Aerosol Optical Depth measurements in the Azores.

10th BSRN Science and Review Workshop. De Bilt, The Netherlands, 7-11 July 2008.A preliminary analysis of AOD results from sun-photometer measurements collected at Jose Agostinho Observatory at Angra do Heroísmo (Terceira Island, the Azores) was presented. The observational period ranges from August 2004 to December 2007, using a SP02 sun-photometer at wavelengths 412, 500, 675, and 862 nm, coupled to a 2AXP sun-tracker. The sampling interval is 5 s and data is filtered for cloud contamination in a time window of 10 minutes. Most AOD 500 nm values are below 0.3, showing a small variation during the day; frequency distribution shows a typical right skew distribution. Alpha and beta Angstrom coefficients were also computed and analyzed in the same way. Alpha values are generally positive and lower than 4, while beta values are below 1.5. AOD results from the AERONET station at Horta Observatory (Faial Island, the Azores) were also used and compared with Angra data. AOD and Angstrom coefficients were also analyzed with wind results from the automatic weather station located at both observatories. Results show different wind distributions due to different exposures; however, systematic higher AOD values are found at Horta. The proximity of the two sites indicates that these differences are more likely due to different instruments and processing methods used

UV Index estimation from global radiation and total column ozone.

Workshop de encerramento do projecto CLIMARCOST. Angra do Heroísmo, Maio de 2008

The 4 C’s Tourism Destination Competitiveness Matrix Validation through the Content Validity Coefficient

The creation of the 4 C's Matrix of Tourism Destination Competitiveness aimed to consolidate and organise research questions about the area or areas in which tourist destinations should concentrate their attention. To consolidate the Matrix, 4 phases (preliminary, preparation, test and evaluation) were completed. In the preliminary phase, a theoretical review on the Tourism Destinations Competitiveness Matrices was carried out; in the preparation phase we used the Delphi method inviting experts in the area of economy and tourism to contribute with their experiences in the construction of the survey instrument; in the test phase we validated the questionnaire through the Content Validity Coefficient; in the evaluation phase a non-probabilistic approach was used, i.e. a convenience sample to obtain answers from tourists, residents and destination managers. This paper presents the methodology and development of the test phase of the Matrix, using the Content Validity Coefficient (CVC). The contributions received and validated allowed us to create the base matrix with a CVC of 0.8961

Qualitative Research in Tourism - Use of WebQDA in the C’s Tourist Destination Competitiveness Matrix

Up until the beginning of 2020, the world panorama of tourism had enormous growth potential. There was increasing pressure on the tourist infrastructure and related services, so competitiveness in the travel and tourism sector was seen both as a powerful economic tool and a driver of growth, and also a risk to the continued development of the industry if it were not managed in a sustainable manner. In this context, it was (and will be) important to understand and analyse the differentiating and enhancing factors of the competitiveness of a tourist destination – in this case, the city of Oporto and the North of Portugal. Faced with the difficulty of applying theoretical models to analyse the competitiveness of tourist destinations, it was decided to deepen the study of the most recognised models and, with the support of a panel of experts, the “4 C’s Tourism Destination Competitiveness Matrix” was created. This paper aims to demonstrate the importance of qualitative analysis in the study of tourist destination competitiveness through the results obtained from the base survey of the said Matrix. The use of the qualitative analysis software webQDA allowed for us to obtain clues, or to observe trends in opinions, about the competitiveness of the destination Oporto, and it demonstrated the potential of the tool, allowing us to infer that it will be possible to obtain more significant conclusions with a larger sample. Keywords

Determinação do Potencial de Energia Solar e sua Variabilidade nos Açores.

Green Islands Open Session, Ponta Delgada, Spring 2010

Climate change and impact on renewable energies in the Azores strategic visions for sustainability

The energy sector is the largest contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, but could also be seriously affected by climate change, calling into question society’s current consumption patterns. In this communication, climate projections based on a set of numerical models of global circulation are used to simulate the climate until the end of the century and keep in mind the alternative scenarios of pollutant emissions. Apart from solar energy, the results for the Azores region show a negative impact on the production and consumption of renewable energies. In the regional context, this issue assumes special relevance, given the geographical constraints, such as territorial discontinuity and insularity. Based on these assumptions, measures and recommendations are pointed out for the sectors that most penalize greenhouse gas emissions, considering the energy sustainability in the Azores and the commitments and goals assumed under international agreements.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Geodiversity assessment of Paraná state (Brazil): an innovative approach

