Unloading or not unloading? Sheep welfare implication of rest stop at control post after a 29h transport

In Europe, maximum journey time for transported sheep is set at 29. h (EC Regulation 1/2005), after which animals must be unloaded, fed and watered in control posts stopping for 24. h, as all other species, before continuing their journey. The industry considers these resting times too general, not taking into account the peculiar differences between species or age classes. Also, loading and unloading have been reported to be detrimental for the animals. Therefore, the industry pushes to reduce the times at control post and avoid unloading the animals from the truck. Since there is little information concerning the effect of resting in a stationary truck after long journeys, the present study aims to evaluate the effect of an 8. h rest stop on the truck for transported ewes compared to being unloaded for resting in a control post for the same amount of time, considering physiological and behavioural measures. Two groups of ewes were transported for 29. h, after which one was unloaded and housed in a pen (P) at the control post while the other was left inside the truck (T). After 8. h stop, a further 6. h travel was headed to the farm of origin. A third group (C) stayed at the farm as control. During the stop, standing, resting, moving and eating behaviour of all groups was recorded. Blood parameters, salivary and faecal cortisol were assessed at different stages. The behaviour of P animals during the resting period was more similar to C than to T ones, where feeding and lying behaviours were restricted by the limited space allowance on the truck. After returning to the farm of origin, both T and P animals showed different parameters' levels as compared to C. P ewes showed a mean loss weight of 2. kg not recorded in group T and showed higher signs of muscular damage compared to C group. It was concluded that, with so short resting times as 8. h, there is no clear advantages in terms of animal welfare for avoiding the unloading and loading of the animals in the control post after long journeys.

A pilot study to develop an assessment tool for sheep welfare after long journey transport

Sheep transport within Europe involves 9.5 million animals yearly, 63% of which travel over longjourneys (> 8 h). Livestock transport, particularly over long journeys, gives rise to concern about the welfare of transported animals. The European Commission stimulates the development of market-oriented animal welfare standards for all phases of livestock production, providing an alternative to the 'regulatory approach'. This study aimed to develop and test a new sheep welfare assessment protocol to be used following transport, irrespective of the journey purpose. The protocol included outcome (animal-based measures) and input variables (resource-based and management-based measures), being welfare-relevant aspects of both transport and unloading procedures. Weighted Cohen's Kappa and Heiss' Kappa index of agreement were calculated to evaluate the raters accuracy and the inter-observer reliability.Overall, good agreement levels were found. The protocol was tested on 40 commercial transports arriving at previously selected assembly centres and slaughterhouses in Italy and Greece. The protocol was found to be feasible when applied to commercial transports, allowing for a comprehensive and quick sheep welfare assessment during unloading, without impairing stockman work. Univariate analysis was carried out to evaluate associations between outcome and input variables. In this study, significant association between outcome measures and risk factors were identified when associated to unloading procedures but not to travel conditions. In collaboration with the relevant stakeholders, this protocol might be developed into a tool for routine checks for certification purposes and could provide direct feedback to all professionals involved in animal transportation on the weaknesses and strengths of their work.

Development of a sheep vertebroplasty model for bioceramic materials assessment

Development of a sheep vertebroplasty model for bioceramic materials assessment Sheep has been widely used as an animal orthopaedic model. Although several studies report anatomic and biomechanical similarities as well as distinctions of ovine lumbar vertebrae when compared to human’s, only a few studies describe its actual use as a vertebroplasty model. Due to distinct anatomic features, sheep lumbar vertebrae pose a challenge when developing a minimally invasive procedure for vertebroplasty material testing, under conditions meant to be the most similar to clinical procedure. The present work describes the development of an appropriate surgical percutaneous vertebroplasty model in the lumbar spine of sheep, applicable in vivo, that minimizes the risk of post-surgical complications. This model was mechanically evaluated ex-vivo regarding its safety, and used to evaluate the injectability and radiopacity of two new bioceramic materials when compared to a commercial bioceramic bone substitute (Cerament™ SpineSupport). Microtomography techniques helped in the development of the model and results assessment. Under fluoroscopic guidance, a defect was created through a bilateral modified parapedicular access in the cranial hemivertebrae of 30 sheep lumbar vertebrae (L4, L5 and L6). The manually drilled defect had an average volume of 1209 ±226 mm3 and allowed the novel materials injection through a standardized injection cannula placed in one of the entrance points. Adequate defect filling was observed with all tested materials. No mechanical failure was observed under loads higher than the physiological.

