Hoverfly (Diptera: Syrphidae) diversity in Tapada da Ajuda, Lisbon - a preliminary study

Hoverflies are holometabolic insects, whose adults are pollinators feeding on nectar and pollen. Frequently, they are confused with wasps, bees and bumblebees. In the larval stage, some of them prey other insects, specially aphids (Hemiptera), and others are saprophagous. For this reason, they are important biological control agents. In this study, we carried out the prospection and specific identification of hoverflies in four habitats in Tapada da Ajuda (olive grove, a field of Apiaceae, herbaceous vegetation near Lagoa Branca and plum orchard), between March and May 2017. Hoverfly adults were mostly captured with an entomologic net, but also with jar and plastic bags. A preliminary evaluation on the importance of ecologic infrastructure fava bean inter-row in the plum orchard was also performed. For this purpose, we observed fava plants and plum trees, collecting eggs, larvae and pupae of hoverflies that we reared in the laboratory until the emergence of the adult of hoverfly or parasitoid. A total of 12 species were identified, being the most frequent and abundant Episyrphus balteatus and Sphaerophoria scripta. Species richness was higher in the Apiaceae field although this habitat was sampled only during the last fortnight of the study. In the hoverfly immature collected in the plum orchard we detected hymenopteran parasitoids belonging to Diplazontinae and Pteromalidaeinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Automatic 3D Object Recognition and Localization for Robotic Grasping

This project aims to design a detection and pose estimation pipeline for objects, to be used in an industrial environment in a robotic grasping setting

Temporary ponds and hygrophilous grasslands plant communities in Monfurado site of community importance

Temporary ponds are seasonal wetlands subjected to extreme and unstable ecological conditions due to the annual alternation between the flooded and dry phases. The ephemeral character of the flora and the changeable annual weather explain why these habitats have been poorly studied and documented. The objective of this study, in the Monfurado Site of Community Importance, was to characterize seasonal wetland plant communities using a phytosociological approach and numerical analysis (classification and ordination). The results lead to the site’s inclusion in two Natura 2000 Network priority habitats: Mediterranean temporary ponds (3170) in depression landform with impermeable layer in the underground with Isoeto-Nanojuncetea vegetation complexes; pseudo-steppe with grasses and annuals of the Thero-Brachypodietea, sub-type ‘Malhadais’ (6220pt2) in shallow areas with Isoeto-Nanojuncetea speciesinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Cognitive screening for elderly people in long-term care institutions in the Miranda do Corvo municipality, Portugal

This study aimed to screen the cognitive profile elderly people living in long-term care institutions in the municipality of Miranda do Corvo by evaluating 174 participants with the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) (n=96) and the clinical dementia diagnosis (n=78). According to the MMSE, 41.7% of respondents had scores suggestive of cognitive impairment. The percentage rose to 67.8% (n=118) by adding the diagnosis of dementia reported in individual medical records to this result. The comparison of our results with those obtained nationwide showed that this proportion was significantly higher (p<0.001). The educational level was a predictive factor for MMSE scores (p=0.001). We can conclude that the high prevalence of suspected cognitive impairment and dementia revealed in our study should lead us to reflect on the quality of care provided and on the lack/scarcity of cognitive stimulation programs in long-term care institutions for seniors. Thus, it is imperative to implement regular cognitive assessment and to apply intervention programs for the preservation and improvement of the cognitive functioning of institutionalized elderly of deprived areas

Influence of Spartina alterniflora and tide level on the structure of polychaete associations in an euryhallne salt marsh in cananéia lagoon estuarine region (SE Brazil)

Polychaete species composition, abundance and seasonal variation were analyzed in relation to Spartina alterniflora cover and tide level at Ponta do Arrozal, Cananéia, during 1989/1990. Two intertidal stations were located on the S. alterniflora bellt, one ca mean high water of neap tides (MHWN) and the other ca mean high water of spring tides (MHWS). Two other stations were established at corresponding tide levels at an adjacent site devoid of vegetation. A total of 17 species were collected. Each station was sampled twice seasonally with a 20 cm of diameter corer. Capitella capitata, Isolda pulchella, Nereis oligohalina and Lumbrineris sp were the most abundant species. Statistically significant differences bettween the vegetated and bare sites considered were observed for the number of species, density, diversity and evenness, with their values being higher at the vegetated site. Multivariate analysis showed spatial variations of the fauna according to vegetation cover and tide level. In relation to vegetation cover, polychaetes assemblages were distinguishable mainly by individual species densities of the more common species, since the most abundant species were present at the vegetated and bare sites. In relation to tide level, the faunal densities and number of species at the MHWN station were significantly higher than those at the MHWS station mainly at the bare site.Analisou-se a composição, abundância e variação sazonal de espécies de poliquetas em relação à cobertura vegetal de Spartina alterniflora e o nível de maré na Ponta do Arrozal, Cananéia, nos anos 1989/1990. Duas estações entremarés foram estabelecidas no cinturão de S. alterniflora, uma na linha da média de marés altas de quadratura (LMMQ) e outra, na linha da média de marés altas de sizígia (LMMS). Duas outras estações de coleta foram estabelecidas a níveis de maré correspondentes, em um local adjacente desprovido de vegetação. Cada estação foi amostrada duas vezes à cada estação do ano, com auxílio de um corer de 20 em de diâmetro. Foram obtidas 17 espécies, sendo as mais abundantes Capitella capitata, Isolda pulchella, Nereis oligohalina e Lumbrineris sp. Diferenças estatisticamente significativas foram observadas em relação ao número de espécies, densidade, diversidade e equidade, sendo os valores destes índices sempre maiores no local vegetado. A análise multivariada mostrou uma variação espacial da fauna em relação à presença de cobertura vegetal e níveis de maré. Em relação à cobertura vegetal, associações de poliquetas foram distinguíveis principalmente pelas diferentes densidades das espécies mais comuns, já que a maioria destas espécies foram encontradas em ambos os locais. Em relação ao nível de maré, tanto as densidades quanto o número de espécies foram significativamente mais altos no nível LMMQ, principalmente no local desprovido de vegetação

Mentha cervina communities in Portugal

Mentha cervina is traditionally used in the Alentejo region as a seasoning for fish dishes, as well as for medicinal purposes. The species has been disappearing in the wild, due mainly to excessive collection, overgrazing, and habitat destruction. Fifteen M. cervina locations situated in mainland Portugal and Spain (Extremadura) were studied using the phytosociological approach. M. cervina is characteristic of the Menthion cervinae alliance – tall therophyte plant communities with a long flooding period that lasts until summer. All the relevés correspond to the Cypero badii-Menthetum cervinae associationinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

ALIMENTOS FUNCIONAIS

O artigo registra as conferências do evento congresso internacional de inovação tecnológica nas ciências da saúde: a sustentabilidade das práticas integrativas a agroecologia, mais especificamente a conferência Alimentos Funcionais. A conferência apontou a qualidade de vida humana na interação entre meio ambiente e alimento nos temas: local dos fármacos, os alimentos com sementes, polpas, cascas e folhas de frutos. Aponta as externalidades da produção de alimentos problemas de saúde com as modificações genéticas, a devastação das florestas, a contaminação. O evento aconteceu de 15 a 18 de novembro de 2017 no IFBA SAJ sob a direção da Universidade Federal do Recôncavo da Bahia. &nbsp; Palavras-chave: Alimentos funcionais. Polpas. Cascas. Qualidade de&nbsp;vida.&nbsp; Contexto ambiental