Thermal models, lithosphere thickness and heat flow in South Portugal. Some comments about the subject

Reinterpretation of old heat flow data or use of new data and new techniques of detection of the temperature under the surface have conducted to new heat flow density values in some regions of the globe. The problem of ice melting in Greenland and Antarctica caught the public's attention to the importance of knowledge on heat flow values and thermal structure of the globe. In the last years, several models were presented trying to obtain lithosphere and Moho thickness of the Iberia Peninsula. The work we intend to present is related with the SW part of the Iberia Peninsula ( south of the Ossa Morena zone, South Portuguese Zone and Algarve). The results obtained show a decrease in the thickness of the crust and the lithosphere in this region. Density anomalies in the crust are also referred. I intend to make the connection between the results of these models and the heat flow thermal conductivity, heat production and geological data available for the region, trying to explain the results of heat flow density data obtained.

Dez Anos de Aprendizagem num território: o caso do Concelho de Alandroal (Portugal)

Teve início em Novembro de 2007, um dos maiores projetos de investigação em Ciências da Educação, na região Alentejo. O projeto denominado “Arqueologia das Aprendizagens no Concelho do Alandroal” assumiu, como grande finalidade, a realização da identificação e caracterização do universo de oportunidades de aprendizagens disponíveis e concretizadas num determinado território, durante a década de 1997-2007. Na presente comunicação, apresentam-se os resultados que permitem ter uma perceção do potencial educativo institucional do território em estudo.

Princípios de responsabilidade social : como vão as coisas nas pequenas e médias empresas do Portugal periférico?

O presente trabalho aborda a problemática da Responsabilidade Social Empresarial no âmbito das Pequenas e Médias Empresas, e corresponde à dissertação exigida para conclusão do Mestrado em Gestão da Universidade de Évora. Analisa-se o 'estado da arte' naquela matéria, verifica-se que o problema da responsabilidade social não é uma novidade das últimas décadas e apresenta-se o resultado da aplicação no Alentejo de um inquérito utilizado no Brasil pela Ethos-Sebrae para medir a consciencialização das PME relativamente às questões da Responsabilidade Social. Conclui-se pela necessidade de implementar acções de formação, sensibilização e assessoria, junto dos pequenos empresários, através de Instituições sem fins lucrativos. ABSTRACT: This work is focused on the subjects of small and medium size enterprises concerning the Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), and it is the required exposition for the conclusion of the Master’s degree in Management given by the University of Évora. lt contains the analysis of the "state of the art" in this subject, confirming that the problem of social responsibility is not a new concern in the last decades. Besides it presents the result of the application in Alentejo of an inquire used in Brazil by Ethos- Sebrae to measure the level of conscience of the small and medium size companies in what concerns to their social responsibility. lt comes to the conclusion it is required that non-profit institutions should implement workshops, actions of awareness and advisory directed to small enterprisers.

Identidade nacional e memória colectiva em Portugal e na Alemanha: Um estudo comparativo de manuais de terceira classe

Este estudo propõe-se fazer uma análise comparativa de dois manuais de leitura do ensino primário, um em Língua Portuguesa e o outro em Língua Alemã. A pesquisa aponta afinidades e temas comuns na forma como em ambos os livros são abordados elementos representativos da identidade nacional e da memória colectiva. O nosso trabalho procura evidenciar, através dos manuais analisados e de uma fundamentação teórica, a manipulação destes conceitos durante o período do Estado Novo e do Terceiro Reich, época a que se reportam os manuais escolares. A nossa dissertação de mestrado insere-se no âmbito da Literatura Comparada, apoiando-se no que diz respeito à sua fundamentação teórica em estudos e autores trabalhados no contexto das disciplinas de Literatura e Cultura de Massas e de Literatura Infanta-Juvenil, investigações essenciais para estabelecer uma análise comparativa entre os dois manuais de leitura do ensino básico. ABSTRACT: This study aims at a comparative analysis of two primary textbooks, one in Portuguese and the other in German language. The research points out common topics, affinities as well as a similar approach to representative elements of the National Identity and the Collective Memory in Portugal and in Germany. Based on the analysis of the schoolbooks mentioned and supported by a theoretical ground basis, our work tries to show the manipulation of these concepts during the years of the Estado Novo and the Third Reich, the period of time in which both schoolbooks were published and taught. Our dissertation applies to the study field of Compared Literature, having its theoretical ground basis on studies and authors referred to in the scope of the disciplines of Literature and Culture of the Masses as well as Children’s and Youth Literature which provided us essential knowledge for a comparative analysis of these two primary schoolbooks.

