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This paper intends to present an interdisciplinary project carried out in a School of Engineering, and to refer to its effects in the development of students' skills. This project's main goal was to present students with an intellectually demanding challenge which implied overcoming the disciplinary barriers thus integrating knowledge to solve the problems they were challenged with. After the project had been concluded, a study was carried out using a qualitative methodology by conducting two focus groups (n = 16). The main goal of this procedure was to get a better perception of (1) how students understood the project; (2) what kind of skills students considered to have developed throughout the project, and (3) the importance they have attributed to this kind of project. The results demonstrate that students are aware of the relevance of the project not only for their education process but also for the development of their skills. The results of the study also reveal that the students involved in the project have been capable of identifying the specific skills that the project work had intended to address and develop.

Azulejos are part of Portugal's most important cultural heritage. However, a large part of this heritage is at risk due to lack of or improper conservation treatments. There are, however, not many studies dedicated to the procedures and materials used in their conservation to guide the choices of conservators/restorers. Through this work, the performances of the adhesives commonly used in azulejo conservation are studied considering the extreme conditions they may experience when in an outdoor environment. Three types of adhesives were studied: acrylics, epoxies, and cellulose nitrates. The adhesives were evaluated for their workability and characterized by FTIR, DMA, and bending tests to obtain information on their adhesion effectiveness and compatibility with the azulejo ceramic substrate before and after artificial and natural ageing. When subjected to mechanical loads, the high strength and stiffness of the epoxy resins could lead to the development of new fractures in the previously undamaged ceramic matrix, making them less suitable for the adhesion of historic tile fragments. Cellulose nitrates revealed a high chemical alteration and the highest degradation rate in the mechanical properties with ageing, showing it to be the least stable in the studied conditions. The acrylic resins proved to be the most chemically stable, with less yellowing and with physical properties that revealed to be the most compatible for the adhesion of the studied azulejo fragments in outdoor environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the growing availability of remote sensing orbital spatial data, the applications of machine learning (ML) algorithms have been leveraging the field of process automation in image classification. The present work aimed to evaluate the precision and accuracy of ML algorithms in the classification of Sentinel 2A/2B images from an area of high environmental dynamics, such as Ria Formosa (Algarve, Portugal). The images were submitted to classification by groups of ML algorithms such as the Support Vector Machine (SVM), Random Forest (RF), K-Nearest Neighbors (KNN), and Decision Tree (DT). The Orfeo Toolbox (OTB) open-source programming package made the algorithms available. Ten samples were collected for each of the 14 land use and cover classes in the Ria Formosa area, totaling 140 samples. Of these, 70% were for training and 30% for validating the classification. The evaluation metrics used were the class discrimination measures: Recall (R), the Global Kappa Index (k), and the General Accuracy Index (OA). The results showed that the KNN and DT algorithms demonstrated a greater discrimination capacity for most classes. SVM and RF significantly improved class discrimination when using larger samples for training. Merging the classified images significantly improved the classification accuracy, ranging from 71% to 81%. This evaluation made it possible to define sets of ML algorithms sensitive to change detection for mapping and monitoring dynamic environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The concept of cultural intelligence has been the object of increasing attention from the scientific community due to its importance in a globalized world. To fulfil their mission, higher education institutions need individuals capable of effectively interacting with others who come from different cultural backgrounds. This study analyzes the level of cultural intelligence and its background in a Portuguese engineering higher education institution. This study used a cultural intelligence scale and applied it to a sample of 445 participants. The results show that individuals in this Portuguese institution have an interesting level of awareness of others' cultural preferences. However, particular attention should be paid to improving the outcome of the cognitive dimension. The results show the potential of international experiences and activities that foster cultural exposure. Consequently, the managers of institutions should make efforts to promote Erasmus programs or similar internships abroad. In addition, they should promote activities that foster multicultural contact, whether extracurricular activities or multicultural clubs or associations, meetings, lectures or classes with appropriate pedagogical methodologies, for example, experiential or collaborative teaching. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of SEMS-Journal is the property of Schwiez Zschr Sportmed Sporttraumatologie and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Wheat is a dietary staple consumed worldwide strongly responsible for proteins and carbohydrate population intake. However, wheat production and quality will scarcely fulfill forward demands, which are compounded by high-temperature (HT) events as heatwaves, increasingly common in Portugal. Thus, landraces assume crucial importance as potential reservoirs of useful traits for wheat breeding and may be pre-adapted to extreme environmental conditions. This work evaluates four Portuguese landrace yield and grain composition through attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, particularly protein content, and their responses to HT treatment mimicking a heatwave. Landraces showed distinct yield traits, especially plant height and first spike grain number, and a similar pattern in FTIR spectra, although revealing differences in grain components' proportions. Comparison between spectra band intensity indicates that Ardito has the highest protein-related peaks, contrary to Magueija, which appears to be the landrace with higher lipid content. In plants submitted to 1 week of HT treatment 10 days after anthesis, the first spike grain size and weight were markedly reduced in all landraces. Additionally, it was observed that a general increase in grain protein content in the four landraces, being the increment observed in Ardito and Grécia, is statistically significant. The comparative assessment of control and HT average FTIR spectra denoted also the occurrence of alterations in grain polysaccharide composition. An integrated assessment of the evaluations performed revealed that Ardito and Magueija landraces presented diverse yield-related characteristics and distinct responses to cope with HT. In fact, the former landrace revealed considerable grain yield diminution along with an increase in grain protein proportion after HT, while the latter showed a significant increase in spikes and grain number, with grain quality detriment. These results reinforce the relevance of scrutinizing old genotype diversity seeking for useful characteristics, particularly considering HT impact on grain production and quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Key message: The wood ofPinus nigrapopulations planted in Portugal, comparatively toPinus pinaster, has higher total extractive content, lower Klason lignin and H/G ratio, and similar mechanical properties, presenting advantages for industrial purposes. Context: P. nigra was used in the reforestation of mountainous areas in Portugal, but its wood chemical and mechanical properties were never studied. Aims: This work intends to evaluate the chemical and mechanical wood properties of the P. nigra populations planted in Portugal, to relate these properties with previously characterised physical features and to compare these data with other European P. nigra stands and species, namely, P. pinaster. Methods: Wood chemical and mechanical properties were analysed in 90 trees from six Portuguese sites, using near-infrared (NIR) spectrometry and the three-point bending test. Results: The wood of the P. nigra populations planted in Portugal presented average values of total extractive content = 9.4%, Klason lignin = 26.69%, MORRad = 14.93 MPa and MOERad = 1200.98 MPa. Ring density showed no significant correlation with ring width. Conclusion: The P. nigra populations planted in Portugal presented qualitative and quantitative properties similar to P. pinaster wood, the main resinous species in Portugal. Facing the lack of raw material for wood industry due to frequent forest fires in the Mediterranean region, P. nigra could be used to reforest mountainous areas of those regions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Pasos: Revista de Turismo y Patrimonio Cultural is the property of Universidad de La Laguna, Instituto Universitario de Ciencias Politicas y Sociales and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Population aging is a phenomenon that is visible in many countries inside and outside the European Union. In Portugal, population aging has been the target of several multidisciplinary investigations, being considered a phenomenon with social impact that demands and requires an in-depth analysis of existing social policies. Senior Tourism, as a social response, emerges in a market with great potential, betting on this population sector, and in addition to the active aging programs, direct specific activities for the elderly. In fact, the studies indicate that activities that promote active aging demonstrate an important role in improving the quality of life of Portuguese elderly, promoting a more positive physical and psychological health and protective of cognitive deterioration. Senior Tourism arises in this scope, with interests and objectives specifically designed for this age group. Thus, it is important to understand and analyze what biopsychosocial impacts occur in elderly people who resort to senior tourism. In addition, and looking to detail our elderly Portuguese population, it was also important to understand the impacts on urban and rural locations, and the literature indicates that people's quality of life is perceived differently depending on the geographical area and its greater or less desertification. The present study intends to carry out a characterizing analysis of the Portuguese elderly population that attends the senior tourism program and, in particular, to carry out an analysis if there is a differentiation in the profile of the consumer according to their area of residence. It is intended, in a more detailed way, to understand whether the elderly living in urban areas have a differentiated profile of the elderly living in rural areas. Biopsychosocial variables will be studied for a more complete and deep characterization of the senior tourist profile, with the verification of the existence or not of depressive symptoms, anxiety symptoms, feelings of isolation and perception of selfesteem. In other words, it is intended to answer the questions "will the senior tourist perceive a positive quality of life?" And "will there be differences in the quality of life of senior tourists, depending on their geographical location?" [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Law no. 89/2017, of 21 August, approves the Legal Framework of the Central Registry of Ultimate Beneficial Owners, transposing into Portuguese internal law chapter III of Directive (UE) 2015/849, of the European Parliament and of the Council, of 20 May 2015, and introducing certain amendments in Portuguese legal Codes and other statutory instruments. This article seeks to analyze the legislative amendments enacted by this law as well as analyze the principal aspects of the Legal Framework of the Central Registry of Ultimate Beneficial Owners. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The inclusive school concept takes us back to the primacy of equality of educational and social opportunities, guaranteed to all students, including those who show atypical development. The purpose of this study is to assess the level of inclusion of a student with CHARGE Syndrome in the school community who attends. Given that this problem is associated with a set of sensory disabilities, skeletal muscle, intellectual and urinary system, we intend to understand the impact on their activity and participation and, therefore, the level of educational and social inclusion. The empirical work followed a qualitative methodology, specifically, the case study of one subject. The selection of participants was intentional and convenience. The child in the study is 12 years old, has CHARGE Syndrome and attends the 5th grade in a mainstream school, in this case, a private institution with the contract of association, of the central region of Portugal. Also participated in the research involved in education of the child, namely: the mother, the group's director, special education teacher and classmates. Data collection was conducted through semi-structured interviews, naturalistic observation, sociometric test and document analysis. The results show that the child is included in the school and family contexts, in that it presents interesting levels of participation, emotional well-being and social interactions, especially with adults. In addition, we note the central role of the family in the inclusion of student process and an adequate network of social support. Facilitators have been identified (child characteristics, family involvement and teachers, inclusive educational strategies) and constraints (lack of resources and difficulties related to the child's health problems). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The selection criteria for the first generations in the Portuguese Pinus pinaster improvement program have been the growth rate and form traits. In this work we study the consequences of this selection on wood quality traits. This study assesses genetic and phenotypic correlation between growth, wood density components, lignin content and mechanical traits (radial modulus of elasticity and radial modulus of rupture) of 46 half sib families from a progeny trail located in Leiria, Portugal, originated from seed collected in a clonal seed orchard. A total of 552 seventeen-years-old trees (about half of full rotation age) were sampled at 2m height. Height measured at 12 years old presented a higher genetic control (h 2 =0.34) relatively to DBH, measured at 12 and 17 years old respectively (h 2 =0.17 and h 2 =0.15). The results of this study also showed that DBH growth is more dependent on latewood components than earlywood components and that higher growth in Mediterranean regions can be due to an increase of the period of latewood formation. Further, we can conclude genetic selection based on growth will not result in a decrease of wood density, will not affect the occurrence of spiral grain, and is possible to obtain an increase in the radial modulus of elasticity. The present study also showed that it is possible to select for increased growth with lower lignin proportion. Results also suggest that selection for growth at 12 years will probably not affect negatively the wood properties at 17 years. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Wheat is one of the most important cereals for food and feed, and it is, therefore, necessary to determine the effects of short-term high temperature events (heatwaves) during grain filling. These heatwave events are increasingly common, especially in Portugal. In this work, seven commercial varieties recommended for production in Portugal were submitted to one-week high temperature (HT) treatment ten days after anthesis to evaluate heat effects on grain yield and quality. Grain yield parameters, such as grain number and weight, were evaluated as well as grain composition through attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. Variation in HT response between varieties was detected. Grain number and weight tended to decrease in most varieties analyzed. However, two varieties proved to be more resilient since grain number and weight remain unaltered in the Bancal variety, which is the one with better yield results, and even increased in the Pata Negra variety. Regarding grain composition, the comparison between ATR-FTIR spectra of milled grains from control and HT plants revealed alterations in peaks assigned to polysaccharides and proteins. Additionally, a model was built based on nitrogen elemental analysis to predict protein content in flour samples through spectral data that corroborated the differences identified by spectra profile comparison. Moreover, both analyses showed that the intervarietal diversity observed in control conditions was significantly reduced in HT treated plants. The results obtained highlight the intervarietal diversity of wheat response to HT, regarding grain yield parameters, grain composition, and particularly, protein content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]