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The production of high-quality wines is one of the primary goals of modern oenology. In this regard, it is known that the potential quality of a wine begins to be determined in the vineyard, where the quality of the grape, initially, and later that of the wine, will be influenced by the soil properties. Given the spatial variability of the fundamental soil properties related to the potential grape production, such as texture, soil organic matter content, or cation exchange capacity, it seems that a uniform management of a vineyard is not the most optimal way to achieve higher grape quality. In this sense, the delineation of zones with similar soil characteristics to implement site-specific management is essential, reinforcing the interest in incorporating technologies and methods to determine these homogeneous zones. A case study was conducted in a 3.3 ha vineyard located near Évora, south of Portugal. A non-contact sensor (DUALEM 1S) was used to measure soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) in the vineyard, and later, a kriged ECa map was generated. ECa and elevation maps were utilised to delineate homogeneous zones (management zones, MZs) in the field through a clustering process. MZs were validated using some soil properties (texture; pH; organic matter—OM; phosphorous—P2O5; potassium—K2O; the sum of the exchange bases—SEB; and cation exchange capacity—CEC), which were determined from 20 soil samples taken in the different MZs. Validation was also performed using Rasch measures, which were defined based on the formulation of the objective and probabilistic Rasch model, integrating the information from the aforementioned soil properties at each sampling location. The comparison of the MZs was more evident with the use of the Rasch model, as only one value was to be employed in each MZ. Finally, an additional validation was conducted using a vegetation index to consider the plant response, which was different in each MZ. The use of a non-contact sensor to measure ECa constitutes an efficient technological tool for implementing site-specific management in viticulture, which allows for the improvement of decision-making processes by considering the inherent spatial variability of the soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquatic ecosystems are particularly vulnerable to the introduction of non-indigenous species (NIS), leading to multi-faceted ecological, economic and health impacts worldwide. The Iberian Peninsula comprises an exceptionally biodiverse Mediterranean region with a high number of threatened and endemic aquatic species, most of them strongly impacted by biological invasions. Following a structured approach that combines a systematic review of available information and expert opinion, we provide a comprehensive and updated multi-taxa inventory of aquatic NIS (fungi, macroalgae, vascular plants, invertebrates and vertebrates) in Iberian inland waters. Moreover, we assess overall patterns in the establishment status, introduction pathways, native range and temporal introduction trends of listed NIS. In addition, we discuss the legal coverage provided by both national (Spanish and Portuguese) and European NIS regulations. We inventoried 326 aquatic NIS in Iberian inland waters, including 215 established, 96 with uncertain establishment status and 15 cryptogenic taxa. Invertebrates (54.6%) and vertebrates (24.5%) were the groups with the highest number of NIS, with Arthropoda, Mollusca, and Chordata being the most represented phyla. Recorded NIS originated from diverse geographic regions, with North and South America being the most frequent. Vertebrates and vascular plants were mostly introduced through intentional pathways (i.e. release and escape), whereas invertebrates and macroalgae arrived mostly through unintentional ways (i.e. contaminant or stowaway). Most of the recorded NIS were introduced in Iberian inland waters over the second half of the 20th century, with a high number of NIS introductions being reported in the 2000s. While only 8% of the recorded NIS appear in the European Union list of Invasive Alien Species of Union concern, around 25% are listed in the Spanish and Portuguese NIS regulations. This study provides the most updated checklist of Iberian aquatic NIS, meeting the requirements set by the EU regulation and providing a baseline for the evaluation of its application. We point out the need for coordinated transnational strategies to properly tackle aquatic invasions across borders of the EU members. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our research specifically focuses on the effects of the national cultural background of educators on the acceptance and usage of ICT, particularly the Web as an extensive and expanding information base that provides the ultimate in resource-rich learning. Most research has been used North Americans as subjects. For this reason, we interviewed European educators from diverse cultures; in particularly, we analysed the cultural differences and their moderating effects on acceptance-based relationships between European universities: European Nordic culture in contrast to European-Mediterranean culture. The empirical results provided strong support for the hypotheses. Cultural differences have a significant impact on attitudes and behaviours towards using Web-based applications. The Nordic culture is driven more by instrumental factors and intrinsic enjoyment-based factors. On the other hand, the PSG-Mediterranean culture (Portugal, Spain and Greece) seems to regard the Web more as a means to a social end. (Contains 3 figures, 6 tables and 1 equation.)

In the current context of increasing costs of production factors, it is essential to optimize the management of available resources, seeking to incorporate technologies that improve knowledge of the variables involved in the agronomic production process. The aim of this study is to define and validate management zones (MZ) in a 3.3 ha vineyard located near Évora, in the South of Portugal. A contact sensor ("Veris 2000 XA") was used to map soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) and a precision altimetric survey of the field was carried out with a global navigation satellite system receiver (GNSS). The results of these surveys were submitted to geostatistical treatments that allowed the definition of three MZ (less, intermediate, and more productive potential). The validation of such MZ was carried out by laboratory analysis of soil samples (texture, pH, organic matter—OM, moisture content, phosphorous, potassium, exchange bases, and cation exchange capacity—CEC), measurements of soil compaction (cone index—CI) with an electronic cone penetrometer, and through indices (Normalized Difference Vegetation Index—NDVI, and Normalized Difference Water Index—NDWI) obtained by remote sensing (RS) using Sentinel-2 satellite images. All these parameters (soil parameters and RS indices) proved the validity of the MZ (of less, intermediate, and more productive potential) defined from the ECa and altimetric survey. This validation attests to the interest of expeditious technological tools for monitoring ECa as a fundamental step in implementing smart agronomic decision-making processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nurses are increasingly focused on a practice based on scientific knowledge. However, it is important to distinguish high-quality evidence that can be applied in practice from studies of low or dubious scientific quality. Therefore, nurses must base their practice on structural support that allows for the definition of personalized and context-specific interventions. The objectives of this study are to identify the main barriers and facilitators to the evidence-based nursing approach and to implement an Evidence-Based Practice model (EBP) in clinical practice settings. We seek to contribute to evidence-based nursing by promoting professional skills in nurses, using "The Knowledge-to-Action Framework" (KTA). The research focuses on a participatory action research methodology based on the cyclical process of the KTA framework, contemplating the creation of knowledge and the implementation of existing solutions or new solutions through an action cycle. The participants will be nurses and parents/caregivers) from a pediatric service in Northern Portugal. The study will be conducted in 3 phases: phase 1 will identify the priority issues by exploring the barriers and facilitators of EBP from the nurses' perspective and assessing the parents'/caregivers' satisfaction with nursing care. Phase 2 will be divided into (a) the planning and (b) the implementation of the KTA model, where we aim to build and validate (a) a training plan and (b) the implementation of the KTA model. Phase 3 is for the evaluation of the model implementation and sustaining knowledge. It is recognized that there is a large gap between knowledge production and the subsequent implementation of interventions based on the best available evidence. However, this reality is complex and involves several levels of decision and intervention that oscillate from the individual responsibility of each nurse to the organizational dimension. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Brown carbon is a type of strong light-absorbing carbonaceous aerosol associated with radiative forcing. Nevertheless, the difficulty in correlating the chemical composition of brown carbon with its light absorption properties impairs the proper elucidation of its role in radiative forcing. Here, we have used a time-dependent density functional theory (TD-DFT)-based procedure to revisit the "real-world" absorption spectra of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) over the city of Porto, in Portugal, while correcting the spectra for their quantity in PM10 particulate matter. Our aim is to, by comparing these new results with those obtained previously regarding PM2.5 data, evaluate the role of different groupings of particulate matter in the light absorption of brown carbon. The results indicate that irrespective of the absorption spectra corresponding to their PM10 or PM2.5 data, the studied PAHs should contribute to radiative forcing by light absorption at UVA and (sub)visible wavelengths. However, the identity of the individual PAH species that contribute the most for the considered wavelengths can be quite different. Thus, different groupings of particulate matter appear to provide distinct contributions to light absorption and radiative forcing over the same location, even when considering the same class of molecular compounds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper analyzes the economic effects of military base downsizing and closures at the regional level, considering the case of the US military Air Base located at Lajes, in Terceira Island, Azores, Portugal. A Computable General Equilibrium Model is used as a tool to examine these effects, allowing potential sector details and the identification of distributional implications. The results suggest that when no mitigation policies are undertaken, the downsizing process has a small regional effect on GDP but a greater local effect on the island. Imports, as expected, tend to decrease in the cutback scenarios and to increase when specific mitigation policies are considered. The main export gainers are the primary sectors that become more competitive due to factor price decreases. The main export losers are some industrialized products and services. The results provide support for the implementation of mitigation policies, which should be reasonable in both their intensity and focus, since there is a risk associated with these policies. Replenishing the public budget and allowing expenditures according to the current government expenditure structure tends to crowd-out private initiatives, leading to an overall long-term negative effect on the economy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Open-angle glaucoma (OAG), the most prevalent clinical type of glaucoma, is still the main cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. OAG is a neurodegenerative illness for which the most important risk factor is elevated intraocular pressure (IOP). Many questions remain unanswered about OAG, such as whether nutritional or toxic habits, other personal characteristics, and/or systemic diseases influence the course of glaucoma. As such, in this study, we performed a multicenter analytical, observational, case–control study of 412 participants of both sexes, aged 40–80 years, that were classified as having ocular hypertension (OHT) or OAG. Our primary endpoint was to investigate the relationship between specific lifestyle habits; anthropometric and endocrine–metabolic, cardiovascular, and respiratory events; and commonly used psychochemicals, with the presence of OHT or OAG in an ophthalmologic population from Spain and Portugal. Demographic, epidemiological, and ocular/systemic clinical data were recorded from all participants. Data were analyzed using the R Statistics v4.1.2 and RStudio v2021.09.1 programs. The mean age was 62 ± 15 years, with 67–80 years old comprising the largest subgroup sample of participants in both study groups. The central corneal thickness (ultrasound pachymetry)-adjusted IOP (Goldman tonometry) in each eye was 20.46 ± 2.35 and 20.1 ± 2.73 mmHg for the OHT individuals, and 15.8 ± 3.83 and 16.94 ± 3.86 mmHg for the OAG patients, with significant differences between groups (both p = 0.001). The highest prevalence of the surveyed characteristics in both groups was for overweight/obesity and daily coffee consumption, followed by psychochemical drug intake, migraine, and peripheral vasospasm. Our data show that overweight/obesity, migraine, asthma, and smoking are major risk factors for conversion from OHT to OAG in this Spanish and Portuguese population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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This research assesses the lean and green (LG) practices' impact on the competitive advantage (CA) of organizations, through sustainable performance, considering lean maturity as the moderator. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a cross‐sectional sample of 261 companies operating in Portugal. Hypotheses are tested through structural equation modeling and multigroup analysis to examine the lean maturity moderating role. Results demonstrate a positive impact of LG practices on sustainable development and that their three dimensions of CA, with lean maturity boosting most relationships. This research highlights the impact of LG practices on organization's competitiveness and helps them underpin the importance these practices when comes to enhance their sustainable performance and their CA with help of environmental policy and also stakeholder engagement. Future studies should address these relationships upon a specific dimension, namely the correlation between environmental performance and CA, as it was not dealt in this study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sedimentary organic matter (OM) origin and molecular composition provide useful information to understand carbon cycling in coastal wetlands. Core sediments from threors' Contributionse transects along Ria Formosa lagoon intertidal zone were analysed using analytical pyrolysis (Py-GC/MS) to determine composition, distribution and origin of sedimentary OM. The distribution of alkyl compounds (alkanes, alkanoic acids and alkan-2-ones), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), lignin-derived methoxyphenols, linear alkylbenzenes (LABs), steranes and hopanes indicated OM inputs to the intertidal environment from natural—autochthonous and allochthonous—as well as anthropogenic. Several n-alkane geochemical indices used to assess the distribution of main OM sources (terrestrial and marine) in the sediments indicate that algal and aquatic macrophyte derived OM inputs dominated over terrigenous plant sources. The lignin-derived methoxyphenol assemblage, dominated by vinylguaiacol and vinylsyringol derivatives in all sediments, points to large OM contribution from higher plants. The spatial distributions of PAHs (polyaromatic hydrocarbons) showed that most pollution sources were mixed sources including both pyrogenic and petrogenic. Low carbon preference indexes (CPI > 1) for n-alkanes, the presence of UCM (unresolved complex mixture) and the distribution of hopanes (C29–C36) and steranes (C27–C29) suggested localized petroleum-derived hydrocarbon inputs to the core sediments. Series of LABs were found in most sediment samples also pointing to domestic sewage anthropogenic contributions to the sediment OM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Plural - Revista de Ciências Sociais is the property of Revista Plural and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Trioza erytreae per se is a major citrus pest, although its destructive power is much greater as a vector of the non-culturable bacterium 'Candidatus Liberibacter africanus' causing the most devastating disease of citrus worldwide: the citrus huanglongbing (HLB). Following early detections of T. erytreae in mainland Europe, simultaneously in Portugal and Spain in 2014, its distributional range has rapidly increased, thus becoming a serious threat to the entire Mediterranean citrus industry. In 2018, one year after our latest survey, the situation has only worsened, with T. erytreae being around 200 km closer to key citrus growing areas in southern Portugal and Spain. Once T. erytreae invades a new area, the degree of severity of its attacks increases very quickly, which is indicative of its potential for invasiveness. We highlight that T. erytreae is currently spread and well established along the northwestern coast of the Iberian Peninsula, ranging from Cedeira in A Coruña (Spain) to Pontes/Setúbal in Portugal, covering approximately 600 km on a straight uninterrupted line. Implementation of further containment and control measures are critical to addressing this growing risk. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Usually, soils utilised for livestock production have similar high spatial variability as those for agricultural or forest use. As a consequence, it is necessary to determine the spatial patterns of the main soil properties as the first stage to implement site-specific management. However, this has to be performed using an inexpensive technique because the profitability in these types of farm are very low, so owners need a cheap, effective, and reliable method to know which zones have similar production potential. Using soil apparent electrical conductivity (ECa) measurements, obtained with a contact sensor at many locations, as the basis to perform a directed soil sampling, 10 samples were taken at two depths (0–0.25 m and 0.25–0.50 m) in a 2.3 ha field in Évora (southern Portugal). Firstly, relationships between ECa and many soil properties were analysed using regression analysis. Six soil properties (clay, silt, fine sand, soil moisture content, pH, and cation exchange capacity) were significantly correlated with ECa. Consequently, spatial distributions of these variables were visualised using map algebra techniques. Later, a fuzzy clustering algorithm was utilised to delineate management zones, resulting in two subfields to be managed separately. Finally, a principal component analysis was conducted to analyse the influence of the soil properties and elevation on the soil variability. It was determined that elevation and clay were the most important contributing properties. Therefore, these can be regarded as key latent variables in this soil. Results showed that low-cost data based on ECa surveys can be used to implement site-specific management in soils with permanent pastures, such as those in the montado or dehesa ecosystems, in the southwest of the Iberian Peninsula. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary Government transparency has been discussed both as a way to decrease informational asymmetries between officeholders and citizens and as part of what makes for procedurally fair governance. These two different lines of argument generate predictions about how transparency should change voters' reactions to economic and policy outcomes. First, under high transparency, voters should respond less positively to fiscal expansions. Second, they should become more sensitive to incumbents' ability to deliver outcomes that generate benefits in the long‐run than to current tangible benefits. We test these arguments using municipality level data in Portugal. Controlling for variables that previous research has shown to drive electoral support for incumbents in local elections, only in the least transparent municipalities is support positively related with increases in local current expenditures, budget deficits, and municipal wages. Instead, where transparency is higher, voters are more likely to reward improvements in the quality of education. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The corporate income tax is permanently under debate in recent decades with respect to coordination and competition issues, including the race-to-the-bottom hypothesis, and the effects on investment and economic growth of such a distortionary tax. In this paper we study the evolution of the effective corporate tax rates in the European Union through a convergence analysis, identifying common trends by a club convergence approach. The results evidence three clubs, with the high-tax-rate-club formed by France, Malta, Spain and Portugal. In addition, and compared with the results for the statutory corporate tax rates, important differences arise, showing the significance of the fiscal benefits in this tax and the distance between both tax rates in many European countries. Our results are also analysed in the fiscal harmonization framework. • First work devoted to convergence/divergence of EU corporation effective tax rates. • Evidence of three clubs. France, Malta, Spain & Portugal in the high effective tax rates club. • Important differences with the results for the corporate statutory tax rates. • Results analysed in the European fiscal harmonization framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The passive and active fill of burrows potentially stores information about sedimentary processes that are otherwise not preserved in the rock record. In recent years, abandoned passively-filled vertical burrows were introduced as "tubular tidalites" when their infilling displays rhythmic lamination reflecting a tidal signature. In the shallow-marine Miocene sandstones exposed at Oura (southern Portugal), 36 tubular tidalites occur in a 1.5 m-thick interval. Their high abundance is likely a consequence of both an environment favourable for the production of open burrows in a tidal setting, and post-depositional conditions facilitating the preservation of the tubular tidalites. Besides vertical tubes, 13 horizontal burrows preserve a tidal signature indicating draught-fill processes. All specimens belong to Thalassinoides and, for the first time, to Gyrolithes. The rhythmic infill of two well-preserved specimens shows two significant features: (1) The thickness pattern allows for differentiation into groups having 7 couplets (consisting of a dark and a light lamina) or multiples thereof, and (2) the thickness patterns of both, consecutive couplets as well as dark and light laminae match sine curves. Both patterns indicate a diurnal tidal cyclicity. The tidalites record up to four spring-tide and three neap-tide cycles. In addition to the neap-spring cycles, a long-period lunar fortnightly tide regime can be envisaged. The tubular tidalites imply diurnal tides during the Miocene in contrast to the Recent semidiurnal tides affecting southern Portugal. Highlights • Analysis of Miocene tubular tidalites from southern Iberia has been conducted. • The abundant record includes vertical tubes and horizontal burrows. • Tubular tidalites correspond to Thalassinoides and Gyrolithes. • Diurnal tides, with spring-tide and neap-tide cycles have been recognized. • A long-period lunar fortnightly can be envisaged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Saltmarshes, seagrass meadows and mudflats are key habitats in estuarine ecosystems. Despite being involved in key ecological processes, the influence of different estuarine habitats on sediment bacterial communities remains understudied. Few studies have analysed and compared the bacterial communities of more than one estuarine habitat at different depths. Here, we investigated to what extent different habitats (mudflats; mono-specific plots of seagrass [ Zostera noltei] and two saltmarsh plants [ Juncus maritimus and Spartina maritima]) and sampling depth (0, 5, 10 cm) influence variation in sediment bacterial composition. Our results showed significant differences in the abundance of selected higher taxa amongst habitats and depths. Surface sediment was characterized by bacteria assigned to the Acidimicrobiia, Flavobacteriia, Thiotrichales, Alteromonadales and Rhodobacterales, whereas in deeper sediment Deltaproteobacteria and Anaerolineae were dominant. Juncus sediment, in turn, presented the most distinct bacterial community, with Myxococcales abundant in this habitat. Sampling depth and habitat proved significant predictors of variation in sediment bacterial composition. The compositional dissimilarities amongst habitats and depths suggest functional divergence and complementarity, thus enhancing ecosystem functioning and health. Given the compositionally distinct communities found in different habitats and depths, our study corroborates the importance of conserving a diverse array of estuarine habitats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista de Psicologia del Trabajo y de Las Organizaciones is the property of Colegio Oficial de Psicologos de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Portugal was the second country in Western Europe to ratify the 2001 UNESCO Convention, a pivotal step that occurred on September 21, 2006. In 2000 the Portuguese delegation presented a statement in the UNESCO meeting for the draft Convention, the substance of which emphasises the protection and cooperation principles concerning the underwater cultural heritage rather than the issue of its possession. In 2008, the discovery of a sixteenth century Portuguese shipwreck near Oranjemund, Namibia, confirmed that the referred statement opened a premonitory strategic window for the conciliation of interests of States around such examples of common heritage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A field experiment with 2,200 m2 was performed from 2004 to 2006, in northeast Portugal, to evaluate the response of a commercial olive ( Olea europaea L. cv. “Cobrançosa”) orchard to different irrigation regimes on growth and yield. The trees were subjected to three irrigation treatments: rainfed conditions (T0), irrigation with 30% (T1) and 100% (T2) of crop evapotranspiration (ETc). Seasonal dynamics of stomatal conductance (gs) and shoot water potential varied among treatments, and responded to soil water content and atmospheric evaporative demand. Irrigation increases gs, in association with increases in water status. Annual ETc varied from around 300 mm in T0 to 700 mm in T2. Irrigation increased fruit yield, due to the greater number of fruits per tree and higher mass per fruit. Differences in oil yield among treatments were closely related to fruit yield. Moreover, oil accumulation in the fruit was delayed in rainfed conditions. Variations in fruit and oil yield was strongly influenced by variations in ETc. On average, the amount of oil produced per unit intercepted PAR increased with irrigation and for both irrigated treatments was more than double those of T0. A strategy of continuous deficit irrigation with only 30% of maximum ETc may have a very beneficial effect, since it allows increasing oil yield to more than double that of rainfed conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copyright of Revista Portuguesa de Ciências do Desporto is the property of Universidade do Porto, Faculdade de Desporto and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

Copyright of Anuario de Psicología Jurídica is the property of Colegio Oficial de Psicologos de Madrid and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)

The vertical distribution of terrestrial and phytoplankton biomarker compounds in a sediment core from the coastal estuarine zone of the Guadiana river (southwest border between Portugal and Spain) was determined by gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Significant downcore fluctuations were observed in the patterns of the most abundant alkyl series (n-alkanes and n-fatty acids), as well as in several biomarker ratios. In addition, a specific contribution from conifers is reflected in the presence of a resin acid series that first appears 6500 years BP. The observed changes in the lipid assemblage within the Holocene suggest recent variations in the planktonic and terrigenous supply, which are attributed mainly to the evolution of the circulation pattern in the estuary and to the alteration of vegetation cover within the Guadiana drainage basin. Our data suggest that on a 103–104 year time-scale, little or no diagenetic change occurred with respect to the compounds in question. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Qualitative health research (QHR) comprises a field that has spread and consolidated in Ibero-America (Iberian and Latin American countries) during the 1990s. Until now, however, no systematic evaluation has been made of the qualitative health research published in the region. The aim of this article is to discuss four aspects of QHR: the capability and limitations of using international databases to identify Ibero-American qualitative health studies; the principle health topics studied in Latin America using QHR methodologies; the development of QHR in Spain; and the theoretical perspectives that guide studies in Latin America. A bibliographic search was conducted to identify QHR studies listed in 17 international and/or regional databases. A parallel search was conducted by contacting research centers, academic institutes, and key researchers in several countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: The Mediterranean Basin is the second largest citrus-producing region in the world. Huanglongbing (HLB) is the most important and devastating citrus disease worldwide, the causal agents of which are three bacteria species that belong to the genus Candidatus Liberibacter. The main transmission of these three bacteria is by two psyllid vectors, Diaphorina citri and Trioza erytreae. Trioza erytreae is a specific pest of plants from the Rutaceae family, which includes cultivated citrus. This insect has recently been detected in Mediterranean Basin countries, such as Spain and Portugal, but none of the causal agents of HLB have been described as infecting citrus plants in this region. The potential risk of HLB emergence has increased concern in the Spanish and Portuguese citrus industries, which require novel methods for controlling/eradicating populations of T. erytreae that are environmentally sound under new pesticide restrictions from European Union authorities. Hence, psyllid rootstock feeding preferences could play an important role in pest management. Thus, different citrus rootstocks have been tested for feeding, oviposition, and survival of T. erytreae. This study reports that the most commonly used citrus rootstocks (Carrizo citrange and Citrus macrophylla) are the favorite choices for the development of T. erytreae, and by contrast Poncirus trifoliata is the least suitable for this insect vector. Trioza erytreae (Del Guercio, 1918) (Hemiptera: Triozidae) is a vector of Candidatus Liberibacter spp., the causal agent of Huanglongbing disease (HLB). This study evaluates the preference of T. erytreae in different citrus seedlings. Thus, six different non-grafted citrus rootstocks were used for these experiments: (a) Carrizo citrange; (b) Citrus macrophylla; (c) 'Cleopatra' mandarin; (d) Forner-Alcaide No. 5; (e) Forner-Alcaide No. 517, and (f) Poncirus trifoliata ('Flying Dragon'). The behaviour and survival of this psyllid was evaluated through the feeding preference of T. erytreae adults for different rootstocks (in a choice trial under greenhouse conditions) and oviposition and survival of T. erytreae adults on the different citrus material (in a no-choice trial under laboratory conditions). Trioza erytreae showed a clear preference for hosting and feeding on C. macrophylla, and Carrizo citrange was the most suitable rootstock for insect reproduction and survival followed by C. macrophylla. Conversely, Poncirus trifoliata was the least attractive rootstock to T. erytreae adults in the greenhouse trial and led to significantly lower T. erytreae survival. Our results suggest that conventional citrus rootstocks, such as Carrizo citrange and C. macrophylla, could increase T. erytreae populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper shows a simultaneous tri-band (S: 2.2–2.7 GHz, X: 7.5–9 GHz and Ka: 28–33 GHz) low-noise cryogenic receiver for geodetic Very Long Baseline Interferometry (geo-VLBI) which has been developed at Yebes Observatory laboratories in Spain. A special feature is that the whole receiver front-end is fully coolable down to cryogenic temperatures to minimize receiver noise. It was installed in the first radio telescope of the Red Atlántica de Estaciones Geodinámicas y Espaciales (RAEGE) project, which is located in Yebes Observatory, in the frame of the VLBI Global Observing System (VGOS). After this, the receiver was borrowed by the Norwegian Mapping Autorithy (NMA) for the commissioning of two VGOS radiotelescopes in Svalbard (Norway). A second identical receiver was built for the Ishioka VGOS station of the Geospatial Information Authority (GSI) of Japan, and a third one for the second RAEGE VGOS station, located in Santa María (Açores Archipelago, Portugal). The average receiver noise temperatures are 21, 23, and 25 Kelvin and the measured antenna efficiencies are 70%, 75%, and 60% in S-band, X-band, and Ka-band, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To evaluate whether SOHLH2 intronic variation contributes to the genetic predisposition to male infertility traits, including severe oligospermia (SO) and different nonobstructive azoospermia (NOA) clinical phenotypes.Design: Genetic association study.Setting: Not applicable.Patient(s): Five hundred five cases (455 infertile patients diagnosed with NOA and 50 with SO) and 1,050 healthy controls from Spain and Portugal.Intervention(s): None.Main Outcome Measure(s): Genomic DNA extraction from peripheral blood mononuclear cells, genotyping of the SOHLH2 polymorphisms rs1328626 and rs6563386 using the TaqMan allelic discrimination technology, case-control association analyses using logistic regression models, and exploration of functional annotations in publicly available databases.Result(s): Evidence of association was observed for both rs6563386 with SO and rs1328626 with unsuccessful sperm retrieval after testicular sperm extraction (TESE-) in the context of NOA. A dominant effect of the minor alleles was suggested in both associations, either when the subset of patients with the manifestation were compared against the control group (rs6563386/SO: P=.021, odds ratio [OR] = 0.51; rs1328626/TESE-: P=.066, OR = 1.46) or against the group of patients without the manifestation (rs6563386/SO: P=.014, OR = 0.46; rs1328626/TESE-: P=.012, OR = 2.43). The haplotype tests suggested a combined effect of both polymorphisms. In silico analyses evidenced that this effect could be due to alteration of the isoform population.Conclusion(s): Our data suggest that intronic variation of SOHLH2 is associated with spermatogenic failure. The genetic effect is likely caused by different haplotypes of rs6563386 and rs1328626, which may predispose to SO or TESE- depending on the specific allelic combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Knowledge of the soil water balance is fundamental for improving crop water use in agricultural fields. Estimates are normally for representative and homogeneous areas where the variability of soil properties is neglected. However, this variability significantly impacts soil water dynamics at the field scale. In this study, the MOHID-Land distributed process-based model was used to compute the spatially explicit soil water dynamics in a 22.6-ha almond field located in southern Portugal. An electromagnetic induction survey was first performed to obtain electromagnetic images of the real soil conductivity in depth, which were related to soil texture. Then, pedotransfer functions were used to convert soil texture into soil hydraulic data. MOHID-Land results included maps of the spatial distribution of soil water contents, actual crop transpiration, actual soil evaporation, percolation below the rootzone, and surface runoff. These allowed identifying preferential flow pathways as well as the main control factors influencing soil water dynamics at the field scale. Some development needs were identified, and overcoming them would enhance the significance of contributions such as this study to the field of precision agriculture. • The spatial variability of the soil water balance was assessed in an almond field. • Soil properties were inferred from an electromagnetic induction (EMI) survey. • Distributed modeling identified crop growth areas and preferred flow paths at the field scale. • Limitations of the modeling approach were identified and discussed. • The development of approaches combining distributed modeling and EMI sensing is of interest to precision agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Centennial-to-millennial scale records from IODP Site U1387, drilled during IODP Expedition 339 into the Faro Drift at 558 m water depth, now allow evaluating the climatic history of the upper core of the Mediterranean Outflow (MOW) and of the surface waters in the northern Gulf of Cadiz during the early Pleistocene. This study focuses on the period from Marine Isotope Stages (MIS) 29 to 34, i.e. the interval surrounding extreme interglacial MIS 31. Conditions in the upper MOW reflect obliquity, precession and millennial-scale variations. The benthic δ 18 O signal follows obliquity with the exception of an additional, smaller δ 18 O peak that marks the MIS 32/31 transition. Insolation maxima (precession minima) led to poor ventilation and a sluggish upper MOW core, whereas insolation minima were associated with enhanced ventilation and often also increased bottom current velocity. Millennial-scale periods of colder sea-surface temperatures (SST) were associated with short-term maxima in flow velocity and better ventilation, reminiscent of conditions known from MIS 3. A prominent contourite layer, coinciding with insolation cycle 100, was formed during MIS 31 and represents one of the few contourites developing within an interglacial period. MIS 31 surface water conditions were characterized by an extended period (1065–1091 ka) of warm SST, but SST were not much warmer than during MIS 33. Interglacial to glacial transitions experienced 2 to 3 stadial/interstadial cycles, just like their mid-to-late Pleistocene counterparts. Glacial MIS 30 and 32 recorded periods of extremely cold (< 12 °C) SST that in their climatic impact were comparable with the Heinrich events of the mid and late Pleistocene. Glacial MIS 34, on the other hand, was a relative warm glacial period off southern Portugal. Overall, surface water and MOW conditions at Site U1387 show a strong congruence with Mediterranean climate, whereas millennial-scale variations are closely linked to North Atlantic circulation changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Polar marine ecosystems have global ecological and economic importance because of their unique biodiversity and their major role in climate processes and commercial fisheries, among others. Portugal and Spain have been highly active in a wide range of disciplines in marine biology of the Antarctic and the Arctic. The main aim of this paper is to provide a synopsis of some of the results and initiatives undertaken by Portuguese and Spanish polar teams within the field of marine sciences, particularly on benthic and pelagic biodiversity (species diversity and abundance, including microbial, molecular, physiological and chemical mechanisms in polar organisms), conservation and ecology of top predators (particularly penguins, albatrosses and seals), and pollutants and evolution of marine organisms associated with major issues such as climate change, ocean acidification and UV radiation effects. Both countries have focused their polar research more in the Antarctic than in the Arctic. Portugal and Spain should encourage research groups to continue increasing their collaborations with other countries and develop multi-disciplinary research projects, as well as to maintain highly active memberships within major organizations, such as the Scientific Committee for Antarctic Research (SCAR), the International Arctic Science Council (IASC) and the Association of Polar Early Career Scientists (APECS), and in international research projects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The excavations carried out in the cave of Santa Ana (Cáceres, Spain), cave of the karstic network of the “Calerizo” of Cáceres, enabled us to know the existence, in stratigraphy, of the three lito-techniques modes which characterize the industrial development of lower and middle Pleistocene in the Iberian Peninsula. On standby of new research, the results obtained until now permit us two work out a diachronic assumption of technical evolution. In the Iberian Peninsula, there are only two karstic systems where we can fallow this technological development; one is the “Sierra de Atapuerca” (Burgos) and the other is the “Calerizo de Cáceres” (Cáceres). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: Hikikomori refers to the extreme isolation of individuals in their own homes, lasting at least six months. In recent years social isolation has become an important clinical, social, and public health problem, with increased awareness of hikikomori around the globe. Portuguese is one of the six most spoken languages in the world, but no studies have analysed the content regarding this phenomenon expressed in Portuguese., Objective: To explore the hikikomori phenomenon on Twitter in Portuguese, utilising a mixed-methods approach encompassing content analysis, emotional analysis, and correlation analysis., Methods: A mixed methods analysis of all publicly available tweets in the Portuguese language using a specific keyword (hikikomori) between 1st January 2008 and 19th October 2022. The content analysis involved categorising tweets based on tone, content, and user types, while correlation analysis was used to investigate user engagement and geographical distribution. Statistical analysis and artificial intelligence were employed to classify and interpret the tweet data., Results: Among the total of 13,915 tweets generated, in terms of tone 10,731 were classified as "negative", and 3184 as "positive". Regarding content, "curiosities" was the most posted, as well as the most retweeted and liked topic. Worldwide, most of the hikikomori related tweets in Portuguese were posted in Europe, while "individuals with hikikomori" were the users most active posting. Regarding emotion analysis, the majority of tweets were "neutral"., Conclusions: These findings show the global prevalence of the discourse on hikikomori phenomenon among Portuguese speakers. It also indicates an increase in the number of tweets on this topic in certain continents over the years. These findings can contribute to developing specific interventions, support networks, and awareness-raising campaigns for affected individuals., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Introduction and Objectives: There is current controversy regarding the benefits of percutaneous recanalization (PCI) of chronic total coronary occlusions (CTO). Our aim was to determine acute and follow-up outcomes in our setting., Methods: Two-year prospective registry of consecutive patients undergoing PCI of CTO in 24 centers., Results: A total of 1000 PCIs of CTO were performed in 952 patients. Most were symptomatic (81.5%), with chronic ischemic heart disease (59.2%). Previous recanalization attempts had been made in 15%. The mean SYNTAX score was 19.5 ± 10.6 and J-score was > 2 in 17.3%. A retrograde procedure was performed in 92 patients (9.2%). The success rate was 74.9% and was higher in patients without previous attempts (82.2% vs 75.2%; P = .001), those with a J-score ≤ 2 (80.5% vs 69.5%; P = .002), and in intravascular ultrasound-guided PCI (89.9% vs 76.2%, P = .001), which was an independent predictor of success. In contrast, severe calcification, length > 20mm, and blunt proximal cap were independent predictors of failed recanalization. The rate of procedural complications was 7.1%, including perforation (3%), myocardial infarction (1.3%), and death (0.5%). At 1-year of follow-up, 88.2% of successfully revascularized patients showed clinical improvement (vs 34.8%, P < .001), which was associated with lower mortality. At 1-year of follow-up, the mortality rate was 1.5%., Conclusions: Compared with other national registries, patients in the Iberian registry undergoing PCI of a CTO showed similar complexity, success rate, and complications. Successful recanalization was strongly associated with functional improvement, which was related to lower mortality., (Copyright © 2018. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U.)

We assembled genome-wide data from 271 ancient Iberians, of whom 176 are from the largely unsampled period after 2000 BCE, thereby providing a high-resolution time transect of the Iberian Peninsula. We document high genetic substructure between northwestern and southeastern hunter-gatherers before the spread of farming. We reveal sporadic contacts between Iberia and North Africa by ~2500 BCE and, by ~2000 BCE, the replacement of 40% of Iberia's ancestry and nearly 100% of its Y-chromosomes by people with Steppe ancestry. We show that, in the Iron Age, Steppe ancestry had spread not only into Indo-European-speaking regions but also into non-Indo-European-speaking ones, and we reveal that present-day Basques are best described as a typical Iron Age population without the admixture events that later affected the rest of Iberia. Additionally, we document how, beginning at least in the Roman period, the ancestry of the peninsula was transformed by gene flow from North Africa and the eastern Mediterranean., (Copyright © 2019 The Authors, some rights reserved; exclusive licensee American Association for the Advancement of Science. No claim to original U.S. Government Works.)

Objective: To translate the International Outcome Inventory for Hearing Aids (IOI-HA) Questionnaire from English to Portuguese (from Portugal) and to validate this instrument of study on the Portuguese population., Design: In this prospective study, a translation from English into Portuguese of the IOI-HA was performed, and linguistic adaptation and counter translation were also accomplished. The data were analysed for internal consistency testing for correlations between each individual item and the total score of the IOI-HA, assessing the Cronbach α and performing test-retest analysis., Setting and Participants: 80 hearing aid users aged 18 years or older were recruited from an ear, nose and throat (ENT) appointment in Coimbra's hospital, Portugal. 84% of the participants were unilateral hearing aid users, whereas 16% were bilateral users., Interventions: The patients volunteered to answer the questionnaire during an ENT appointment. All of the patients had been using the hearing aids for more than 3 years.After the first application of the questionnaire, a new appointment was planned for retesting, within at least 7 days to no more than 60 days. 29 participants answered the questionnaire again according to the same procedure., Results: The mean IOI-HA total score in the study population was 27.33±4.93 (9-35). The mean values obtained for each item of the questionnaire ranged from 3.19 to 4.54. The Cronbach α was 0.838 and the Cronbach α values when the item was removed, were also significantly strong. The test-retest analysis revealed no differences between the paired groups., Conclusions: In the present study a valid and reliable translation and adaptation of the IOI-HA into Portuguese from Portugal is proposed. This tool will be available for clinical assessment of hearing aid users., (Published by the BMJ Publishing Group Limited. For permission to use (where not already granted under a licence) please go to http://www.bmj.com/company/products-services/rights-and-licensing/.)

IMP-8 metallo-β-lactamase was identified in Klebsiella pneumoniae sequence type 252 (ST252), isolated in a Portuguese hospital in 2009. blaIMP-8 was the first gene cassette of a novel class 3 integron, In1144, also carrying the blaGES-5, blaBEL-1, and aacA4 cassettes. In1144 was located on a ColE1-like plasmid, pKP-M1144 (12,029 bp), with a replication region of limited nucleotide similarity to those of other RNA-priming plasmids, such as pJHCMW1. In1144 and pKP-M1144 represent an interesting case of evolution of resistance determinants in Gram-negative bacteria., (Copyright © 2015, American Society for Microbiology. All Rights Reserved.)

There is growing concern that modifications to the global environment such as ocean acidification and increased ultraviolet radiation may interact with anthropogenic pollutants to adversely affect the future marine environment. Despite this, little is known about the nature of the potential risks posed by such interactions. Here, we performed a multifactorial microcosm experiment to assess the impact of ocean acidification, ultraviolet B (UV-B) radiation and oil hydrocarbon contamination on sediment chemistry, the microbial community (composition and function) and biochemical marker response of selected indicator species. We found that increased ocean acidification and oil contamination in the absence of UV-B will significantly alter bacterial composition by, among other things, greatly reducing the relative abundance of Desulfobacterales, known to be important oil hydrocarbon degraders. Along with changes in bacterial composition, we identified concomitant shifts in the composition of oil hydrocarbons in the sediment and an increase in oxidative stress effects on our indicator species. Interestingly, our study identifies UV-B as a critical component in the interaction between these factors, as its presence alleviates harmful effects caused by the combination of reduced pH and oil pollution. The model system used here shows that the interactive effect of reduced pH and oil contamination can adversely affect the structure and functioning of sediment benthic communities, with the potential to exacerbate the toxicity of oil hydrocarbons in marine ecosystems., (© 2014 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The potential of estuarine microniches as reservoirs of biosurfactant-producing bacteria was evaluated by testing different combinations of inocula and hydrophobic carbon sources. Selective cultures using diesel, petroleum, or paraffin as hydrophobic carbon sources were prepared and inoculated with water from the surface microlayer, bulk sediments, and sediment of the rhizosphere of Halimione portulacoides. These inocula were compared regarding the frequency of biosurfactant-producing strains among selected isolates. The community structure of the selective cultures was profiled using denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis (DGGE) of the 16S rRNA gene fragments at the end of the incubation. The DGGE profiles corresponding to the communities established in selective cultures at the end of the incubation revealed that communities were different in terms of structural diversity. The highest diversity was observed in the selective cultures containing paraffin (H (') = 2.5). Isolates were obtained from the selective cultures (66) and tested for biosurfactant production by the atomized oil assay. Biosurfactant production was detected in 17 isolates identified as Microbacterium, Pseudomonas, Rhodococcus, and Serratia. The combination of estuarine surface microlayer (SML) water as inoculum and diesel as carbon source seems promising for the isolation of surfactant-producing bacteria. Supplemental materials are available for this article. Go to the publisher's online edition of Preparative Biochemistry and Biotechnology to view the supplemental file.