Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2020"
Now showing 1 - 10 of 1227
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Linking ecology to genetics to better understand adaptation and evolution: a review in marine macrophytesPublication . Hu, Zi-Min; Zhong, Kai-Le; Weinberger, Florian; Duan, De-Lin; Draisma, Stefano G. A.; Serrao, EsterEcological processes and intra-specific genetic diversity reciprocally affect each other. While the importance of uniting ecological variables and genetic variation to understand species’ plasticity, adaptation, and evolution is increasingly recognized, only few studies have attempted to address the intersection of population ecology and genetics using marine macrophyte as models. Representative empirical case studies on genetic diversity are reviewed that explore ecological and evolutionary processes in marine macrophytes. These include studies on environment-induced phenotypic plasticity and associated ecological adaptation; population genetic variation and structuring driven by ecological variation; and ecological consequences mediated by intraspecific and interspecific diversity. Knowledge gaps are also discussed that impede the connection of ecology and genetics in macrophytes and possible approaches to address these issues. Finally, an eco-evolutionary perspective is advocated, by incorporating structural-tofunctional genomics and life cycle complexity, to increase the understanding of the adaptation and evolution of macrophytes in response to environmental heterogeneity.
- BIM approach to modeling a sports pavilion for university usePublication . Nuñez Muñoz, Juan; Villena Manzanares, Francisco; Marçal Gonçalves, MartaNew developments in software projects for the construction sector are a technological revolution and provide new methods of infrastructure design and modeling, highlighting the Building Information Modeling (BIM). BIM is a technology and methodology used in the most developed countries and little by little this technology is being implemented in other countries where its use is increasing. This new work methodology makes it easier to manage and plan new projects, saving time and minimizing costs. The advantages of using BIM stand out in large projects thanks to the better handling of large volumes of information. This article will address, with the example of using BIM technology, the design project of a fictitious university sports pavilion located in Seville (Spain). Using the BIM Edificius® software, the 3D modeling of this building will be carried out in order to calculate and design the building’s facilities with CYPECAD MEP® software, making use of the IFC (Industry Foundation Classes) format to exchange the building design between both programs.
- Sing4Health: protocol of a randomized controlled trial of the effects of a singing group intervention on the well-being, cognitive function and health of older adultsPublication . Galinha, Iolanda Costa; Farinha, Manuel; Lima, Maria Luísa; Palmeira, António LabisaSinging is a multimodal activity that requires physical, cognitive and psychosocial performance, with benefits to various domains of well-being and health in older adults. In recent years, research has increasingly studied group singing as an important cost-effective intervention to promote active and healthy aging. However, the specific factors responsible for these benefits need further experimental support, as most studies do not allow for causal inferences. This study responds to the need for further randomized controlled trials (RCT), with follow-up measurement, on the benefits of group singing in older adults from a low socioeconomic background. Also, while most studies often focus on specific outcome measure dimensions, in this study, the conjoint effect of several physical, psychosocial, psychoemotional and cognitive dimensions are analyzed, testing mediation effects of psychosocial and psychoemotional variables on the well-being and health of the participants.
- Phase angle in osteoarthritis patients, relations with pain, muscular mass and strengthPublication . Pais, Sandra; Guerreiro, Pedro; Guerreiro, Carla; Botelho, MartaSeveral researches have been carried out to see the relation between the Phase Angle (PhA), disease and several health risks factors. Ageing is associated with the loss of muscle mass and changes in body composition, which result in a decrease of the PhA. Malnutrition and inflammation have been reported to have a strong influence on PhA in diseased individuals. Subjects with Osteoarthritis (OA) have decreased muscular strength and pain. The aim of this study was to understand if the PhA was altered in patients with OA and if it's related with pain, muscular mass and strength.
- Elevated trace elements in sediments and seagrasses at CO2 seepsPublication . Mishra, Amrit Kumar; Santos, Rui; Hall-Spencer, JasonSeagrasses often occur around shallow marine CO2 seeps, allowing assessment of trace metal accumulation. Here, we measured Cd, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb and Zn levels at six CO2 seeps and six reference sites in the Mediterranean. Some seep sediments had elevated metal concentrations; an extreme example was Cd which was 43x more concentrated at a seep site than its corresponding reference site. Three seeps had metal levels that were predicted to adversely affect marine biota, namely Vulcano (for Hg), Ischia (for Cu) and Paleochori (for Cd and Ni). There were higher-than-sediment levels of Zn and Ni in Posidonia oceanica and of Zn in Cymodocea nodosa, particularly in roots. High levels of Cu were found in Ischia seep sediments, yet seagrass was abundant there, and the plants contained low levels of Cu. Differences in bioavailability and toxicity of trace elements helps explain why seagrasses can be abundant at some CO2 seeps but not at others.
- Curating the everywhere museum of everythingPublication . Veiga, Pedro AlvesThe Everywhere Museum of Everything is a research and action proposal founded on the array of aestheticised online content, which can be purposefully and critically curated in order to create a meaningful territory of contemporary online culture, art and knowledge creation. This abundance of content is rooted in a culture of consumerism, blackboxed mobile applications and social networks. Individual experiences in the physical world have been transformed by onlineness, a combination of the pervasive use of mobile devices and applications over Internet access, used to share opinions and evidence through original and remixed media, often complemented by hashtagging. Even if the majority of this content quickly becomes irrelevant and forgotten, it can still be accessed through an augmented view of the world, as digital media is frequently anchored to locations through geotagging or referencing. This vast collection lacks systematization and classification, but presents multiple possibilities for artists, curators and scholars.
