Carduncellus cuatrecasasii G. López (Asteraceae) y Eryngium aquifolium Cav. (Apiaceae), dos nuevas especies para la flora de Portugal

Carduncellus cuatrecasasii G. López (Asteraceae) y Eryngium aquifolium Cav. (Apiaceae), dos nuevas especies para la flora de PortugalKey words. Carduncellus, Asteraceae, Eryngium, Apiaceae, distribution, PortugalPalavras-chave. Carduncellus, Asteraceae, Eryngium, Apiaceae, distribuição, Portuga

Efeitos da Implementação de um protocolo de coordenação em crianças no futebol

Projeto de Graduação apresentado à Universidade Fernando Pessoa como parte dos requisitos para obtenção do grau de Licenciada em FisioterapiaObjetivo: analisar o efeito de um protocolo de exercícios de coordenação na coordenação motora de crianças jogadoras de futebol e comparar a coordenação entre jogadores de escalão Sub-10 e Sub-11. Metodologia: A amostra foi constituída por 24 jogadores de futebol do sexo masculino, com idades entre os 8-11 anos. Os participantes foram divididos em 2 grupos: grupo experimental (GE), que efetuou o treino habitual e um protocolo de coordenação de 5 semanas; e grupo de controlo (GC), que realizou apenas o treino habitual. Foi aplicado o Teste de Coordenação com Bola a todos os jogadores, no início e no fim do estudo, que avaliava 4 tarefas: 1) drible com a mão (T1 Mão) e com o pé (T1 Pé); 2) condução e drible de duas bolas em simultâneo (T2 Total); 3) equilíbrio e drible com uma bola com a mão direita (T3 Mão Direita) e esquerda (T3 Mão Esquerda) e 4) remate com a mão (T4 Mão) e com o pé (T4 Pé). Resultados: Verificaram-se diferenças significativas entre o GE e o GC após o protocolo na T2 Total, embora o GC tenha obtido melhores resultados. Após o protocolo, os tempos despendidos nas tarefas T2 Total e T3 aumentaram significativamente no GE. Foram encontradas diferenças significativas entre escalões, sendo que o escalão de Sub-11 apresentou tempos inferiores na T1 Pé e T1 Mão. Conclusão: O protocolo de coordenação não promoveu melhorias na coordenação dos jogadores. De forma geral, o escalão Sub-11 apresenta uma coordenação superior.Objective: to analyze the effect of a coordination exercise protocol on the motor coordination of children who play soccer and to compare the coordination abilities between U-10 and U-11 players. Methods: The sample was comprised of 24 male soccer players aged 8 to 11 years. Participants were divided into 2 groups: an experimental group (EG), which performed the usual training and a 5-week coordination exercise protocol; and a control group (GC) that performed only the usual training. The Ball Coordination Test was applied to all participants at the beginning and end of the study, which assessed 4 tasks: 1) hand dribbling with the hand (T1 Hand) and foot (T1 Foot); 2) driving and dribbling two balls simultaneously (T2 Total); 3) balance and dribbling with a ball with the right hand (T3 Right Hand) and the left hand (T3 Left Hand); and 4) shot with hand (T4 Hand) and foot (T4 Foot). Results: After the protocol, statistically significant differences between groups were observed in the T2 Total, however the CG was the one with better results. After the study, the time spent for the T2 Total and T3 increased significantly on the EG. Significantly differences between the U-10 and U-11 were found, as the T1 Foot and T1 Hand results were lower on the U-11. Conclusion: The coordination exercise protocol didn’t improve the players’ coordination. In general, the U-11 shows better levels of motor coordination.N/

Padrões de diversidade taxonómica e funcional de comunidades herbáceas em pastagens mediterrânicas

