Culturas, políticas e novas identidades: uma leitura europeia sobre questões de género na Ásia

Este ensaio discute algumas leituras críticas de textos teóricos da área das ciências sociais e humanas sobre o estatuto de género em países asiáticos, tentando estabelecer quais as suas principais problemáticas e metodologias. Presta especial atenção à questão das vozes femininas silenciadas e das práticas ignoradas do quotidiano das mulheres, problematizando o que sucede – ou pode suceder – quando às mulheres é permitido não só possuir um espaço social próprio (“a room of their own”, para citar Virginia Woolf), mas também uma voz própria. Para Edward Said o conceito ocidental de orientalismo implicava uma concepção masculina particular do mundo, mais evidente em romances e diários de viagem, onde as mulheres eram geralmente criaturas da fantasia masculina de poder. Esta concepção masculina do mundo oriental tende a ser estática, construindo-se assim o estereótipo do “eterno oriental”. As mulheres, tal como o “oriental”, nunca falam de si mesmos, das suas verdadeiras emoções, desejos e histórias: têm de ser representados, alguém tem de falar por si. No âmbito deste estudo, analisam-se alguns processos ideológicos e retóricos através dos quais a identidade das mulheres é construída e representada, tanto pelas próprias mulheres, como por vozes substitutas. A etnografia, a antropologia, a historiografia, a ficção, a cultura popular, os media e todos os tipos de fontes textuais e visuais desempenham um papel de relevo na invenção e na reinvenção de antigas e de novas identidades femininas, e na circulação destas no tempo e no espaço.

Estudo hidrogeológico e hidropedológico das áreas periurbanas de Valbom e Avintes: implicações na gestão dos recursos hídricos subterrâneos

Mestrado em Engenharia Geotécnica e Geoambiente

Prospecção de recursos hidrominerais e geotérmicos na Orla Ocidental Portuguesa: os casos das Termas dos Cucos e de Monte Real

A cobertura sedimentar da região Oeste portuguesa é constituída por uma série possante de sedimentos com uma variedade de fácies com idades compreendidas entre o Triásico Superior e o actual. Estes sedimentos foram depositados numa bacia alongada com direcção NNE‐SSW. A tectónica desta cobertura sedimentar é condicionada pelas falhas tardi‐Variscas que afectaram o substrato e pelo complexo evaporítico depositado na base das séries sedimentares. Séries evaporíticas espessas de idade Hetangiana formaram numerosas estruturas diapíricas. Na região Oeste de Portugal existem diversas nascentes minerais e termais usadas para hidroterapia. Esta tese tem por objectivo estudar as concessões hidrominerais das Termas dos Cucos e das Termas de Monte Real (Portugal Central), bem como as suas áreas envolventes. Estas actividades hidroterapêuticas são muito relevantes em termos sócio‐económicos para os concelhos de Torres Vedras e Leiria. Os estudos contemplados nesta tese (que incluíram trabalho de campo no domínio da geotectónica, geomorfologia e hidrogeologia) permitiram delinear modelos hidrogeológicos conceptuais, apoiados, ainda, pela re‐interpretação de estudos geofísicos e hidrogeológicos prévios. A caracterização destas áreas foi suportada por inventários hidrogeológicos, tendo sido determinante para o projecto dos furos de captação, incluindo localização e profundidade. Todos os dados compilados foram representados cartograficamente numa base de Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIG).

