Estimating the population and distributions trends of owls in Portugal using citizen science data from Program NOCTUA-Portugal and other sources

During the last eight years (2010-2017), the Working Group on Nocturnal Birds of SPEA (GTAN-SPEA) has carried out a volunteer monitoring program (NOCTUA-Portugal) to determine the population trends of seven owl species at a national scale. We used generalized estimating equations models to assess trends. In addition, we used the distribution data from breeding bird atlases, observations sent by collaborators, and data from the public online database PortugalAves/eBird to detect changes in distribution in a four-decade period (1978-2017). We defined four periods to study potential changes in distribution of owls in Portugal: 1978-1984 (1st breeding bird atlas); 1999-2005 (2nd breeding bird atlas); 2006-2014 (interval between 2nd and 3rd breeding bird atlases); and 2015-2017 (ongoing 3 rd breeding bird atlas). Three species had negative population and distribution trends: Common Barn-owl (Tyto alba), Eurasian Scops-owl (Otus scops), and Little Owl (Athene noctua). The Eurasian Eagle-owl (Bubo bubo) had a slightly positive population and distribution trends, while the Tawny Owl (Strix aluco) was stable or slightly declined. The population trend of the Northern Long-eared Owl (Asio otus) was unknown because of large fluctuations, and due to the low number of records it was not possible to determine a population trend for the Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)

Bitcoin: investimento especulativo ou ativo financeiro

A presente dissertação tem como objetivo discutir o modo como a evolução da cotação diária da Bitcoin se articula com a dos mercados financeiros mais tradicionais, mormente com os mercados cambiais e os mercados bolsistas. Para atingirmos esse objetivo, reunimos dados financeiros dos mercados de títulos e cambiais e recorremos aos testes de significância individual, através do programa GRETL, de modo a estabelecer correlações entre as variáveis constituídas a partir desses dados financeiros e a evolução da cotação diária da Bitcoin. De seguida, formulámos três modelos econométricos com dados financeiros relativos aos mercados europeu, americano e asiático. Concluímos que existe correlação entre todas as variáveis selecionadas relativas aos dados financeiros e a evolução da cotação diária da Bitcoin. No entanto, os modelos gerados foram inconclusivos devido aos níveis de multicolinearidade e de heterocedasticidade

O circo em cada lugar: um lugar para o circo

Dissertação de mestrado integrado em ArquitecturaA dissertação tem como tema a implantação dos circos, e visa, não só uma análise das práticas correntes, como uma especulação na qual se imagina uma relação ideal entre o circo e os lugares. O trabalho divide-se em três capítulos principais: -O primeiro (O Circo) é a introdução geral do tema do trabalho que contextualiza o leitor no “universo” circense, no que diz respeito à sua prática e à sua história; -O segundo capítulo (Instalação do circo) trata especificamente das questões inerentes à implantação do circo no terreno. Divide-se em duas partes: um Manual de instruções para instalação de um circo e um conjunto de Exemplos. No Manual identificam-se os factores a ter em conta para a instalação de um circo, bem como os procedimentos a levar a cabo para a sua efectiva implantação. Os Exemplos (relativos a algumas localidades do litoral norte de Portugal) permitem analisar o modo particular como cada um desses circos se apropria de cada lugar; -No terceiro (Cidade Fantasia), partindo do estudo do capítulo anterior, especula-se sobre modelos e situações ideais para um circo imaginado. Este capítulo é constituído por três partes: Furadouro, Lugar ideal e Espectáculo do lugar. -A primeira é de natureza laboratorial. Experimentou-se pôr em prática o Manual de instruções numa localidade, antes que um circo nele se instalasse, de modo a confrontar esta aplicação a uma posterior efectiva instalação. -A seguir, foi realizado um projecto fictício de um lugar perfeito para a implantação de um circo. Foram reunidos num só lugar, e de modo ideal, todos os componentes dos quais o circo se pode apropriar. -O último é também um projecto fictício. Propõem-se novos modos de apropriação das potencialidades dos lugares.The subject of this essay focuses, essentially, on the circus implantation and aims to analyze not only the current practice, but also to speculate and imagine an ideal relationship between the circus and the places. The essay is divided into three main chapters: -The first chapter (The Circus) is a general introduction to the subject of the essay itself that contextualizes the reader into the circus “world” as far as its practice and history is concerned; -The second chapter (The circus installation) is particularly about issues associated with the circus implantation in the ground. It is divided in two essential parts: Manual de instruções para instalação de um circo - Exemplos – A guidebook to install a circus and a set of Examples. In the Guidebook are identified the factors to consider to the circus installation, as well as the procedure steps for the implantation itself. The Examples (regarding to the Portuguese northern coast towns and villages) allow a detailed study to the particular way on how each circus appropriates to the landscape. -The third one (Fantasy City), based on the previous chapter study, conjectures mostly about models and ideal situations for an imaginary circus. This chapter is compound by three parts: Furadouro, Lugar ideal and Espectáculo do lugar – Furadouro, An Ideal Place and The Place Show: -The first has a laboratorial nature and there was a trial to set into practice the guidebook (Manual de instruções) in a place before the circus installation so that, it could be possible to compare this proposal to a real implantation. -Afterward, a fictional project of a perfect place to implant a circus was made. All the components of which the circus usually appropriates were gathered into only one place and idealized in a way that it would be possible to provide a perfect implantation. -The last, despite being similar to the second one, is also a fictional project that has the purpose to suggest new procedures of appropriateness facing the places potential

