Menires do Alto Algarve oriental : Lavajo I e Lavajo II (Alcoutim)

Neste trabalho apresenta-se o resultado das escavações realizadas respectivamente em 1998 e em 2001 nos núcleos de menires de Lavajo I e de Lavajo II, distanciados cerca de 250 m na direcção NNE e separados pelo pequeno vale do Lavajo. Os locais, actualmente, são intervisíveis, graças à implantação destacada no terreno: Lavajo I situa-se no topo de colina enquanto Lavajo II ocupa a linha de festo de uma encosta, conferindo ao local visibilidade tanto do lado sul como do lado norte. O conjunto de Lavajo I é constituído actualmente por três monólitos, todos de grauvaque: um, quase inteiro, de tendência fálica, é actualmente o maior menir de grauvaque conhecido em território português, atingindo o comprimento máximo de 3,14 m; outro, quase completo, fragmentado em três grandes blocos, possui formato estelar; o restante apresenta-se muito incompleto, dele se conservando apenas uma lasca da sua face frontal. É crível, no entanto, que pudessem existir mais monólitos, tendo em conta os abundantes fragmentos de grauvaque ali observados, quase todos com fracturas frescas. Todos os menires de Lavajo I se apresentam decorados, com destaque para o maior deles, o qual exibe complexa decoração estreitamente relacionada com a morfologia do suporte lítico. Apenas para este foi possível determinar o local de implantação, correspondente a um alvéolo de planta circular e fundo aplanado, parcialmente danificado pelos trabalhos realizados em 1994, que conduziram ao seu reerguimento, infelizmente feito de forma pouco cuidada e incorrecta, visto ter sido colocado no terreno em posição invertida. Seja como for, na zona culminante daquele pequeno cabeço, implantaram-se três menires decorados, os quais não podem ser vistos isoladamente, já que se articulariam directamente com o conjunto de Lavajo II, que se avista ao longe, do outro lado do pequeno vale do Lavajo e na linha de festo da encosta, da qual ocupa a parte média. Neste segundo local, identificaram-se quatro estelas-menir não decoradas, todas de grauvaque, das quais apenas uma, representada por fragmento de pequenas dimensões, se encontrava in situ. Foi, no entanto, possível reconstituir a posição relativa das restantes, através da escavação integral do respectivo alvéolo, correspondente a rasgo alongado, orientado Este-Oeste, aberto no substrato geológico, constituído por xistos do Carbónico Superior finamente folheados. Deste modo, é de concluir que as estelas menir se dispunham em linha, constituindo um painel lítico contínuo. No interior do alvéolo, recolheram-se diversos artefactos ali ritualmente depositados aquando da fundação do monumento, cuja tipologia indica o Neolítico Final, cronologia aliás compatível com a do conjunto megalítico de Lavajo I, tendo presente a iconografia patente nos menires. Muito embora não se conheça ainda suficientemente o padrão de povoamento da região no Neolítico Final, estes dois núcleos megalíticos podem ser interpretados como marcadores de territórios e/ou de espaços sagrados, sendo de destacar a existência, durante todo o ano, de água nas proximidades imediatas, recurso escasso e precioso, que propiciaria a horticultura. Por outro lado, a natureza das matérias-primas utilizadas na confecção dos artefactos encontrados (sílex, anfibolito), para além de outros materiais de circulação transregional muito mais alargada (fibrolite), evidencia a forte interacção destas populações tanto com o interior do Baixo Alentejo (Zona de Ossa/Morena), como com o litoral algarvio ou andaluz, compatível com estádio de desenvolvimento económico do final do Neolítico do sul peninsular. Numa vasta região, correspondente a todo o sotavento algarvio, onde o megalitismo não funerário era até agora totalmente desconhecido, os testemunhos ora estudados constituem, doravante, uma das expressões mais interessantes e significativas do Sudoeste peninsular.

New invertebrate vectors of Okadaic acid from the North Atlantic Waters - Portugal (Azores and Madeira) and Morocco

Okadaic acid and its analogues are potent phosphatase inhibitors that cause Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) through the ingestion of contaminated shellfish by humans. This group of toxins is transmitted worldwide but the number of poisoning incidents has declined over the last 20 years due to legislation and monitoring programs that were implemented for bivalves. In the summer of 2012 and 2013, we collected a total of 101 samples of 22 different species that were made up of benthic and subtidal organisms such echinoderms, crustaceans, bivalves and gastropods from Madeira, São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago) and the northwestern coast of Morocco. The samples were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. Our main objective was to detect new vectors for these biotoxins. We can report nine new vectors for these toxins in the North Atlantic: Astropecten aranciacus, Arbacia lixula, Echinaster sepositus, Holothuria sanctori, Ophidiaster ophidianus, Onchidella celtica, Aplysia depilans, Patella spp., and Stramonita haemostoma. Differences in toxin contents among the species were found. Even though low concentrations were detected, the levels of toxins that were present, especially in edible species, indicate the importance of these types of studies. Routine monitoring should be extended to comprise a wider number of vectors other than for bivalves of okadaic acid and its analogues.