Geodiversity is considered as the natural range of geological, geomorphological, and soil features, including their assemblages, relationships, properties, interpretations, and systems. A method developed for the quantitative assessment of geodiversity was applied to Parana ́ , a Brazilian state with an area of about 200,000 km2. The method is based on the overlay of a grid over different maps at scales ranging from 1/500,000 to 1/650,000, with the final Geodiversity Index the sum of five partial indexes calculated on a 25 9 25 km grid. The partial indexes represent the main components of geodi- versity, including geology (stratigraphy and lithology), geomorphology, paleontology, and soils. The fifth partial index covers mineral occurrences of geodiversity, such precious stones and metals, energy and industrial minerals, mineral waters, and springs. The Geodiversity Index takes the form of an isoline map that can be used as a tool in land-use planning, particularly in identifying priority areas for conservation, management, and use of natural resources at the state level.The Portuguese authors express their gratitude for the financial support given by the Fundacao para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia to the Centro de Geologia da Universidade do Porto, which partially supports this research. The Brazilian author expresses his gratitude for the financial support given by the CNPq (Conselho Nacional de Desenvolvimento Cientifico e Tecnologico) (Process Number 200074/2011-3)

The Iberian Massif Landscape and Fluvial Network in Portugal: a geoheritage inventory based on the scientific value

Integrated in the national inventory of geological heritage in Portugal, the “Iberian Massif Landscape and Fluvial Network” was selected as one of the geological frameworks with international relevance. Taking into account the diversity of geomorphological and stratigraphic elements occurring in the Portuguese Iberian Massif, 38 geosites were selected in order to represent five themes related to the main geomorphological elements of the Iberian Massif Landscape: major residual landforms, granite landforms, tectonic landforms, correlative sediments, and fluvial landforms. For each theme, some sub-themes were defined, together with key-areas that were considered for the selection of geosites. A quantitative assessment of the scientific value and vulnerability of all geosites was undertaken using a methodology that numerically scores a set of criteria. Results highlight the Vilariça geosite with top-priority for management based on its high scientific value and high vulnerability, and the key-area of Miranda do Corvo-Lousã Basin because of the high concentration of geosites. The quantitative evaluation shows that seven geosites have high vulnerability and that special attention should be paid to sedimentary sections. These results allow the establishment of priorities for the management of geosites under the scope of a national geoconservation strategy.This paper results of the research done at the University of Minho and at the Geology Centre of the University of Porto, both partially founded by the Foundation for Science and Technology (strategic project with reference PEst-OE/CTE/UI0039/2014), and IMAR-CMA – University of Coimbra, sponsored by the Foundation for Science and Technology (Portugal).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART): Study protocol for a randomized controlled trial

Background: Acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) is associated with high in-hospital mortality. Alveolar recruitment followed by ventilation at optimal titrated PEEP may reduce ventilator-induced lung injury and improve oxygenation in patients with ARDS, but the effects on mortality and other clinical outcomes remain unknown. This article reports the rationale, study design, and analysis plan of the Alveolar Recruitment for ARDS Trial (ART). Methods/Design: ART is a pragmatic, multicenter, randomized (concealed), controlled trial, which aims to determine if maximum stepwise alveolar recruitment associated with PEEP titration is able to increase 28-day survival in patients with ARDS compared to conventional treatment (ARDSNet strategy). We will enroll adult patients with ARDS of less than 72 h duration. The intervention group will receive an alveolar recruitment maneuver, with stepwise increases of PEEP achieving 45 cmH(2)O and peak pressure of 60 cmH2O, followed by ventilation with optimal PEEP titrated according to the static compliance of the respiratory system. In the control group, mechanical ventilation will follow a conventional protocol (ARDSNet). In both groups, we will use controlled volume mode with low tidal volumes (4 to 6 mL/kg of predicted body weight) and targeting plateau pressure <= 30 cmH2O. The primary outcome is 28-day survival, and the secondary outcomes are: length of ICU stay; length of hospital stay; pneumothorax requiring chest tube during first 7 days; barotrauma during first 7 days; mechanical ventilation-free days from days 1 to 28; ICU, in-hospital, and 6-month survival. ART is an event-guided trial planned to last until 520 events (deaths within 28 days) are observed. These events allow detection of a hazard ratio of 0.75, with 90% power and two-tailed type I error of 5%. All analysis will follow the intention-to-treat principle. Discussion: If the ART strategy with maximum recruitment and PEEP titration improves 28-day survival, this will represent a notable advance to the care of ARDS patients. Conversely, if the ART strategy is similar or inferior to the current evidence-based strategy (ARDSNet), this should also change current practice as many institutions routinely employ recruitment maneuvers and set PEEP levels according to some titration method.Hospital do Coracao (HCor) as part of the Program 'Hospitais de Excelencia a Servico do SUS (PROADI-SUS)'Brazilian Ministry of Healt

