiversity, palaeoecology, and add crucial information on insular plant phylogeny and biogeography.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Membrane ultrafiltration for oil-from-water separation: Multidisciplinary lab experiment

An ultrafiltration membrane module was assembled and used for treating an oil-in-water (O/W) emulsion. This lab set-up was implemented to teach membrane separation processes within Chemical or Environmental Engineering programmes. The experimental set-up and procedure are described, as well as typical results obtained by students, underlining the main objectives and reasoning expected to be accomplished in each stage of the work. Particular emphasis is given to the discussion of the impact of some variables, such as pressure driving force, surface velocity and emulsion concentration, on concentration polarization, recovery and rejection. The use of this technology at an industrial scale is also discussed. The implemented lab experiment has a relevant pedagogic impact and facilitates students to grasp the inherent theoretical concepts, as perceived from their reports and oral discussions. Moreover, the work has been well accepted and appreciated by students, as can be inferred from the questionnaire; their assessment also showed the fulfilment of the established technical and pedagogic objectives. Particularly relevant is the importance that students attribute to the execution of the experimental work to comprehend the concepts (i.e. importance of a hands-on approach)

Fenton-like oxidation of Orange II solutions using heterogeneous catalysts based on saponite clay

Fe-clay catalysts have been prepared and tested for Orange II oxidation with H2O2 in aqueous solution. Thereaction is carried out in a batch reactor, using different hydrogen peroxide concentrations, and in a wide range oftemperature and pH values. Twelve samples were prepared, with three different iron loads (7.5, 13.0 and 17.0 %,w/w), and using four iron salts as precursors, namely Fe(II) acetate, Fe(II) oxalate, Fe(II) acetylacetonate and Fe(III)acetylacetonate. The samples were characterized using X-ray diffraction, thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy andadsorption of nitrogen at 77K. The catalytic results show that these solids present good catalytic properties for thedegradation and mineralization of Orange II solutions, allowing to reach, in the best conditions and after 4h ofoxidation, 99% of dye degradation with 91% of TOC (Total Organic Carbon) reduction (at 70ºC), using only ca. 90 mgof clay catalyst per litre of solution. Nevertheless, 96% of dye removal with 82% of mineralization were also reachedat 30ºC. Besides, the amount of iron released into the final solution is lower than 1 ppm, in the worst of the cases,and 0.09 ppm in the best case

Parasites of the Reintroduced Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus) and Sympatric Mesocarnivores in Extremadura, Spain.

The Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus) is one of the most endangered felid species in the world. Conservation efforts have increased its population size and distribution and reinforced their genetic diversity through captive breeding and reintroduction programmes. Among several threats that the Iberian lynx faces, infectious and parasitic diseases have underlined effects on the health of their newly reintroduced populations, being essential to identify the primary sources of these agents and assess populations health status. To achieve this, 79 fresh faecal samples from Iberian lynx and sympatric mesocarnivores were collected in the reintroduction area of Extremadura, Spain. Samples were submitted to copromicroscopic analyses to assess parasite diversity, prevalence, and mean intensity of parasite burden. Overall, 19 (24.1%, ±15.1-35.0) samples were positive for at least one enteric parasite species. Parasite diversity and prevalence were higher in the Iberian lynx (43.8%) compared with the others mesocarnivores under study (e.g., the red fox Vulpes vulpes and the Egyptian mongoose Herpestes ichneumon). Ancylostomatidae and Toxocara cati were the most prevalent (15.6%) parasites. Obtained results revealed that Iberian lynx role as predator control might have reduced parasite cross-transmission between this felid and mesocarnivores due to their decreasing abundances. Surveillance programs must include regular monitoring of this endangered felid, comprising mesocarnivores, but also domestic/feral and wild cat communities.This research was funded by the European Union through its LIFE project Life + IBERLINCE (LIFE + 10NAT/ES/570) “Recuperación de la distribución histórica del lince ibérico (Lynx pardinus) en España y Portugal”. R. T. Torres is funded by national funds (OE), through FCT—Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the framework contract foreseen in the numbers 4, 5, and 6 of the article 23, of the Decree-Law 57/2016, of 29 August, changed by Law 57/2017, of 19 July. Thanks are due to FCT/MCTES for the financial support to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020 + UIDB/50017/2020) and CIISA Project UIDB/00276/2020 through national funds.S

Adoption and patterns of use of invasive physiological assessment of coronary artery disease in a large cohort of 40 821 real-world procedures over a 12-year period

Funding Information: The authors wish to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of Paulo Leal regarding data acquisition and management, and John Henderson for statistical consultancy. Publisher Copyright: © 2021 Sociedade Portuguesa de CardiologiaIntroduction and Objectives: Use of invasive physiological assessment in patients with coronary artery disease varies widely and is perceived to be low. We aimed to examine adoption rates as well as patterns and determinants of use in an unselected population undergoing invasive coronary angiography over a long time frame. Methods: We retrospectively determined the per-procedure prevalence of physiological assessment in 40 821 coronary cases performed between 2007 and 2018 in two large-volume centers. Adoption was examined according to procedure type and patient- and operator-related variables. Its association with relevant scientific landmarks, such as the release of clinical trial results and practice guidelines, was also assessed. Results: Overall adoption was low, ranging from 0.6% in patients undergoing invasive coronary angiography due to underlying valve disease, to 6% in the setting of stable coronary artery disease (CAD); it was 3.1% in patients sustaining an acute coronary syndrome. Of scientific landmarks, FAME 1, the long-term results of FAME 2 and the 2014 European myocardial revascularization guidelines were associated with changes in practice. Publication of instantaneous wave-free ratio (iFR) trials had no influence on adoption rates, except for a higher proportion of iFR use. In 42.9% of stable CAD patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention there was no objective non-invasive evidence of ischemia, nor was physiological assessment performed. Younger operator age (4.5% vs. 4.0% vs. 0.9% for ages 55 years, respectively; p<0.001) and later time of procedure during the day (2.9% between 6 and 8 p.m. vs. 4.4% at other times) were independent correlates of use of invasive physiology. Conclusions: Our study confirms the low use of invasive physiology in routine practice. The availability of resting indices did not increase adoption. Strategies are warranted to promote guideline implementation and to improve patient care and clinical outcomes.publishersversionpublishe

Nova emigração portuguesa: perfis, integração e expetativas

Este texto apresenta os principais resultados de um projeto de investigação, intitulado Regresso ao futuro: a nova emigração e a relação com a sociedade portuguesa (REMIGR), financiado pela FCT, que decorreu entre 2013 e 2015. O principal objetivo do projeto foi compreender a dimensão e características dos novos movimentos de emigração portuguesa, destacando, em especial, as relações que os novos emigrantes mantêm com o país de origem. Baseado numa estratégia metodológica mista, o estudo incluiu a recolha de estatísticas nacionais e internacionais, inquérito por questionário online e em papel, complementado por um conjunto de entrevistas a especialistas e representantes institucionais. Os países de destino escolhidos foram Reino Unido, França e Luxemburgo, na União Europeia, e Angola, Moçambique e Brasil, fora da Europa.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Agricultura orgânica: características básicas do seu produtor.

A agricultura orgânica é ainda pouco expressiva no Brasil. Sua relevância é, no entanto, crescente, seguindo tendência observada em outros países, em especial na Europa. Este estudo analisa as características básicas do produtor de produtos orgânicos, contribuindo para preencher uma lacuna existente na literatura de economia rural. Utilizando informações primárias sobre agricultores orgânicos da região próxima à cidade de Curitiba, Paraná, identificamos as suas características pessoais e econômicas, por meio de estatística descritiva, análise de correlação e regressão linear múltipla. Os produtores foram divididos em dois grupos: o primeiro com aqueles que ainda estão em conversão para a agricultura orgânica e o segundo grupo composto por produtores orgânicos que já obtiveram a certificação de seus produtos. Os resultados obtidos indicam que alta participação de capital próprio no financiamento da produção e elevado nível de escolaridade são duas das características mais marcantes dos produtores rurais orgânicos paranaenses. Outras características que influenciam o resultado líquido da atividade são a disponibilidade de mão de obra e a integração de atividades agrícolas, pecuárias e florestais