Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2010-06"
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- Valuing nature attributes by the tourists : are there socio-demographic differences?Publication . Oliveira, Paulo; Pereira, Pedro TelhadoThis research studies if there are different valuations of nature attributes due to different socio-demographic characteristics of the individuals. We use the case of the Natural Park of Madeira and the valuation of its different attributes by the tourists to test if there are differences due to gender, age, education, and nationality; we control by the duration and number of previous visits to the destination. We use a probit model to see how socio-demographic characteristics of the tourists and different aspects of the trip affect the valuation given to 24 aspects of the Park and its organization. We conclude that males tend to value 12 of the aspects less and do not value any more than females. Age does not seem to affect the way individuals value the different aspects; the exception is the WC, which is more valued by the elderly. More educated people tend to value less the organizational aspects of the park and the services provided. British visitors value more than tourists from other nationalities 10 of the 24 aspects of the Park, while Germans tend to value less the services provided by the Park.
- Evaluation of Solar Energy Potential and its Variability in the Azores.Publication . Carvalho, Fernanda; Henriques, Diamantino; Fialho, Paulo; Vieira, Elsa; Santos, Jorge
- Serum atherogenic lipid markers in subjects from three islands of The Azores Archipelago (Portugal): a comparison studyPublication . Ferin, Rita; Correia, Cristina; Raposo, Mafalda; Castro, Ana Rita; Reis, C.; Vieira, T.; Gonçalves, Bruno; Pavão, Maria LeonorSão Miguel (SM), Graciosa (GR) and São Jorge (SJ) are three islands of the Azores’ Archipelago, where the death rate from coronary artery disease is abouttwice than in mainland Portugal. The aim of this study was to evaluate and compare serum atherogenic lipid markers as reflected by lipid profile, as well as by apoB/apoA-1 ratio in apparently healthy subjects from those islands. The study group was formed by 321 subjects with no chronic diseases, aged 20 to 60 years, born living in the respective island (156 from SM, 92 from GR and 73 from SJ). In all cases, about 64% of subjects were hyperlipidemic, mainly hypercholesterolemic. LDL-C and HDL-C concentrations were respectively, lower and higher in SM than in SJ or GR. ApoB concentration was 40% and 17% higher in SJ than in SM and GR, respectively, while apoA-1 reached the maximum in SM (178±38 mg/dL). Regarding apoB/apoA-1 ratio, taken as a better atherogenic marker then conventional lipid profile, subjects from GR exhibited the highest mean value (0.85±0.4), followed by those from SJ (0.75±0.3) and SM (0.58±0.2). Particularly in men from GR and SJ, ratios were 1.0 and 0.9, respectively, which corresponds to a high risk of developing a cardiovascular incident.
- Preparedness to manage volcanic and seismic risk: a study of risk perception in the AzoresPublication . Arroz, Ana Margarida Moura; Rego, Isabel EstrelaThis work focuses on the last phase of a research project on volcanic and seismic risk perception (TOPOI METUS. Social cosmographies of danger. Risk perception of natural hazards) that has been carried out in the archipelago of the Azores during the last three years. It presents findings on perceived risk dimensions (i.e. risk characterization; risk profile evaluation; systems’ vulnerability evaluation; risk management before, during and after the crisis; and trust in processes and entities responsible for risk management and information processes), based on data obtained through the application of an instrument (survey questionnaire) specifically created to address volcanic and seismic risk issues in the archipelago. It also represents an attempt to achieve a more precise understanding of communication and actions thought to be taken before a crisis, and during the response and recovery phases of a disaster, as well as the trust involved in those situations, by comparing results with findings obtained earlier through in-depth interviews conducted at a previous stage of the research.
- Lower Free Troposphere Aerosol Elemental Composition at Central North Atlantic Region.Publication . Freitas, Maria do Carmo; Fialho, Paulo; Pacheco, Adriano M. G.; Pio, Casimiro; Tuncel, GurdalAerosol samples were collected using an aethalometer (AE31) from 15 July 2001 to the present at the Pico Mountain site in Pico island, Azores, Portugal (38.470ºN; 28.404ºW and 2225 m above mean see level). The aethalometer was setup to integrate the aerosol samples for 24 h period for most of the cases, with the exception of the period between July 2002 and July 2003 were it was leaved to change the integration sample spot only after 75% attenuation level. [...].
- Astaxanthin production from Haematococcus pluvialis using photobioreactorsPublication . Xavier, Emanuel D.; Furnas, Joan; Teves, Luis; Mota, Gonçalo; Neto, Ana I.
- Drivers of diversity in Macaronesian spiders and the role of species extinctionsPublication . Cardoso, Pedro; Arnedo, Miquel A.; Triantis, Kostas A.; Borges, Paulo A. V.AIM To identify the biogeographical factors underlying spider species richness in the Macaronesian region and assess the importance of species extinctions in shaping the current diversity. LOCATION The European archipelagos of Macaronesia with an emphasis on the Azores and Canary Islands.
- Plasma aminothiol status in the population of the Island of São Jorge (The Azores Archipelago, Portugal)Publication . Ferin, Rita; Correia, Cristina; Raposo, Mafalda; Gonçalves, Bruno; Gonçalves, C.; Baptista, José; Pavão, Maria LeonorHcy, Cys, Cys-Gly and GSH are low molecular weight thiols that play important roles in the metabolism and homeostasis of the organism. An altered plasma aminothiols status can cause oxidative stress, thus contributing to atherogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate the plasma levels of total Hcy, Cys, Cys-Gly and GSH, as well as GGT activity in apparently healthy subjects from the Island of S˜ao Jorge, taking into consideration gender and lipid profile. The study group was formed by 73 subjects with no chronic diseases, aged 20 to 60 years, born living in the island of S˜ao Jorge. The evaluation of the four aminothiols was carried out by HPLC with an isocratic reversephase column using a fluorescence detector. Mean values of GSH (1.8±0.6mM) and Cys (240±35mM) content were under reference values, but Cys-Gly was above. Plasma total Hcy, Cys and Cys-Gly levels, as well as GGT activity were significantly higher in men than in women (respectively, 30%, 7%, 17% and 65%). About 63% of subjects were hyperlipidemic, mainly hypercholesterolemic. Cys concentration was increased by 9% in hyperlipidemics vs. normolipidemics. In subjects with altered thiol status men, but not women, revealed a moderate hyperhomocysteinemia. Also Cys-Gly concentrations were significantly higher in men than in women. In spite of being apparently healthy, all subjects (namely men) have depleted antioxidant defenses, indicating high oxidative stress. Alterations in plasma GSH, Cys-Gly and Cys concentrations, taken together, and independently of dyslipidemia, could be considered as early markers of atherosclerosis.
- Life history and morphological studies of Punctaria tenuissima (Chordariaceae, Phaeophyceae), a new record for the AzoresPublication . Parente, Manuela I.; Fletcher, Robert L.; Neto, Ana I.; Tittley, Ian; Sousa, Ana F.; Draisma, Stefano; Gabriel, DanielaPunctaria tenuissima (Chordariaceae, Phaeophyceae) is reported for the first time from the Azores. Erect thalli were collected on the Island of Sa˜o Miguel; they were up to 3 cm long, flattened and often twisted. The plurilocular sporangia were formed from surface cells that were quadrate or rectangular in surface view. Unilocular sporangia were not observed in the field. In culture, the plurispores of P. tenuissima developed into Hecatonema-like, tufted, prostrate thalli that formed plurilocular sporangia. The plurispores of the prostrate thalli cultured at 158C with a long day (LD) photoperiod developed into new prostrate thalli, which in turn formed plurilocular sporangia. This cycle was repeated 5 times, resulting in several generations of reproductive prostrate thalli. When these cultures were cooled to 108C with a short day (SD) photoperiod, new erect thalli developed from the prostrate thalli resembling the thalli collected in the field. These erect blades produced unilocular and plurilocular sporangia on the same or on different thalli. The plurispores and unispores produced by the erect thalli at 108C under SD conditions once again developed into new prostrate thalli. This is the first report of unilocular sporangia formed in cultures of P. tenuissima. Sexual reproduction was not observed. The culture conditions, particularly temperature and daylength, appeared to influence the formation of erect blades. The Punctaria-like thalli were produced in 108C/SD conditions, whilst the Hecatonema-like thalli were produced under 108–158C/LD and SD conditions. These results are similar to those reported for P. tenuissima from other locations and suggest the occurrence of both direct and heteromorphic life histories in the Azorean algae.
- Percursos de sucesso : concepções de alunos do ensino profissional : um estudo na Escola Profissional de CapelasPublication . Santos, Patrícia Maria Mestre; Rego, Isabel Estrela; Caldeira, Suzana NunesEste estudo pretende compreender o fenómeno do sucesso académico a nível do ensino profissional, especialmente o dos jovens que, ao entrarem neste tipo de ensino, trazem consigo um passado escolar de insucesso. Para tal, partiu-se das concepções de formandos e ex-formandos de uma escola profissional - Escola Profissional de Capelas - e procurou-se indagar que factores internos (atribuições, auto-eficácia, sentimento de comunidade e características desenvolvimentistas) e que factores externos (atribuições, eficácia e comunidade escolar) são privilegiados por estes jovens, na explicação do seu êxito. À semelhança da maioria das investigações no domínio das concepções, o presente trabalho enquadra-se no paradigma qualitativo, no qual a recolha de dados foi realizada através de entrevistas semi-estruturadas. Seleccionaram-se, para participar no estudo, 22 jovens, formandos e ex-formandos de cursos de nível 2, considerados casos de sucesso. Como procedimento de tratamento dos dados, realizou-se a análise de conteúdo, cujo propósito principal foi o de tentar responder à questão de investigação: Que factores estiveram presentes para que jovens, com percursos de insucesso no ensino regular, invertam o processo no ensino profissional? De acordo com os dados emergentes, verifica-se que as referências a factores internos como causas dos resultados de sucesso, obtiveram maior preponderância que as referências a factores externos. Contudo, o sucesso escolar não parece estar associado apenas a um factor mas sim à conjuntura e interacção entre os diferentes factores considerados. Assim, e analisando as categorias apuradas, aferiu-se que os formandos conferem o seu desempenho académico principalmente a atribuições de esforço. Este esforço, parece advir sobretudo do facto de sentirem mais maduros e nutrir maior interesse nos conteúdos do curso, o que transporta para a relevância das características desenvolvimentistas. A eficácia percebida parece ter aumentado sobretudo com as experiências de êxito que os formandos foram vivenciando no decurso da formação, sem descurar, no entanto, a importância de apreciações positivas ao seu desempenho. Também a escola, pelas suas características, parece desempenhar um valioso papel na obtenção de sucesso. Com efeito, a maioria dos entrevistados refere identificar-se com EPC, quer pelas necessidades que lá são ou irão ser satisfeitas, quer pelas condições e métodos de ensino, quer ainda pelas relações interpessoais que se foram desenrolando, considerando-a, assim, de especial.