Browsing by Author "Nunes, Nuno"
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- Aqua : Leveraging Citizen Science to Enhance Whale-Watching Activities and Promote Marine-Biodiversity AwarenessPublication . Dionisio, Mara; Mendes, Mafalda; Fernandez, Marc; Nisi, Valentina; Nunes, NunoLife-supporting ecosystems are facing impending destruction. The human-computer interaction (HCI) community must rethink how to design technological interventions that reconcile concepts and theories for ecological computing. Proponents of sustainable HCI have pushed for tools and systems that aim to decenter the human in a shift toward post human design-a theoretical approach that challenges the assumption that only humans are stakeholders of technology as it increasingly shapes the future. Building on the iconic value of whales and the economic impact of whale watching as a form of ecotourism, we developed Aqua, a digital tool that leverages the potential of citizen science to engage tourists in marine-biodiversity awareness and conservation. This manuscript is advancing the field of sustainable HCI and tourism applications in two ways: first, we deliver an artefact contribution by designing and implementing a digital tool to enhance whale-watching activities. Second, we offer an empirical research contribution through observation and data gathering while comparing participants’ experiences of a whale-watching trip with and without the digital tool. Finally, preliminary insights are provided to inform the design of future digital tools aimed at promoting environmental conservation and citizen-science approaches among tourists. This work presents progression in understanding and informs the design of digital tools to engage tourists in novel and sustainable experiences.
- Biochemical study of attached macroalgae from the Madeira Archipelago and beach-cast macroalgae from the Canary Islands: multivariate analysis to determine bioresource potentialPublication . Nunes, Nuno; Valente, Sofia; Ferraz, Sónia; Barreto, Maria do Carmo; Carvalho, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro deFifteen attached macroalgae from the Madeira Archipelago, comprising three green, three red and nine brown algal species, as well as two beach-cast macroalgal samples, collected along the north shore of Gran Canaria, were assessed for their biochemical properties. The analysis included the determination of total minerals, total carbohydrates, protein, lipids, chlorophyll a, total carotenoids, total phenolic content, fucoxanthin and phycobilins (allophycocyanin, phycocyanin and phycoerythrin). The results showed a high variability of biochemical composition, allowing for the targetting of specific bioresources for particular purposes, including functional foods. This work provides the foundation for a biorefinery strategy implementation plan, for which specific macroalgae may be targeted for valuable and beneficial compounds.
- COESÃO SOCIAL, CIDADANIA E SUSTENTABILIDADEPublication . Palos, Ana Cristina; Diogo, Ana Matias; Martin, Claude; Ribeiro, Fernando Bessa; Diogo, Fernando; Sousa, Francisco; Ávila de Lima, Jorge; Serpa, Margarida; Botenho, Maria do Carmo; Nunes, Nuno; Lalanda, Piedade; Mauritti, Rosário; Silva, Sara Franco; Serpa, Sandro; Diogo, Fernando; Diogo, Ana MatiasEste livro procura evidenciar os reptos e as permanências que atravessam as sociedades atuais, em que as transformações sociais desafiam a coesão social e, concomitantemente, as permanências demonstram a sua perenidade. Com foco especial na realidade açoriana, esta obra é constituída por sete capítulos que abordam temas como o futuro do capitalismo e respetivas implicações, a análise dos regimes de bem-estar social, as desigualdades e a coesão social, a relação entre pobreza e escolaridade, as perspetivas dos pais e das crianças sobre os centros de atividades de tempos livres (CATL), culminando na temática do divórcio nos Açores. Este livro pretende contribuir para uma ação informada, enformada por uma ciência inclusiva e socialmente partilhada, através do envolvimento cívico da sociedade açoriana nestes domínios.
- Constructing ethanol-derived bioactive extracts using the brown seaweed Zonaria tournefortii (J.V.Lamouroux) Montagne performed with Timatic extractor by means of response surface methodology (RSM)Publication . Nunes, Nuno; Valente, Sofia; Ferraz, Sónia; Barreto, Maria do Carmo; Carvalho, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro deUnderstanding the biochemical and antioxidant composition and capacity of a target biomass is the first step to its selectivity as functional food which can enhance the ability to promote health by reducing the risk of chronic diseases. The main purpose of this work was to employ response surface methodology (RSM) to determine the effect of the independent variables, % of ethanol (50–96%), time of sonication (0–20 min), and number of extraction cycles (6–18 cycles) in the primary extract of brown seaweed Zonaria tournefortii, studying the yield variation of some bioactive compounds, assessing the potential of these bioextracts to integrate as a natural additives or supplements in the functional food industry. The extractions were performed employing “Green Chemistry” techniques executed with the Timatic extractor, which applied pressurized ethanol solution at a maximum pressure of 8.5 bar through milled dehydrated biomass in the extraction vessel. Several parameters were assessed in the primary bioactive extract which included extract yield (11.56–28.49 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw), total chlorophyll content (0.14–1.42 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw), total carotenoid content (0.35–0.80 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw), total fucoxanthin content (0.04–0.13 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw), total phenolic content (3.58–5.84 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw), total flavonoid content (0.22–4.70 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw), DPPH (56.05–76.45%), and reducing activity (3.83–6.04 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw). A second objective was to determine the suitability of the residue for subsequent extraction of valuable compounds such as fucoidan (4.87 to 6.59 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw) and cellulose (18.88 to 20.27 g (100 g)⁻¹ dw), implementing the first step to a biorefinery strategy, using a cascade approach.
- Desigualdades sociais e desenvolvimento em Portugal : um olhar à escala regional e aos territórios de baixa densidadePublication . Mauritti, Rosário; Nunes, Nuno; Alves, João Emílio; Diogo, FernandoComo aferir e monitorizar desigualdades sociais na sociedade portuguesa contemporânea, nomeadamente à escala regional? Os debates científicos contemporâneos apelam para que as problemáticas das desigualdades e do desenvolvimento se aproximem entre si. Este artigo pretende ser um contributo para a compreensão das relações entre estas problemáticas, considerando as desigualdades sociais do país, as suas assimetrias regionais e as desvantagens específicas dos territórios de baixa densidade. Para o efeito, analisamos como demografia, a educação, o emprego, as classes sociais e a saúde estão associadas a desigualdades sociais entre as regiões do território nacional. Os resultados da pesquisa apontam para a persistência, na sociedade portuguesa, de processos de desenvolvimento desiguais à escala regional e no que diz respeito aos territórios de baixa densidade.
- Fatty acid composition, TLC screening, ATR-FTIR analysis, anti-cholinesterase activity, and in vitro cytotoxicity to A549 tumor cell line of extracts of 3 macroalgae collected in MadeiraPublication . Nunes, Nuno; Rosa, Gonçalo P.; Ferraz, Sónia; Barreto, Maria do Carmo; Carvalho, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro deThree macroalgae collected at Madeira Island were included in this study to determine their potential for drug, nutraceutical, food, or supplement application. Fatty acid content was higher in Zonaria tournefortii (12.32 mg g⁻¹ dw) with 16.58% of PUFAs, eicosapentaenoic acid (C20:5 omega 3), and arachidonic acid (20:4 omega 6) having concentrations of 2.59 and 1.17%, respectively. The anti-thrombogenic and anti-atherogenicity potential was higher for Z. tournefortii due to relevant fatty acids in the biochemical composition this macroalgae. Lipid classes were assessed in the lipid extract and neutral lipids (NL) were in higher yield in Asparagopsis taxiformis (51.16%) and lower in Z. tournefortii (26.96%). The glycolipids (GL) were between 36.03 and 16.11% in Z. tournefortii and Ulva lactuca. Phospholipids (PL) fraction varied from 35.91 and 31.60% in A. taxiformis and Z. tournefortii. TLC screening identified that U. lactuca contains phytol and cholesterol in its NL, digalactosyldiacylglycerol in its GL, and cardiolipin and L-alpha-phosphatidylcholine in its PL. Zonaria tournefortii contains phytol and cholesterol in its NL classes, and the PL classes contain L-alpha-phosphatidylethanolamine and 1-(3-sn-phosphatidyl)-rac-glycerol. The macroalgae A. taxiformis revealed cholesterol in its NL fraction and the same phospholipids as Z. tournefortii in its PL fraction. ATR-FTIR analysis enabled a "fingerprint" spectra and important sulfation absorption bands were identified, revealing the functional polysaccharides within these macroalgae. Anti-cholinesterasic activity was assessed in A. taxiformis, with a low IC50 for AChE (8.92 +/- 0.43 mu g mL⁻¹) and BuChE (13.96 +/- 0.32 mu g mL⁻¹), demonstrating dual inhibitory activity, justifying the interest to identify the active principle which may be the scaffold of a novel drug.
- Marine macroalgae for industrial extraction of valuable biofunctional compounds using biorefinery. Algal Metabolites: Biotechnological, Commercial and Industrial ApplicationsPublication . Nunes, Nuno; Barreto, Maria do Carmo; Carvalho, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro deAlgal secondary metabolites have several biotechnological, pharmaeceutical, industral, cosmetic, and other commercial applications. This new book highlights the recent advances in algal active metabolites, emphasizing their pharmaceutical, therapeutic, nutraceutical, and industral potential. It first provides an introduction to algal metabolites and discusses their applications. It then looks at microalgal- their pharmaeceutical, therapeutic, nutraceutical, and industrial applications. Providing a wealth of information, this book illustrates the diversity of these metabolites from indegeneous marine of freshwater sources, providing a gateway that can enable researchers and pharmaceutical companies to develop novel nontoxic, cost-effective, and highly efficient drugs.
- Modeling Fine-Scale Cetaceans’ Distributions in Oceanic Islands : Madeira Archipelago as a Case StudyPublication . Fernandez, Marc; Alves, Filipe M. A.; Ferreira, Rita; Fischer, Jan-Christopher; Thake, Paula; Nunes, Nuno; Caldeira, Rui; Dinis, AnaSpecies distributional estimates are an essential tool to improve and implement effective conservation and management measures. Nevertheless, obtaining accurate distributional estimates remains a challenge in many cases, especially when looking at the marine environment, mainly due to the species mobility and habitat dynamism. Ecosystems surrounding oceanic islands are highly dynamic and constitute a key actor on pelagic habitats, congregating biodiversity in their vicinity. The main objective of this study was to obtain accurate fine-scale spatio-temporal distributional estimates of cetaceans in oceanic islands, such as the Madeira archipelago, using a long-term opportunistically collected dataset. Ecological Niche Models (ENM) were built using cetacean occurrence data collected on-board commercial whale watching activities and environmental data from 2003 to 2018 for 10 species with a diverse range of habitat associations. Models were built using two different datasets of environmental variables with different temporal and spatial resolutions for comparison purposes. State-of-the-art techniques were used to iterate, build and evaluate the MAXENT models constructed. Models built using the long-term opportunistic dataset successfully described distribution patterns throughout the study area for the species considered. Final models were used to produce spatial grids of species average and standard deviation suitability monthly estimates. Results provide the first fine-scale (both in the temporal and spatial dimension) cetacean distributional estimates for the Madeira archipelago and reveal seasonal/annual distributional patterns, thus providing novel insights on species ecology and quantitative data to implement better dynamic management actions.
- Pharmacological and Cosmeceutical Potential of Seaweed Beach-Casts of MacaronesiaPublication . Zárate, Rafael; Portillo, Eduardo; Teixidó, Sílvia; Carvalho, Miguel A. A. Pinheiro de; Nunes, Nuno; Ferraz, Sónia; Seca, Ana M. L.; Rosa, Gonçalo P.; Barreto, Maria do CarmoSeaweed beach-casts are a seasonal phenomenon that regularly deposits tons of algae biomass on beaches, which are usually disposed of in landfills. The present work aimed to contribute to the valorization of this biomass by studying bioactivities that reveal its potential in the pharmaceutical and/or cosmeceutical industries. Methanol and ethanol extracts and fractions from 15 beach-casts biomass were tested for a range of bioactivities. Eight of the most active samples exhibit IC50 values between 11.38 µg/mL and 19.28 µg/mL and selectivity indexes higher than 3.8, against NCI-H1299 (lung cancer) and T47D (breast cancer). Concerning antiaging potential, all the extracts tested presented UV protection, with SPF values above 30, like the standard sunscreen. Regarding aging-related enzymes, 24 samples were tyrosinase inhibitors exhibiting IC50 values from 9.01 µg/mL to 200.09 µg/mL. Eight extracts inhibited collagenase (IC50 < 248.76 µg/mL), two of them more actively than positive control EDTA (IC50 = 59.26 µg/mL). In addition to UV protection, the cumulative effect of antityrosinase and anticollagenase activities shown by the samples suggest that they may play a significant role in preventing skin photoaging. The results obtained demonstrate the high potential of beach-cast seaweed biomass as sources of cosmetic bioproducts with antiaging effects, and of selective cytotoxic metabolites.