Programa "Escola Segura": Contributo para a avaliação dos impactos do programa "Escola Segura" no Concelho de Portalegre

O trabalho que a seguir se apresenta incide sobre o tema Programa “Escola Segura”, mais especificamente sobre a avaliação/caracterização dos impactos do Programa “Escola Segura” no concelho de Portalegre. Este trabalho de investigação tinha, fundamentalmente, cinco grandes objetivos: - Conhecer o Programa “Escola Segura”; - Caracterizar o Programa “Escola Segura” no concelho de Portalegre; - Caracterizar a parceria no território entre a Escola e o Programa “Escola Segura”; - Verificar qual a articulação entre a Escola e o Programa “Escola Segura”; - Idênticas as relações existentes entre agentes do Programa “Escola Segura”, professores e alunos. Encontra-se dividido em duas partes. Na primeira parte, designada por “Enquadramento Teórico” serão revistas algumas das conceptualizações teóricas, as quais se encontram organizadas por três capítulos distintos: “Relação Educativa”, “Disciplina” e “Enquadramento Legal”. De salientar que neste último se inclui o Despacho Conjunto n. ° 105-A/20051, o qual estabelece o conceito, objetivos, âmbitos e estrutura do Programa “Escola Segura”, e, como tal, é desenvolvido de forma mais aprofundada, visto ser o motor, bem como o assunto principal desta investigação. A estrutura da segunda parte deste trabalho, designada por “Investigação”, assenta na existência de três capítulos: “Enquadramento Metodológico”, “Análise e Interpretação de Dados” e “Considerações Finais”. Após discutidos os principais resultados, são também apresentadas algumas recomendações e sugestões. A metodologia deste estado apresenta duas dimensões: - Uma pequena dimensão quantitativa, que caracteriza a realidade objeto de estudo (caracterização dos diferentes estabelecimentos de ensino, pertencentes ao mesmo Agrupamento, quanto ao número de alunos e professores); - Uma forte dimensão qualitativa, que tem como objetivo evidenciar a opinião, que os diferentes atores possuem do Programa “Escola Segura” (análise e interpretação de entrevistas semi-directivas e de textos). Como instrumentos de recolha de dados evidenciam-se dois: - Entrevistas semi-directivas, elaboradas de acordo com os procedimentos indicados em ESTRELA (1990), destinadas aos docentes e agentes do Programa “Escola Segura”; - Ficha de trabalho, elaborada por nós, dirigida aos alunos, que consistia na construção de um texto sobre o Programa “Escola Segura”. A recolha de informação, nomeadamente a obtida por meio de entrevistas semi-diretivas, de forma a permitir um tratamento/análise mais claro e objetivo, foi trabalhada através de grelhas de análise, por categorias. Esta análise de conteúdo foi feita de acordo com os procedimentos indicados por BARDIN (1977). Os resultados obtidos permitem constatar que o Programa “Escola Segura” se desenvolve de formas distintas, de acordo com o meio em que os estabelecimentos de ensino estão inseridos (rural ou urbano), apesar de assentar na mesma filosofia. Sendo que parte desta situação transcende, de alguma forma, os próprios agentes destacados para o Programa em estudo. /ABSTRACT - “Escola Segura” programe Thefollowing work considers the "Escola Segura" programe, specifying on it’s evaluation/characterization in the city of Portalegre. This work of investigation had, fundamentally, five major goals: - Knowing the “Escola Segura ” program; - Characterizing the “Escola Segura ” program in Portalegre; - Characterizing the partnership between the School and the “Escola Segura" program - Verifying the articulation between the School and the “Escola Segura ” Program - Identifying existing relationships between agents of the “Escola Segura” program, teachers and students. In order to do this, we divided this work in two parts: in the first part, designated by "Enquadramento Teórico ", some of the theoretical concepts are reviewed in three different chapters: “Relação Educativa”, “Disciplina” and “Enquadramento Legal ". In the last we included the Despacho Conjunto n.º 105-A/2005, which establishes the concept, objectives, ambits and structures of the previously mentioned program. As such, it was developed more extensively, for this seems to be the engine as well as the main subject of this investigation. The structure of the second part of this work, designated by "Investigação", also consists of three chapters: “Enquadramento Metodológico", “Análise e interpretação de dados" and "Considerações finais”. Finally, after discussing the main results, we will state recommendations and suggestions. The methodology of this study has two dimensions: - A small quantitative dimension, that characterizes the reality that is the study object (characterization of different schools belonging to the same Scholl Groups, in terms of numbers of students and teachers); - A strong qualitative dimension, with the purpose of stating the opinion that the different actors possess of the “Escola Segura” program (analysis and interpretation of semi-directive interviews and texts). We will focus on two instruments of data sampling: - Semi-directive interviews, elaborated in agreement with the suitable procedures in STAR (1990), destinated to teachers and agents of the “Escola Segura” Program; - A work sheet directed to the students, that we developed, which consisted in elaborating a text about the aforementioned program. Data sampling, obtained through semi-directive interviews in order to allow a clearer and more objective treatment and analysis, was developed through analysis sheets divided into categories. This content analysis was made in agreement with the suitable procedures by BARDIN (1977). The obtained results allow to verify that the “Escola Segura” program develops in distinct ways, according to which environment schools are inserted in (rural or urban), even though it is based on the same philosophy. Part of this situation even transcends, in a way, the indicated agents for the studied program

Valorização de aguardentes de fruto e licores tradicionais como suporte de desenvolvimento na Serra Algarvia

Durante séculos, os segredos envolvidos no fabrico de produtos tradicionais, passaram verbalmente de geração em geração. Contudo, a busca de melhores condições sociais levou, nas últimas décadas, ao desenvolvimento de grandes centros urbanos, onde praticamente tudo o que se consome provém de outras regiões do país ou do estrangeiro.