Geotecnia urbana da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia: criação de uma base de dados SIG geotécnica

O presente trabalho apresenta os resultados dos estudos geotécnicos e de uma base de dados da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia, com o objectivo de compreender melhor os aspectos geotécnicos em ambiente urbano numa área sensível com um registo histórico de instabilidade de taludes rochosos. Além disso, os escassos estudos científicos recentes de natureza geológica e geotécnica em Vila Nova de Gaia justificam o estudo exploratório da geotecnia urbana da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia. A importância de Vila Nova de Gaia como a terceira maior cidade portuguesa e como centro de intensa actividade económica e cultural despoleta uma constante necessidade de expansão. O aumento da densidade populacional acarreta a realização de projectos complexos de engenharia, utilizando o subsolo para a construção e, com frequência, em terrenos com características geotécnicas desfavoráveis. As cidades de Vila Nova de Gaia e do Porto foram sendo edificadas ao longo de encostas numa plataforma litoral caracterizada por uma vasta área aplanada, inclinando ligeiramente para Oeste. Esta plataforma foi cortada pelo Rio Douro num vale encaixado de vertentes abruptas, nas quais se localizam as zonas ribeirinhas das duas cidades. Este trabalho envolveu, inicialmente, uma caracterização topográfica, morfoestrutural, geotectónica e geomecânica da área de estudo e, numa fase posterior, o desenvolvimento duma base de dados geotécnica. Todos os dados geológicos e geotécnicos locais e os estudos geotécnicos levados a cabo in situ pelas diversas empresas e instituições foram representados cartograficamente numa base apoiada pelos Sistemas de Informação Geográfica (SIG). Esta metodologia inter‐disciplinar foi de grande valor para um melhor conhecimento dos riscos geológico‐geotécnicos ao longo das margens do Rio Douro. De facto, a cartografia geotécnica da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia deve constituir uma ferramenta importante para uma previsão mais rigorosa de futuras instabilidades de taludes e um bom instrumento para a gestão do espaço urbano.

Geotecnia urbana da zona ribeirinha de Vila Nova de Gaia (Cais de Gaia, Santa Marinha – Lavadores, Canidelo): uma avaliação preliminar

Mestrado em Engenharia Geotécnica e Geoambiente

Real-time scheduling with resource sharing on uniform multiprocessors

Consider the problem of scheduling a set of implicit-deadline sporadic tasks to meet all deadlines on a uniform multiprocessor platform where each task may access at most one of |R| shared resources and at most once by each job of that task. The resources have to be accessed in a mutually exclusive manner. We propose an algorithm, GIS-vpr, which offers the guarantee that if a task set is schedulable to meet deadlines by an optimal task assignment scheme that allows a task to migrate only when it accesses or releases a resource, then our algorithm also meets the deadlines with the same restriction on the task migration, if given processors 4 + 6|R| times as fast. The proposed algorithm, by design, limits the number of migrations per job to at most two. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first result for resource sharing on uniform multiprocessors with proven performance guarantee.

On sampling collection procedure effectiveness for forest soil characterization

One of the most important measures to prevent wild forest fires is the use of prescribed and controlled burning actions as it reduce the fuel mass availability. The impact of these management activities on soil physical and chemical properties varies according to the type of both soil and vegetation. Decisions in forest management plans are often based on the results obtained from soil-monitoring campaigns. Those campaigns are often man-labor intensive and expensive. In this paper we have successfully used the multivariate statistical technique Robust Principal Analysis Compounds (ROBPCA) to investigate on the sampling procedure effectiveness for two different methodologies, in order to reflect on the possibility of simplifying and reduce the sampling collection process and its auxiliary laboratory analysis work towards a cost-effective and competent forest soil characterization.

Modeling radionuclides dispersion and deposition downwind of a coal-fired power plant

In this study the inhalation doses and respective risk are calculated for the population living within a 20 km radius of a coal-fired power plant. The dispersion and deposition of natural radionuclides were simulated by a Gaussian dispersion model estimating the ground level activity concentration. The annual effective dose and total risk were 0.03205 mSv/y and 1.25 x 10-8, respectively. The effective dose is lower than the limit established by the ICRP and the risk is lower than the limit proposed by the U.S. EPA, which means that the considered exposure does not pose any risk for the public health.

Space-time monitoring of prescribed burnt soils performance – an effective tool for forest management

Among the most important measures to prevent wild forest fires is the use of prescribed and controlled burning actions in order to reduce the availability of fuel mass. However, the impact of these activities on soil physical and chemical properties varies according to the type of both soil and vegetation and is not fully understood. Therefore, soil monitoring campaigns are often used to measure these impacts. In this paper we have successfully used three statistical data treatments - the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test followed by the ANOVA and the Kruskall-Wallis tests – to investigate the variability among the soil pH, soil moisture, soil organic matter and soil iron variables for different monitoring times and sampling procedures.

Assessment of direct radiological risk and indirect associated toxic risks originated by Coal-Fired Power Plants

Over the past few decades there has been some discussion concerning the increase of the natural background radiation originated by coal-fired power plants, due to the uranium and thorium content present in combustion ashes. The radioactive decay products of uranium and thorium, such as radium, radon, polonium, bismuth and lead, are also released in addition to a significant amount of 40K. Since the measurement of radioactive elements released by the gaseous emissions of coal power plants is not compulsory, there is a gap of information concerning this situation. Consequently, the prediction of dispersion and mobility of these elements in the environment, after their release, is based on limited data and the radiological impact from the exposure to these radioactive elements is unknown. This paper describes the methodology that is being developed to assess the radiological impact due to the raise in the natural background radiation level originated by the release and dispersion of the emitted radionuclides. The current investigation is part of a research project that is undergoing in the vicinity of Sines coal-fired power plant (south of Portugal) until 2013. Data from preliminary stages are already available and possible of interpretation.

Characterization of soils in an area of prescribed fire

The prescribed fire is a technique that is often used, it has several advantages. Pedological and hydropedological techniques were tested to assess the prescribed fire changes may cause in soils. This work was performed in Tresminas area (Vila Pouca de Aguiar, Northern Portugal), during February and March 2011. In the present study we applied several techniques. For the field sampling was followed the ISO 10381-1[1], ISO 10381-2[2], and FAO rules [3], as well as were used a grid with 17 points for measuring the soil parameters. During the fire, we have tried to check, with the assistance of the Portuguese Forestry Authority, some important parameters such as, the propagation speed, the size of the flame front and the intensity of energy emitted per unit area. Before the fire, was collected carefully soil disturbed and undisturbed samples for laboratory analysis, and measured soil water content; we also have placed four sets of thermocouples for measuring soil temperature. After the fire, were collected the thermocouples and new soil samples; the water content were measured in the soil and collected ashes. In the laboratory, after preparing and sieving the samples, were determined the soil particle size. The soil pH and electrical conductivity in water was also determined. The total carbon (TC) and inorganic carbon (IC)[4] was measured by a Shimadzu TOC-Vcsn. The water content in soil has not varied significantly before and after the fire, as well as soil pH and soil electrical conductivity. The TC and IC did not change, which was expected, since the fire not overcome the 200° C. Through the various parameters, we determined that the prescribed fire didn’t affect the soil. The low temperature of the fire and its rapid implementation that lead to the possible adverse effects caused by the wild fire didn’t occurred.

Business micro-location: factors, preferences and indicators to assess the influence factors

The paper presents a study on business micro-location behaviour as well as corresponding factors of influence, conducted in two metropolitan areas, Bucharest-Ilfov (Romania) and Greater Porto (Portugal). By business micro-location we refer to a specific site such as a building or facility, accommodating a business within a small, compact geographical area (e.g. metropolitan area). At this geographical scale, the macroeconomic layer factors were excluded, applicable when discern between regions or countries. The factors derived from location theory and previous empirical studies were surveyed, completing a cross-sectional analysis in order to find out the specific weights of the location factors and preferences, by region and by industry. Based on already established firms’ feedback on location, the specific weights were granted by each industry to the main location factors, types of areas, and types of accommodation facilities. The authors also suggested a model to integrate these results into a Geographical Information System (GIS).

Radiation dose rates and exposure associated to Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) at locations of a Portuguese coal-fired power plant

Coal contains trace quantities of natural radionuclides such as Th-232, U-235, U-238, as well as their radioactive decay products and 40K. These radionuclides can be released as fly ash in atmospheric emissions from coal-fired power plants, dispersed into the environment and deposited on the surrounding top soils. Therefore, the natural radiation background level is enhanced and consequently increase the total dose for the nearby population. A radiation monitoring programme was used to assess the external dose contribution to the natural radiation background, potentially resulting from the dispersion of coal ash in past atmospheric emissions. Radiation measurements were carried out by gamma spectrometry in the vicinity of a Portuguese coal-fired power plant. The radiation monitoring was achieved both on and off site, being the boundary delimited by a 20 km circle centered in the stacks of the coal plant. The measured radionuclides concentrations for the uranium and thorium series ranged from 7.7 to 41.3 Bq/kg for Ra-226 and from 4.7 to 71.6 Bq/kg for Th-232, while K-40 concentrations ranged from 62.3 to 795.1 Bq/kg. The highest values were registered near the power plant and at distances between 6 and 20 km from the stacks, mainly in the prevailing wind direction. The absorbed dose rates were calculated for each sampling location: 13.97-84.00 ηGy/h, while measurements from previous studies carried out in 1993 registered values in the range of 16.6-77.6 ηGy/h. The highest values were registered at locations in the prevailing wind direction (NW-SE). This study has been primarily done to assess the radiation dose rates and exposure to the nearby population in the surroundings of a coal-fired power plant. The results suggest an enhancement or at least an influence in the background radiation due to the coal plant past activities.

Assessment of the environmental radiation by in situ gamma ray spectrometry

Naturally occurring radioactive materials (NORM) under certain conditions can reach hazardous radiological levels contributing to an additional exposure dose to ionizing radiation. Most environmental concerns are associated with uranium mining and milling sites, but the same concerns should be addressed to natural near surface occurrences of uranium as well as man-made sources such as technologically enhanced naturally occurring radioactive materials (TENORM) resulting from phosphates industry, ceramic industry and energy production activities, in particular from coal-fired power plants which is one of the major sources of increased exposure to man from enhanced naturally occurring materials. This work describes the methodology developed to assess the environmental radiation by in situ gamma spectrometry in the vicinity of a Portuguese coal fired power plant. The current investigation is part of a research project that is undergoing in the vicinity of Sines Coal-Fired Power Plant (south of Portugal) until the end of 2013.

Radiological impact associated to Technologically Enhanced Naturally Occurring Radioactive Materials (TENORM) from coal-fired power plants emissions

Certain materials used and produced in a wide range of non-nuclear industries contain enhanced activity concentrations of natural radionuclides. In particular, electricity production from coal is one of the major sources of increased human exposure to naturally occurring radioactive materials. A methodology was developed to assess the radiological impact due to natural radiation background. The developed research was applied to a specific case study, the Sines coal-fired power plant, located in the southwest coastline of Portugal. Gamma radiation measurements were carried out with two different instruments: a sodium iodide scintillation detector counter (SPP2 NF, Saphymo) and a gamma ray spectrometer with energy discrimination (Falcon 5000, Canberra). Two circular survey areas were defined within 20 km of the power plant. Forty relevant measurements points were established within the sampling area: 15 urban and 25 suburban locations. Additionally, ten more measurements points were defined, mostly at the 20-km area. The registered gamma radiation varies from 20 to 98.33 counts per seconds (c.p.s.) corresponding to an external gamma exposure rate variable between 87.70 and 431.19 nGy/h. The highest values were measured at locations near the power plant and those located in an area within the 6 and 20 km from the stacks. In situ gamma radiation measurements with energy discrimination identified natural emitting nuclides as well as their decay products (Pb-212, Pb-2142, Ra-226, Th-232, Ac-228, Th-234, Pa-234, U- 235, etc.). According to the results, an influence from the stacks emissions has been identified both qualitatively and quantitatively. The developed methodology accomplished the lack of data in what concerns to radiation rate in the vicinity of Sines coal-fired power plant and consequently the resulting exposure to the nearby population.