Effect of sonic and ultrasonic activation on organic tissue dissolution from simulated grooves in root canals using sodium hypochlorite and EDTA

Aim: To compare soft-tissue dissolution by sodium hypochlorite, with an EDTA intermediate rinse, with or without activation with passive ultrasonic activation (PUI) or sonic activation using the Endoactivator (EA) or Eddy tips (ED). Methodology: The root canals of eighty-three human maxillary central incisors were chemo-mechanically prepared and the teeth split. A standardized longitudinal intracanal groove was created in one of the root halves. Eighty-three porcine palatal mucosa samples were collected, adapted to fit into the grooves and weighed. The re-assembled specimens were randomly divided into four experimental groups (n = 20), based on the final rinse: no activation; EA; PUI; ED, using 2.5% sodium hypochlorite, with an EDTA intermediate rinse. A control group (n = 3) was irrigated with distilled water without activation. The solutions were delivered using a syringe and needle 2 mm from working length. Total irrigation time was 150 s, including 60 s of activation in the specific groups. The study was carried out at 36 ± 2 °C. The porcine palatal mucosa samples were weighed after completion of the assays. Student paired t-test and anova were used to assess the intra- and intergroup weight changes. The multiple comparisons were evaluated using Bonferroni correction (α = 0.05). Results: Weight loss occurred in all experimental groups. Irrigant activation resulted in greater weight loss when compared to the nonactivated group [vs. EA (P = 0.001); vs. PUI (P < 0.001); vs. ED (P < 0.001)]. No significant differences were found amongst the different activation systems. Conclusions: Activation increased the tissue-dissolving activity of irrigants from artificial grooves in root canals of maxillary central incisors. © 2016 International Endodontic Journal. Published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.

New invertebrate vectors of Okadaic acid from the North Atlantic Waters - Portugal (Azores and Madeira) and Morocco

Okadaic acid and its analogues are potent phosphatase inhibitors that cause Diarrheic Shellfish Poisoning (DSP) through the ingestion of contaminated shellfish by humans. This group of toxins is transmitted worldwide but the number of poisoning incidents has declined over the last 20 years due to legislation and monitoring programs that were implemented for bivalves. In the summer of 2012 and 2013, we collected a total of 101 samples of 22 different species that were made up of benthic and subtidal organisms such echinoderms, crustaceans, bivalves and gastropods from Madeira, São Miguel Island (Azores archipelago) and the northwestern coast of Morocco. The samples were analyzed by UPLC-MS/MS. Our main objective was to detect new vectors for these biotoxins. We can report nine new vectors for these toxins in the North Atlantic: Astropecten aranciacus, Arbacia lixula, Echinaster sepositus, Holothuria sanctori, Ophidiaster ophidianus, Onchidella celtica, Aplysia depilans, Patella spp., and Stramonita haemostoma. Differences in toxin contents among the species were found. Even though low concentrations were detected, the levels of toxins that were present, especially in edible species, indicate the importance of these types of studies. Routine monitoring should be extended to comprise a wider number of vectors other than for bivalves of okadaic acid and its analogues.

Loss of thermal refugia near equatorial range limits

This study examines the importance of thermal refugia along the majority of the geographical range of a key inter- tidal species (Patella vulgata Linnaeus, 1758) on the Atlantic coast of Europe. We asked whether differences between sun-exposed and shaded microhabitats were responsible for differences in physiological stress and ecological perfor- mance and examined the availability of refugia near equatorial range limits. Thermal differences between sun- exposed and shaded microhabitats are consistently associated with differences in physiological performance, and the frequency of occurrence of high temperatures is most probably limiting the maximum population densities sup- ported at any given place. Topographical complexity provides thermal refugia throughout most of the distribution range, although towards the equatorial edges the magnitude of the amelioration provided by shaded microhabitats is largely reduced. Importantly, the limiting effects of temperature, rather than being related to latitude, seem to be tightly associated with microsite variability, which therefore is likely to have profound effects on the way local popu- lations (and consequently species) respond to climatic changes.

Un framework di astrazione per lo Stream Processing a supporto di RAM3S

L’elaborazione di quantità di dati sempre crescente ed in tempi ragionevoli è una delle principali sfide tecnologiche del momento. La difficoltà non risiede esclusivamente nel disporre di motori di elaborazione efficienti e in grado di eseguire la computazione coordinata su un’enorme mole di dati, ma anche nel fornire agli sviluppatori di tali applicazioni strumenti di sviluppo che risultino intuitivi nell’utilizzo e facili nella messa in opera, con lo scopo di ridurre il tempo necessario a realizzare concretamente un’idea di applicazione e abbassare le barriere all’ingresso degli strumenti software disponibili. Questo lavoro di tesi prende in esame il progetto RAM3S, il cui intento è quello di semplificare la realizzazione di applicazioni di elaborazione dati basate su piattaforme di Stream Processing quali Spark, Storm, Flinke e Samza, e si occupa di esaudire il suo scopo originale fornendo un framework astratto ed estensibile per la definizione di applicazioni di stream processing, capaci di eseguire indistintamente sulle piattaforme disponibili sul mercato.

