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Ionic liquids have been suggested as new engineering fluids, namely in the area of heat transfer, as alternatives to current biphenyl and diphenyl oxide, alkylated aromatics and dimethyl polysiloxane oils, which degrade above 200 °C and pose some environmental problems. Recently, we have proposed 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate, [C2mim][CH3SO3], as a new heat transfer fluid, because of its thermophysical and toxicological properties. However, there are some interesting points raised in this work, namely the possibility of the existence of liquid metastability below the melting point (303 K) or second order-disorder transitions (λ-type) before reaching the calorimetric freezing point. This paper analyses in more detail this zone of the phase diagram of the pure fluid, by reporting accurate thermal-conductivity measurements between 278 and 355 K with an estimated uncertainty of 2% at a 95% confidence level. A new value of the melting temperature is also reported, Tmelt = 307.8 ± 1 K. Results obtained support liquid metastability behaviour in the solid-phase region and permit the use of this ionic liquid at a heat transfer fluid at temperatures below its melting point. Thermal conductivity models based on Bridgman theory and estimation formulas were also used in this work, failing to predict the experimental data within its uncertainty.

Biomass thermochemical liquefaction is a chemical process with multifunctional bio-oil as its main product. Under this process, the complex structure of lignocellulosic components can be hydrolysed into smaller molecules at atmospheric pressure. This work demonstrates that the liquefaction of burned pinewood from forest fires delivers similar conversion rates into bio-oil as non-burned wood does. The bio-oils from four burned biomass fractions (heartwood, sapwood, branches, and bark) showed lower moisture content and higher HHV (ranging between 32.96 and 35.85 MJ/kg) than the initial biomasses. The increased HHV resulted from the loss of oxygen, whereas the carbon and hydrogen mass fractions increased. The highest conversion of bark and heartwood was achieved after 60 min of liquefaction. Sapwood, pinewood, and branches reached a slightly higher conversion, with yields about 8% greater, but with longer liquefaction time resulting in higher energy consumption. Additionally, the van Krevelen diagram indicated that the produced bio-oils were closer and chemically more compatible (in terms of hydrogen and oxygen content) to the hydrocarbon fuels than the initial biomass counterparts. In addition, bio-oil from burned pinewood was shown to be a viable alternative biofuel for heavy industrial applications. Overall, biomass from forest fires can be used for the liquefaction process without compromising its efficiency and performance. By doing so, it recovers part of the lost value caused by wildfires, mitigating their negative effects.

Liquefaction of biomass delivers a liquid bio-oil with relevant chemical and energetic applications. In this study we coupled it with short rotation coppice (SRC) intensively managed poplar cultivations aimed at biomass production while safeguarding environmental principles of soil quality and biodiversity. We carried out acid-catalyzed liquefaction, at 160 °C and atmospheric pressure, with eight poplar clones from SRC cultivations. The bio-oil yields were high, ranging between 70.7 and 81.5%. Average gains of bio-oil, by comparison of raw biomasses, in elementary carbon and hydrogen and high heating, were 25.6, 67, and 74%, respectively. Loss of oxygen and O/C ratios averaged 38 and 51%, respectively. Amounts of elementary carbon, oxygen, and hydrogen in bio-oil were 65, 26, and 8.7%, and HHV averaged 30.5 MJkg−1. Correlation analysis showed the interrelation between elementary carbon with HHV in bio-oil or with oxygen loss. Overall, from 55 correlations, 21 significant and high correlations among a set of 11 variables were found. Among the most relevant ones, the percentage of elementary carbon presented five significant correlations with the percentage of O (−0.980), percentage of C gain (0.902), percentage of O loss (0.973), HHV gain (0.917), and O/C loss (0.943). The amount of carbon is directly correlated with the amount of oxygen, conversely, the decrease in oxygen content increases the elementary carbon and hydrogen concentration, which leads to an improvement in HHV. HHV gain showed a strong positive dependence on the percentage of C (0.917) and percentage of C gain (0.943), while the elementary oxygen (−0.885) and its percentage of O loss (0.978) adversely affect the HHV gain. Consequently, the O/C loss (0.970) increases the HHV positively. van Krevelen’s analysis indicated that bio-oils are chemically compatible with liquid fossil fuels. FTIR-ATR evidenced the presence of derivatives of depolymerization of lignin and cellulose in raw biomasses in bio-oil. TGA/DTG confirmed the bio-oil burning aptitude by the high average 53% mass loss of volatiles associated with lowered peaking decomposition temperatures by 100 °C than raw biomasses. Overall, this research shows the potential of bio-oil from liquefaction of SRC biomasses for the contribution of renewable energy and chemical deliverables, and thereby, to a greener global economy.