Tese de mestrado. Biologia (Ecologia e Gestão Ambiental). Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2013As pastagens mediterrânicas são ecossistemas semi-naturais com uma elevada riqueza específica, cuja estrutura e composição da vegetação é mantida historicamente através da pressão por pastoreio. Apesar dos inúmeros trabalhos que analisam a diversidade biológica nestes ecossistemas, há uma lacuna importante no que respeita à análise dos padrões de diversidade taxonómica e funcional a diferentes escalas espaciais, nomeadamente da escala local para a escala regional - abordagem essencial para compreender os processos ecológicos que actuam sobre as comunidades, e os factores bióticos e abióticos que os afectam. O objectivo deste trabalho foi estudar os padrões da diversidade taxonómica e funcional de comunidades herbáceas, num sistema de pastagens mediterrânicas através de uma abordagem recente que permite a análise da diversidade através das escalas - partição aditiva da diversidade. Mais concretamente, pretendeu-se: a) analisar a diversidade taxonómica e funcional nas suas componentes α e β em função da escala espacial utilizando uma amostragem hierárquica; b) testar se os padrões observados são diferentes do que seria de esperar num cenário aleatório. O trabalho desenvolveu-se na região de Castro Verde, caracterizada por vastas áreas de pastagens e cultivo de cereal, que surgiram após uma profunda transformação da paisagem durante o século XX. Alguns dos padrões observados de diversidade taxonómica e funcional, são semelhantes aos de outras pastagens mediterrânicas, incluindo a elevada riqueza específica e a irregularidade na distribuição das espécies no espaço funcional. No entanto, outros resultados sugerem que nas pastagens de Castro Verde ocorre: a) uma baixa diversidade funcional à escala local; b) e uma baixa redundância funcional do pool regional de espécies, parecendo contrariar a ideia de que as pastagens mediterrânicas são ecossistemas resilientes à perturbação. Estes resultados sugerem que os processos ecológicos que estruturam as comunidades herbáceas estão a ser influenciados pela perturbação por pastoreio e/ou pela perturbação que historicamente ocorreu.Mediterranean grasslands are semi-natural ecosystems characterized by high species richness, where vegetation structure and composition are historically maintained by livestock. Although the biological diversity of these ecosystems is well known, a thorough cross-scale analysis of taxonomic and functional diversity patterns is lacking. Yet, analysing patterns from local to regional scales is essential to properly infer the ecological processes that structure communities and the factors that affect them. In this study, we intend to describe the patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity of herbaceous communities at different spatial scales in a Mediterranean grassland system, through additive diversity partitioning. In particular we: a) examined α e β taxonomical and functional diversity components in relation to spatial scale using a nested sampling design; b) tested if the observed patterns were different from those obtained under a null model. The study was carried out in southern Portugal (Castro Verde), where the landscape was deeply changed during XXth century, being currently dominated by a mosaic of pastures and cereal crops. Some of the observed patterns of taxonomic and functional diversity were broadly similar to those of other Mediterranean grasslands: e.g. high species richness and an irregular distribution of species traits in the functional space. However, some results suggest that in the grassland system of Castro Verde there is a) a low functional diversity at local scale; b) and a low functional redundancy of the regional species pool. These observations seem to contradict the idea that Mediterranenan grassland ecosystems are resilient to disturbance. In fact, these results suggest that the ecological processes structuring communities are being influenced by livestock disturbance and/or disturbance history

Onosma tricerosperma subsp. tricerosperma Lag. (Boraginaceae), uma nova espécie e género para a flora portuguesa

Onosma tricerosperma subsp. tricerosperma Lag. (Boraginaceae), uma nova espécie e género para a flora portuguesa Key words. Onosma tricerosperma, Boraginaceae, chorology, Portugal. Palavras chave. Onosma tricerosperma, Boraginaceae, corologia, Portugal

Costo económico del tratamiento de las úlceras por presión : una aproximación teórica

