The Late Triassic deposits in the Jameson Land Basin, central East Greenland, stand as a crucial fossil area, yielding a diverse Norian vertebrate fauna. This basin, situated at a palaeolatitude of 41° N on the northern rim of Pangea and bordered in the North by the Boreal Sea, was a hub of activity during the Late Triassic. A large ephemeral to perennial lake system developed in the central and eastern parts of the basin, with rivers transporting sediment from the uplands northwest of the basin. Our research focused on the microvertebrate remains recovered from an expedition to Jameson Land in 1991 which yielded significant findings. These specimens, meticulously photographed and listed in a catalogue, comprise 950 vertebrate remains. Notably, we have identified new taxa never described from the Late Triassic sediments of Greenland, including sharks (Lissodus, Rhomphaiodon), bony fish (Gyrolepis), and reptiles (Doswelliidae and Rhynchocephalia). The revision of two sphenodontians jaw fragments as Clevosauridae, in association with Lissodus lepagei, Lissodus cf. Lissodus minimus, Rhomphaiodon sp., Saurichthys sp., and Gyrolepis sp., which are taxa that are highly documented in Europe and Asia, confirms a relationship between faunas of Greenland and Eurasia during the Late Triassic, a statement previously based on macro vertebrate studies.

Carbohydrate-binding-modules (CBMs) are discrete auxiliary protein modules with a non-catalytic carbohydrate-binding function and that exhibit a great diversity of binding specificities. CBMcarb-DB is a curated database that classifies the three-dimensional structures of CBM–carbohydrate complexes determined by single-crystal X-ray diffraction methods and solution NMR spectroscopy. We designed the database architecture and the navigation tools to query the database with the Protein Data Bank (PDB), UniProtKB, and GlyTouCan (universal glycan repository) identifiers. Special attention was devoted to describing the bound glycans using simple graphical representation and numerical format for cross-referencing to other glycosciences and functional data databases. CBMcarb-DB provides detailed information on CBMs and their bound oligosaccharides and features their interactions using several open-access applications. We also describe how the curated information provided by CBMcarb-DB can be integrated with AI algorithms of 3D structure prediction, facilitating structure–function studies. Also in this chapter, we discuss the exciting convergence of CBMcarb-DB with the glycan array repository, which serves as a valuable resource for investigating the specific binding interactions between glycans and various biomolecular targets. The interaction of the two fields represents a significant milestone in glycosciences. CBMcarb-DB is freely available at https://cbmdb.glycopedia.eu/ and https://cbmcarb.webhost.fct.unl.pt.

The structural and chemical diversity of β-glucans is reflected on the variety of essential biological roles tackled by these polysaccharides. This natural heterogeneity requires an elaborate assortment of enzymatic mechanisms to assemble, degrade or modify, as well as to extract their full biotechnological potential. Recent metagenomic efforts have provided an unprecedented growth in potential new biocatalysts, most of which remain unconfirmed or uncharacterized. Here we report the first biochemical and structural characterization of two bacterial β-glucanases from the recently created glycoside hydrolase family 157 (LaGH157 and BcGH157) and investigate their molecular basis for substrate hydrolysis. Structural analysis by X-ray crystallography revealed that GH157 enzymes belong to clan GH-A, possessing a (β/α)8-barrel fold catalytic domain, two β-sandwich accessory domains and two conserved catalytic glutamates residues, with relative positions compatible with a retaining mechanism of hydrolysis. Specificity screening and enzyme kinetics suggest that the enzymes prefer mixed-linkage glucans over β-1,3-glucans. Activity screening showed that both enzymes exhibit pH optimum at 6.5 and temperature optimum for LaGH157 and BcGH157 at 25 °C and 48 °C, respectively. Product analysis with HPAEC-PAD and LC-MS revealed that both enzymes are endo-1,3(4)-β-glucanases, capable of cleaving β-1,3 and β-1,4-linked glucoses, when preceded by a β-1,3 linkage. Moreover, BcGH157 needs a minimum of 4 subsites occupied for hydrolysis to occur, while LaGH157 only requires 3 subsites. Additionally, LaGH157 possesses exohydrolytic activity on β-1,3 and branching β-1,6 linkages. This unusual bifunctional endo-1,3(4)/exo-1,3–1,6 activity constitutes an expansion on our understanding of β-glucan deconstruction, with the potential to inspire future applications.

Este relatório pretende descrever e analisar o trabalho de campo realizado no âmbito do projeto CERP. O projeto pretende compreender o estado da arte em Portugal da negociação coletiva portuguesa com referências à transição sustentável e justa no setor dos transportes e no setor público.