As sociedades de capital de risco em Portugal: Critérios adoptados no processo de tomada de decisão de investimento

Este estudo procura compreender a importância atribuída aos critérios utilizados pelas SCR portuguesas, na seleção e avaliação de projetos do tipo early-stage. Os dados utilizados foram recolhidos com recurso a questionário aplicado a 22 SCR portuguesas. Foram utilizadas técnicas de estatística descritiva, testes não paramétricos e análise de clusters. Concluiu-se que a personalidade e experiência do empreendedor e equipa de gestão são os critérios mais valorizados. As SCR com capital maioritariamente privado consideram mais importante o grupo de critérios relativo à personalidade do empreendedor e equipa de gestão do que as de capital maioritariamente público; e, as SCR que ainda não se internacionalizaram, consideram mais importantes o grupo de critérios relativos à personalidade do empreendedor e equipa de gestão e o grupo de critérios relativo aos aspetos financeiros, do que as SCR que se internacionalizaram. Na análise de clusters identificaram-se três grupos de SCR: Criadores de riqueza de forma sustentada; Monopolistas Impacientes; e, Ciumento. ABSTRACT: This study seeks to understand the relevance of the criteria used by the Portuguese VCs to select and assess early stage type projects. The data used for the study was collected through a questionnaire answered by 22 Portuguese VCs. We employed descriptive statistic techniques, non-parametric tests and cluster analysis. The conclusion of the study was that the personality and experience of an entrepreneur and of the management team are the most valued criteria. VCs with a majority of private share capital found the group of criteria related to the personality of the entrepreneur and of the management team to be more important than the companies with a majority of public share capital; additionally, the VCs that have not yet expanded internationally, consider the personality of the entrepreneur and management team and the group of criteria associated to financial aspects, to be more important than the VCs that have already expanded abroad. Throughout the study of the clusters we were able to identify three VCs groups: Creators of sustained wealth; Impatient Monopolists and Jealous.

La investigación en prácticas de Teatro y Comunidad: perspectivas desde Portugal y Brasil

La investigación en Teatro y Comunidad es transversal y presupone la movilización de diferentes conocimientos y metodologías. Estos, por su naturaleza y objetivos —artísticos, socioculturales, educativos y de desarrollo— se encuentran en zonas de intersección entre el Teatro, la Filosofía, la Educación, la Psicología Comunitaria, la Antropología y la Historia de la Cultura, llevando a la revaloración de la dinámica de las zonas fronterizas como posibilidades de encuentro y diálogo.

Coastal lagoons and their watersheds as GWDE: a case study in the southwest coast of Portugal

The study of groundwater dependent ecosystems opened the opportunity to involve specialists of different areas of knowledge in order to obtain answers for complex interrelations between groundwater and the associated ecosystems. The actual study, carried out in two coastal lagoons of the Portuguese SW coast, showed the high dependency of the marine life and vegetation of the lagoons and associated streams discharging in the lagoons on the fresh water supply of these two lagoons and the high contribution they receive from groundwater in the dry period, which corresponds to more than half of each hydrologic year. Every year, the lagoons are artificially opened to the ocean for a few days to a few weeks, which dramatically changes the inside salinity. The sensitivity of these ecological niches is demonstrated by the strong dependence that some species that are more sensitive to high salinity waters show in relation to the entrance of freshwater resultant from the discharge of the phreatic aquifer of Sines sedimentary Basin. The great biodiversity of these lagoons and its precarious balance is only possible to preserve if the aquifer continue to act as a regulatory factor of the lagoon’s salinity. The equilibrium can be changed in the event of overexploitation of the phreatic aquifer, which is not at risk in the near future. In a scenario of climate change the lagoons will benefit from a slow increase in groundwater contribution, due to the rise of sea level, which will be accompanied by a rise in groundwater levels in the aquifer near the sea.

