Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2016-12-12"
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- O turismo sénior e a animação sociocultural: um estudo exploratório em empreendimentos turísticos no AlgarvePublication . Simões, Ana Rute Xavier Ralha; Barros, Rosanna; Almeida, ClaudiaSendo o turismo sénior e turismo acessível um importante recurso num envelhecimento ativo e bem-sucedido a presente investigação propôs-se recolher elementos sobre a adequação da oferta turística de qualidade para esta faixa população. Nesse sentido, recolheram-se dados junto de empreendimentos turísticos da região algarvia, por via da aplicação de um questionário on-line e de uma entrevista a um diretor de um empreendimento turístico que apresenta características adequadas ao acolhimento de turistas seniores e com mobilidade reduzida. Foi possível assim relacionar os empreendimentos turístico consoante a sua tipologia, classificação, antiguidade e acessibilidade com os serviços de apoio e recursos que oferecem aos turistas nacionais ou internacionais que os procuram, com particular destaque para a importância que atribuem à animação sociocultural e à formação específica em turismo acessível. Dos dados obtidos nos questionários aplicados foi possível traçar uma panorâmica global dos turistas que visita a região algarvia e que se enquadram neste público-alvo, caracterizando aspetos como a sua nacionalidade, duração da estadia, com quem vêm acompanhados, o recurso a serviço de apoio e programas de animação turística. Constataramse várias fragilidades e indefinições no que respeita à própria atribuição da designação de empreendimento turístico acessível e uma generalizada pouca sensibilização à importância de animação sociocultural bem diferenciada do mero entretenimento bem como da relevância de uma formação específica em turismo acessível entre os colaboradores.
- Movements of short-finned pilot whales (Globicephala macrorhynchus) in the Macaronesian biogeographical region: a photo-identification analysisPublication . Alessandrini, Anita; Barbosa, Ana B.The short-finned pilot whale, Globicephala macrorhynchus Gray (1846), is a marine mammal species from the family Delphinidae. It is a top predator species, with a circumglobal distribution from warm-temperate to tropical regions, at varying distances from shore, including the Macaronesia region (NE Atlantic). Population connectivity can profoundly influence the distribution, persistence and ecological impact of local marine mammal species. Understanding population connectivity and its environmental drivers is critical for effective wildlife conservation and management, namely in a context of increased marine pollution associated to toxic contaminants, ocean noise and disruption of natural food webs. The aim of this study was to compare Globicephala macrorhynchus individuals within the Macaronesian’ archipelagos. It includes data (digital photographs) from Madeira between 2003 and 2015, from Azores between 1999 and 2015, from the Canary Islands between 1993 and 2015, and from Cape Verde in 2006. This thesis represents the first study comparing individuals from this species within the four archipelagos of the Macaronesia. In this thesis, the method used to study the animals’ connectivity was photo-identification, which is based on the analyses of natural markings in dorsal fins. The dorsal fins were cropped from photographs and were matched to available photo-identification catalogues for G. macrorhynchus from Madeira and photos from the other archipelagos not catalogued yet. The comparison was made by eyes using image softwares, based on the number of nicks and notches in the dorsal fin of the different individuals. Results showed that 19 short-finned pilot whales were matched, being 11 individuals between Azores and Madeira, and eight individuals between Canaries and Madeira. Of these, 69% were categorized with a residency status of “transient”, 26% of “resident”, and 5% of “visitors”. This thesis supports the importance of the Macaronesia region for this species, and highlights the need for common conservation policies across different archipelagos/countries.