Este relatório pretende fazer uma revisão da literatura sobre a negociação coletiva portuguesa com referências à transição sustentável e justa no setor dos transportes e no setor público.
Portugal tem sido dos países que iniciou já o seu caminho de transição e encerrou as centrais a carvão. Mas em países do Leste europeu, por exemplo, existe muita indústria associada à produção de electricidade a partir do carvão, e onde o encerramento levanta sérias questões sociais. Nestes casos, em particular, é necessário um processo gradual que inclua medidas de apoio à formação e reconversão dos trabalhadores envolvidos.

As mentioned in the introduction to this volume, artificial intelligence (AI) functionalities are swiftly becoming integral to knowledge work and digital services. They are, however, also applied in all areas of human work. That is making the public services in Portugal more accessible and efficient. Since mid-90s, with the national strategy towards the Information Society (Missão para a Sociedade da Informação), a wide program for the promotion and development of public digital services have started. In the last decades, and with the definition of this national strategy, successive governments and the national parliament have contributed to stimulate democratic participation, and support decision-making and policy development.

Shock absorbers have been widely used in the automotive and aeronautical industries for many years. Inspired on these devices, the paper presents an analytical and numerical assessment of a high performance protective system for building structures against blast loads, which is composed of a shielding element connected to the main structure, at the floor levels, through ductile Energy Absorbing Connectors (EACs). The EACs exploit the external tube inversion mechanism to absorb a significant part of the imparted kinetic energy from the blast wave. While the system prototype has been developed in laboratory, it was characterized and tested in a full-scale blast testing campaign. A validated finite element model was used next to analyze its performance in a more demanding design scenario. The introduction of EACs notably reduces the peak horizontal loads and the kinetic energy transferred to the protected structure, being expected a significant reduction of the stresses in the supporting vertical elements, in addition to the protection of structural and non-structural members. These results encourage further studies of the presented protective system that can be potentially employed for a large variety of blast threat scenarios, especially when increasing the stand-off is not a possible/viable option and sensitive facilities have to be protected.

The challenges of disciplinary integration in teaching practice, especially in the implementation of tasks that promote interdisciplinary approaches, highlight the importance of teachers' professional knowledge in this process. Using a naturalistic approach, this study aims to characterize the professional knowledge of a physics teacher when adopting an interdisciplinary approach using technology. The results of the research revealed that the teacher mobilizes different types of knowledge, showing a differentiated knowledge of the most appropriate mathematical application to teach a given piece of content, and knowledge of how pedagogical strategies can be aided through different applications using technology.

ABSTRACTVirtual palaeontology is a growing field, leading palaeontologists to better understand the microanatomy of many extinct species. The application of techniques such as CT and μCT-scanning allows the researchers to study micro-anatomical features in a non-invasive way and make inferences on the palaeobiology of animals. Dinosaurs have been extensively studied using these techniques, with particular focus on the microanatomy of the cranium, whereas relatively little is known of other cranial elements, such as the lower jaw. Here, we aim to fill this gap, describing the microanatomy of the specimen ML 768, an isolated dentary belonging to a dryosaurid iguanodontian dinosaur from the Upper Jurassic of Lourinhã Fm. The dentary ML 768 was subjected to μCT-scanning, and subsequently the data were segmented in Avizo and rendered in Blender. We identified functional and replacement teeth, recognising remnants of old replacement cycles. Furthermore, we mapped a rich neurovascular network present in the dentary and compared it with reference literature. We found that the high vascularisation is shared with other cerapodan dinosaurs with high tooth replacement rates, although homoeostasis may have also played a role in the development of this condition. Further evidence is needed to appreciate the macroevolutionary significance of these findings.

Abstract The Monastery of Alcobaça houses in reserve the ceramic tiles that adorned the floor of the church's apse. These tiles were removed during rehabilitation works and many preserve part of their original fixing mortars. A comprehensive analysis of 21 samples was conducted using a multi-analytical approach (X-ray fluorescence, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy–energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, μ-Raman spectroscopy, thermogravimetry–differential thermal analysis, optical microscopy, and colorimetry). Results suggest compositional variations in the samples from the back and sides of the ceramic tiles; however, the mineralogy and general characteristics of the aggregates remained consistent between the samples and are coherent with the local geology, suggesting a shared historical origin.

