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The increasing use of improvised explosive devices in terrorist attacks against civil targets has challenged the scientific community to find new strengthening or protective solutions able to mitigate the effects of the blast loads. As a response to this demand, the main purpose of the present thesis is the development and study of a high performance protective solution based on the concept of sacrificial claddings. Due to the high flexibility, precision and relatively low costs, additive manufacturing has been increasingly used in the search of new material disposition patterns that improve the mitigation capabilities of crushable cores. The presentwork assesses the performance of a PLA crushable core manufactured through fused deposition modelling 3D printing. An experimental campaign is conducted to determine the mechanical behaviour of the PLA. These results allow the selection and calibration of an adequate numerical constitutive model, which considers the anisotropy and compressive/tensile asymmetry exhibited in additively manufactured materials. Once the constitutive material calibrated, the results of a second experimental campaign resorting to an explosive driven shock tube are used to validate a numerical model that allows the deterministic design of a sacrificial cladding which successfully improves the blast resistant capabilities of a given structural element. However, when verified taking into account the model’s uncertainties and the probabilistic distribution of the structural element’s properties, the cladding solution might, for certain blast scenarios, negatively impact the performance of the structural element it intends to protect. Therefore, one may conclude that the use of a probabilistic approach in the design of such protective solutions is recommended, as the deterministic approach might yields results against safety.

Submitted by Paloma Arruda (palomaoliiveira75@gmail.com) on 2021-02-22T22:45:49Z No. of bitstreams: 1 HugoDinizRebelo.pdf: 1019468 bytes, checksum: aec077d99a5abfae2d49e41d55996cfd (MD5) Approved for entry into archive by Moreno Barros (moreno@ct.ufrj.br) on 2021-04-05T02:34:04Z (GMT) No. of bitstreams: 1 HugoDinizRebelo.pdf: 1019468 bytes, checksum: aec077d99a5abfae2d49e41d55996cfd (MD5) Made available in DSpace on 2021-04-05T02:34:04Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 HugoDinizRebelo.pdf: 1019468 bytes, checksum: aec077d99a5abfae2d49e41d55996cfd (MD5) Previous issue date: 2019-09 A identificação de plágio Extrínseco é um processo de avaliação de um documento, no qual analisamos o seu conteúdo em busca de um possível plágio comparando de forma direta com possíveis documentos fontes. A identificação de plágio Extrínseco pode ser dividido em três etapas, A Busca Heurística, Analise Detalhada e o Pós-processamento. Neste trabalho iremos focar na etapa da Busca Heurística, e para isso utilizaremos a abordagem Permutation Based Indexing (PBI), que foi proposta como uma nova abordagem para o cálculo de similaridade entre objetos, tendo como diferencial a redução da quantidade de comparações no dataset, comparando a consulta somente com os objetos pivots, que são objetos do próprio dataset escolhidos na etapa de seleção de pivot, com a ideia de escolher os objetos que melhor representam o dataset como todo. Além da utilização da técnica do PBI, o trabalho terá como uma agregação de valor a criação de variações das técnicas já existentes de pruning, baseada numa "poda"dos pivots, que retira pivots que não tenham muita influência em uma determinada consulta. Extrinsic text plagiarism detection is a document evaluation process, in which we analyze its content for possible plagiarism by comparing directly with potential source documents. The identification of extrinsic plagiarism can be divided into three stages, Heuristic Retrieval, Detailed Analysis and Postprocessing. This work will focus on the Heuristic Retrieval stage, and for that we will use the Permutation Based Indexing(PBI) approach, which was proposed as a new approach to the calculation of similarity between objects, having as a differential the reduction of the number of comparisons in the dataset, comparing the query only with the pivots objects, which are objects of the dataset itself chosen in the pivot selection step, considering to choose the objects that best represent the dataset as a whole. In addition to using the PBI technique, to add value to this work, this work will create variations on existing pruning techniques, based on a "pruning" of pivots, which removes pivots that do not have much influence on a given query.

Species distribution models (SDMs) offer an effective tool for identifying species conservation requirements and forecasting how global environmental changes will affect species diversity and distribution. This approach is particularly relevant for bats because their nocturnal behaviour hinders detectability and identification in flight. Despite their important contribution to global biodiversity and wide geographical ranges, bats have been under-represented in early SDM studies, and only in the last few years has this approach become more widely used in bat research. We carried out a meta-analysis of the published literature to review the history of the use of SDMs in bat research and their application in conservation, climate change assessments and genetic studies. We focus on the geographical coverage, theme and modelling algorithm of published studies, and compare studies that are uniquely dedicated to bats to multi-taxa studies that include bats. We provide recommendations for good modelling practices through considering spatial scale and spatial biases, selecting ecologically relevant variables, following rigorous modelling protocols, and recognising the limitations of extrapolation across temporal scales. We suggest future developments that will further favour the use of SDMs to study bat ecology and biogeography, as well as inform conservation management. We conclude that despite an increase in bat SDM studies, their scope and application can be further enhanced through incorporating dispersal, landscape connectivity and biotic interactions between bats, their prey and their pathogens. Click here to access supplementary files

Research Article - Genetics Understanding aging is a grand challenge in biology. Exceptionally long-lived animals have mechanisms that underpin extreme longevity. Telomeres are protective nucleotide repeats on chromosome tips that shorten with cell division, potentially limiting life span. Bats are the longest-lived mammals for their size, but it is unknown whether their telomeres shorten. Using >60 years of cumulative mark-recapture field data, we show that telomeres shorten with age in Rhinolophus ferrumequinum andMiniopterus schreibersii, but not in the bat genus with greatest longevity, Myotis. As in humans, telomerase is not expressed in Myotis myotis blood or fibroblasts. Selection tests on telomere maintenance genes show that ATM and SETX, which repair and prevent DNA damage, potentially mediate telomere dynamics in Myotis bats. Twenty-one telomere maintenance genes are differentially expressed in Myotis, ofwhich 14 are enriched for DNA repair, and 5 for alternative telomere-lengthening mechanisms. We demonstrate how telomeres, telomerase, and DNA repair genes have contributed to the evolution of exceptional longevity in Myotis bats, advancing our understanding of healthy aging info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The systematics of the genus Acanthodactylus was classically based on external morphological traits, osteological characters and morphology of the hemipenes. Although the identification of species complexes is relatively easy, the distinction within some groups is difficult due to a high variability of the external morphology. Partial mitochondrial (12S and 16S rRNA) sequences (371 and 499 base pairs, respectively) were analysed from 32 specimens of the A. pardalis group from northern Africa including the described species A. busacki, A. maculatus, A. mechriguensis and A. pardalis. Several highly distinct genetic units were resolved, but with little support for relationships between them. These units did not coincide with current taxonomic units, but showed geographic structuring. Although the A. pardalis group displays significant variation, the present taxonomy of the group must be considered unsatisfactory since it is not supported by genetic evidence. For some forms, such as A. mechriguensis there is no support and it is suggested that it should be synonymized with A. maculatus. More data are clearly needed for other forms. Complex microevolutionary patterns due to the recent contraction/ expansion phases of the Sahara Desert probably are related with the phylogenetic patterns observed.Key words: Acanthodactylus pardalis, phylogeny, North Africa, mitochondrial DNA.

With rates of climate change exceeding the rate at which many species are able to shift their range or adapt, it is important to understand how future changes are likely to affect biodiversity at all levels of organisation. Understanding past responses and extent of niche conservatism in climatic tolerance can help predict future consequences. We use an integrated approach to determine the genetic consequences of past and future climate changes on a bat species, Plecotus austriacus. Glacial refugia predicted by palaeo-modelling match those identified from analyses of extant genetic diversity and model-based inference of demographic history. Former refugial populations currently contain disproportionately high genetic diversity, but niche conservatism, shifts in suitable areas and barriers to migration mean that these hotspots of genetic diversity are under threat from future climate change. Evidence of population decline despite recent northward migration highlights the need to conserve leading-edge populations for spearheading future range shifts.

Bats are a biodiverse mammal order providing key ecosystem services such as pest suppression, pollination, and seed dispersal. Bats are also very sensitive to human actions, and significant declines in many bat populations have been recorded consequently. Many bat species find crucial roosting and foraging opportunities in European forests. Such forests have historically been exploited by humans and are still influenced by harvesting. One of the consequences of this pressure is the loss of key habitat resources, often making forests inhospitable to bats. Despite the legal protection granted to bats across Europe, the impacts of forestry on bats are still often neglected. Because forest exploitation influences forest structure at several spatial scales, economically viable forestry could become more sustainable and even favor bats. We highlight that a positive future for bat conservation that simultaneously benefits forestry is foreseeable, although more applied research is needed to develop sound management. Key future research topics include the detection of factors influencing the carrying capacity of forests, and determining the impacts of forest management and the economic importance of bats in forests. Predictive tools to inform forest managers are much needed, together with greater synergies between forest managers and bat conservationists.

Species distribution models were used to predict bat species richness across southern Africa and to identify potential drivers of these spatial patterns. We also identified species richness within each biotic zone and the distributions of species considered of high conservation priority. We used this information to highlight conservation priorities for bats in southern Africa (defined here as between the latitudes of 8° S, slightly north of Zambia, to the southern tip of Africa 34° S, an area of approximately 9781840 km2). We used maximum entropy modelling (Maxent) to model habitat suitability for 58 bat species in order to determine the key eco-geographical variables influencing their distributions. The potential distribution of each bat species was affected by different ecogeographic variables but in general, water availability (both temporary and permanent), seasonal precipitation, vegetation, and karst (caves/limestone) areas were the most important factors. The highest levels of species richness were found mainly in the eastern dry savanna area and some areas of wet savanna. Of the species considered to be of high priority due to a combination of restricted distributions or niches and/or endemism (7 fruit bats, 23 cave-dwellers, 18 endemic and near-endemic, 14 niche-restricted and 15 range-restricted), nine species were considered to be at most risk. We found that range-restricted species were commonly found in areas with low species richness; therefore, conservation decisions need to take into account not only species richness but also species considered to be particularly vulnerable across the biogeographical area of interest info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Modelling species distribution is one of the most widely used approaches used by modern ecologists to predict species occurrence as well as to explore the environmental variables that determine the presence of a species in an habitat.Given the outstanding importance of mammals in the context of conservation or management actions, it is not surprising that an ever increasing number of mammalogists have successfully employed species distribution models over the last few years. As a scientific journal devoted to mammal natural history, Hystrix, the Italian Journal of Mammalogy is pleased to present a collection of articles forming a special issue that deals with such an important and timely matter.

Small Wind Turbines (SWTs) are a growing micro-generation industry with over 870,000 installed units worldwide. No research has focussed on public attitudes towards SWTs, despite evidence the perception of such attitudes are key to planning outcomes and can be a barrier to installations. Here we present the results of a UK wide mail survey investigating public attitudes towards SWTs. Just over half of our respondents, who were predominantly older, white males, felt that SWTs were acceptable across a range of settings, with those on road signs being most accepted and least accepted in hedgerows and gardens. Concern about climate change positively influenced how respondents felt about SWTs. Respondent comments highlight visual impacts and perceptions of the efficiency of this technology are particularly important to this sector of the UK public. Taking this into careful consideration, alongside avoiding locating SWTs in contentious settings such as hedgerows and gardens where possible, may help to minimise public opposition to proposed installations.

The main purpose of the present dissertation is the simulation of the response of fibre grout strengthened RC panels when subjected to blast effects using the Applied Element Method, in order to validate and verify its applicability. Therefore, four experimental models, three of which were strengthened with a cement-based grout, each reinforced by one type of steel reinforcement, were tested against blast effects. After the calibration of the experimental set-up, it was possible to obtain and compare the response to the blast effects of the model without strengthening (reference model), and a fibre grout strengthened RC panel (strengthened model). Afterwards, a numerical model of the reference model was created in the commercial software Extreme Loading for Structures, which is based on the Applied Element Method, and calibrated to the obtained experimental results, namely to the residual displacement obtained by the experimental monitoring system. With the calibration verified, it is possible to assume that the numerical model correctly predicts the response of fibre grout RC panels when subjected to blast effects. In order to verify this assumption, the strengthened model was modelled and subjected to the blast effects of the corresponding experimental set-up. The comparison between the residual and maximum displacements and the bottom surface’s cracking obtained in the experimental and the numerical tests yields a difference of 4 % for the maximum displacements of the reference model, and a difference of 4 and 10 % for the residual and maximum displacements of the strengthened model, respectively. Additionally, the cracking on the bottom surface of the models was similar in both methods. Therefore, one can conclude that the Applied ElementMethod can correctly predict and simulate the response of fibre grout strengthened RC panels when subjected to blast effects.

Dissertação de Mestrado Em Psicologia Clínica e da Saúde. A evolução da Avaliação Psicológica passa, segundo os mais diversos autores, pelo aperfeiçoamento das práticas de testagem psicológica aprofundando o conhecimento relativo à sua construção e aos processos de validação inerentes à mesma. Para que esta se torne uma mais valia é necessário assim ultrapassar diversos desafios de forma a que os instrumentos de avaliação se tornem adequados e fundamentados. O estado da testagem psicológica em Portugal é visto como “enfermo” (Simões, 1955), caracterizado pela falta de uma validação rigorosa nos instrumentos usados, condicionada por interesses comerciais e por ser bastante limitada aos testes tradicionais, sendo estes quase sempre desenvolvidos de raiz em outros países, o que faz com que a nossa contribuição passe apenas pela validação do que já é aceite nesses mesmos países. Esta dissertação tem como objetivo construir uma escala de avaliação psicoclínica para a população portuguesa que cumpra critérios de validação exigentes, tentando assim colmatar as falhas encontradas em alguns dos seus principais instrumentos a nível de processos de validação, assim como o seu custo dispendioso. A parte metodológica deste trabalho aborda, numa primeira instância, o processo de construção dos itens e a validade de conteúdo dos mesmos. Seguidamente apresentamos os testes de validação realizados para a nossa escala, designadamente a análise fatorial, a validade discriminante (convergente e divergente) e a consistência interna (através do Alpha de Cronbach). Adicionalmente, são apresentados os valores normativos da escala. Concluiu-se, através dos resultados, que o teste apresenta boas propriedades psicométricas e que os construtos, de uma forma geral, medem aquilo a que se propuseram medir, designadamente os indicadores de sintomatologia psicoclínica (Depressão, Ansiedade, Psicoticismo, Obsessivo-Compulsividade; Hipertimia e Fobia) e os indicadores de áreas importantes para o clínico (Sono, Sexo, Auto-Estima, Suicídio e Ideias Auto-Lesivas, Pânico). A última parte da dissertação envolve recomendações para dar continuidade a este processo de construção e validação da nossa escala de sintomatologia psicoclínica. The evolution of Psychological Assessment requires, according with major authors, the improvement of psychological testing practices, deepening the knowledge relative to its construction and its processes of validation. In order to make psychological testing an asset it’s required to exceed several challenges so that assessment instruments can be suitable and grounded. The state of psychological testing in Portugal is seen as “sick” (Simões, 1995), and is characterized by lack of rigorous validation of the used instruments, conditioned by commercial interests and for being limited to the traditional tests. This tests are almost ever developed from root in other country’s making our contribution limited only to validation processes of what’s already accepted in those other country’s This dissertation has the objective of building a scale of psychological clinical assessment to the Portuguese population following demanding validation criteria, trying this way to bridge the flaws founded in some of its instruments on what concerns to validation processes and also their expensive cost. The methodological part of this thesis approach, in a first instance, the item building process and its content validity. Then we will present the validation procedures that were performed to our scale, namely the factor analysis, the discriminant validity (divergent and convergent) and the internal consistency (Cronbach’s Alpha). Additionally it will be presented the normative values of the scale. We’ve concluded, by the results, that our test presents good psychometric properties and that the constructs are, in a general way, measuring what they proposed to measure, namely the psychological clinical symptomatology indicators (Depression, Anxiety, Psychoticism, Obsessive-Compulsiveness, Hyperthimia and Phobia) and the indicators of important areas for the clinical (Sleep, Sex, Self-Esteem, Suicide and Self-Harming Ideas, Panic). The last part of this dissertation involves recommendations to continue this process of construction and validation of our psychological clinical symptoms. Orientação: Prof. Doutor Gil André da Costa Nata.

The project ENABLIN+ is an international partnership for the period of 01/01/2014 to 31/12/2016. It's addressed to the needs of children and youth with complex and intense support needs (CISN), their caregivers and supporters. It wants to develop a system of interdisciplinary in-service training, where professionals and parents of various professional backgrounds learn together, with the aim of improving inclusion, promoting de-institutionalization and enhancing quality of life of the children with CISN, at various age levels. ENABLIN+ promotes an inclusive intervention, not only in social life, but also in education. In this context, this work aims to present and discuss the concept of "best practices" in inclusive intervention based in real world cases. To study that subject we prepare a seminar, where 12 cases of "best practices" in inclusive intervention was presented. The institutions, services and projects working in the field of inclusion of children and young people with permanent SEN were asked to submit, via the project Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/Projetos-de-Inclus%C3%A3o/293506687489384?ref=hl) or via website (www.enablin.jimdo.com) their best practices in a seminar with a duration of 4 hours. We assumed a triadic concept of best practices: IDEAS (Innovative and/or challenging ideas for the inclusion of children and youth); PROCESSES (services, practices, methodologies) and RESULTS (examples, people, and success stories). Each communication was strictly to a duration of 6 minutes and was supported by a set of 20 slides, made from a template (previously available for download) that ran automatically. The aim was that the communication reports about the innovative character of each best practice, demonstrating their importance and the inclusive impact. In this article we analyze the 12 submitted communications, about the concept of "best practices", its innovative character, implementation process and results obtained. We also explored the results of the assessment of the presentations and evaluation of the seminar methodology made by the participants. The results indicated that the participants were very satisfied with the methodology used (Global average of 4.13/5), and with the presentations (global average of 4.05/5). Finally we discuss the effectiveness of define best practices in a triadic approach, in order to promote reflection and implication for more inclusive interventions. The ENABLIN+ Project Seminar was an important milestone for the project's progress as an important point of reflection and sharing of information on best practices in the field of disability.

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To determine what shapes the distributions of cryptic species, we aimed to unravel ecological niches and geographical distributions of three cryptic bat species complexes in Iberia, Plecotus auritus/begognae, Myotis mystacinus/alcathoe and Eptesicus serotinus/isabellinus (with 44, 69, 66, 27, 121 and 216 records, respectively), considering ecological interactions and biogeographical patterns. Species distribution models (SDMs) were built using a presence-only technique (Maxent), incorporating genetically identified species records with environmental variables (climate, habitat, topography). The most relevant variables for each species’ distribution and respective response curves were then determined. SDMs for each species were overlapped to assess the contact zones within each complex. Niche analyses were performed using niche metrics and spatial principal component analyses to study niche overlap and breadth. The Plecotus complex showed a parapatric distribution, although having similar biogeographical affinities (Eurosiberian), possibly explained by competitive exclusion. The Myotis complex also showed Eurosiberian affinities, with high overlap between niches and distribution, suggesting resource partitioning between species. Finally, E. serotinus was associated with Eurosiberian areas, while E. isabellinus occurred in Mediterranean areas, suggesting possible competition in their restricted contact zone. This study highlights t

Introdução: nas últimas décadas intensificou-se o debate sobre a qualidade da educação, conceito em evolução, que não apresenta uma definição única, restrita, e consensual. Dos vários atores intervenientes, os alunos destacam-se como avaliadores privilegiados do ensino que lhes é ministrado. Experienciam um amplo leque de variáveis que, associadas à sua motivação e expectativas, influenciam o desempenho académico e conduzem a um grau de satisfação com o seu curso, em particular, e com a qualidade da educação que recebem, em geral. Objetivo: este trabalho procurou identificar as perceções de qualidade de ensino veiculadas pelos alunos dos cursos de enfermagem e de gestão na região do Alentejo. Metodologia: neste artigo analisam-se 500 respostas, recolhidas através da aplicação, em dois momentos diferentes, de um questionário construído para o efeito, em suporte papel, a 268 alunos no primeiro ano do curso em 2008, e 232 alunos no terceiro ano do curso em 2010. Os alunos pertenciam às três instituições de ensino superior do Alentejo, e frequentavam os cursos de Enfermagem e de Gestão. A questão colocada foi: «Que aspetos do curso gostaria de ver mudados, de forma a aumentar a qualidade de ensino?». As respostas foram analisadas com recurso ao software informático webQDA, versão 1.4.3, de acordo com as técnicas de análise de conteúdo preconizadas por Bardin (1977). Resultados: na análise efetuada foram selecionadas 7469 palavras, que originaram 759 referências, distribuídas em 10 categorias, das quais se destacam «Organização do processo de ensino e aprendizagem» (23,1%), «Plano curricular» (21,6%), e «Ensino mais prático» (19,9%), como as mais representativas. Verifica-se que a importância do plano curricular do curso aumenta durante o decorrer do mesmo, sobretudo associada à adequação ao mercado de trabalho.

The isolation of populations in the Iberian, the Italian and the Balkan peninsulas during the ice ages define four main paradigms that explain the distribution of intraspecific genetic diversity in Europe, though not without exceptions. In this study we investigated the phylogeography of a wide-spread bat species, the bent-winged bat, Miniopterus schreibersii around the Mediterranean basin and the Caucasus. Samples were collected from 28 new locations in 14 countries, and combined with previous data from four countries. We also undertook an environmental niche modeling (ENM) analysis, for predicting the current and past continental distribution of the species during the last glacial maximum (LGM). The genetics results indicate that populations of M. schreibersii in Europe went extinct and the continent was repopulated from Anatolia after the end of the LGM. The data show signatures of a gradual geographic expansion, as well as philopatric distributions of individual populations. In the Maghrebian region of North Africa, there is evidence for the presence of a new Miniopterus species (Miniopterus maghrebensis) occurring sympatrically with the nominotypic form, which we describe here for the first time. However, the fossil record in Iberia and the ENM results indicate continuous presence of Miniopterus in this peninsula that most probably was related to the Mahgrebian lineage during the LGM, but did not persist after the LGM. Combined with similar results from previous studies, we define a new paradigm that involves the recolonization of all of Europe from Anatolia. The study shows how genetics and ENM approaches can complement each other in providing a more detailed picture of intraspecific evolution of species.

As constantes mudanças que afectam as sociedades actuais, criam novos desafios aos sistemas educativos e, consequentemente, aos estabelecimentos de ensino, os quais se depara, com novas necessidades sociais e novos níveis de exigência, cada vez mais elevados, a que terão de dar resposta(...). Este estudo (...) envolveu 121 estudantes dos cursos de Enfermagem e de Gestão da Universidade de Évora. Através de um questionário construído e validado para o efeito, comparámos o rendimento prévio dos estudantes, expresso pela média de candidatura com que ingressaram na Universidade, com o rendimento médio que apresentavam na altura do estudo(...).