CERNAS - Artigo em revista científica, não indexada ao WoS/Scopus
Permanent URI for this collection
Browse
Recent Submissions
- LIFE CYCLE ASSESSMENT OF PIG PRODUCTION: A CASE STUDYPublication . Ferreira, José; Leite dos Santos, Lenise Maria; Domingos Ferreira, Miguel; OLIVEIRA VERONICA; RODRIGUES CARLA; FERREIRA ANTONIO; Domingos, idalina; IRAJPig farming plays a crucial socioeconomic role in the European Union (EU), with Germany, France, and Spain leading pork production. In Portugal, pig farming is vital for regional development and national economy. To ensure future sustainability, it is essential to identify the pig production activities that have the most significant environmental impacts. This study carried out a Life Cycle Assessment (cradle-to-gate) of pig production using a conventional system in central Portugal to identify the phases with the greatest environmental impact. LCA followed the ISO 14040/14044 standards, covering the production cycle, using 1 kg of live pig weight as a functional unit. The analyzed scenario encompasses everything from the production and growth of piglets to the pig fattening phase, including the formulation of specific feed for each stage of development, transport of inputs, use of diesel to generate electricity in the facilities, and management of pig manure. The results highlight feed production and piglet management as the most important steps. The study highlights the importance of sustainable practices in order to mitigate environmental issues such as human carcinogenic toxicity and the ecotoxicity of freshwater and marine water, emphasizing the need for improved strategies in pig farming.
- Life cycle assessment of computers and electronic devices: A comprehensive review of environmental impactsPublication . Domingos Ferreira, Miguel; Domingos, idalina; Ferreira, José; IJASEATThe objective of this study was to evaluate Life Cycle Assessment studies applied to computers with respect to temporal and geographical distribution, research subjects, impact assessment methods, databases and software utilized, and principal findings. To achieve this, a bibliographical search was conducted using the Web of Science Core Collection database platform, using the keywords "Life cycle assessment" "AND" "computer" for title topic. The search yielded 12 publications selected from 28, for which a descriptive analysis was performed. It was determined that most of the studies (six in total) took place between 2011 and 2020. Geographically, the majority of these studies were conducted in Asia and the USA/Canada, with six studies in each region. The majority of studies (6) have aimed to evaluate the environmental impacts of computers (desktop/all-in-one). Regarding the impact assessment methods employed, there is considerable variation among ReciPe (2), Ecoindicator (2), IPCC (2), and CML (1), although some studies have utilized multiple methods. The primary findings indicate significant environmental benefits from adopting newer, energy-efficient technologies (APCs and LCDs), improving formal e-waste management, and focusing on recycling and sustainable manufacturing. Proper End-of-Life handling and the minimization of informal disposal also yield substantial environmental gains.
- Analysing the different interrelationships of soil organic carbon using machine learning approaches: Assessing the specific case of PortugalPublication . Pereira Domingues Martinho, Vítor João; Ramos, Tiago Brito; Castanheira, Nádia; Cunha, Carlos; Ferreira, António José Dinis; Pereira, José Luís da Silva; Sánchez-Carreira, Maria del CarmenGiven the importance of soil organic carbon (SOC) for sustainability, policymakers and researchers are particularly concerned with identifying the conditions that promote carbon storage in the soil. These assessments provide relevant support for the design of policy instruments aimed at increasing soil quality and its carbon sequestration capacity. The new technologies associated with the digital transition can bring relevant added value, namely through artificial intelligence methodologies, where machine learning approaches are important. In this context, this research aims to analyse the several interrelationships of SOC in the specific Portuguese context, with a focus on highlighting its main predictors and providing proposals for stakeholders (including policymakers). To achieve these objectives, statistics from the INFOSOLO database were considered and evaluated using machine learning algorithms to select the most important SOC predictors and identify accurate models. These interrelationships were quantified with cross sectional regressions and optimisation models. The results obtained provide relevant information for the design of adjusted policy measures that promote sustainable practices and increase soil quality. Generally, Portuguese soils have low organic carbon content due to soil features, climate circumstances and land management. Adjusted management of agroforestry activities is possibly the easiest part to deal with in this context.
- Sustainable alternative of palm wine analogue from different tiger nut milk-sugar syrup blends for local productionPublication . Onyeodili, Adindu O.; Okafor, Gabriel I.; Okoyeuzu, Chigozie F.; Nduka, Onyekachukwu Chukwuebuka; Okechukwu, Queency N.; Hassani, Mouandhe Imamou; Juchniewicz, Szymon; Leicht, Katarzyna; Okpala, Charles Odilichukwu R.; Korzeniowska, Małgorzata; Guiné, RaquelAim: The unfermented pale-yellow exudates (“palm sap”) emerge from tapped unopened spathe of mostly oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) and raphia palm (Raphia hookeri). Besides, tiger nut milk (Kunuaya) is among the non-alcoholic refreshing drinks with dairy appearance. A sustainable alternative could therefore emerge from blends of tiger nut milk and sugar syrup to serve a resembling role as palm wine. In this context, therefore, palm wine analogue from different tiger nut milk and sugar syrup blends using palm wine dreg as inoculum was evaluated by proximate, physicochemical, microbial, and sensorial analyses at different time intervals. Methods: The materials were processed, analyzed, and packed using standard referenced procedures. This required freshly tapped palm sap juxtaposed with blends of tiger nut milk-sugar syrup beverage, and thereafter subjected to aerobic fermentation. Importantly, the tiger nut milk-sugar syrup medium has been pitched with palm wine dreg (inoculum source) between fermentation time 26–30 h, and temperature 29.8°–32°C. Results: Considering all the analytical outcomes, from proximate, microbiological, physicochemical, to sensory data, the control appeared to somewhat resemble those of the experimental samples of this study. Conclusions: Potentially, the (palm wine) analogue produced from tiger nut milk and sugar syrup blends using (palm wine) dreg as inoculum could be embraced by the market as natural palm wine. Indeed, the emergent product should serve as an alternative sustainable promise for palm wine, which could help fill the market supply gap, especially in the seasons of reduced supply/yield.
- Práticas de Avaliação de Desempenho: O caso das Organizações Sociais em ViseuPublication . Fonseca, SMSR; Branca Carvalho, Ana; Guia, Ana; Menezes, Nídia; Silva, TatianaOs recursos humanos têm um papel relevante e valorizado nas organizações, atualmente é aceite que estes são o elemento-chave para o sucesso organizacional bem como os alicerces da sustentabilidade. A gestão do desempenho é necessária para um Sistema de Avaliação de Desempenho (SAD) e permite-nos entender se as metas e objetivos definidos estão a ser alcançados, podendo desta forma, existir uma readaptação de finalidades que permite manter os colaboradores empenhados e torná-los em bons profissionais, bem como o incentivo ao desenvolvimento da sua carreira. Assim, o objetivo deste artigo é abordar a temática dos SAD nas organizações sociais (OS) em Viseu. Estruturamos o artigo de forma a aferir do impacto sentido pelas organizações na existência ou inexistência do SAD. A recolha dos dados foi realizada através do envio pelo Google Forms do questionário e permitiu-nos comprovar que o SAD tem influência no desempenho e motivação dos colaboradores, bem como na sustentabilidade das OS. Concluímos que colaboradores motivados apresentam um melhor desempenho e a organização por sua vez usufrui desse empenho, o qual, contribui para o seu bom funcionamento e sustentabilidade.
- Seasonality mitigation strategies - The case of the Douro MuseumPublication . Fernandes, Didiana; Vieira, Isabel; Cardoso, Fernando; Guia, Ana; Rodrigues, Ana PaulaSeasonality covers various sectors of economic activity, from primary to tertiary, being tourism, specifically in this study, culture and museums, very affected by this phenomenon. In a way, this constraint is predictable in this sector, and this predictability may allow the anticipation of supply strategies that can counteract this manifestation and stimulate the stability of demand throughout the year. Examples include market variation, pricing policy and the experience provided, whereby promotion should reflect distinct activity and event packages. This research was conducted as a starting point to help combat the seasonality evident in the Douro Museum located in the Alto Douro Region. An exploratory case study combining qualitative research methods was conducted to deepen the understanding of this complex phenomenon. We hope that this research reveals the importance of the enlargement of innovative and transversal cultural tourism products, in the planning and development of tourism in Alto Douro and, in particular, in the Douro Museum, facing the so called low season in tourism.
- The contribution of a portion of meat, fish and eggs for climate changePublication . Ferreira, Vicente; Domingos, Idalina; Esteves, Bruno; Cruz-Lopes, LuísaIntrodução: A mudança nos padrões alimentares dos cidadãos implicará uma pegada ambiental maior em termos de emissões de gases de efeito estufa e uso de recursos naturais. Por exemplo, dietas ricas em leite e carne, especialmente de ruminantes, estão associadas ao aumento das emissões de metano da fermentação entérica, do dióxido de carbono da deflorestação para dar origem ao pasto e do óxido nitroso da produção de ração. Objetivos: Para um consumo mais sustentável, o objetivo deste estudo foi quantificar e comparar a contribuição para as alterações climáticas de uma porção do que se come em geral, proveniente da Roda dos Alimentos, relacionados com carnes, aves, peixes e ovos, para alcançar uma dieta equilibrada e saudável. Métodos: A Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida, baseada nas normas ISO 14040/44 (2006), foi a metodologia utilizada. A análise de inventário e, posteriormente a análise de impacte foram realizadas utilizando o software SimaPro 8.5. O método escolhido para a avaliação de impacte ambiental foi o IPCC 2013 GWP 100a. Resultados: Os resultados mostram que uma porção de cavala (peixe) apresenta a pegada ecológica inferior seguida da porção de bacalhau, frango, lombo de porco, ovos, lagosta e bife de vaca, respetivamente. Conclusões: A principal conclusão deste estudo é que a avaliação do impacte de ciclo de vida usando o método IPCC 2013 GWP 100a, pode ajudar as pessoas a escolherem os melhores alimentos para uma refeição mais amiga do ambiente, ajudando a mitigar as alterações climáticas.