Impact of anthropogenic stressors on the microbial communities in marine holobionts and ecosystems

Free-living or host-associated marine microbiomes play a determinant role in supporting the functioning and biodiversity of marine ecosystems, providing essential ecological services, and promoting the health of the entire biosphere. Currently, the fast and restless increase of World’s human population strongly impacts life on Earth in the forms of ocean pollution, coastal zone destruction, overexploitation of marine resources, and climate change. Thanks to their phylogenetic, metabolic, and functional diversity, marine microbiomes represent the Earth’s biggest reservoir of solutions against the major threats that are now impacting marine ecosystems, possibly providing valuable insights for biotechnological applications to preserve the health of the ocean ecosystems. Microbial-based mitigation strategies heavily rely on the available knowledge on the specific role and composition of holobionts associated microbial communities, thus highlighting the importance of pioneer studies on microbial-mediated adaptive mechanisms in the marine habitats. In this context, we propose different models representing ecologically important, widely distributed, and habitat-forming organisms, to further investigate the ability of marine holobionts to dynamically adapt to natural environmental variations, as well as to anthropogenic stress factors. In this PhD thesis, we were able to supply the characterization of the microbial community associated with the model anthozoan cnidaria Corynactis viridis throughout a seasonal gradient, to provide critical insights into microbiome-host interactions in a biomonitoring perspective. We also dissected in details the microbial-derived mitigation strategies implemented by the benthonic anthozoan Anemonia viridis and the gastropod Patella caerulea as models of adaptation to anthropogenic stressors, in the context of bioremediation of human-impacted habitats and for the monitoring and preservation of coastal marine ecosystems, respectively. Finally, we provided a functional model of adaptation to future ocean acidification conditions by characterizing the microbial community associated with the temperate coral Balanophyllia europaea naturally living at low pH conditions, to implement microbial based actions to mitigate climate change.

Towards a more sustainable aquaculture: diets effects and environmental impact of aquaculture from a microbiome perspective

There is a lot of interest to optimize aquaculture production due to its overexploitation of marine resources, ocean pollution and habitat destruction. Since feed production is one of the greatest issues in aquaculture, feeding strategy optimization is important. The study of several different feed additives or supplementation is important to secure optimal growth, gut health, and function in farmed fish. Feed additives are typically supplied to ensure good health and to help the animal ward off pathogens during both normal and challenging conditions, which could stress animals and promote insurgence of pathologies or pathogens invasions. In this context has an increasing interest the study of host associated microbiome to understand the influence of novel functional feed on the health and physiology of animals. To achieve a more sustainable aquaculture sector, show a great importance the understanding of the environmental impact of this human activity in terms of habitat destruction, ocean pollution and reduction marine environments biodiversity. Marine microbiomes, either free-living or associated with multicellular hosts, is acquiring an increasing interest because their role in supporting the functioning and biodiversity of marine ecosystems, providing essential ecological services. Becoming extremely important to understand how these activities can affect marine microbiomes by altering their function and diversity. In this thesis work, we were able to present a comprehensive evaluation of different functional feeds assessing their effects in terms of growth and gut health of three fish species, Rainbow Trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss), Gilthead seabream (Sparus aurata) and Zebrafish (Danio rerio). We also explored the impact of Aquaculture on the surrounding marine microbiomes, using Patella caerulea as a model holobionts. Finally, we provided a synoptical study on the microbiomes of the water column and surface sediments in North-Western Adriatic Sea (Italy), providing the finest-scale mapping of marine microbiomes in the Mediterranean Sea.

Sensor networks optimization and software development for Structural Health Monitoring based on ultrasonic guided waves

The Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) research area is increasingly investigated due to its high potential in reducing the maintenance costs and in ensuring the systems safety in several industrial application fields. A growing demand of new SHM systems, permanently embedded into the structures, for savings in weight and cabling, comes from the aeronautical and aerospace application fields. As consequence, the embedded electronic devices are to be wirelessly connected and battery powered. As result, a low power consumption is requested. At the same time, high performance in defects or impacts detection and localization are to be ensured to assess the structural integrity. To achieve these goals, the design paradigms can be changed together with the associate signal processing. The present thesis proposes design strategies and unconventional solutions, suitable both for real-time monitoring and periodic inspections, relying on piezo-transducers and Ultrasonic Guided Waves. In the first context, arrays of closely located sensors were designed, according to appropriate optimality criteria, by exploiting sensors re-shaping and optimal positioning, to achieve improved damages/impacts localisation performance in noisy environments. An additional sensor re-shaping procedure was developed to tackle another well-known issue which arises in realistic scenario, namely the reverberation. A novel sensor, able to filter undesired mechanical boundaries reflections, was validated via simulations based on the Green's functions formalism and FEM. In the active SHM context, a novel design methodology was used to develop a single transducer, called Spectrum-Scanning Acoustic Transducer, to actively inspect a structure. It can estimate the number of defects and their distances with an accuracy of 2[cm]. It can also estimate the damage angular coordinate with an equivalent mainlobe aperture of 8[deg], when a 24[cm] radial gap between two defects is ensured. A suitable signal processing was developed in order to limit the computational cost, allowing its use with embedded electronic devices.