Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2023-04"
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- Narrativas audiovisuaisPublication . Gil, Francisco BaptistaAs histórias contadas em imagens desenhadas surgiram com o grande desenvolvimento da sociedade de informação que emerge, sobretudo, a partir de finais do século XIX. O intenso desenvolvimento tecnológico e a diminuição dos custos de produção, permitiu o aparecimento de muitas publicações periódicas onde surgiriam as primeiras bandas desenhadas e, posteriormente com proliferação do cinema popular, as experiências em stop-motion e os primeiros filmes de animação. Hoje com recurso a poderosas ferramentas digitais, obras em desenho animado já fazem parte da cultura das sociedades modernas, sendo importante uma educação eficaz para literacia mediática, tendo em conta não só a fruição da sua forma, mas também uma compreensão crítica do seu conteúdo.
- Effect of exogenous salicylic acid on growth parameters, gas exchange, and photosynthetic yields in salt-stressed Vicia faba l. plantsPublication . Anaya, F.; Fghire, R.; Lamnai, K.; Loutfi, K.; Wahbi, S.; Carvalho, Isabel S.This study aimed to evaluate the potential effect of salicylic acid (SA) on the photosynthetic performance of faba bean (Vicia faba L.) plants under salt stress conditions. For this purpose, two salinity levels (0 and 120 mM) combined with two concentrations of SA (0 and 0.5 mM) were applied. Results showed that salt stress decreases the growth and gas exchange parameters (P-N, C-i, g(s), and T-r). Chlorophyll fluorescence imaging parameters showed a decrease in the effective photochemical quantum yield of PSII (YPII), photochemical quenching (qP), and electron transport rate (ETR), while the regulated (Y(NPQ) and unregulated dissipation energy Y(NO)) were increased under stress conditions. However, exogenous SA application under salt stress decreases the non-regulated dissipation and improves photosynthetic performance (Y(PSII), ETR, qP, and Y(NPQ)), growth, and gas exchange parameters. Consequently, SA application had a beneficial effect on the faba bean tolerance to salt stress and can be recommended for field application with low concentration.
- The fulfilled promise: a green way for seawater desalination through reverse osmosisPublication . Barraza Soto, Joel; López Ramirez, Juan Antonio; Merino, Germán E.; Basulto Millar, Carlos; Morales, Macarena; Martinez, Matías; Miranda-Godoy, Brayan; Isidoro, JorgeReverse osmosis (RO) is a widely used technology for producing drinking water from seawater. The energy needed for RO water treatment has decreased, but energy costs remain a challenge, especially in communities where drinking water consumption is far from seawater. This study explores the best RO configuration for energy efficiency in scenarios where solar and gravity energy are available. A case study is presented for the community of La Higuera (Coquimbo, Chile), that includes two small villages, La Higuera and Chungungo. The study evaluated two alternative hydraulic systems for operating the RO plant and delivering drinking water to the main tanks in Chungungo and La Higuera, completely independent of the power grid. The results showed that the most energy-efficient system uses solar energy and filtered seawater accumulated at high altitudes in a coastal mountain range. A 20-y evaluation showed that while the investment may not be fully recovered, the implementation of this RO scheme would have significant economic gains with the addition of public financial incentives and reduction of CO2 emissions.
- A data-driven model to quantify the impact of river discharge on tide-river dynamics in the Yangtze River estuaryPublication . Cai, Huayang; Li, Bo; Garel, Erwan; Pan, Haidong; Zhao, Tongtiegang; Liu, Feng; Ma, Yuting; Ou, SuyingUnderstanding the role of river discharge on tide-river dynamics is of essential importance for sustainable water management (flood control, salt intrusion, and navigation) in estuarine environments. It is well known that river discharge impacts fundamental tide-river dynamics, especially in terms of subtidal (residual water levels) and tidal properties (amplitudes and phases for different tidal constituents). However, the quantification of the impact of river discharge on tide-river dynamics is challenging due to the complex interactions of barotropic tides with channel geometry, bottom friction, and river discharge. In this study, we propose a data-driven model to quantify the impact of river discharge on tide-river dynamics, using water level time series data collected through long-term observations along an estuary with substantial variations in river discharge. The proposed model has a physically-based structure representing the tide-river interaction, and can be used to predict water level using river discharge as the sole predictor. The satisfactory correspondence of the model outputs with measurements at six gauging stations along the Yangtze River estuary suggest that the proposed model can serve as a powerful instrument to quantify the impacts of river discharge on tide-river dynamics (including time-varying tidal properties and tidal distortion), and separate the contribution made by riverine and tidal forcing on water level. The proposed approach is very efficient and can be applied to other estuaries showing considerable impacts of river discharge on tide-river dynamics.
- Recontextualising the determinants of external CSR in the services industry: A cross-cultural studyPublication . Ibrahim, Mohamed Nageh; Kimbu, Albert Nsom; Ribeiro, Manuel AlectorAlthough the relationship between institutional pressures and corporate social responsibility (CSR) has been well studied, its underlying mechanisms and boundary conditions are not well understood. To remedy these gaps, we draw on institutional theory and the literature on organisational sensemaking, stakeholder salience and the resource-based view of the firm. We test our conceptual model using survey data from 442 managers of hospitality and tourism enterprises based in Egypt and the United Kingdom. SEM-based results show that both stakeholder issue salience and discretionary slack mediate the link between institutional pressures and external CSR. National culture moderates the effects of institutional pressures on both stakeholder issue salience and external CSR. Multi-group analyses reveal noticeable differences between Egyptian and British managers regarding their interpretations of CSR issues and the institutional environment. This study contributes to the emerging micro-institutional stream and cross-cultural CSR research, providing important insights for managers, policymakers and researchers.