- Biology of black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839) and standardization of commercial LPUE data of Aphanopus spp. landed in Madeira Archipelago, PortugalPublication . Gomes, César Paulo Vieira; Andrade, José Pedro; Delgado, JoãoThe black scabbardfish (Aphanopus carbo Lowe, 1839) is a benthopelagic species, member of the Trichiuridae family with great commercial and scientific importance in Madeira Archipelago and in the entire NE Atlantic. This work, as part of a bicephalous approach, had two main objectives: perform a biological analysis of A. carbo, and to standardize commercial LPUE data of Aphanopus spp. landed in Madeira Archipelago (A. carbo is not separated from the sympatric species A. intermedius for commercial purposes). In terms of A. carbo biology, individuals were collected in Funchal harbour between 2010 and 2015. In this part of the study, the population structure of A. carbo was analysed through individual length, weight and sex. The reproductive cycle was inferred through the analysis of GSI, HSI and Krel monthly trends. L50s were estimated by fitting maturity ogives and WLRs and LLRs were calculated through regressions. Regarding the LPUE standardization, fishery-dependent data was analysed from 2008 to 2015. This part focused on fleet characteristics, the performance of landing trends and effort units. Nominal LPUE was standardized through linear model. The factors affecting the variability of LPUE were obtained and analysis of the overall state of the fishery was made. In general, A. carbo females attain the largest length and weight, the overall sex-ratio differed from 1:1 ratio, with females outnumbering males, spawning is performed in the last quarter of the year, L50s were higher in females than in males, and it exhibits isometric growth in terms of WLRs (except for males) and allometric growth in LLRs. The standardization of commercial LPUE data revealed an hyperstability state in Aphanopus spp. fishery in Madeira EEZ. To compensate lower catches in traditional fishing grounds, fishermen exploit new areas, resulting in stable landing performances. Thus, precautionary management policies are required to sustainably exploit this resource.
- Studies on the biochemical and microbiological quality of infant formula post exposure to novel processing technologiesPublication . Ramos, Ana Luísa Costa; Power, DeborahInfant milk formula (IMF) is produced by adding all individual components to dehydrated milk, creating a non-sterile produce. Even though IMF undergoes a pasteurisation step during its manufacturing process, recontamination may occur during handling and reconstitution. Therefore, such produce carries microbiological load to an extent that may cause enteric disease in newborns and infants. However, public acceptance of irradiated food varies depending on access to information. Far East markets, as China and the Republic of Korea, are critical IMF markets. A joint FAO/IAEA work showed that Asian consumers would accept irradiated foods and trade benefits would ensue from the application of the technology. Also, commercial food irradiation is increasing significantly in Asia, but decreasing in EU. This multidisciplinary project investigates the microbiological quality of two brands of powdered IMF commercially available in Ireland (Cow&Gate and SMA), and different sterilisation methods (pulsed UV light, e-beam and gamma irradiation) with potential to be applied to industrial manufacturing of IMF and other infant and enteral feeds, without compromising their nutritional value. It was found that both brands are contaminated with unacceptable levels of microorganisms, and those contaminating bacteria are reduced when the powder is irradiated. These intrinsic microorganisms belong to the genus Bacillus. It was not possible to demonstrate if these were enterotoxin producers because BCET-RPLA’s test kits are not available in Ireland at the time. PBS buffer and rehydrated IMF were supplemented with four Bacillus strains, Cronobacter sakazakii and Listeria monocytogenes, and individually irradiated with PUV, e-beam and gamma rays. PUV treatment was ineffective in killing all bacteria; however both e-beam and gamma irradiation successfully decontaminated samples to acceptable levels of microorganisms. Further studies must be conducted to assess the effectiveness of gamma irradiation in IMF, since these samples could not be treated due to spoilage risk. After e-beam irradiation, IMF powder was subjected to nutritional testing to assess potential nutritional losses. Tests to both treated and untreated samples revealed none of the samples were altered during irradiation, and European Commission standards regarding IMF composition were respected.