- Nanopartículas no tratamento da doença de alzheimerPublication . Cruz-Lopes, Luísa; Lopes, Ana; Escudeiro, Maria; Duarte, Cláudia; Ferreira, Rafaela; Graça, Francisco; Silva, Isaura; Esteves, BrunoIntrodução: A Doença de Alzheimer é uma patologia neurodegenerativa primária, de etiologia desconhecida e influenciada por vários fatores com aspetos neuropatológicos e neuroquímicos característicos. Atualmente, os fármacos aprovados para o tratamento desta doença apenas permitem aliviar os sintomas sendo acompanhados por diversos efeitos secundários. A nanotecnologia aparece como alternativa para o tratamento do Alzheimer, por oferecer muitas vantagens para a medicina contemporânea permitindo um diagnóstico e tratamento não invasivos e direcionados, reduzindo as reações adversas e os efeitos sistémicos. Objetivo: Reconhecer as potencialidades do uso de nanopartículas no tratamento da Doença de Alzheimer, identificando os tratamentos mais promissores e quais os seus possíveis efeitos secundários. Métodos: Revisão bibliográfica narrativa a partir de consulta a bases de dados como Science Direct, Web of Science, PubMed e Scielo. Resultados: As nanopartículas de ouro mostram-se capazes de atravessar a barreira hematoencefálica (BHE), carregando fármacos essenciais para a inibição da agregação dos péptidos Aβ, bem como dissolver fibrilhas pré-existentes. Polímeros biodegradáveis e biocompatíveis, como o polilactídeo poliglicólico (PLGA), constituem uma abordagem promissora e segura, tendo sido muito utilizados. As melhores técnicas são aquelas que garantem que as nanopartículas são capazes de atravessar a barreira hematoencefálica (BHE), atingir o seu alvo terapêutico, bem como garantir que estas partículas não induzem efeitos tóxicos no organismo. Apesar das nanopartículas serem capazes de tratar algumas doenças de forma eficiente, pouco se conhece sobre os seus efeitos secundários, estes poderão ou não ser mais danosos para o organismo do que a doença que pretenderam tratar. Conclusão: Existem várias abordagens terapêuticas promissoras, porém nenhuma ainda aprovada, uma vez que é difícil manter concentrações adequadas de fármaco no espaço intraneuronal. Estabelecer a dose tóxica é necessário para o uso aprovado de uma nanopartícula num tratamento, porém é quase impossível prever os seus efeitos citotóxicos em regiões extra-neuronais.
- Evolution of land use environmental impact of eucalyptus globulus in the context of life cycle assessmentPublication . Ferreira, José; Esteves, Bruno; Domingos, IdalinaIntroduction: The eucalyptus globulus forest area in Continental Portugal has shown a systematic increase over the last 50 years. In 20015 it was the species with the highest forest land occupation representing 26.2% of the total Portuguese forest area. Although between 2005 and 2015 the occupation of the soil by eucalyptus globulus had grown about 7.5%, the existing volume increased slightly 0.2%. The wildfires had a strong impact on this with a total burnt area of 1.1 million hectares during this period. Objective: Due to its economic value (national leader in exports of high added value) and social (contributes to the generation of thousands of jobs) this study aims to assess the evolution of the environmental impact of eucalyptus globulus on the land use between 2005 and 2015. Methods: The life cycle assessment methodology is followed and the ILCD 2011 Midpoint+ method available in the SimaPro software was chosen to assess the land use environmental impact. Results: Land use impact category of 1 m3 of eucalyptus globulus trees, standing, in forest, was 21832 Kg C deficit in 2005 and 23430 Kg c deficit in 2015 that means an increased about 7.3% during this period. Conclusion: Transformation to forest road (from natural forest) is the process that most contributes for the land use impact with approximately 78%. Forest occupation is the second most important process representing about 19.5% of the total impact category and forest road occupation represents only 3%.
- Proteção biológica de pragas e doençasPublication . Figueiredo, Elisabete; Godinho, Maria do Céu; Costa, Daniela; Costa, Cristina Amaro
- «
- 1 (current)
- 2
- 3
- »