Biomass can be envisaged as a potential solution to mitigate the problems that the extensive exploitation of fossil sources causes on the environment. Transforming biomass into added-value products with better calorific properties is highly desired. Thermochemical liquefaction can convert biomass into a bio-oil. The work herein presented concerns the study of direct liquefaction of Eucalyptus globulus sawdust. The main goal was to optimise the operating conditions of the process to achieve high bio-oil conversion rates. Studies were carried out to understand the impact of the process factors, such as the residence time, catalyst concentration, temperature, and the biomass-to-solvent ratio. The E. globulus sawdust conversion into bio-oil was achieved with a maximum conversion of 96.2%. A higher conversion was reached when the eucalyptus sawdust’s thermochemical liquefaction was conducted over 180 min in the presence of a >2.44% catalyst concentration at 160 °C. A lower biomass-to-solvent ratio favours the process leading to a higher conversion of biomass into bio-oil. The afforded bio-oil presented a better higher heating value than that of E. globulus sawdust.

Ionic liquids have been suggested as new engineering fluids, namely in the area of heat transfer, as alternatives to current biphenyl and diphenyl oxide, alkylated aromatics and dimethyl polysiloxane oils, which degrade above 200 °C and pose some environmental problems. Recently, we have proposed 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate, [C2mim][CH3SO3], as a new heat transfer fluid, because of its thermophysical and toxicological properties. However, there are some interesting points raised in this work, namely the possibility of the existence of liquid metastability below the melting point (303 K) or second order-disorder transitions (l-type) before reaching the calorimetric freezing point. This paper analyses in more detail this zone of the phase diagram of the pure fluid, by reporting accurate thermal-conductivity measurements between 278 and 355 K with an estimated uncertainty of 2% at a 95% confidence level. A new value of the melting temperature is also reported, Tmelt = 307.8 ± 1 K. Results obtained support liquid metastability behaviour in the solid-phase region and permit the use of this ionic liquid at a heat transfer fluid at temperatures below its melting point. Thermal conductivity models based on Bridgman theory and estimation formulas were also used in this work, failing to predict the experimental data within its uncertainty.Ionic liquids have been suggested as new engineering fluids, namely in the area of heat transfer, as alternatives to current biphenyl and diphenyl oxide, alkylated aromatics and dimethyl polysiloxane oils, which degrade above 200 °C and pose some environmental problems. Recently, we have proposed 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate, [C2mim][CH3SO3], as a new heat transfer fluid, because of its thermophysical and toxicological properties. However, there are some interesting points raised in this work, namely the possibility of the existence of liquid metastability below the melting point (303 K) or second order-disorder transitions (l-type) before reaching the calorimetric freezing point. This paper analyses in more detail this zone of the phase diagram of the pure fluid, by reporting accurate thermal-conductivity measurements between 278 and 355 K with an estimated uncertainty of 2% at a 95% confidence level. A new value of the melting temperature is also reported, Tmelt = 307.8 ± 1 K. Results obtained support liquid metastability behaviour in the solid-phase region and permit the use of this ionic liquid at a heat transfer fluid at temperatures below its melting point. Thermal conductivity models based on Bridgman theory and estimation formulas were also used in this work, failing to predict the experimental data within its uncertainty.

Ionic liquids have been suggested as new engineering fluids, namely in the area of heat transfer, as alternatives to current biphenyl and diphenyl oxide, alkylated aromatics and dimethyl polysiloxane oils, which degrade above 200 {\\deg}C and pose some environmental problems. Recently, we have proposed 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium methanesulfonate, [\\(C_{2}mim\\)][\\(CH_{3}SO_{3}\\)], as a new heat transfer fluid, because of its thermophysical and toxicological properties. However, there are some interesting points raised in this work, namely the possibility of the existence of liquid metastability below the melting point (303 K) or second order-disorder transitions (\\(\\lambda\\)-type) before reaching the calorimetric freezing point. This paper analyses in more detail this zone of the phase diagram of the pure fluid, by reporting accurate thermal-conductivity measurements between 278 and 355 K with an estimated uncertainty of 2% at a 95% confidence level. A new value of the melting temperature is also reported, \\(T_{melt}\\) = 307.8 \\(\\pm\\) 1 K. Results obtained support liquid metastability behaviour in the solid-phase region and permit the use of this ionic liquid at a heat transfer fluid at temperatures below its melting point. Thermal conductivity models based on Bridgman theory and estimation formulas were also used in this work, failing to predict the experimental data within its uncertainty.

Recent research in adoption has considered the factors and processes that underlie the adjustment of children and families. However, little research has been conducted on certain types of adoptive families, specifically on families with both adoptive and biological children often designated as mixed families. This subject is addressed by the present study which also analyzes the association between the type of adoptive family and children’s outcomes—prosocial and problem behavior—parenting stress and the relational family environment. It also examines whether children’s gender, age at adoption and the number of children in the home moderate these effects. 102 parents of adoptive children (ACF) 33 parents of both adoptive and biological children (ABCF) and 102 parents of biological children (BCF) participated in the study. Target-children were aged from 6 to 12 years. The Portuguese versions of the SDQ-P, PSI-SF and FES (Interpersonal Relationship dimension) were used. Results showed that the type of adoptive family—ACF and ABCF—significantly explained the variance of children’s behavioral problems and parenting stress. The child’s gender was shown to moderate the relationship between ACF parents and their perception of child’s prosocial behavior. The results give relevant clues as to the importance of distinct outcomes in adoptive families—ACF and ABCF—compared to families with only biological children and should, therefore, be a resource for professionals involved in the adopters’ suitability assessment and adoption intervention.

ObjectivesPartner support in the performance of the parenting role is critical, as it increases father involvement in the care of the child. However, the measures to assess this type of support are scarce. This study presents the preliminary validation of the Portuguese version of the Partner Support for Father Involvement (PSFI) scale (confirmatory factor analysis, measurement invariance models, reliability, and concurrent and discriminant validity).MethodsThe participants were 486 independent (unrelated) parents, 243 fathers (Mage = 42.13, SD = 5.57) and 243 mothers (Mage = 39.67, SD = 4.78), who completed the PSFI (translated version), the EMBU and the Co-parenting Questionnaire.ResultsConfirmatory factor analyses showed that the Portuguese PSFI had a three factor structure, in line with the original version of the scale (χ2 = 208.690, p < .001, CFI = .949, TLI = .931, SRMR = .040, RMSEA = .083, 90% CI [.072, .095]). An invariance analysis across mothers and fathers revealed the same structure for both. Cronbach’s alpha reliabilities were acceptable. Additionally, preliminary evidence of the scale’s concurrent and discriminant validity was found.ConclusionsThe results point to the suitability of the measure for the Portuguese population, namely in research contexts examining one partner’s perspective of the other partner’s involvement in parenting, and to its potential applicability for cross-cultural research. The measure will also be useful in clinical settings, namely as a tool in pre and post-intervention assessment, however further studies are needed to test this type of applicability.

This report examines the internationalization strategy of Ceravence, a Portuguese heritage brand with more than one hundred years of artisanal craftsmanship and cultural values. It explores expansion into Denmark and Kuwait, balancing growth with identity preservation. Combining qualitative and quantitative research, the study highlights opportunities such as eco-conscious product lines for Scandinavian sustainability trends and bespoke luxury collections inspired by Middle Eastern art. Teaching notes on competition provide additional insights. The findings demonstrate how legacy brands can achieve sustainable growth, maintain authenticity, and stay competitive in diverse global markets.

Introdução: A Hipertensão Arterial apresenta uma elevada prevalência em todo o mundo, sendo um fator de risco major para as doenças cardiovasculares e cerebrovasculares. Segundo a Sociedade Portuguesa de Hipertensão cerca de 42,2% da população portuguesa é hipertensa e na sua maioria devido aos estilos de vida adotados. Cerca de 90% dos pacientes hipertensos apresentam hipertensão primária ou essencial. Nos restantes 5 a 10% é possível identificar uma causa que pode ser tratável, denominando-se assim de hipertensão secundária. Nem sempre é custo eficaz avaliar todos os doentes hipertensos e investigar por uma forma secundária, sendo importante fazer uma adequada abordagem inicial a cada doente. Para tal é importante saber quais as causas secundárias mais prevalentes e qual a faixa etária acometem e, assim, perceber de que o forma o mecanismo destas faz aumentar a pressão arterial.Objetivo: O objetivo desta monografia é a realização de uma revisão bibliográfica sobre a hipertensão arterial secundária e como suspeitar, abordando as principais causas, o diagnóstico e a melhor forma de atuar de modo a prevenir as complicações a longo prazo.Métodos: A presente monografia foi realizada com base numa ampla pesquisa bibliográfica utilizando bases de dados como a Pubmed, Up To Date e ScienceDirect. Os artigos apresentados foram restringidos aos idiomas inglês, português e espanhol. Estes foram selecionados de acordo com a sua relevância em termos de conteúdo, não havendo restrição relativamente à data de publicação, sendo dada preferência a artigos mais recentes. Foram ainda utilizadas guidelines da Sociedade Portuguesa de Hipertensão e da European Society of Cardiology e as normas da Direção Geral de Saúde.Conclusão: Apesar da baixa prevalência de indivíduos com hipertensão secundária é importante saber como avaliar cada caso, uma vez que o tratamento da causa pode diminuir diretamente a pressão arterial. Uma correta abordagem passa por fazer uma história clínica e exame físico completos e uma correta medição da pressão arterial em consulta, sendo também importante complementar o estudo com uma monitorização em ambulatório durante 24 horas. A hipertensão secundária deve ser suspeitada em doentes jovens, doentes que não apresentam controlo da pressão arterial apesar da terapêutica com três classes de anti hipertensores e com características clínicas sugestivas. As causas mais frequentes são as doenças renais por estenose da artéria renal e doença do parênquima renal que podem acometer tanto jovens como idosos; a síndrome da apneia obstrutiva do sono e o hiperaldosteronismo primário em indivíduos de meia idade. Como causas menos comuns destacam-se a síndrome de cushing, doenças da tiroide, feocromocitoma e coartação da aorta. O diagnóstico destas envolve vários métodos apresentando elevados custos, devendo ser feito quando há um grau elevado de suspeita. O tratamento é individualizado, podendo ser médico e/ou cirúrgico. Neste sentido, uma rápida intervenção permitirá uma redução das mudanças fisiológicas irreversíveis da hipertensão, levando a uma diminuição da taxa de mortalidade e morbilidade associada à hipertensão.