Flare parameters inferred from a 3D loop model database

We developed a data base of pre-calculated flare images and spectra exploring a set of parameters which describe the physical characteristics of coronal loops and accelerated electron distribution. Due to the large number of parameters involved in describing the geometry and the flaring atmosphere in the model used, we built a large data base of models (∼250 000) to facilitate the flare analysis. The geometry and characteristics of non-thermal electrons are defined on a discrete grid with spatial resolution greater than 4 arcsec. The data base was constructed based on general properties of known solar flares and convolved with instrumental resolution to replicate the observations from the Nobeyama radio polarimeter spectra and Nobeyama radioheliograph (NoRH) brightness maps. Observed spectra and brightness distribution maps are easily compared with the modelled spectra and images in the data base, indicating a possible range of solutions. The parameter search efficiency in this finite data base is discussed. 8 out of 10 parameters analysed for 1000 simulated flare searches were recovered with a relative error of less than 20 per cent on average. In addition, from the analysis of the observed correlation between NoRH flare sizes and intensities at 17 GHz, some statistical properties were derived. From these statistics, the energy spectral index was found to be δ ∼ 3, with non-thermal electron densities showing a peak distribution ⪅107 cm−3, and Bphotosphere ⪆ 2000 G. Some bias for larger loops with heights as great as ∼2.6 × 109 cm, and looptop events were noted. An excellent match of the spectrum and the brightness distribution at 17 and 34 GHz of the 2002 May 31 flare is presented as well

Produtos de alto valor em macroalgas: lípidos como compostos bioactivos

Doutoramento em Química SustentávelMarine macroalgae are considered to be interesting for food in Western countries and an important supply of novel natural bioactive compounds. Among these are polar lipids such as glycolipids, betaine lipids and phospholipids recognized as high valued lipids for nutrition and as functional ingredient with recognized health benefits. Its biosynthesis depends on several environmental factors such as seasonality, nutrition and habitat, increasing the structural complexity of macroalga lipidome, so that its identification is a current challenge. Mass spectrometry (MS) is a promising tool successfully applied in the study of lipidomic signature of distinct organisms, which can be extended to identify the hundreds of species in the lipidome of macroalgae, and allow them to finally be explored as potential source of lipids. In this work we aim to identify the lipidome of macroalgae representative of Chlorophyta (Codium tomentosum), Rhodophyta (Gracilaria sp. and Porphyra dioica) and Ochrophyta (Fucus vesiculosus). These algae thrive in the Portuguese coast but are recently being cultivated on an integrated multitrophic aquaculture system (IMTA). The characterization of the lipidome will be performed by using mass spectrometry analysis tools coupled to chromatographic methods. We aim to evaluate the bioactive properties of the polar lipids from macroalgae fostering the potential application of these compounds in function of its biological properties as anti-inflammatory and antiproliferative/antitumor agents. The main goals of this project were achieved after the characterization by using HILIC–MS and MS/MS approaches of the lipid extracts carrying on different extraction protocols. The results of this study allowed to identify about 238 molecular species distributed by twelve classes in the macroalgae Codium tomentosum, 147 molecular species in fourteen classes in Gracilaria sp., 110 molecular species in fourteen classes in Porphyra dioica and 181 molecular species distributed by seventeen classes in Fucus vesiculosus. Overall, the lipidome of these macroalgae included GLs monogalactosyl diacylglycerol (MGDG), digalactosyl diacylglycerol (DGDG), sulfoquinovosyl diacylglycerol (SQDG) and its lyso-form (SQMG); phosphatidylcholine (PC) and lyso-PC, phosphatidylglycerol (PG), lyso-PG (LPG), phosphatidic acid (PA), phosphatidylinositol (PI) and betaines (diacylglyceryl trimethyl-homoserine, DGTS). Green macroalgae may be differentiated by the predominance of molecular species including C16 – C20, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) such as 16:3, 18:3 and 20:5 from n-3 FA family. It contains several molecular species belonging to GLs and betaines including monoacylglyceryl trimethylhomoserine (MGTS), never reported before in the lipidome of macroalga. Red macroalgae are differentiated by molecular species that incorporate C20 FA chains of n-3 and n-6 families, mainly reflected on the composition of GLs.As macroalgas vermelhas diferenciam-se pelo elevado número de espécies moleculares que incluem cadeias de ácidos gordos C20 da família n-3 e n-6, principalmente na composição dos GLs, e pela presença das classes fosfatidiletanolamina (PE) e inositolfosfoceramida (IPC), apenas identificada nestas algas, pelo que podem ser consideradas um biomarcador deste filo. Neste trabalho, foi avaliada a variação na assinatura lipidómica em duas fases do ciclo de vida (gametófita e esporófita) tomando como alga de estudo a Porphyra dioica. Os resultados obtidos indicaram variações a nível molecular nas classes PC, PA, PE e PG. Em ambas as fases não se observam variações na assinatura dos GLs. O estudo do perfil em ácidos gordos desta alga mostrou que ambas as fases contêm ácidos gordos do tipo 20:4(n-6) e 20:5(n- 3), pelo que apresentam elevado valor nutricional. Na composição da macroalga castanha Fucus vesiculosus, as espécies moleculares combinam diversos ácidos gordos polinsaturados com 18 e 20 átomos de carbono da família n-3 (18:3, 18:4 e 20:5), e 20:4 da família n-6. As algas castanhas apresentam várias espécies moleculares na categoria das betaínas nomeadamente a classe diacilglicerol trimetil-β-alanina (DGTA) e a sua forma liso MGTA, identificada pela primeira vez no lipidoma de macroalgas, ambas não detetadas no lipidoma dos restantes filo. O efeito da sazonalidade na variação da assinatura lipidómica foi estudado para a Fucus vesiculosus colhida em duas estações do ano: inverno e primavera. Os resultados obtidos mostram que o lipidoma desta macroalga mantém o mesmo número de espécies moleculares em todas as classes de lípidos polares, observando-se um aumento da abundância relativa das espécies moleculares que combinam ácidos gordos polinsaturados C18 e C20 (18:3, 18:4, 20:4 e 20:5), em especial nas categorias GLs e betaínas na macroalga de inverno. Assim, podemos concluir que a sazonalidade tem efeito no lipidoma, manifestado pelo aumento de ácidos gordos incorporados nos lípidos polares na macroalga de inverno, muito benéfico em termos nutricionais. Quanto à bioprospecção, avaliaram-se as atividades antiinflamatória e antiproliferativa do extrato lipídico total da macroalga Gracilaria sp.. A atividade anti-inflamatória foi avaliada pela capacidade de inibição dos extratos na produção de NO em macrófagos RAW 264.7 estimulados com o lipopolissacarídeo bacteriano e a atividade anti proliferativa foi testada quanto à capacidade inibitória na proliferação de células T-47D, originadas a partir de um carcinoma ductal humano (cancro da mama) e de células 5637 originadas a partir do carcinoma humano da bexiga. Os extratos totais demonstraram atividade anti-inflamatória e antiproliferativa, pelo que se avaliou o efeito do extrato rico em glicolípidos e a capacidade inibitória na proliferação de células T-47D, verificando-se uma capacidade inibitória da mesma ordem obtida para o extrato total, pelo que poderão ter particular interesse como fitoquímicos. Assim, os resultados obtidos podem contribuir para a valorização das macroalgas como fonte natural e renovável de alimentos, tendo em consideração o valor nutricional como fonte de ácidos gordos n-3 e n-6, e de compostos bioativos a ser utilizados como ingredientes funcionais, fitoquímicos e noutras potenciais aplicações na indústria alimentar e farmacêutica

Capacidade de absorção e processos organizacionais de gestão do conhecimento: relações com a inovação

The present doctoral thesis, written in the field of work and organizational psychology, merges theoretical and empirical scientific papers, and aims to answer to research goals related with the theoretical and empirical exploration and analysis of the existent relationships between absorptive capacity, key knowledge management processes and organizational innovation. Moreover, the present work analyzes, both theoretically and empirically, the absorptive capacity’s construct dimensionality. The developed theoretical chapters allowed the creation of an integrative model, strengthening the link between knowledge management processes and the phases of absorptive capacity as well as framing organizational innovation as a consequent of key knowledge processes and the organizational capability of acquiring external knowledge and apply it to commercial ends, that is, its absorptive capacity. One hundred eleven respondents, from different organizations, from ten activity sectors, participated on an online survey that collected sociodemographic data of the key informant and the corresponding company. An absorptive capacity scale, as well as instruments to assess knowledge management processes – namely the key processes of acquisition, sharing, storage and documentation, and knowledge creation – and an organizational innovations scale were applied. The results, presented on the two empirical chapters, show that, on the surveyed companies, the organizational processes of knowledge acquisition and knowledge sharing reinforce absorptive capacity and new knowledge creation. Intra-organizational knowledge sharing also potentiates organizational innovation, though the mediating role of internal knowledge creation, variable that appears to be the strongest predictor of organizational innovation on the analyzed sample. Considering the results presented on chapter three and searching for more detailed knowledge on the variables that can promote internal knowledge creation, a model that reflects the interrelationships between potential absorptive capacity, the process of knowledge storage, and realized absorptive capacity was tested. The analysis showed that knowledge storage and the organizations’ realized absorptive capacity, that is, its ability to transform an apply previously acquired and assimilated knowledge, positively influence new knowledge creation and both, individually and conjointly, play a mediating role between potential absorptive capacity and the internal creation of new knowledge. Conclusions and final considerations are presented, with reflections about theoretical (for work and organizational psychology research) and practical (for the work and organizational psychologist) implications of the thesis, as well as its limitations.A presente tese de doutoramento, em Psicologia (do trabalho e das organizações), apresenta um trabalho realizado em formato de articulação de artigos científicos, pretendendo responder a objetivos gerais de investigação relacionados com a exploração e análise, teórica e empírica, das relações existentes entre a capacidade de absorção (do conhecimento), processos chave de gestão do conhecimento e a inovação organizacional. Adicionalmente, investiga e analisa, teórica e empiricamente, a dimensionalidade do constructo de capacidade de absorção. Os capítulos teóricos desenvolvidos permitiram a criação de um modelo sinóptico, reforçando a ligação entre processos de gestão do conhecimento e fases da capacidade de absorção e enquadrando a inovação organizacional enquanto consequente de processos chave de gestão do conhecimento e da capacidade organizacional de adquirir conhecimento externamente e aplicá-lo para fins comerciais, isto é, a sua capacidade de absorção. Cento e onze respondentes, de diferentes organizações, pertencentes a dez setores de atividade, participaram num inquérito por questionário online que recolheu dados sociodemográficos do respondente e da empresa, aplicando ainda uma escala de capacidade de absorção, instrumentos de avaliação de processos de gestão do conhecimento – nomeadamente: aquisição, partilha, armazenamento e criação do conhecimento – e uma escala de inovação organizacional. Os resultados, apresentados em dois capítulos empíricos, demonstram que, nas empresas estudadas, os processos organizacionais de aquisição e partilha do conhecimento reforçam a capacidade de absorção e a criação de novo conhecimento. A partilha de conhecimento, intraorganizacional, potencia ainda a inovação organizacional, sendo esta relação mediada pela criação interna de novo conhecimento, variável que se apresenta como o mais forte preditor da inovação organizacional na amostra analisada. Considerando os primeiros resultados alcançados e procurando conhecer em maior detalhe as variáveis que podem promover a criação interna de novo conhecimento, foi testado um modelo onde a capacidade potencial de absorção, o processo de armazenamento do conhecimento e a capacidade efetiva de absorção são estudados na sua inter-relação. A análise realizada demonstrou que o armazenamento do conhecimento e a capacidade efetiva de absorção das organizações, isto é, a capacidade de transformarem e aplicarem conhecimento previamente adquirido e assimilado, influenciam positivamente a criação de novo conhecimento, representando, ainda, de forma individual e conjunta, um papel mediador entre a capacidade potencial de absorção do conhecimento e a criação interna de novo conhecimento. Conclusões e considerações finais são elaboradas e apresentadas, refletindo-se sobre as implicações teóricas (para a investigação em psicologia do trabalho e das organizações) e práticas (para o psicólogo do trabalho e das organizações) da tese apresentada, bem como acerca das suas limitações

Vegan ice-cream: a consumer trend or the future?

Worldwide consumption of vegan products has substantially increased in the last decade,asconsumers become more aware ofthehealth, environmental and ethical consequences of consuming animal products. Leveraging on this trend, well-known retail brands decided to invest and created their range of vegan products, includingvegan versions of their best-sellers. The ice-cream category is one of these categories. In this Work Project, by combiningmultipleresearch techniques, it was possible to understand how veganismhas evolved, and how this reflects onshopper's behavioursand motivations. The insights collected made it possible to identify the most appropriate group of consumers brands should targetinPortugal, as well as propose some marketing recommendations for them to take advantage of this growing trend.These recommendations are not directed to one company only, but rather it is a casestudy that can be an example for other categories in Portugaland abroad

Cooperative Autonomous Driving in Simulation

Tese de Mestrado, Informática, 2024, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasIn this master’s thesis, we defined, implemented, and evaluated an architecture tailored to a simulation environment to assess cooperative autonomous driving protocols. The primary objective of this thesis is to showcase the benefits of employing this architecture to enhance driver and passenger safety in scenarios with coordination problems between vehicles. Additionally, this thesis aims to assess the resilience of the protocol implemented in the architecture. We tested it in demanding scenarios, such as intersections with a high volume of vehicles or situations with significant latency and communication failures between vehicles. These stress tests allow us to evaluate the protocol’s robustness and ability to prevent failures in such challenging conditions. Consequently, this thesis contributes by defining an architecture that facilitates vehicle-tovehicle communication for resolving coordination issues. This solution allows the incorporation of protocols specifically designed to address coordination challenges among vehicles. Furthermore, this thesis also makes a substantial contribution by implementing and testing the proposed architecture, incorporating a protocol responsible for coordinating vehicles at intersections to ensure the safety of drivers and passengers. To conduct the solution testing, we utilized a highly realistic simulator known as SVL. This simulator was crucial in creating the testing scenarios, including environmental conditions and vehicle dynamics. The key findings from our testing demonstrate that adopting this architecture mitigates accidents and potentially hazardous situations at intersections compared to scenarios where it is not utilized, resulting in improved safety. We also verified that the protocol can manage many vehicles, even when the communication latency between the vehicles is high

About you-s expansion to Singapore: financial forecast

The following work project has as its main research question the possibility of internationalizing the European online fashion retailer About You to the Asian market. This Field Lab analyses the attractiveness of the online fashion industry and the opportunities in Asia and identifies Singapore as the most attractive market for expansion. This research provides an understanding of whether an expansion to Singapore is appealing to the brand and provides recommendations on how to proceed in the areas of Marketing, Strategy, Operations, and Finance

About you´s expansion to Singapore: operations management

The following work project has as its main research question the possibility of internationalizing the European online fashion retailer About You to the Asian market. This Field Lab analyses the attractiveness of the online fashion industry and the opportunities in Asia and identifies Singapore as the most attractive market for expansion. This research provides an understanding of whether an expansion to Singapore is appealing to the brand and provides recommendations on how to proceed in the area of Operations

IN VITRO AND IN VIVO REMOVAL OF ORAL ANTIDIABETIC AGENTS (METFORMIN) USING ACTIVATED CARBONS

Diabetes is the most worldwide common chronic disease, according the International Diabetes Federation [1], more than 32 million citizens living in the European Union have diabetes, representing nearly 10% of the population, to which we should add equal number of people suffering from impaired glucose tolerance. Diabetes prevalence is growing at alarming rate worldwide, being of particular relevance the type 2 diabetes. Nowadays 285 million people worldwide live with diabetes and it is expected that this numbers will increase by 20% until 2030 due to obesity and the ageing of the population [1]. This growth leads to an increasing consumption of drugs such as oral antidiabetics. Metformin is one of the active principles most commonly used for this purpose being among the pharmaceuticals with the highest production numbers worldwide to treat type 2 diabetes because is cheap, has high level of tolerance and when used in the prescribed dosage is very secure with minimal side effects. However, in case of overdose of metformin upon a ingestion of more than 10 times the prescribed dosage, accidentally or on propose, lactic acidosis and low blood pressure can occur. Overdoses with metformin are relatively uncommon, but may have serious consequences, if medical attention is not given on time, it may lead to coma and ultimately death Because of its spread use another problem must be taken into consideration, which needs to be addressed, the occurrence of metformin residues in sewage and surface waters due to improper discharge of the non-used tablets to regular garbage [2]. This situation is becoming a serious problem of environmental pollution and public health. This paper reports the use of activated carbon produced from biomass for the removal of metformin in 2 different settings. On one hand, from aqueous solutions and, in another hand, from simulated biological fluids (gastric and intestinal) conjugated with in vivo testing