Influence of different land uses on groundwater quality in southern Portugal

In Alentejo region, southern Portugal, differences in groundwater samples from six groundwater bodies covered with different land uses were analysed based on the monitoring plan of the Alqueva multi-purpose project, created in the sequence of the construction of the Alqueva Dam on the Guadiana River, in South Portugal. For most of the groundwater bodies there is a statistical significant difference between magnesium, sulphate, chloride, and phosphate. All of these ions are strongly correlated with land use management. Groundwater, where land is covered by olive groves, has high levels of electric conductivity, calcium, potassium, sulphate, and phosphate. Dry land crops are correlated with calcium, magnesium, chloride and consequently, electric conductivity, phosphates and sulphate. Vineyards are strongly correlated with high sulphate and phosphate levels. This study clearly shows that different land uses within a certain groundwater body influence the water quality in a different way. Therefore, an appropriate soil management should be adjusted to each situation, taking into account the aquifer matrix and the overlying soil.

Introdução ao estudo – Determinantes da fecundidade em Portugal

Portugal regista atualmente um dos mais baixos níveis de fecundidade da Europa e do mundo, resultado da redução do número de filhos e do adiamento dos nascimentos para idades mais tardias. As características individuais e a idade ao nascimento do primeiro filho são determinantes cruciais para o número de filhos que se tem e que se espera ter, variando em função do grau de instrução. Apesar das alterações comportamentais ao longo das últimas décadas, os contextos familiares e a conjugalidade continuam a ser centrais na vida dos portugueses, pois aqueles que não vivem com cônjuge ou companheiro apresentam fecundidades mais baixas. A dimensão familiar ideal é outro determinante crítico, dado que ideais mais baixos potenciam que se tenha menos filhos, dificultando a recuperação da fecundidade. O ideal parece corresponder ao número de filhos que permite manter um determinado nível de vida para a família e ainda garantir aos filhos mais oportunidades, mesmo que para tal se tenha apenas um filho. Daí também a atual relevância das questões económicas nas decisões de fecundidade. A alteração de mentalidades parece ter gerado um novo modelo social marcado por uma crescente valorização dos filhos.

Central Algarve karst system tufa-related dynamics, Portugal.

Geomorphological mapping is a powerful instrument improving the geomorphological interpretation and understanding of the processes and forms used in landscape studies, with the ability of organizing different thematic layers in the same map. The presented map provide relevant information about the different geomorphological units of the central Algarve (i.e. the Carboniferous flysch mountains; the Barrocal, with marly and karstified subunits), where a karst system is prominent. Solution karst morphologies and large dry areas are common in the elevated areas of the Barrocal, suggesting deep circulation of groundwater. These recharge areas feed the perched aquifers of the area, where discharge is controlled by the impervious lithologies (clay-rich strata of the turbidites, marls and argilites) in the valley bottoms or other leaks in dammed aquifers. In springs related to the main aquifers tufa are actively being formed and, close coupled to spring location, different tufa depositional systems develop.

Impact of Information Technology Investments on Firm Productivity in Peripherals Countries: The Case of Portugal

IS/IT investments are seen has having an enormous potential impact on the competitive position of the firm, on its performance, and demand an active and motivated participation of several stakeholder groups. The shortfall of evidence concerning the productivity of IT became known as the ‘productivity paradox’. As Robert Solow, the Nobel laureate economist stated “we see computers everywhere except in the productivity statistics”. An important stream of research conducted all over the world has tried to understand these phenomena, called in the literature as «IS business value» field. However, there is a gap in the literature, addressing the Portuguese situation. No empirical work has been done to date in order to understand the impact of Information Technology adoption on the productivity of those firms. Using data from two surveys conducted by the Portuguese National Institute of Statistics (INE), Inquiry to the use of IT by Portuguese companies (IUTIC) and the Inquiry Harmonized to (Portuguese) companies (accounting data), this study relates (using regression analysis) the amounts spent on IT with the financial performance indicator Returns on Equity, as a proxy of firm productivity, of Portuguese companies with more than 250 employees. The aim of this paper is to shed light on the Portuguese situation concerning the impact of IS/IT on the productivity of Portuguese top companies. Empirically, we test the impact of IT expenditure on firm productivity of a sample of Portuguese large companies. Our results, based on firm-level data on Information Technology expenditure and firm productivity as measured by return on equity (1186 observations) for the years of 2003 and 2004, exhibit a negative impact of IT expenditure on firm productivity, in line with “productivity paradox” claimants.