- Exploring multiscale variability in groundwater quality: a comparative analysis of spatial and temporal patterns via clusteringPublication . Mohsine, Ismail; Kacimi, Ilias; Abraham, Shiny; Valles, Vincent; Barbiero, Laurent; Dassonville, Fabrice; Bahaj, Tarik; Kassou, Nadia; Touiouine, Abdessamad; Jabrane, Meryem; Touzani, Meryem; El Mahrad, Badr; Bouramtane, TarikDefining homogeneous units to optimize the monitoring and management of groundwater is a key challenge for organizations responsible for the protection of water for human consumption. However, the number of groundwater bodies (GWBs) is too large for targeted monitoring and recommendations. This study, carried out in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d'Azur region of France, is based on the intersection of two databases, one grouping together the physicochemical and bacteriological analyses of water and the other delimiting the boundaries of groundwater bodies. The extracted dataset contains 8627 measurements from 1143 observation points distributed over 63 GWB. Data conditioning through logarithmic transformation, dimensional reduction through principal component analysis, and hierarchical classification allows the grouping of GWBs into 11 homogeneous clusters. The fractions of unexplained variance (FUV) and ANOVA R-2 were calculated to assess the performance of the method at each scale. For example, for the total dissolved load (TDS) parameter, the temporal variance was quantified at 0.36 and the clustering causes a loss of information with an R-2 going from 0.63 to 0.4 from the scale of the sampling point to that of the GWB cluster. The results show that the logarithmic transformation reduces the effect of outliers and improves the quality of the GWB clustering. The groups of GWBs are homogeneous and clearly distinguishable from each other. The results can be used to define specific management and protection strategies for each group. The study also highlights the need to take into account the temporal variability of groundwater quality when implementing monitoring and management programs.
- High prevalence of cardiovascular disease and risk factors among type 2 diabetes patients followed in a hospital setting in Portugal: the PICT2RE observational studyPublication . Cardoso, Helena; Bello, Carlos Tavares; Andrade, Luís; Rosário, Francisco Sobral do; Louro, Joana; Nogueira, Cláudia; Rodrigues, Elisabete; Bernardino Vieira, Nuno; Carqueja, TeresaPortugal is a country with a high prevalence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and cardiovascular disease (CVD). The prevalence of CVD and cardiovascular (CV) risk factors among T2D patients followed in hospitals in Portugal is not known. The primary objective of this study was to assess the prevalence of CVD and CV risk factors among T2D patients in a hospital setting in Portugal. The clinical management of CVD in the hospital setting was also assessed.
- Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio and platelet-to-lymphocyte ratio are not predictive of pathologic complete response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in triple-negative breast cancerPublication . Pinho, I. Soares de; Barroso, T.; Trabulo, C.; Campoa, E.; Patel, V.; Gonçalves, L.; Araújo, J.; Monteiro, C.; Ferreira, A.; Machado, B.; Dâmaso, S.; Luz, P.; Sousa, R. Teixeira de; Costa, L.Pathological complete response (pCR) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAChT) has been validated as a predictor of long-term survival in breast cancer (BC), especially in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC)
- Advances in the food packaging production from Agri-Food waste and by-products: Market trends for a sustainable developmentPublication . Cristofoli, Nathana L.; Ribeiro Lima, Alexandre; Tchonkouang, Rose Daphnee; Quintino, Andreia; Vieira, MargaridaAgricultural waste has been a prominent environmental concern due to its significant negative impact on the environment when it is incinerated, disposed of in landfills, or burned. These scenarios promoted innovations in the food packaging sector using renewable resources, namely agri-food waste and by-products such as bagasse, pulps, roots, shells, straws, and wastewater for the extraction and isolation of biopolymers that are later transformed into packaging materials such as bioplastics, biofilms, paper, and cardboards, among others. In this context, the circular bioeconomy (CBE) model is shown in the literature as a viable alternative for designing more sustainable production chains. Moreover, the biorefinery concept has been one of the main links between the agri-food chain and the food packaging industry. This review article aimed to compile recent advances in the food packaging field, presenting main industrial and scientific innovations, economic data, and the challenges the food packaging sector has faced in favor of sustainable development.
- The challenges faced by higher education students and their expectations during COVID-19 in PortugalPublication . Viana, Joana; Gonçalves, Sónia P.; Brandão, Catarina; Veloso, Ana; Vieira dos Santos, J.This article reports on a study about higher education students’ perceptions of the teaching situation in Portugal during the pandemic, with the purpose of investigating: (i) what challenges did students feel?; (ii) how did institutions provide support to students?; and (iii) what expectations do students have about the continuity of their academic path and of higher education? The study was developed through a questionnaire distributed online and sent to the student associations. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive and frequency statistics. Additionally, a categorical content analysis was performed for the qualitative data. A total of 694 students participated in the study. The results show that the main challenges felt by the students were related to the assessment of learning, that higher education institutions were little or not prepared for an emergency, and that the support given to students was mostly through the professors. Most students felt that the pandemic will have quite an impact on their academic paths and on the organization and functioning of higher education, highlighting a belief in the adoption of online or blended learning. It was concluded that it is necessary to invest in pedagogical training for Portuguese higher education teachers, namely, to teach using digital technologies.