Non-invasive methodology for the identification of plastic pieces in museum environment – a novel approach

The preservation of modern and contemporary art and costume collections in museums requires a complete understanding of their constituent materials which are often synthetic or semi-synthetic polymers. An extraordinary amount of quality information can be gained from instrumental techniques, but some of them have the disadvantage of being destructive. This paper presents a new totally integrated non-invasive methodology, for the identification of polymers and their additives, on plastic artefacts in museums. NMR (nuclear magnetic resonance) and in-situ FTIR-ATR (attenuated total reflection infrared spectroscopy) combination allowed the full characterization of the structure of thesematerials and correct identification of each one. The NMR technique applied to leached surface exudates identified unequivocally a great number of additives, exceeding the Py–GC–MS analysis of micro-fragments in number and efficiency. Additionally, in-situ FTIR-ATR provided exactly the same information of the destructive μ-FTIR about the polymer structure and confirmed the presence of some additives. Eight costume pieces (cosmetic boxes and purses), dating to the beginning of the 20th century and belonging to the Portuguese National Museum of Costume and Fashion, were correctly identified with this new integrated methodology, as beingmade of plastics derived fromcellulose acetate or cellulose nitrate polymers, contradicting the initial information that these pieces were made of Bakelite. The identification of a surprisingly large number of different additives forms an added value of this methodology and opens a perspective of a quick and better characterization of plastic artefacts in museum environments.

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.

Summary and Conclusion

This monograph outlines the process and results of development of a common educational programme at masters level in health and social care management, which was supported by the Erasmus Life Long Education project CareMan (Cul- ture and Care Management). The CareMan project brought together university partners actively involved in educating social and health care professionals in leadership and management at master’s level in Europe. The five partners of the consortium were Lahti University of Applied Sciences – Lahti UAS (administra- tive and academic coordinator, Finland), Charles University – CU (the Czech Republic), Edinburgh Napier University – ENU (Scotland), Hammeline University of Applied Sciences – HAMK (Finland), and University of Évora – UoE (Portugal). The objectives of the project were to achieve lower -level educational goals that included the development through education cultural and value -driven leadership, quality of care and quality management to effectively manage an integrated health and social care service. Through mapping the situation in the field and comparing curricula of all participating universities the overall aim was to develop a joint masters programme in social and healthcare management. After the detailed understanding of national and institutional specifics of each of the individual academic entities it was recognised that, due to a number of regulation issues, the original aim was not achievable. Following subsequent analytical work, it was decided to develop a set of three master’s level modules. At the end of the project it was intended that all created modules would be available virtually to the participating programmes and would contribute some added value to existing curricula. In the future these ready -to -use modules are intended to be taught in cooperation with the participating universities or as a separate module in each university. The chosen theoretical framework of the project that underpinned the devel- opment, management and evaluation of the inter -cultural educational provision relied on the combination of two learning theories – ‘cooperative collaborative and social learning’ and ’transformational’ (Mezirow, 2009). This theoretical framework helped to align with European collaborative policy and its application on all levels of implementation of the project.

Relatório da prática de ensino supervisionada realizada no Agrupamento de escolas n.º 1 da Malagueira e Escola Secundária

A Educação Física e o Desporto assumem hoje uma importância crescente no contexto nacional, reflexo de um acentuado aumento da investigação científica, que coloca como imprescindíveis os benefícios da actividade física, tanto ao nível do sistema escolar, como desportivo ou social. O objectivo deste relatório é descrever a evolução do estágio efectuado no âmbito da disciplina de Prática de Ensino Supervisionada. Este estágio teve início no mês de Outubro de 2009, tendo terminado no final deste mesmo ano lectivo. De forma a proporcionar o contacto com diversos Ciclos de ensino, este estágio decorreu em dois estabelecimentos de ensino, nomeadamente, a Escola Básica Integrada com Jardim de Infância da Malagueira (EBIJIM) e na Escola Secundária André de Gouveia (ESAG), ambas na cidade de Évora. Sendo assim, leccionei a duas turmas do 1.° Ciclo, uma do 2.° Ciclo, uma do 3.° Ciclo e ainda a uma do secundário. O estágio correu de uma forma bastante positiva, tendo sido alcançados todos os objectivos inicialmente propostos. É de salientar, a mais-valia que este estágio pedagógico representa na minha formação profissional. ABSTRACT: Physical Education and Sport today assume a growing importance in the national context, reflecting an accentuated increase in scientific research, which puts as the essential benefits of physical activity, such in the school system, such as sporting or social. The purpose of this report is to describe the entire evolution of the teaching in the discipline of Prática de Ensino Supervisionada. This stage began in October 2009, ending at the end of that academic year. ln order to provide contact with different education levels, this stage took place in two schools, namely the Escola Básica Integrada com Jardim de Infância da Malagueira (EBIJIM) e na Escola Secundária André de Gouveia (ESAG), both in the city of Évora. So, I taught two classes in 1st cycle, one of the 2nd cycle, one of the 3rd cycle, and one of secondary education. The stage occurred in the very positive way, having achieved all the objectives initially proposed. lt should be noted, the added value that represents teaching practice in my professional formation.

Economic feasibility analysis of the implementation of a high value-added molecule extraction system in an olive oil mill

The production of olive oil generates several by-products that can be seen as an additional business opportunity. Among them are the olive pits, already used for heat and/or electricity generation in some mills. They contain compounds that are commercially very interesting and, if recovered, contribute to the sustainability of the olive mills. The work presented in this paper is a preliminary evaluation of the economic feasibility of implementing a system based on a batch prototype with 1 m3 for the extraction of high value-added bioactive molecules from olive pits that are separated during the production of virgin olive oil. For the analysis, a small representative olive mill in Portugal was considered and the traditional Discounted Cash Flow Method was applied. Based on the assumptions made, the simple payback for implementation a system for the extraction of value-added molecules from the olive pits is around 7 years.