TECTONIC CONTROLS ON FLUVIAL LANDSCAPE DEVELOPMENT IN CENTRAL-EASTERN PORTUGAL: INSIGHTS FROM LONG PROFILE TRIBUTARY STREAM ANALYSES

This study examines the long profiles of tributaries of the Tejo (Tagus) and Zêzere rivers in central eastern Portugal (West Iberia) in order to provide new insights into the patterns, timing and controls on drainage development during the Pleistocene to Holocene incision stage. The long profiles were extracted from lower order tributary streams associated with the trunk drainage of the Tejo River and one main tributary, the Zêzere River (Fig. 1). These streams flow through a landscape strongly influenced by variations in bedrock lithology (mainly granites and metasediments), fault structures delimiting crustal blocks with distinct uplift rates, and a base-level lowering history (tectonic uplift / eustatic). The long profiles of the tributaries of the Tejo and Zêzere rivers record a series of transient and permanent knickpoints. The permanent knickpoints have direct correlation with the bedrock strength, corresponding to the outcropping of very hard quartzites or to the transition from softer (slates/metagreywaques) to harder (granite) basement. The analyzed streams/rivers record also an older transient knickpoint/knickzone separating: a) an upstream relict graded profile, with lower steepness and higher concavity, that reflects a long period of quasi-equilibrium conditions reached after the beginning of the incision stage; and b) a downstream reach displaying a rejuvenated long profile, with steeper gradient and lower concavity, particularly for the final segment, which is often convex (Fig. 2). The rejuvenated reaches testify the upstream propagation of several incision waves that are the response of each stream to continuous or increasing crustal uplift and dominant periods of base-level lowering by the trunk drainages, coeval of low sea level conditions. The long profiles and their morphological configurations enabled spatial and relative temporal patterns of incision to be quantified for each individual tributary stream. The incision values of streams flowing in uplifted blocks of the Portuguese Central Range (PCR) (ca.380-280 m) indicate differential uplift and are higher than the incision values of streams flowing on the adjacent South Portugal planation surface – the Meseta (ca. 200 m). The normalized steepness index, calculated using the method of Wobus et al. (2006), proved to be sensitive to active tectonics, as lower ksn values were found in relict graded profiles of streams located in less uplifted blocks, (e.g. Sertã stream in the PCR), or in those flowing through tectonic depressions. Fig. 1 – Geological map of the study area. 1 – fluvial terraces (Pleistocene); 2 – sedimentary cover (Paleogene and Neogene); 3 – slates and metasandstones (Devonian); 4 – slates and quartzites (Silurian); 5 – quartzites (Ordovician); 6 – slates and metagreywackes (Precambrian to Cambrian); 7 – slates, metagreywackes and limestones (Precambrian); 8 – granites and ortogneisses; 9 – diorites and gabros; 10 - fault. SFf – Sobreira Formosa fault; Sf – Sertã fault; Pf – Ponsul fault; Gf – Grade fault. The differential uplift indicated by the distribution of the ksn values and by the fluvial incision was likely accumulated on a few major faults, as the Sobreira Formosa fault (SFf), thus corroborating the tectonic activity of these faults. Due to the fact that the relict graded profiles can be correlated with other geomorphic references documented in the study area, namely the T1 terrace of the Tagus River (with an age of ca. 1 Myr), the following incision rates can be estimated: a) for the studied streams located in uplifted blocks of the PCR, 0.38 m/kyr to 0.28 m/kyr; b) for the streams flowing on the South Portugal planation surface, 0.20 m/kyr. The differential uplift inferred between crustal blocks in the study area corroborates the neotectonic activity of the bordering faults, which has been proposed in previous studies based upon less robust data. Fig. 2 – Longitudinal profile of the Nisa stream a tributary of the Tejo River. Note the equilibrium relict profile upstream the older transient knickpoint (hatched line) and the downstream rejuvenated profile (continuous line). Legend: tKP – transient knickpoint; rKp – resistant knickpoint; Mt – schist and phyllite; Gr – granite; Hf – hornfels; Og – orthogneisse. In the inset Distance – Slope plots, fill circles correspond to the relict graded profile, crosses correspond to the rejuvenated profile located downstream the older transient knickpoint (tKP).