Space of memory and representation : Bouça da Cova da Moura (Ardegães, Maia, Northwest of Portugal)

Bouça da Cova da Moura is the local place-name attributed to a stretch of a plateau overlooking the Leça valley. Here, Neolithic burial mounds share their landscape setting with scatters of archaeological materials that include Bell Beaker fragments, idols and metalwork. Since these are mostly surface findings, their contexts have not yet been accurately determined. Another significant feature is the presence of prehistoric rock carvings. The plateau may thus be considered a public space, conceptually and physically built over time. Its significance and meanings were certainly created and transmitted through practices of memory construction which are representative of cultural identity and social cohesion.Le site de Bouça da Cova da Moura se trouve sur un plateau faisant face au Rio Leça. On y a identifié des tertres funéraires du Néolithique, auxquels sont associés des zones de concentration d’artefacts, incluant céramiques campaniformes, idoles et mobilier métallique. S’agissant de mobilier de surface, le contexte de ces différentes concentrations n’a pas été déterminé avec attention. Un autre fait significatif est l’apparition de gravures rupestres préhistoriques. On peut considérer le plateau comme un espace publique, qui s’est bâti physiquement et conceptuellement au cours des temps. Son importance et sa signification ont certainement été créées et transmises à travers un certain nombre de pratiques de construction mémorielle, représentatives de l’identité culturelle et de la cohésion sociale

Digitalização e competências do gestor de RH : um estudo exploratório

Mestrado Bolonha em Gestão de Recursos HumanosA função de recursos humanos tem vindo a ser forçada a reinventar-se devido ao contexto de mudança tecnológica e de digitalização. A nível empresarial, surge uma oportunidade de diferenciação por essa via. Com a reformulação da função de Recursos Humanos para um papel mais estratégico, existe alguma incerteza acerca do papel que o gestor de RH desempenha neste tipo de questões e até que ponto é que este profissional consegue participar. Deste modo, o presente trabalho visa contribuir para a compreensão e explicação destas questões. Tendo em conta este objetivo, foi utilizada uma metodologia qualitativa e entrevistas semi-directivas, de modo a analisar as perceções e experiências de treze gestores de RH que trabalham em setores de atividade variados em relação às funções que desempenham e que se encontram relacionadas com processos digitais. A análise de contéudo realizada às entrevistas permitiu concluir que as principais tecnologias que se revelaram como fonte de vantagem competitiva são as que proporcionam a automatização de tarefas e a diminuição do erro humano. O gestor de RH possui um papel fulcral no processo de introdução de tecnologia na organização. Por sua vez, a competência que revelou maior presença foi a de Ativista Credível, que incide na construção de relações pessoais com os trabalhadores, seguida do Posicionador Estratégico, Campeão da Cultura e Mudança, e Curador do Capital Humano. No entanto, desde o início de funções, regista-se um maior crescimento do papel de Posicionador Estratégico. Por fim, a digitalização altera sobretudo o modo de execução de uma tarefa, e sugerimos que também modifica lentamente, e em segundo plano, o papel do gestor de RH que é traduzido pela competência de Ulrich.The human resources occupation has been forced to reinvent itself due to the context of technological change and digitization. At the business level, an opportunity for differentiation emerges in this way. With the reformulation of the Human Resources function for a more strategic duty, there is some uncertainty about the role that the HR manager plays in these types of matters and to what extent this professional can participate. Thus, this work aims to contribute to the understanding and explanation of these issues. With this objective in mind, a qualitative methodology and semi-directive interviews were resorted to analyze the perceptions and experiences of thirteen human resource managers who work in different sectors of activityregarding to the functions they perform and that are related to digital processes. The content analysis carried out in the interviews allowed us to conclude that the main technologies that proved to be a source of competitive advantage are those that provide automation of tasks and the reduction of human error. The HR manager plays aa important role in the process of introducing technology into the organization. In turn, the competence that showed to be more present was the Credible Activist, which focuses on building personal relationships with workers, followed by Strategic Positioner, Culture and Change Champion, and Human Capital Curator. However, since the beginning of the HR manager’s duties, the greatest growth has been in the role of Strategic Positioner. Finally, digitization changes above all, how a certain task is performed, and we also suggest that it changes slowly, and in the background, the role of the HR manager, in other words, the Ulrich's competence.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Efectos de un programa de ejercicios sobre la autonomía, la independencia y la forma física de las personas con discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo - Un estudio piloto

The literature clearly highlights the relationship between the levels of autonomy and independence of people with intellec-tual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and their levels of physical fitness. Thus, the aim of this study was to analyze the effectsof a physical exercise program on the levels of autonomy, functionality in activities of daily living (ADL), and physical fitness of people with IDD. 17 participants completed the 9-week intervention, where parameters such as anthropometric data (height, weight, body mass index (BMI) and muscular mass (MM)), functionality in ADL (WHODAS 2.0) and data regarding physical fitness (handgrip test, Sit and Stand and timed up and go) before and after the intervention were evaluated. Significant improvements were found after the physical exercise intervention program in the functionality (self-reports: t=-2.19; p=0.03; η2=0,282and proxy reports: t=-2.64; p=0.01; η2=0,410) and body composition variables (BMI: t=-2.08; p=0.05; η2=0,254 and muscle mass;t=-1.94; p=0.05; η2=0,221), but not in the physical fitness variables. The intervention program seems to have contributed positively to improvingthe perception of autonomy in ADLs and body composition.La literatura destaca claramente la relación entre los niveles de autonomía e independencia de las personas con discapacidad intelectual y del desarrollo (DI) y sus niveles de condición física. Por ello, el objetivo de este estudio fue analizar los efectos de un programa de ejercicio físico sobre los niveles de autonomía, funcionalidad en las actividades de la vida diaria (AVD) y forma física de personas con DID. 17 participantes completaron la intervención de 9 semanas de duración, en la que se evaluaron parámetros como los datos antropométricos (altura, peso, índice de masa corporal (IMC) y masa muscular (MM), la funcionalidad en las AVD (WHODAS 2.0) y los datos relativos a la forma física (test de agarre de manos, Sit and Stand y timed up and go) antes y después de la intervención. Se encontraron mejoras significativas tras el programa de intervención de ejercicio físico en las variables de funcionalidad (autoinformes: t=-2,19; p=0,03; η2=0,282 e informes de apoderados: t=-2,64; p=0,01; η2=0,410) y composición corporal (IMC: t=-2,08; p=0,05; η2=0,254 y masa muscular; t=-1,94; p=0,05; η2=0,221), pero no en las de forma física. El programa de intervención parece haber contribuido positivamente a mejorar la percepción de autonomía en las AVD y la composición corporal.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Dynamic network tariffs: are they the most efficient way to match peak consumption and network incremental costs?

The purpose of this paper is to present the main results of the ongoing analysis of applying dynamic network access tariffs in Portugal. For the 2015-2017 regulatory period, the Portuguese National Regulatory Authority, ERSE, required the three main Portuguese DSOs to submit, until the end of June 2016, plans for the implementation of network dynamic tariff schemes targeting Medium, High and Extra High Voltage customers, as well as the respective cost-benefit analysis. EDP Distribuição, the main Portuguese DSO, is preparing a report regarding the implementation of pilot projects on a sample of these segments of customers, which are due to be on the field during 2017. These pilots should help electrical energy stakeholders understand how the Electric System can benefit from the use of dynamic tariffs focused on networks, allowing for the quantification of benefits in a more accurate way. The level of demand response that results from price signals is a key issue that both the regulator and EDP Distribuição will quantify. Other important issue to assess in this study is the efficiency of cost recovery under a dynamic tariff scheme. In conclusion, this paper will present some results obtained from the cost-benefit analysis regarding the implementation of a Critical Peak Pricing scheme, as well as the key learnings supporting the introduction of dynamic schemes in the future, not only for EHV, HV and MV customers but also eventually extending it to LV ones