O presente artigo consiste numa abordagem teórica sobre a problemática dos custos económicos das úlceras por pressão. Parte-se do conhecimento do problema, numa perspetiva conceptual, para, de seguida, apresentar resultados de estudos de prevalência, a partir dos quais foram delineados estudos de impacto económico. O objectivo deste artigo é o de reflectir sobre os custos económicos associados às úlceras por pressão, quer numa perspetiva global, considerando a repercussão financeira, quer numa vertente personalista, atendendo aos custos intangíveis. Relativamente ao impacto económico das úlceras por pressão, foi efectuada uma estimativa ao nível da Região Autónoma dos Açores do custo total do tratamento por ambiente de cuidados. Nos cuidados domiciliários o custo com o tratamento de todas as categorias é calculado em 7.086.415 euros; nos cuidados hospitalares, em 1.723.509 euros, e nos cuidados prestados em lares de idosos, em 1.002.562 euros. Nos Açores, a estimativa do custo total do tratamento das úlceras por pressão, considerando todas as suas categorias, ronda os 9.812.486 euros. Quanto ao impacto emocional associado, este tem elevados custos para pessoa e para os familiares, nomeadamente pelo sofrimento gerado. De facto, as úlceras por pressão acarretam elevados custos económicos associados ao tratamento, bem como custos intangíveis pelo sofrimento vivenciado por pessoas e cuidadores.RESUMEN: El presente artículo consiste en una reflexión teórica sobre el problema de los costos económicos de las úlceras por presión. Se empieza por el conocimiento del problema, desde una perspectiva conceptual, y, a continuación, se presentan los resultados de estudios de prevalencia, a partir de los cuales se diseñaron estudios de impacto económico. El objetivo del artículo es reflexionar sobre los costos económicos asociados a las úlceras por presión tanto en una perspectiva global, considerando la repercusión financiera, como en una vertiente personalista, de acuerdo a los costos intangibles. En cuanto al impacto económico de las úlceras por presión, se realizó una estimación de la Región Autónoma de Açores del costo total del tratamiento por ámbito de atención. En la atención domiciliaria el costo con el tratamiento de todas las categorías se estima en € 7.086.415, en la atención hospitalaria, se estima € 1.723.509 y en la atención en los asilos se estima en €1.002.562. En Açores, el costo total estimado del tratamiento de las úlceras por presión en todas las categorías, es de alrededor de € 9.812.486. En cuanto al impacto emocional asociado, éste tiene elevados costos para la persona y para los familiares, principalmente, por el sufrimiento causado. De hecho, las úlceras por presión implican altos costos económicos asociados con el tratamiento, así como, costos intangibles generados por el sufrimiento experimentado por los individuos y los cuidadores.ABSTRACT: The present study consisted of a theoretical approach to the problem posed by the economic costs associated with pressure ulcers (PUs). The initial aim was to assess the target problem from a conceptual perspective and then to report the results of prevalence studies that formed the basis for investigations of the disease’s economic impact. The purpose of the present article is to discuss the economic costs associated with PUs from both the global point of view (appraising their financial repercussion) and the individual point of view (addressing the intangible costs). Regarding the economic impact of the costs associated with PUs, the total cost of treatment per healthcare setting was estimated relative to the Autonomous Community of Azores. The total cost of all the PU categories was EUR 7,086,415 in the homecare setting, EUR 1,723,509 in the hospital setting, and EUR 1,002,562 in older people’s homes. Therefore, the estimated total treatment cost of all the PU categories was approximately EUR 9,812,486 in Azores. However, the emotional impact of this disease imposes high costs on patients and their relatives as a function of the resultant suffering. Indeed, PUs impose high costs not only related to the treatment but also related to the intangible costs of the suffering caused to patients and their caregivers.Project ICE 2 – Investigação Científica em Enfermagem – Estudo do “Custo Económico das Úlceras por Pressão na Macaronésia” (MAC/1/A029) de Iniciativa Comunitária – Programa de Cooperação Transnacional Madeira-Açores-Canárias 2007-2013info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Ciprofloxacin removal catalysed by conductive carbon materials

Current wastewater treatment technologies are not effective in the removal of pharmaceuticals. In anaerobic bioreactors, the electrons produced during the oxidation of organic matter can potentially be used for the biological reduction of pharmaceuticals. However, these reactions occur generally at a slow rate, due to electron transfer limitations, and might be accelerated through redox mediators (RM). Carbon nanomaterials (CM) have been effective RM in the biological reduction of other pollutants. For instance, CNT@2%Fe were found to increase 76-fold the biological reduction of Acid Orange 10. The magnetic properties of those composites allow their easier recover after the process by using a magnetic field. In this study, CNT and CNT@2%Fe were studied in the anaerobic removal of Ciprofloxacin (CIP). Furthermore, the potential contribution of adsorption and biodegradation processes for CIP removal was assessed. Toxicity assessment is highly important as it is desired that the products formed after the process are not more toxic than the initial compound. Moreover, the evaluation of the possible contribution of nanomaterials used in the process for the final toxic effect of threated solution, is crucial. In this sense, the detoxification of the treated solutions was evaluated towards Vibrio fischeri.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2019 unit and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020 - Programa Operacional Regional do Norte.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Garden and food waste co-fermentation for biohydrogen and biomethane production in a two-step hyperthermophilic-mesophilic process

