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.

Accurate blast models are essential for disaster management and emergency preparedness. Semi-empirical methods, which rely on free-field assumptions, struggle to provide precise data for complex building shapes because they ignore shock wave reflections. This research numerically investigates the effects of an explosion on a large building of complex geometrical configuration using blastFoam, estimating the façade damage and assessing risks to occupants. To evaluate the importance of accurately modelling the building’s geometry, four levels of detail were considered. Additionally, simulations were also performed using the Load Blast Enhanced (LBE) method from LS-DYNA to compare the estimates of this faster semi-empirical approach with those obtained through CFD analyses. The findings reveal that simpler CFD models are adequate for façade analysis and injury assessment around the building but fall short for predicting injury distribution within interior spaces or between buildings. The LBE underestimates both structural damage and human injury levels, while detailed CFD highlights the importance of accounting for interior walls and windows to enhance blast pressure predictions.

How snow leopard gradually adapted to the extreme environments in Tibet remains unexplored due to the scanty fossil record in Tibet. Here, we recognize five valid outside-Tibet records of the snow leopard lineage. Our results suggest that the snow leopard dispersed out of the Tibetan Plateau multiple times during the Quaternary. The osteological anatomy of the modern snow leopard shows adaptation to the steep slope and, to a lesser extent, cold/high-altitude environment. Fossils and phylogeny suggest that the snow leopard experienced a gradual strengthening of such adaptation, especially since the Middle Pleistocene ( 0.8 million years). Species distribution modeling suggests that the locations of the fossil sites are not within most suitable area, and we argue that local landscape features are more influential factors than temperature and altitude alone. Our study underscores the importance of integrating morphology, fossil records, and species distribution modeling, to comprehensively understand the evolution, ecology, and inform conservation strategies for endangered species. Integrated morphology, fossil records, and SDM reveal the evolution and adaptation in the snow leopard lineage.

ABSTRACT The first mammaliaforms emerged in the Late Triassic, but their exact origins remain unclear due to the scarcity of fossils from this period. One of the earliest diverging mammaliaform groups, the order Docodonta, became unusually ecomorphologically diverse compared with other early mammals, and this may be connected to the possession of complex molar cusp morphology. The specimen described here, found in the Rhætelv Formation of the Kap Stewart Group (Rhaetian–Sinemurian) of central East Greenland, provides novel information on docodontan origins and evolution, as well as key biogeographic insights into early mammal dispersal. Nujalikodon cassiopeiae gen. et sp. nov. is the first mammaliaform found in the Rhætelv Formation, and is likely to be Early Jurassic (Hettangian) in age. Comprising an incomplete dentary with a single preserved molar, it was visualized using micro-computed tomography; the molar bears similarities to the putative early docodontan Delsatia, and docodontan Dobunnodon. Phylogenetic analysis places Nujalikodon cassiopeiae as a basal member of Docodonta or a close sister taxon, making it one of the oldest definitive docodontans and pushing the origin of the group back to at least the Early Jurassic. It provides insights into the development of docodontan dental complexity, a key factor in their ecological diversification during the Middle to Late Jurassic. Its presence in Greenland supports the hypothesis that docodontans originated in the region now comprising Europe and Greenland before dispersing across the rest of Laurasia.

Os partidos políticos deveriam ter a capacidade e a vontade de intervir neste tipo de decisão, trazendo para o debate parlamentar os temas relacionados com tecnologias emergentes. Para isso, há que ter uma posição própria sobre os riscos e as vantagens que essas tecnologias podem trazer

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.

Allosaurus is one of the most famous theropod dinosaurs, but the validity and relationships between the different species have been confusing and often questioned. Portugal is relevant to the understanding of the genus in light of the discovery of A. europaeus ML415 from the Early Tithonian of Lourinhã and Allosaurus MNHNUL/AND.001 from Andrés. However, the exact classification and validity of these two specimens has always been controversial. The presence of Allosaurus in Portugal is strong evidence for a North America–Europe Late Jurassic dispersal, later supported by other taxa. A detailed cranial description and specimen-based phylogeny were performed and resolved many of the open questions: (1) The diversity of Allosaurus is limited to three named species: A. fragilis, A. europaeus, and A. jimmadseni. (2) Nine autapomorphies were found in A. europaeus, confirming the validity of the species. (3) Phylogenetic analyses place both Portuguese specimens in the genus Allosaurus, based on the following synapomorphies: jugal bone lateral view, relative heights of quadratojugal prongs, the dorsal prong is equal in height, the jugal bone in lateral view shows shallow accessory pneumatization of the antorbital fossa, the palatine pneumatic recess shape is small, and lacrimal horn morphology has a triangular horn. (4) The Andrés specimen is placed with the A. europaeus and they are considered here to be the same species, which is paleo-geographically and biochronologically congruent. (5) A. europaeus and A. jimmadseni are sister taxa and closer to each other than to A. fragilis. The genus is distributed in occurrences from the United States, Germany, and Portugal, and from the Late Kimmeridgian to the Late Tithonian, while the Cenomanian report from Japan is reidentified as Segnosaurus.

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.

This chapter deals with the role of technology in industrial production. Hereby, the enabling character of technology will be strengthened from the perspective of Technology Assessment (TA) in various countries and epochs. Besides the remarkable evolution of technological progress in this sector, the interrelationship of technology with human labor, the creation of specific institutional settings as well as the innovation circles by capital investments must be considered when assessing industrial production. The argumentation line of the article is based on the hypothesis, that the increase of TA studies in the last three decades on industrial production indicates the societal problem orientation of these technological innovations and its impact on employment and job qualification. TA expertise raised awareness of the positive and negative impact of technologies in industry which brings together a variety of options for the decision makers. Furthermore, discourses on ethical values on the future of (industrial) work are highlighted by TA.

The introduction of exoskeletons by many companies has often resulted in potential users not wanting to wear them. Evaluations of the exoskeleton reveal benefits of use, including ergonomic advantages and a reduction of work-related musculoskeletal disorders. How can this contradiction be explained? By searching the available literature, we can identify the methods used to develop these devices and the methods employed to evaluate their acceptance and benefit. By looking at the product from different viewpoints and involving different disciplines, we will get to the root of this discrepancy. Our findings indicate that the product definition, development focus, and evaluation methods do not sufficiently and adequately address the primary goal of exoskeletons. The development of such devices should be prioritized not only for the delivery of support but also for the motivation of the user. Finally, we put forward the proposal to discuss the establishment of a novel development method for the prospective elaboration of exoskeletons.

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.

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.

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