Quality improvement of traditional dry fermented sausages based on innovative technological strategies

Dry fermented sausages are highly appreciated food specialties, mainly in Portugal and other southern European countries. Therefore, all research efforts aiming at improving the food quality and safety of traditional dry sausages are of interest, since they are likely to result in products with higher added value and quality standards most suited to the requirements and concerns of the modern consumers. Among those efforts, it may be highlighted the studies involving innovative processing parameters and technologies to overcome practical problems gathered in the meat industry, which are mostly associated with food quality and safety. Additionally, characterization of traditional dry sausages and rationalization of their processing are essential for further achievement of any official certification. Thus, this article attempts to point out some research lines of highest interest in meat science (and particularly to the broad variety of regional dry fermented sausages), towards to the valorisation of technological, nutritional and commercial features. In addition, it is here emphasized the importance for the continuous improvement of the quality and safety of meat products as a way to respond to the current concerns regarding its consumption and the general advices in reducing its daily intake.

Methods of earth building in the Huila Province, Angola

In Angola, the construction made of raw earth is a cultural heritage widely used by low income households, representing over 80% of the population [1, 3]. In Huila province is evident construction in raw earth in a large scale, either in urban or in periurban and rural areas. The construction methods follow the ancestral standards, distributed throughout the region of Huila, being built by the several ethnic groups. Among the construction techniques in earth, stand out: the adobe, wattle-and-daub and more recently on CEB (Compressed Earth Block). The type of soil used to make the adobes is mainly silty-clayed sand [1]. The most applied materials are: rods, reeds, wood, grass, straw, soil and stone, almost with the same characteristics [2]. The manufacture of adobe, consists essentially in mixing clay and grass (plant fibers), then put the mixture inside a wooden mold, having a size of 42 cm long and 18 cm high and taking three to four days to dry and be applied in housing construction. The application of these materials makes the construction less expensive because they are collected, transformed and applied by the owner himself of housing without any project, based only on the result of the practice and experience acquired from their ancestors. They are simple constructions, presenting a typology of grouped and isolated single-family housing, ranging between 2 and 3 bedrooms [2]. The construction techniques used in such small housings have positive environmental aspects, both as regards the materials employed, such as the manner in which the constructions are raised, showing special concerns for the quality improvement of them, as regards the resistance, durability and comfort [4].

Relatório da prática de ensino supervisionada na Escola Básica 2, 3/S Cunha Rivara, Arraiolos

O presente relatório tem como objetivo a explanação e a discussão de forma concisa da atividade docente desenvolvida no ano letivo 2012/2013, na Escola Básica 2,3/S Cunha Rivara de Arraiolos com as turmas do 8.º C e 11.º D nas disciplinas de Ciências Naturais e Saúde respetivamente, sob a orientação da Doutora Marília Cid. Apresentam-se os fundamentos teóricos que sustentaram o delineamento de todas as metodologias e estratégias de ensino no sentido de promover situações de aprendizagem significativa aos alunos das turmas referidas. Este é também um testemunho da participação ativa no projeto de educação para a saúde em colaboração com as entidades promotoras de saúde no Concelho de Arraiolos no sentido de organizar atividades extracurriculares propiciadoras da aprendizagem nesta dimensão, com a dinamização de sessões de esclarecimento de Educação Sexual a várias turmas da escola e a produção de um website informativo e de apoio aos alunos do 3.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e do Ensino Secundário sobre Educação Sexual. Foi apanágio deste trabalho a análise e reflexão também evidenciadas no trabalho de investigação sobre as atividades desenvolvidas no âmbito da Educação para a Saúde mas também em toda a atividade de lecionação. Esta análise e reflexão, bem como a pesquisa individual e o trabalho colaborativo permitiram o desenvolvimento progressivo das minhas capacidades, da qualidade do trabalho desenvolvido e o melhoramento da formação académica. /ABSTRACT: This report aims at explaining concisely and discussion of teaching developed in the academic year 2012/2013, at Escola Básica 2,3 / S Cunha Rivara in Arraiolos with classes C from 8th grade class and D from 11th , in the disciplines of Natural Sciences and Health respectively under the guidance of PhD Teacher Marilia Cid. Here we present the theoretical foundations that supported the design of all methodologies and teaching strategies to promote meaningful learning situations for students of classes above. This is also a testament to the active participation in the design of health education in collaboration with the health promoters in the County of Arraiolos to organize extracurricular activities conducive learning these dimensions, the organization of information sessions to various Sex Education school classes and the production of an informational website to support the students of the 3rd cycle and Secondary Education on Sexual Education. It was the hallmark of this work, analysis and reflection evidenced in research work on the activities within the Health Education but also of the entire teaching activity. This analysis and reflection as well as individual research and collaborative work allowed the progressive development of my abilities, quality of work and the improvement of academic training.

Urban public policies: towards the improvement of landscape ecological system. The case-study of the city of Évora, Portugal.

The Charter of European Planning 2013 presents a Vision for the future of European cities and regions, highlighting the sustainability of cities and the preservation of urban ecosystems, integrating the man-made environment with the natural ecosystems and contribute to the well-being and quality of life of their inhabitants and other stakeholders. Thus, urban public policies are crucial to the improvement of the landscape ecological system, achievable by city planning and design. The paper aims to analyse if public urban policies in Portugal have been integrating strategies and/or guidelines to enhance the ecological system of the landscape. Then, which new perspectives are possible, framed by the recently approved law Bases of Public Policy of Soils, Land Management and Urban Planning (2014). This new law, in contrast with the previous ones, don’t allow reserving land to urbanize, in municipal master plans. Moreover, it is possible to revert land classified for urban purposes in those plans into rustic soils (when it is not yet infra-structured or built). It allows creating new planning and design dynamics, convert several areas and including them in the urban ecological structure, essential to the enhancement of landscape ecological system. This is a filed of work where landscape architecture has huge responsibilities, by associating and harmonize man-made environment with natural systems, enlightening sustainability consistent with conservation and improvement of Nature while contributing to the well-being and quality of life of Man. A sustainability that is ethical, aesthetic, ecological and cultural. The study is supported by a case study – the city of Évora. The ultimate goal is to propose measures to promote larger and better integration of ecological component in urban public policies, framed by the new territorial management law, taking into account and highlighting the specificities of the landscape system – Man and Nature – at the local level.