Political and economic crises and issues such as global warming, decreased fossil fuel reserves, environmental pollutions and acid rains are just some of the problems caused by improper energy consumption. Energy efficiency optimization with the right policy and definition of accurate scientific methods proven in energy consumption includes planning, enforcement, organizing permanent control, and continuously reviewing technology upgrades. Additionally, developing legal solutions to implement these programs prevents the destruction and waste of energy resources and reduces the side effects of improper energy consumption. The shape of the city and its components can affect the city’s quality and its spaces, as well as the air quality change, creating a particular climate in their area, causing phenomena such as heat islands, dust, rain, albedo, atmospheric inversion, and some others. By making changes in the shape of the city, both on a large scale and a micro-scale, atmospheric currents and, consequently, air quality in cities can be improved. Urban morphological indicators, including building height, building type, occupancy level, segmentation, block size, block shape, density, and urban green, can affect the weather and climate conditions outside and inside the building and, thus, the energy demand in the areas. By creating effective reforms in the model of configuration of the urban regions, including the pattern of land fragmentation, the physical characteristics of buildings, the network of passages and open spaces, it is possible to increase the energy efficiency of buildings in the long term in the regional(synoptic) climatic conditions of the city and the neighbourhood.

In Portugal, digital transition was structured with national public policies since 2003. In 2017, initiatives for the adoption of Industry 4.0 concepts are implemented in Portugal. We analysed the diffusion and implementation of these technologies, in Portugal. Some questions were raised: has the interplay between public policies, state agencies and industrial relations players in the process been articulated, as in Germany? What have been the effects of these technologies on workers and organisations? Are the public initiatives in place enough or more is needed? Qualitative and quantitative approaches were used to collect evidence on the main features and constraints of a public policy for Industry 4.0, based on the case study of the automotive sector in Portugal. Findings suggest the need to balance regulatory policies on data related risks, and investment policies towards education, training and organisational innovation are needed to complement technology development and adoption support.

n/a

Iguanodontia is a diverse clade of herbivorous ornithischian dinosaurs that were speciose and abundant during the Jurassic and Cretaceous. Although the monophyly of Iguanodontia is well supported, their internal relationships have sparked heated debate due to several phylogenetic paradigm shifts. Late Jurassic basally branching iguanodontians in particular are not well understood in terms of their systematic affinities and evolutionary relevance. Their fossil record in Europe is meager compared with North America, with only a few species currently recognized. Two taxa are currently known from the Upper Jurassic of England, the basally branching styracosternan Cumnoria prestwichii and the putative dryosaurid Callovosaurus leedsi. In the Upper Jurassic of Portugal, the styracosternan Draconyx loureiroi and the dryosaurid Eousdryosaurus nanohallucis are presently the only described basally branching iguanodontians. Here we report a new species of early diverging iguanodontian from the Upper Jurassic Lourinhã Formation of western-central Portugal. The new species is clearly distinguished from all other coeval taxa by an exclusive combination of characters that include a tibia with a cnemial crest that is directed craniolaterally and a fibular condyle that is angled at 90° with respect to the proximal epiphysis, a fibula with symmetrical proximal margins, and a reduced metatarsal I. The phylogenetic relationships of the Lourinhã iguanodontian were explored using maximum parsimony and Bayesian inference. The two analyses recover the Lourinhã iguanodontian as an indeterminate dryomorphan, with more precise affinities precluded due to the current available material. Body size is estimated between 3 and 4 meters for the holotype specimen, adding to the diversity of small ornithopods already recognized in the paleoichnological record of the Lourinhã Formation. http://zoobank.org/urn:lsid:zoobank.org:pub:5F4D52D0-0F0B-4809-8561-BE58C7C97D45

Fábrica de Loiça de Sacavém (ca. 1858–1994) was among the first to produce white earthenware in Portugal, becoming one of the country’s leading ceramic manufacturers during the late 19th to early 20th centuries. Research on white earthenware has accompanied the growing interest in post-industrial archaeology but is still poorly explored compared to more ancient ceramic productions. This study focused on the ceramic body, glazes, and colourants of tableware produced by Fábrica de Loiça de Sacavém during the first 50 years of its activity (1859–1910). A multi-analytical approach was selected to investigate the chemical and mineralogical composition of the ceramic body, glaze, and pigments using optical microscopy, variable-pressure scanning electron microscope energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (VP-SEM-EDS), μ-Raman spectroscopy, μ-X-ray Diffraction (μ-XRD), and reflectance spectroscopy (hyperspectral image analysis). The studied tableware was produced with a Ca-poor siliceous–aluminous white earthenware ceramic body covered with transparent alkali lead or lead borosilicate glaze, and most colourants were complex Cr-based pigments. These results are in agreement with the little documental evidence from this period found in the manufacturer’s archives.