- Nitrate reductase activity in green macroalgae as an environmental indicator of temperature and salinity changes and its implication for climate change projectionsPublication . Madeira, Hélder T.; Aníbal, Jaime; Carvalho, Liliana F.; Esteves, Eduardo; Veiga-Pires, C.Temperature and salinity changes can affect nutrient assimilation dynamics in primary producers. Green macroalgae use nitrate as a main source of nitrogen for their metabolism. Nitrate needs to be reduced by nitrate reductase, before amino acids synthesis. Our aims were to study the effect of temperature and salinity changes on nitrate reductase activity (NRA) in Ulva rigida and Enteromorpha clathrata, and to assess if this enzyme can be used as an environmental indicator for changes in such abiotic factors. The study of NRA was carried out using potassium nitrate as substrate and propanol as a membrane permeabilizer, letting the produced nitrite to exit the macroalgae cells into the assay medium, allowing its quantification through a colorimetric method. This procedure was carried out at five temperatures (10, 20, 30, 35 and 40 °C) and three salinities of the assay medium (0, 15 and 36 g/kg). Results show that both Ulva and Enteromorpha have maximum NRA at salinities of 36 g/kg, although nitrate reduction can occur in freshwater or brackish water, but at significantly lower rates. NRA varied significantly with temperature for both macroalgae, although Ulva showed maximum NRA at 30 °C, while NRA peaked at 35 °C in Enteromorpha. Likely adequate models were tentatively fitted to NRAtemperature data at different salinities. NRA is a suitable proxy of the effects of temperature and salinity changes on the ability of green macroalgae to uptake and metabolize nitrogen nutrients and can thus be the base for macroalgae proliferation models under climate change model scenarios.
- Identificação de variedades tradicionais de macieira associadas à designação “pêro de Monchique”Publication . Mateus, Rui; Duarte, Amílcar; Marreiros, AntónioA designação “pêro de Monchique” aparece por vezes como nome de variedade de macieira, mas nem sempre associada a frutos com as mesmas características. Importa assim esclarecer se aquilo que se designa por “pêro de Monchique” é uma variedade ou um conjunto de variedades, com determinadas características comuns. Este trabalho tem como principal objectivo contribuir para a caracterização de 26 entradas/acessos, da colecção de macieiras recolhidas no Algarve e referidas como possíveis “peros de Monchique”, que se encontram no Centro de Experimentação Agrária de Tavira (CEAT), da Direcção Regional de Agricultura e Pescas do Algarve (DRAP Algarve), e clarificar quais dessas entradas correspondem a variedades que se possam integrar na designação “pêro de Monchique”. Foram organizadas duas acções de identificação em Monchique, onde foram expostos vários frutos de cada variedade. Numa pergunta sobre se esses frutos correspondiam a “peros de Monchique”, mais de 50% das respostas recaiu sobre seis das variedades com a designação “Malápio”. A variedade ‘Malápio Pé de Porco’ foi a mais identificada como “pêro de Monchique”. Variedades do Norte e Centro do país, como o ‘Bravo de Esmolfe’, o ‘Gigante Dóiro’ (corruptela de ‘Gigante do Douro’) e o ‘Espelho’ (sinonímia da variedade ‘Três ao Prato’), também foram identificadas como “peros de Monchique”. Relativamente à pergunta sobre o nome pelo qual conhecem a variedade, só houve três respostas em que o nome atribuído foi “pêro de Monchique”, referindo-se às variedades ‘Dona Emília’, ‘Malápio’ e ‘Saínho’. Pode considerar-se que variedades encontradas, até à data, apenas em Monchique, como é o caso do pêro ‘José Luís’, da ‘Dona Emília’ e da ‘Maria Gomes’, obtiveram confirmação do nome. As respostas obtidas sugerem que aquilo que se designa por “pêro de Monchique” poderá ser um conjunto de variedades, entre as quais, a maioria tem as características dos “Malápios”.
- Why do the young generations not play golf?Publication . Portugal, Miguel Nuno; Do Carmo, Manuel; Correia, AntóniaGolf is one of the most competitive sports for tourists in Portugal but not among the young generation. The young population often neglected this sport and categorized it as an elite sport for seniors. This situation may compromise the position Portugal has of the best golf destination in the world. To keep this position it is time to promote and attract young people starting with the residents. This research, exploratory in its essence, used a convenience sample to test why young people do not feel attracted to practice golf. The results suggest that there are very few teenagers willing to practice golf. The arguments are mostly this sport is not affordable, it is more tourist oriented, and is connoted as an eclectic social activity more than as a sport. These results, with evident implications on the attractiveness of golf, suggest that to overcome this situation the promotion should be oriented to attract young people.
- ¿Por qué se mueve el suelo?Publication . Amaral Ferreira, Mónica; Oliveira, Carlos Sousa; Estêvão, João M. C.; Morales-Esteban, Antonio; Zapico Blanco, Beatriz; Romero Sánchez, Emilio; de Miguel Rodríguez, Jaime; Requena-Garcia-Cruz, Maria-Victoria; Sá, LuisEstá guía está concebida para apoyar la formación del personal educativo de enseñanza primaria, que quiera mejorar su conocimiento y desarrollar actividades sobre el riesgo sísmico y de tsunami. Los contenidos e información de este documento son fruto del trabajo realizado en el marco del proyecto PERSISTAH, y también como continuación de otros proyectos en los que algunos autores han participado.