Co-fermentation of garden waste (GW) and food waste (FW) was assessed in a two-stage process coupling hyperthermophilic dark-fermentation and mesophilic anaerobic digestion (AD). In the first stage, biohydrogen production from individual substrates was tested at different volatile solids (VS) concentrations, using a pure culture of Caldicellulosiruptor saccharolyticus as inoculum. FW concentrations (in VS) above 2.9 g L-1 caused a lag phase of 5 days on biohydrogen production. No lag phase was observed for GW concentrations up to 25.6 g L-1. In the co-fermentation experiments, the highest hydrogen yield (46±1 L kg-1) was achieved for GW:FW 90:10% (w/w). In the second stage, a biomethane yield of 682±14 L kg-1 was obtained using the end-products of GW:FW 90:10% co-fermentation. The energy generation predictable from co-fermentation and AD of GW:FW 90:10% is 0.5 MJ kg-1 and 24.4 MJ kg-1, respectively, which represents an interesting alternative for valorisation of wastes produced locally in communities.This study was supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) under the scope of the strategic funding of UID/BIO/04469/2013 unit and COMPETE 2020 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER006684), Project SAICTPAC/0040/2015 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER016403) and BioTecNorte operation (NORTE-01-0145-FEDER-000004) funded by the European Regional Development Fund under the scope of Norte2020– Programa Operacional Regional do Norte. The authors also acknowledge the financial support of FCT and European Social Fund through the grant attributed to A.A. Abreu (SFRH/BPD/82000/2011). Research of A.J. Cavaleiro was supported by the European Research Council under the European Union’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP/2007-2013)/ERC Grant Agreement No 323009.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Exploring syntrophic relationships in the anaerobic biodegradation of lipids and long chain fatty acids

ICBM-3 - 3rd International Conference on Biogas Microbiology (Abstract Book)[Excerpt] Practical knowledge on anaerobic digestion of waste lipids has been improving for several decades, but the microbiology of these processes remains partially undisclosed, with non-cultivated taxonomic groups often detected in anaerobic communities degrading lipids. This work studies the diversity and physiology of anaerobic microorganisms involved in the metabolism of lipids and long chain fatty acids. Anaerobic culturing procedures were applied for the development of enrichment cultures, and combined with next generation sequencing techniques. Enriched microbial communities specialized in the degradation of triolein (0.3 mmol·L-1) and oleate (1 mmol·L-1) were obtained under methanogenic conditions. Oleatedegrading cultures were also developed in the presence of the external electron acceptors ferric hydroxide (75 mmol·L-1) or sulfate (15 mmol·L-1). Three mesophilic sludges from different origins were used as inocula. [...]info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pseudomonas empower syntrophic fatty acids degradation in the presence of oxygen

Anaerobic digestion (AD) processes specifically directed towards biogas production are currently of great interest worldwide, due to the urgent need of more sustainable energy sources. Although not consensual, oxygen has been shown as an ally of AD processes, resulting in more efficient biogas production when added to the systems in vestigial doses. It has been suggested that it stimulates facultative anaerobic bacteria (FAB), which are generally present in the anaerobic communities. These bacteria are involved in several steps of AD (fermentation and acidogenesis) but have also been referred to protect the strict anaerobes from oxidative stress [1]. In this work, the influence of FAB in the degradation of short-, medium- and long-chain fatty acids (C4, butyrate; C8, octanoate; C16, hexadecanoate) by two syntrophic co-cultures was investigated. Syntrophomonas wolfei (Sw)/ Methanospirillum hungatei (Mh) and S. zehnderi (Sz)/ Methanobacterium formicicum (Mf) were pre-grown and Pseudomonas sp. (FAB) were further added, along with each substrate over a range of O2 concentrations (0-2 % v/v). In a second transfer, each culture was exposed to the same O2 concentration range. Both syntrophic co-cultures (Sw+Mh and Sz+Mf) had their activity highly reduced, or even completely inhibited, in the presence of O2. Interestingly, the theoretical CH4 production expected from C8 was reached by consortium Sw+Mh+Ps at days 3, 8 and 28 under 0%, 1% and 2% O2, respectively. The same trend was observed for consortium Sz+Mf+Ps. C4 and C16 degradation occurred similarly to C8 degradation, presenting similar results and the same tendency for both tested consortia. This data suggests a positive interaction and network establishment between these organisms. Apparently, Pseudomonas consumed the oxygen allowing the creation of a reduced environment, a requirement for an effective development of the strict anaerobic syntrophic co-cultures. In the 2nd transfer, the protective support of Pseudomonas was maintained. Moreover, it was verified that the cultures (Sw+Mh+Ps and Sz+Mf+Ps) previously exposed to O2 preserved their activity either under anoxic or microaerophilic conditions. These results show the essential role of Pseudomonas in the protection of syntrophic co-cultures activity, empowering fatty acids degradation under microaerophilic conditions. Furthermore, it highlights the FAB/Pseudomonas importance in real AD systems (where vestigial amounts of O2 can be detected) for the stability and resilience of the system maintaining syntrophic communities functionality and biogas production.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio