Affordances of Historic Urban Landscapes: an Ecological Understanding of Human Interaction with the Past

Heritage has been defined differently in European contexts. Despite differences, a common challenge for historic urban landscape management is the integration of tangible and intangible heritage. Integration demands an active view of perception and human-landscape interaction where intangible values are linked to specific places and meanings are attached to particular cultural practices and socio-spatial organisation. Tangible and intangible values can be examined as part of a system of affordances (potentialities) a place, artefact or cultural practice has to offer. This paper discusses how an ‘affordance analysis’ may serve as a useful tool for the management of historic urban landscapes

Enhancement of dibenzothiophene desulfurization by Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B using sugar beet molasses as alternative carbon source

There are several problems limiting an industrial application of fossil fuel biodesulfurization, and one of them is the cost of culture media used to grow the microorganisms involved in the process. In this context, the utilization of alternative carbon sources resulting from agro-industrial by-products could be a strategy to reduce the investment in the operating expenses of a future industrial application. Recently, Gordonia alkanivorans 1B was described as a fructophilic desulfurizing bacterium, and this characteristic opens a new interest in alternative carbon sources rich in fructose. Thus, the goal of this study was to evaluate the utilization of sugar beet molasses (SBM) in the dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulfurization process using strain 1B. SBM firstly treated with 0.25 % BaCl2 (w/v) was used after sucrose acidic hydrolysis or in a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation process with a Zygosaccharomyces bailii Talf1 invertase (1 %), showing promising results. In optimal conditions, strain 1B presented a ìmax of 0.0795 h.1, and all DBT was converted to 2-hydroxybiphenyl (250 ìM) within 48 h with a maximum production rate of 7.78 ìM h.1. Our results showed the high potential of SBM to be used in a future industrial fossil fuel biodesulfurization process using strain 1B

Cultural immersion for language and intercultural competences acquisition: a case study

This dissertation examines the effects of cultural immersion experiences within the bachelor's degree in Translation and Interpretation Portuguese/Chinese Chinese/Portuguese exchange program offered by the Polytechnic of Leiria. The research sought to determine whether these cultural immersion experiences improve linguistic and cultural competence and provide graduates with an edge in the labour market. The present dissertation starts by doing a theoretical framework, followed by a cultural context of the relations between Portugal and China, which serve as the foundations for the research conducted in this dissertation. The research findings show not only a robust positive association between cultural immersion and language and intercultural competences acquisition but also shows rising interest in Chinese language learning in Portugal. With its integrated exchange programmes to China, the bachelor’s degree in Translation and Interpretation Portuguese/Chinese-Chinese/Portuguese has helped students develop linguistic skills and intercultural competence, thereby meeting the broader societal need for individuals with the ability to engage effectively in a globalized world. As a result, this research highlights the positive influence that cultural immersion experiences have on the career prospects of graduates and accentuates the importance of such experiences in fostering language and intercultural competence. It also acknowledges the wider societal ramifications of advocating for intercultural competency and language proficiency, while emphasising the need of educational initiatives in preparing individuals for an increasingly interconnected global community. This study promotes the investigation and advancement of efforts aimed at recognizing the impact of cultural immersion in the acquisition of such competences, with the goal of deepening our understanding of the benefits associated with these experiences.Esta dissertação analisa os efeitos das experiências de imersão cultural no âmbito do programa de intercâmbio da licenciatura em Tradução e Interpretação Português/Chinês-Chinês/Português oferecida pelo Politécnico de Leiria. A investigação procurou determinar se estas experiências de imersão cultural melhoram a competência linguística e cultural e se proporcionam aos licenciados uma vantagem no mercado de trabalho. A presente dissertação começa por fazer um enquadramento teórico, seguido de uma contextualização cultural das relações entre Portugal e a China, que servem de base à investigação efetuada nesta dissertação. Os resultados da investigação mostram não só uma associação positiva robusta entre a imersão cultural e a aquisição de competências linguísticas e interculturais, mas também um interesse crescente na aprendizagem da língua chinesa em Portugal. Com os seus programas integrados de intercâmbio com a China, a licenciatura em Tradução e Interpretação Português/Chinês-Chinês/Português tem ajudado os estudantes a desenvolver competências linguísticas e interculturais, indo assim ao encontro da necessidade social mais alargada por indivíduos com a capacidade de se envolverem eficazmente num mundo globalizado. Consequentemente, esta investigação realça a influência positiva que as experiências de imersão cultural têm nas perspetivas de carreira dos licenciados e acentua a importância dessas experiências na promoção das competências linguísticas e interculturais. Reconhece também as ramificações sociais mais vastas da defesa das competências interculturais e linguísticas, enquanto sublinha a necessidade de iniciativas educativas para preparar pessoas para uma comunidade global cada vez mais interligada. Este estudo promove a investigação e o avanço dos esforços destinados a reconhecer o impacto da imersão cultural na aquisição de tais competências, com o objetivo de aprofundar a nossa compreensão dos benefícios associados a estas experiências

Ability of Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B for high added value carotenoids production

Currently, carotenoids are valuable bioactive molecules for several industries, such as chemical, pharmaceutical, food and cosmetics, due to their multiple benefits as natural colorants, antioxidants and vitamin precursors. Hence, the increasing interest on these high added-value products has led to the search of alternatives, more cost-effective and with better yields, towards their industrial production. Indeed, microbial metabolism offers a promising option for carotenoids production. Herein it is shown the potential of the dibenzothiophene desulfurizing bacterium Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B as a high carotenoid-producer microorganism. The novel carotenoids, produced under different culture conditions, were extracted with DMSO and then further analyzed both through spectrophotometry and HPLC. When grown in glucose-sulfate-light, strain 1B was able of achieving 2015 g carotenoids per g DCW in shake-flask assays, with about 60% corresponding to lutein, canthaxanthin and astaxanthin. Further optimization studies open a new focus of research aiming to get a hyper pigment-producer strain that may be applied towards different industrial sectors

Acute toxicity evaluation of several compounds involved in fossil fuels biodesulphurisation studies

The increasing use of fossil fuels has led to increased emissions of sulphur oxides into the air, which is a major cause of acid rain. Legislation already adopted in 2009 stipulates that the maximum level of sulphur allowed in fuels is only 10 ppm. The process of hydrodesulphurization (HDS) used in refineries is based on very expensive physico-chemical techniques, and has limitations in the removal of organic sulphur. As for stricter legislation on the maximum levels of sulphur in fossil fuels, the most HDS recalcitrant compounds needs to be removed. This implies an increase in the intensity of the physical-chemical treatment and inherently its associated costs. As a result, the recalcitrant compounds to HDS represent a significant barrier to the achievement of very low levels of sulphur in some petroleum fractions. The alternative to the physical-chemical treatment could be the use of biological processes (biodesulphurisation) which is more effective for the desulphurization of fossil fuels, especially as the removal of sulphur covalently bound to organic matrices. The biodesulphurisation (BDS) occurs in more mild conditions of operation under conditions of atmospheric pressure and temperature, giving greater specificity of reaction due to the nature of the biocatalysts, not requiring molecular hydrogen. Thus, in the last 15 years there has been an increase of studies involving the use of microorganisms with the ability to specifically remove the HDS recalcitrant sulphur compounds. Several model compounds such as dibenzothiophene (DBT), DBT sulphone or benzothiophene (BT) are used in BDS studies to characterise organic sulphur in coal, coal tars and crude oils. The desulphurising microorganisms are able to remove the sulphur atom from these compounds and use it in their metabolism. However, such compounds are very toxic to the cells. The aim of this work was to evaluate the toxicity of several compounds used in BDS studies, such as DBT and its derivatives and organic solvents used to dissolve these hydrocarbons, to two typical desulphurising strains, namely: Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B and Rhodococcus eritropolis strain D1. The toxicity bioassays evaluated the inhibitory effect of the studied compounds to the described bacteria by measuring the respiration rate (mg O2/l) under defined conditions in the presence of different concentrations of those compounds. The inhibitory or toxic effect of each chemical at a specific concentration is expressed as a percent of the baseline respiration rate. From these results the several IC50s were estimated and are described in Table 1. These toxicity values showed that strain 1B was less sensitive for almost all of the hydrocarbons, which is an important advantage considering the desulphurisation of fossil fuels process. On the other hand, strain 1B was more sensitive to dimethylformamide (DMF), a typical solvent used in BDS studies. However, a good correlation can be observed between IC50-1B versus IC50-D1 (IC50-D1 = 0.504 x IC50-1B + 2.84; r2 = 0.908, p < 0.05)

Production of carotenoids and biosurfactants by Gordonia Alkanivorans Strain 1B using food residues and derivatives [Poster]

ABSTRACT: Through different bioprocesses, microorganisms, such as yeasts and bacteria, ferment and transform residue streams into high added value products, such as carotenoids and biosurfactants. Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B is one of such bacteria, capable of consuming and transforming many types of residues. It is mostly known for its biodesulfurizing ability and it was recently described as a producer of both carotenoids and biosurfactants. In previous works, strain 1B has been cultivated on different sugar rich alternative carbon sources. However, it was shown, that in order to promote surfactant production, the microorganisms should be exposed to inducing factors, such as lipids and alcohols. This work focusses on valorisation of residues from the restaurant and food industry, and derivatives from their processing, by using them as carbon sources to grow the bacterium and produce carotenoids and surfactants.N/

Relatório de Estágio - Rede Europeia Anti-pobreza (EAPN)

Kinder Terryl Nancy. Les installations hydrauliques dans l'ancienne abbaye cistercienne de Fontfroide (Aude). In: Bulletin de la Société Nationale des Antiquaires de France, 1995, 1997. pp. 107-115

Referencial de utilização das tecnologias de informação para a melhoria da qualidade de vida nas smart cities

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Information Systems and Technologies ManagementCom o crescimento da população mundial e a forte urbanização das cidades, tornou-se uma prioridade a gestão eficiente e sustentável de recursos e espaços, por forma a melhorar a qualidade de vida da população. Tudo isto só é possível quando aliado às novas tecnologias. Neste contexto, originou-se o conceito de Smart City, cidades que, com a ajuda da tecnologia, oferecem aos cidadãos serviços e oportunidades que, de outra forma, não seria possível garantir. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo explorar e perceber o impacto e as inúmeras melhorias que as Smart Cities podem trazer à nossa sociedade, bem como analisar quais são as tecnologias que influenciam a qualidade de vida. Propõe-se, ainda, um referencial que poderá ser adotado por qualquer cidade, de forma a melhorar o quotidiano dos seus cidadãos. Este referencial foca-se nas tecnologias que têm influência na qualidade de vida dos cidadãos, designadamente nas áreas da saúde, educação, ambiente, segurança, participação cívica, acessibilidade de serviços, mobilidade e cultura.Due to the growth of the world population and the strong urbanization of cities, the efficient and sustainable management of resources and spaces has become a priority, in order to improve the quality of life of the population. This is only possible when combined with new technologies. In this context, the concept of Smart City emerged, which refers to cities that, with the help of technology, offer citizens services and opportunities that otherwise would not be possible to guarantee. The goal of this dissertation is to explore and understand the impact and the numerous improvements that the Smart Cities can bring to our society, as well as analyse which are the technologies that influence the quality of life. It is also intended to propose a framework that can be adopted by any city, in order to improve the daily lives of its citizens. This framework focuses on technologies that influence the quality of life of citizens, especially in the areas of health, education, environment, security, civic participation, accessibility of services, mobility and culture

Production and characterization of a novel yeast extracellular invertase activity towards improved dibenzothiophene biodesulfurization

The main goal of this work was the production and characterization of a novel invertase activity from Zygosaccharomyces bailii strain Talf1 for further application to biodesulfurization (BDS) in order to expand the exploitable alternative carbon sources to renewable sucrose-rich feedstock. The maximum invertase activity (163 U ml.1) was achieved after 7 days of Z. bailii strain Talf1 cultivation at pH 5.5–6.0, 25 °C, and 150 rpm in Yeast Malt Broth with 25 % Jerusalem artichoke pulp as inducer substrate. The optimum pH and temperature for the crude enzyme activity were 5.5 and 50 °C, respectively, and moreover, high stability was observed at 30 °C for pH 5.5–6.5. The application of Talf1 crude invertase extract (1 %) to a BDS process by Gordonia alkanivorans strain 1B at 30 °C and pH 7.5 was carried out through a simultaneous saccharification and fermentation (SSF) approach in which 10 g l.1 sucrose and 250 ìM dibenzothiophene were used as sole carbon and sulfur sources, respectively. Growth and desulfurization profiles were evaluated and compared with those of BDS without invertase addition. Despite its lower stability at pH 7.5 (loss of activity within 24 h), Talf1 invertase was able to catalyze the full hydrolysis of 10 g l.1 sucrose in culture medium into invert sugar, contributing to a faster uptake of the monosaccharides by strain 1B during BDS. In SSF approach, the desulfurizing bacterium increased its ìmax from 0.035 to 0.070 h.1 and attained a 2-hydroxybiphenyl productivity of 5.80 ìM/h in about 3 days instead of 7 days, corresponding to an improvement of 2.6-fold in relation to the productivity obtained in BDS process without invertase addition