Some comments about the use of GHP in Alentejo (Portugal)

In this work we advocate the use of geothermal pumps to cool the isolated houses that can be observed in the plain of Alentejo. Passive cooling of the houses, made for centuries, becomes insufficient when it aims to promote tourism in the region. The climatic characteristics of the region and the relatively high values of the thermal conductivity of the ground favour this type of use. The available land around the houses provide places where you can drill or make trenches to put the pipes under the surface . Some values of pipe lengths were obtained using values appropriate for the region. The need to try to preserve the shape of the typical houses of the region discourages the use of solar panels placed on the roofs. The length and time of use of the equipment is another factor to take into account in the analysis of the costs.

ASSESSMENT OF ENERGY CONSUMPTION IN GREENHOUSE PRODUCTION IN THE WEST REGION OF PORTUGAL

Greenhouse production is a very important activity in the West region of Portugal, with an area of approximately 800 ha where the regular production consists in two crops per year, one in winter-spring and the other in summer-autumn. Many growers are now prepared to better exploit market opportunities, since they know that the big export window opportunity is from June to September, when the production is difficult in other regions of south due to high temperatures. Grower’s use new and more productive varieties, either in soil or hydroponic systems, mostly in unheated greenhouses, naturally ventilated, and equipped with modern fertigation systems. Greenhouse production causes some environmental impacts due to the high use of inputs. Several improvements in technologies and crop practices may contribute to increase the use efficiency of resources, decreasing the negative environmental impacts. Greenhouse vegetable production in Northern EU countries is based on the supply of heating and differs significantly from the production system in the Southern EU countries. In the Northern countries, direct energy inputs, mostly for heating, are predominant while in the South the indirect energy input is also important, mainly associated with fertilizers, plastic cover materials and other auxiliary materials. The main objective of this work was to characterise the greenhouse production systems in the West region of Portugal, in order to evaluate the energetic consumptions (direct and indirect), the GHH emissions, the production costs and the farmer’s income. With this work the mostly important inputs were identified, allowing proposing alternative measures to improve efficiency and sustainability. All the data was obtained by surveys performed directly with growers, previously selected to be representative of the crop practices and greenhouse type of the region. However, more research should be performed in order to develop and to test technologies capable to improve resources use efficiency in greenhouse production.

A avaliação das escolas em Portugal: contributos para a melhoria da qualidade da educação

A qualidade em educação constitui uma das grandes preocupações de governantes, políticos, académicos e investigadores e tem sido uma questão amplamente debatida em encontros científicos e estudada em diversos programas de investigação educacional nos mais diversos países do mundo ocidental. A avaliação das escolas (interna e externa) são processos fundamentais para o desiderato da qualidade e da melhoria das escolas. Nesta comunicação apresentamos alguns dos resultados do projeto de investigação “Impacto e Efeitos da Avaliação Externa nas Escolas do Ensino não Superior”, financiado pela FCT (Projeto PTDC/CPE-CED/116674/2010), no sentido de responder ao problema de investigação – Que impacto e efeitos produz a AEE no primeiro e segundo ciclos do modelo, tendo em referência a melhoria da escola, a participação da comunidade e a implementação de políticas de accountability? Os dados empíricos recolhidos e analisados, permitem afirmar que a AEE tem produzido impacto e efeitos nas dimensões organizacionais e funcionais das escolas, os quais são visíveis: a) na melhoria da escola, mais a nível organizacional do que a nível curricular e dos modos de trabalho pedagógico, sendo o impacto nesta última dimensão reconhecido como reduzido ou inexistente; b) na aceitação e apropriação pela escola dos referentes utilizados no processo de avaliação externa e consequente consolidação da avaliação institucional; c) na participação da comunidade na vida social da escola, reforçando as parcerias existentes e dando voz aos diversos atores sociais que intervêm diretamente na escola; d) na institucionalização de planos de melhoria focados nas fragilidades identificas nos relatórios da avaliação externa das escolas; e) na monitorização de resultados académicos, embora sem efeitos visíveis; f) na apropriação do discurso da qualidade, da eficácia, da eficiência e da accountability nas escolas.