Operational programme for UV index forecasting in Portugal

RESUMO - A exposição exagerada à radiação solar tem efeitos nocivos para a saúde humana. De facto, a radiação solar que atinge a superfície da Terra é constituída por radiação ultravioleta (UVR), a qual pode dar lugar à formação de queimaduras na pele (eritema), cataratas, cancro da pele, diminuição da eficiência do sistema imunológico, entre outras doenças. Neste contexto, a radiação solar ultravioleta pode ser considerada um agente físico capaz de contribuir para a origem e desenvolvimento de doenças graves, sendo do maior interesse conhecer a sua variação no tempo e no espaço, assim como os factores que a determinam. Um destes factores é a espessura da camada de ozono. De facto, o ozono estratosférico absorve praticamente toda a radiação solar UV com comprimentos de onda inferiores a 280 nm (UV-C). No entanto, entre 280 nm e 320 nm (UV-B) a absorção do ozono é menor, pelo que as variações na sua espessura resultam em variações na intensidade da radiação UV, que, por sua vez, tem efeitos biológicos. A redução global da espessura da camada de ozono observada principalmente durante os últimos vinte anos e o previsível aumento da radiação UV, com consequências graves na biosfera, em geral, e na saúde humana, em particular, levaram a um esforço conjunto da OMM e da OMS no sentido de estabelecer recomendações práticas com vista à informação ao público dos efeitos provocados por este fenómeno. Assim surge o conceito do índice UV (IUV), o qual representa uma medida da intensidade da radiação solar UV efectiva para a formação do eritema que incide num plano horizontal à superfície da Terra em condições de céu limpo (sem nuvens). O IUV constitui assim uma informação quantitativa da intensidade de radiação UV-B que tem efeitos na saúde humana. A previsão do IUV é efectuada em duas fases: (1) previsão da quantidade total de ozono e (2) estimativa da irradiância UV efectiva. A previsão da quantidade total de ozono é obtida a partir de relações conhecidas com a altura geopotencial ao nível de 100 hPa prevista pelo ECMWF; a estimativa da irradiância UV efectiva para o eritema é obtida a partir de um modelo simplificado que leva em conta a atenuação da radiação UV-B na atmosfera devido à absorção pelo ozono previsto em (1). Nas previsões do IUV elaboradas diariamente para várias localidades do país (continente e ilhas) e para as 24 h, 48 h e 72 h, encontram- se indicados o valor máximo, o instante correspondente em hora local, a categoria, o correspondente tempo de exposição necessário para a formação do eritema para uma pele de tipo sensível e o período do dia em que o IUV é superior a 4 (moderado). O programa de previsão do IUV iniciado este ano no IM pretende seguir as recomendações da OMM e da OMS e fornecer ao público uma informação útil, de forma clara e simples, com vista a uma prevenção mais eficaz contra os perigos da exposição exagerada à radiação solar.ABSTRACT - The excessive exposure to solar radiation has harmful effects on the human health. Solar radiation that reaches the ground has ultraviolet radiation (UVR), that can lead to sunburn on the skin (erithema), cataracts, skin cancer, decrease of the imunological system efficiency and other illnesses. In this context, ultraviolet solar radiation can be considered as a physical agent able to contribute for the origin and development of serious illnesses, and the knowledge of it time and space variation as well as the determinant factors are of the most important interest. One of these factors is the thickness of the ozone layer. Stratospheric ozone absorbs practically all the UV solar radiation with wavelengths shorter than 280 nm (UV-C). However, between 280 nm and 320 nm (UV-B) ozone absorption is less so changes in its thickness results in changes of the UV intensity that have biological effects. The global depletion of the ozone layer observed mainly during the last 20 years and the expected increase of the UV radiation, with serious effects on the biosphere in general and on the human health in particular, had originated a common effort of the WMO and WHO in the sense of the establishment of practical recommendations with the aim of the public information concerning the effects of this phenomena. In this way, the UV index (UVI) concept appears as a quantitative measure of the solar UV radiation effective to the erithema, that reaches an horizontal plane at hearth surface in clear sky conditions (without clouds). The UVI represents a quantitative information of the UV-B radiation with effects on the human health. The UVI forecast is carried out in two steps: (1) total ozone amount forecast and (2) estimation of the UV effective irradiance. The total ozone amount forecast is retrieved from known relationships with the geopotential height at 100 hPa level forecasted by the ECMWF; the UV effective irradiance for erithema is computed from a simplified model that includes the UV-B absorption in the atmosphere by the total ozone amount forecasted in (1). In the UVI forecasts, carried out daily for several sites in the country (mainland and islands) and for 24 h, 48 h e 72 h, are indicated the maximum value, the category, the corresponding local time, the necessary exposure time for a sunburn on a sensitive unprotected skin and the period of the day with UVI greater than 4 (moderate). The UVI forecast programme started this year in the IM intend to follow the WMO and WHO recommendations, with an useful information to the public, in a clear and simple way, with the aim of a more efficient prevention against the dangers of excessive exposure to solar radiation.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio