Geomorphological frameworks in Portugal - a contribution for the characterzation of the geological heritage

Portugal presents a rich geodiversity in spite of its reduced area. Along 92 152 km2, the last 1000 Ma are recorded on different types of rocks. This lithological diversity together with major tectonic structures and specific Quaternary climatic conditions had developed several geomorphological features with high scientific, didactic, and aesthetic values. The concept of Geomorphological Heritage, part of what is considered Geological Heritage, has been developed by many authors during the last decade. The present work constitutes the first attempt for the definition of Portuguese geomorphological frameworks with national relevance, according to the objectives of the IAG's Geomorphological Sites Working Group and ProGEO. The emphasis is given to major landforms, with landscape value. Minor landforms and features shall be considered in the scope of a following detailed inventory and characterisation. The proposed frameworks cover all the Portuguese territory including Azores and Madeira archipelagos. For each framework some representative geosites were selected, based upon the spectacularity of the landforms, its rareness (in the Portuguese context), and essentially on its scientific and didactic values. The proposed frameworks include: i) granite landforms (Gerês and Estrela mountains); ii) carbonate and evaporite landforms (Aire and Candeeiros karsts); iii) volcanic landforms (Azores and Madeira Archipelagos); iv) residual landforms (Monsanto inselberg); v) tectonic landforms (Vilariça valley); vi) fluvial landforms as canyons (Douro) and alluvial plains (Lower Tejo); vii) coastal landforms like beaches (Quiaios-Aveiro), dunes (Porto Santo), lagoons (Obidos), estuaries (Tejo estuary), cliffs (Alentejo SW coast), and coastal platforms (Aveiro region); viii) glacial and periglacial landforms (cirques, glacial troughs, grooves, moraines and others in Estrela and Gerês mountains). Cultural landscapes are also considered, as the Alto Douro Wine Region and the Pico Island Vineyard Culture (respectively, inscribed and submitted to the World Heritage List). These examples are only indicative due to space restrictions. Until the present moment about sixty sites and areas with high geomorphological interest were considered. A significant number of those are included in protected areas, having therefore some kind of protection. Nevertheless, many others should be considered in geoconservation strategies to be implemented by Portuguese authorities

Hepatic acute phase response protects the brain from focal inflammation during postnatal window of susceptibility

Perinatal inflammation is known to contribute to neurodevelopmental diseases. Animal models of perinatal inflammation have revealed that the inflammatory response within the brain is age dependent, but the regulators of this variation remain unclear. In the adult, the peripheral acute phase response (APR) is known to be pivotal in the downstream recruitment of leukocytes to the injured brain. The relationship between perinatal brain injury and the APR has not been established. Here, we generated focal inflammation in the brain using interleukin (IL)-1β at postnatal day (P)7, P14, P21 and P56 and studied both the central nervous system (CNS) and hepatic inflammatory responses at 4 h. We found that there is a significant window of susceptibility in mice at P14, when compared to mice at P7, P21 and P56. This was reflected in increased neutrophil recruitment to the CNS, as well as an increase in blood–brain barrier permeability. To investigate phenomena underlying this window of susceptibility, we performed a dose response of IL-1β. Whilst induction of endogenous IL-1β or intercellular adhesion molecule (ICAM)-1 in the brain and induction of a hepatic APR were dose dependent, the recruitment of neutrophils and associated blood–brain barrier breakdown was inversely proportional. Furthermore, in contrast to adult animals, an additional peripheral challenge (intravenous IL-1β) reduced the degree of CNS inflammation, rather than exacerbating it. Together these results suggest a unique window of susceptibility to CNS injury, meaning that suppressing systemic inflammation after brain injury may exacerbate the damage caused, in an age-dependent manner

Advances in the genotyping of thrombosis genetic risk factors: clinical and laboratory implications.

Since FV-Leiden polymorphism was first described in 1994, a growing number of polymorphic loci have been identified in association with increased genetic risk for thrombophilia. Often however, these risk factors have been studied in isolation of the remaining known phenotype linked polymorphisms. This fact has, at least in part, been justified by the laborious techniques traditionally used in the genotyping studies, as well as its relatively high costs. Another major problem concerning these studies has been the non-negligible incidence of dubious genotypes, resulting from the manual, labour intensive techniques applied, and their sometimes difficult to read output's. These difficulties have also hampered the widespread use of genotyping data in the clinical assessment of the genetic risk levels both in patients and their relatives, leaving some clinicians less than convinced about its clinical usefulness. Recently however, the introduction of new genetic techniques in the clinical genetics laboratory has started to change this picture. Most notably, the advent of Real-time-PCR has brought the possibility of genotyping patients and controls at a large scale, with increased specificity, automation and speed. Moreover, the use of these techniques in the clinical genetics setting has not only increased the quality of the results, but most importantly has also increased our capability of answering questions at a deeper level. Among the new questions that can now be answered without increased costs and uncertainty is the study of the association of genetic risk factors in thrombophilia. Our results show that indeed even common polymorphic loci may increase our ability to further discriminate the genetic thrombosis risk of individual patients and relatives. It must however be noted that the innovation level in the clinical genetics lab is just starting to grow. In fact we haven't even started to experience the advantages brought about by the genome program, and its massive identification of SNP's. The technology to test these is also presently being refined, and is expected to go from research to the clinical lab in the near future. Only then, can we expect to define with high certainty the combined genetic risks for such complex pathologies as the thrombophilias

Reflectance of Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) for Xenon Scintillation Light

Gaseous and liquid xenon particle detectors are being used in a number of applications including dark matter search and neutrino-less double beta decay experiments. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is often used in these detectors both as electrical insulator and as a light reflector to improve the efficiency of detection of scintillation photons. However, xenon emits in the vacuum ultraviolet wavelength region (175 nm) where the reflecting properties of PTFE are not sufficiently known. In this work we report on measurements of PTFE reflectance, including its angular distribution, for the xenon scintillation light. Various samples of PTFE, manufactured by different processes (extruded, expanded, skived and pressed) have been studied. The data were interpreted with a physical model comprising both specular and diffuse reflections. The reflectance obtained for these samples ranges from about 47% to 66% for VUV light. Fluoropolymers, namely ETFE, FEP and PFA were also measured

Geologia e património geológico dos Parques Naturais de Montesinho e do Douro Internacional (Nordeste de Portugal) : resultados de um projecto de investigação

Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT)

Improving a decree law about coastal zone management in a small island developing state: The case of Cuba

Cuba is one of the few countries from the Small Island Developing States in the Caribbean region having solid coastal legislation: Decree Law 212 (DL-212) entitled “Coastal Zone Management”. However, that legal framework presents some deficiencies that need to be improved, wherefore an analysis of the major features of DL-212 and the identification of its main issues were conducted in the present study; some ways of implementing the DL-212 in the country were assessed as well. Regarding the Land-Sea Interaction, this work proposes a set of four variables linking geomorphological and human criteria with the aim of improving coastal zone characterization and boundary delimitation. The set of four variables falls into six types of Coastal Geomorphic-typological Units, which are also sub-classified according to the physical aspects and level of territorial urbanization of the Units. Standard nomenclature about boundaries, territorial planning in relation to land-sea interaction is provided in the present research, as well as nine guidelines and eleven recommendations for institutions responsible for physical use planning to implement, in order to obtain a better understanding and implementation of DL-212. The study makes a great contribution to decision-making processes regarding Land-Use Planning, Integrated Coastal Zone Management, and Marine Spatial Planning for future implementation in other Small Island Developing States

Gravitational Collapse of a Massless Scalar Field and a Perfect Fluid with Self-Similarity of the First Kind in (2+1) Dimensions

Self-similar solutions of a collapsing perfect fluid and a massless scalar field with kinematic self-similarity of the first kind in 2+1 dimensions are obtained. Their local and global properties of the solutions are studied. It is found that some of them represent gravitational collapse, in which black holes are always formed, and some may be interpreted as representing cosmological models.Comment: 13 page