- Projecto de investigação e valorização da gruta Salustreira Grande (Loulé)Publication . Varela, João Paulo Figueirinha; Carvalho, António Manuel Faustino deExistem na região do Algarve centenas de grutas. A investigação realizada na tese de licenciatura do signatário identificou 11 grutas com interesse arqueológico conhecidas até ao momento: Ladroeira Grande, Ladroeira Pequena e os Abismos no concelho de Olhão; Algarão da Goldra no concelho de Faro; Salustreira Grande, Salustreira Pequena, Quinta do Ribeiro, Algar dos Mouros no concelho de Loulé; Igrejinha dos Soidos no concelho de Albufeira; Gruta de Ibnne Ammar e Gruta da Mulher Morta no concelho de Portimão, conhecendo-se que algumas delas têm um grande potencial arqueológico, urge a realização de acções de protecção, valorização e de escavação a fim de se evitar a destruição destes espaços por escavações ilegais, ou pela indústria do betão armado com a construção de empreendimentos imobiliários. À presente data não existe nenhum estudo com esta problemática: Como investigar/ valorizar uma gruta arqueológica em paisagem protegida. Para colmatar esta lacuna a presente dissertação tem como objectivos: propor um projecto de valorização arqueológica da gruta da Salustreira Grande em Loulé; efectuar o enquadramento da Paisagem Protegida Local da Fonte Benémola (localização, enquadramento legal, geologia, características climáticas, hidrologia, características dos solos, flora, fauna, património arqueológico e património construído); propor a criação de infra-estruturas para a salvaguarda da gruta; simular um hipotético projecto à tutela (DGPC) no âmbito do programa PIPA para a abertura de sondagens; projecto de exposição do espólio encontrado num futuro Centro de Interpretação.
- Ossónoba entre a Idade do Ferro e Roma: estudo de cerâmica de tradição púnico-turdetana do sítio do Quintal da Judiciária, Faro (Séculos III-I a.C.)Publication . Gomes, João de Deus Afonso de Brito; Bernardes, João PedroA escavação do sítio do Quintal da Judiciária, Faro, em 1987, recolheu cerâmica de tradição púnico-turdetana (entre outras), de níveis de ocupação dos séculos III-I a.C. A maioria desta cerâmica foi produzida na baía de Cádis e no vale do Guadalquivir, como o indicam os seus fabricos, enquanto as produções locais, menos frequentes, apresentam formas idênticas às das cerâmicas importadas. Os materiais cerâmicos escavados de tradição púnico-turdetana incluem cerâmica comum, cerâmica fina (Kuass), ânforas e outras, que coexistem com as produções de tradição romana durante os séculos II-I a.C. A cerâmica estudada revela uma forte influência cultural da região da Turdetânia sobre Faro, que tem início no final da Idade do Ferro e continua após a conquista romana.
- Evaluation of cytotoxic activity of synthetic bis-indolyl methanes: structure-activity relationshipPublication . Marques, Cátia Filipa Sousa; Barreira, Luísa; Lemos, AméricoCancer is defined as a group of more than 100 diseases responsible for uncontrolled cellular growth, local tissue invasion and distant metastases. In 2012, the World Health Organization expected a rise by about 70% of the number of new cases of cancer in the next two decades. With the exponential development of cancer and the low survival ratio for leukaemia and lymphoma, it is urgent to develop new drugs able to fight cancer cells and improve anticancer treatments. The study of bis-indolyl methane (BIM) compounds may constitute a valuable contribution to tackle this problem. BIM, also known as 3,3-di-indolylmethane, is a natural metabolite of indole-3-carbinol that occurs in Brassica genus plants (cruciferous plants); and with described biological activities such as antibacterial, antifungal, analgesic, anti-inflammatory, anthelmintic, cardiovascular and anticancer. The main objectives of this work were to study the cytotoxic activity of BIMs with oxime and hydrazone derivatives, to relate their chemical structure with the cytotoxic activity and to compare BIMs with actual therapeutics. The cytotoxic assays were done in THP-1 (leukaemia), EL-4 and U937 (lymphoma) and S17 (bone marrow) cell lines; and revealed that CG-141 was the most active compound towards EL-4, THP-1 and U937 while AL-522B was the most selective compound towards S17. When compared with hydrazone derivatives, oxime derivatives had a stronger biological activity in the studied cell lines. Relating the studied compounds with the compound 9a, it was possible to conclude that 9a continues to be the most biological active compound towards EL-4, THP-1 and U937 and the most selective towards S17. None of the studied compounds presented significant hemolytic activity in a hemolytic assay, which corroborated the theory of a nuclear action mechanism. BIMs and vinca alkaloids have the same pharmacophores, which suggests that they might have a similar mechanism of action.