Estudo da regeneração da paisagem após o fogo de 2004 na Serra do Caldeirão

Dissertação de mest., Gestão e Conservação da Natureza, Faculdade de Ciências do Mar e do Ambiente, Univ. do Algarve, 2008

Da Serra de Tavira ao Rif marroquino: analogias e mitos

Dissertação de mest., Cultura Árabe e Islâmica e o Mediterrâneo, Faculdade de Ciências Humanas e Sociais, Universidade do Algarve, 2007

Controlo e análise do processo de produção de aguardente de medronho da Serra do Caldeirão

Dissertação de mest., Tecnologia dos Alimentos, Instituto Superior de Engenharia, Univ. do Algarve, 2010

Os montes da serra de Tavira

The human occupation of the Tavira ridge is characterised by a network of small agglomerations of buildings (known as ‘montes’) belonging to the proprietors of lands around them. This way of organising places is, by and large, extensive to an important area of the schist mountains that stretch from Alentejo to Algarve, from the Guadiana river to the Atlantic Ocean. However, within the scope of that larger entity, the Tavira ridge appears as a sub-unit with traits of its own, which may be attributed not only to biophysical conditions, but also to the historical circumstances associated to the settlement of the territory. This particular ridge, which was confined to the perimeter of the Tavira municipality during the days of the Old Regime, has been more densely populated, due to its lack of interior hierarchisation, unlike what happens in neighbouring sub-units, both in terms of agglomeration sizes and of the property system itself. The traditional architecture of these areas was usually reduced to the bare essentials, reflecting the adverse conditions that generally surrounded the local economies. As can easily be gleaned from the plans shown here, the groupings of edifices that define the ridge’s settlement are largely characterised by the aggregation of buildings belonging to various owners, often intent on achieving a prominent position in the landscape.

A paisagem de Vila Real de Santo António dos areais da orla às vertentes da Serra

A desembocadura do Guadiana alargada ao estuário constitui, pela sua diversidade, uma paisagem muito particular na região do Algarve, marcada pela aproximação à orla marítima dos montículos serranos do maciço Hespérico. O barrocal de solos calcários, subunidade intermédia entre a serra do Caldeirão e a faixa litoral, estreita-se a partir do termo de Faro aos campos e almargens de Tavira, dando lugar pelas alturas de São Bartolomeu, na aproximação ao rio, à paisagem dos sapais. Castro Marim, quase na foz, ocupa já, em parte, os outeiros da serra, encerrando a nascente um alinhamento de aglomerados de pequena ou média dimensão que, de Barlavento a Sotavento, marcam a proximidade ao vale do triássico na transição entre o maciço Antigo e o Baixo Algarve.

Des polyphonies sauves des eaux: les représentations de la "Tradition" dans une micro-localité de la Serra de Gerês

A região montanhosa do noroeste de Portugal é conhecida há muito pelos seus cantos polifónicos femininos, que apresentam microvariações duma aldeia para outra e estavam tradicionalmente ligados à cultura dos cereais (centeio e milho). Há muito que a aldeia de São João do Campo (concelho de Terras de Bouro, distrito de Braga) não pratica a agricultura, mas as suas mulheres continuam a cantar em polifonia de modo perfeito, usando as vozes como actividade recreativa e transmitindo às filhas a arte de cantar. Uma das razões para a idealização dos seus cantos poderia ser a desaparição da aldeia vizinha, Vilarinho da Furna, engolida pelas águas duma barragem. Em São João do Campo convergem, no entanto, outras “tradições” musicais: a dos antigos habitantes de Vilarinho da Furna, que comemoram musicalmente todos os anos a sua aldeia desaparecida; e a dos habitantes duma localidade vizinha, Aboim da Nóbrega, que à aldeia de São João do Campo vêm entoar cantos petitórios de chuva, dedicados a São João. O amor pela terra é aqui propício a práticas musicais que, todas elas, se reclamam da “tradição”, embora sendo radicalmente diferentes,mesmo, heteróclitas. Em São João do Campo convergiram também diversas experiências “de campo”: a de Virgílio Pereira, a de Michel Giacometti e a minha, através das quais a noção de “tradição” é vista de modo diferente. Além de determinar as diversas funções dos cantos polifónicos femininos (ceifa, malha do centeio, monda, desfolhada do milho, secagem do linho, artesanato, festas...), este artigo levanta também a questão de como definir “a tradição”.