A Ação Psicológica e os Assuntos Civis no âmbito da função de combate Comando-Missão na campanha militar do Teatro de Operações de Angola (1961-1974)

O presente trabalho de investigação apresenta como tema “A Ação Psicológica e os Assuntos Civis no âmbito da função de combate Comando-Missão na campanha militar do Teatro de Operações de Angola (1961-1974) ”, um assunto com reconhecido interesse para o Exército Português. O objetivo principal é analisar a Ação Psicológica e os Assuntos Civis à luz da função de combate Comando-Missão e sob o ponto de vista das Forças Terrestres. Para a elaboração do trabalho recorreu-se à metodologia da investigação científica utilizando o método dedutivo, apoiada em pesquisa bibliográfica e documental acerca desta temática, complementada com entrevistas a militares ex-combatentes. Assim, conclui-se que as Forças Terrestres em geral, e os Comandantes em particular, desenvolveram uma atividade relevante através do emprego da Ação Psicológica e dos Assuntos Civis, como fator multiplicador do potencial de combate. Contudo, verificou-se que o essencial na contrassubversão é o controlo das populações, sendo somente possível através da unidade de esforços entre as Autoridades Civis e militares na condução dos Assuntos Civis e da Ação Psicológica. Abstract: This research work presents the theme "The Psychological Action and Civil Affairs under the context of the warfighting function mission command in Angola military campaign theatre of operations (1961-1974)", a subject with recognized interest for the Portuguese Army. The main objective is to analyze the Psychological Action and Civil Affairs under the context of the warfighting function Mission Command and from the point of view of land forces. To produce this research work was followed the scientific research methodology using the deductive scientific method supported by bibliographic and documentary research about the theme, complemented by interviews made to military veterans. We concluded that the land forces in general, and the commanders in particular, developed a significant activity in the employment of Psychological Action and Civil Affairs, as a multiplier factor of combat power. Although, it was found that the essential of counterinsurgency is the control of populations and it is only possible through the unity of effort between the civil authorities and the military in the conduct of Civil Affairs and Psychological Action.N/

Effects of Beta Rays, Gamma Rays, and Hydrochloric Acid on Tubers of Jerusalem Artichoke

Levulose (D-fructose, fruit sugar), C6H12O6 is a white crystalline ketohexose. This sugar has distinctive properties which make it of commercial interest. It is more costly than ordinary table sugar (sucrose). Levulose is characterized by a high degree of sweetness (6), great solubility (20), and medical usefulness when administered intravenously. Joslin (21) and Root and Baker (32) found levulose to be of great value in the treatment of diabetes. According to Daniel (8), it is assimilated and oxidized more quickly than sucrose, supplying the necessary energy requirements for the human system. Additional uses of levulose have been reported by McGlumphy and Eichinger (27), which include its application to improve the quality and the flavor of jams, jellies, marmalades, canned fruits, carbonated beverages, and corn sugar. Plants of the family compositae contain large amounts of levulose polymers, but the dahlia, chicory, and Jerusalem artichoke are the most promising sources because of the high levulose content and the ease of production (13). The tubers of Jerusalem artichoke were used in this study because they offer an inexpensive and prolific source from which levulose can be extracted. Since most of the levulose units in the artichoke tubers are linked together to form inulin or carbohydrate intermediate compounds between inulin and levulose, it is necessary to hydrolyze the material in order to free the levulose. Several investigators have reported the use of acid compounds. Anderson and Greaves (1) used H2SO4 for hydrolysis, while Yamasaki (41) used HC1 for the same purpose. Kleiderer and Englis (23) obtained complete hydrolysis of inulin by use of CO2 and SO2 at a pressure of 1000 pounds per square inch at 150o C. for 60 minutes. As fare as can be determined from the literature, little work was done prior to 1953 using radioactive material to study peaceful uses of atomic energy. Since that time, a law was passed by the United States Congress authorizing the use of radioactive material for peaceful purposes, thereby making it possible to use atomic energy for this study. Since previous work has shown that gamma rays can convert starch to simple sugar (33), it was therefore, assumed that the inulin and other carbohydrate intermediates of Jerusalem artichoke upon hydrolysis by beta or gamma rays might yield fructose (35). The primary purpose of this study was to determine the effects of beta and gamma rays on inulin and other carbohydrate intermediate compounds present in the Jerusalem artichoke tubers and to compare the results with those obtained by hydrolysis with radiation plus hydrochloric acid