Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2024-04-24"
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- A Estratégia da Política Externa Brasileira para os Estados Unidos (2019-2021): entre o Groupthink e o Insulamento Burocrático do Ministério das Relações ExterioresPublication . Prates, Bernardo Jurado; Heitor Alberto Coelho Barras RomanaEsse trabalho tem como tema central o processo de tomada de decisão estratégica da Política Externa Brasileira recente. Mais especificamente, trata-se da Política Externa Brasileira para os Estados Unidos da América (EUA) sob o mandato do chanceler Ernesto Araújo (2019-2021) – o primeiro chanceler do governo Bolsonaro. O objetivo do trabalho é explicar como a composição de um groupthink no modelo decisório dialogou tanto com a tradicional tomada de decisão centralizada no insulado Itamaraty quanto com os princípios seguidos. Para este fim, utilizamos as ferramentas teóricas das correntes de Análise de Política Externa (APE) – nomeadamente a burocrática institucional e a corrente psicológico cognitiva –, além de conceitos como de cultura estratégica. No quesito metodológico, o trabalho enquadra-se como um estudo de caso epistemologicamente positivista. A abordagem para sua realização é predominantemente dedutivo-hipotética e qualitativa. Como fio condutor do trabalho, temos a seguinte pergunta de partida: “Quais as alterações verificadas no padrão de tomada de decisão estratégica na PEB para os EUA sob o mandato de Ernesto Araújo?”. Utilizou-se a seguinte hipótese de trabalho: a PEB para os EUA sob o mandato de Ernesto Araújo foi marcada por alterações no padrão burocrático e cognitivo concernentes à tradicional cultura estratégica de insulamento do processo de tomada de decisão mediante a instalação de um groupthink sua principal instituição formuladora – o Itamaraty. À guisa da conclusão do trabalho, ressalta-se que a hipótese foi corroborada. A principal inovação e contributo científico propostos pelo trabalho foram utilizar as valências das duas principais correntes de APE que versam sobre o período. Além disso, tencionou-se usar a sinergia da APE com as ferramentas teóricas disponíveis no campo de Estudos Estratégicos para entender-se, com maior precisão, os acontecimentos desse período tão atípico na história recente da Política Externa Brasileira.
- Developing tools and criteria for sustainable cultivation of an endogenous product – Terfezia speciesPublication . Ferreira, Inês; Houghton, Cristina Maria Nobre Sobral de Vilhena da CruzEctomycorrhizal fungi (ECMF) cultivation has a promising future in the Mediterranean region, offering economic, cultural, and environmental benefits. Recent biotechnological ad-vancements have enabled the development of sustainable cultivation methods and technologies, especially for high-value species like desert truffles. ECMF is increasingly relevant for rural communities as it opens new business opportunities. Furthermore, these wild fungi are a valu-able food resource and play a vital role in forest ecosystems. However, the diversity of fungal species, both ECMF and non-ECMF, in forests presents opportunities and challenges. Mush-room harvesting is a significant income source for rural communities. However, inexperienced enthusiasts often struggle with accurate species identification, which is crucial for sustainable management and cultivation. Efficient, cost-effective methods for distinguishing fungal spe-cies, including potentially harmful ones, are needed. This research proposes combining an electronic nose with discriminant analysis to dif-ferentiate wild fungal species and assess their edibility based on aromatic profiles. While further data expansion is necessary, initial results suggest this approach could match the accuracy of identifications performed by mycologists and molecular biology experts. Moreover, the elec-tronic nose has the benefit of requiring less technical training while offering a cheaper and faster analytical alternative. Initially, centralized usage in distribution centres, mycological associa-tions or official services is recommended, with the potential for broader accessibility in the future. In addition to wild fungi harvesting, ectomycorrhizal fungi cultivation is becoming increasingly relevant for rural communities. The cultivation of desert truffles, particularly Terfezia truffles, stands out as a successful example of ectomycorrhizal fungi cultivation. These truffles are highly valued traditional delicacies in the Mediterranean region and have numerous biotechnological applications. Terfezia species, like T. arenaria, offer balanced nutritional and chemical composition and a unique aroma dominated by C8 volatile organic compounds, such as 1-octen-3-ol. With a distinct aroma and nutritional composition similar to meat, this desert truffle is an excellent candidate for use in plant-based meat products. Due to their singular volatile profile, an electronic nose was used to identify T. arenaria; due to its unique aroma profile, it was possible to distinguish it from other edible fungi species. This tool can significantly contribute to the sustainable production and commercialization of T.arenaria by ensuring the authenticity and quality of these truffles in the food market. Beyond the food industry, e-nose technology can advance research on these truffles, including studying their ecological role, identifying new Terfezia species, and developing early field detection methods. The volatile organic compounds these fungi produce serve as communication tools among various species, including ectomycorrhizal fungi, microorganisms, animals, and even humans. One of the most abundant volatiles in fungi is, 1-octen-3-ol, is responsible for their recognizable "mushroom aroma." This volatile, found in high concentrations in the sporocarps of many fungi, plays a vital role in ECMF interactions, influencing underground and above-ground ecosystems. It may act as a key mediator in altering these communities. Additionally, it may serve as an indicator of fungal fructification. During sporocarp development, ECMF pro-duces 1-octen-3-ol, which could trigger the formation of "burnt areas". Plant germination is inhibited or delayed in these areas, allowing fungal mycelium to expand and create space for sporocarp growth. Furthermore, 1-octen-3-ol could be detected by technologies like the elec-tronic nose, aiding in the early detection of hypogeous fungi like T. arenaria. This early detec-tion can help monitor production and expedite harvesting, particularly Terfezia species and other hypogeous fungi. This research highlights the significance of new technologies, such as the electronic nose, as tools to create innovative and sustainable solutions for managing, cultivating, and identifying ECMF species. Also, by combining multidisciplinary approaches, this thesis explores and showcases an endogenous resource – T. arenaria - a highly nutritional quality product, a still underrated product with a high ecologic, economic, and social potential. By deepening our understanding of their ecology and physiology, we can develop sustainable practices that value these endogenous natural resources and empower rural communities.
- Navigating parity clauses in the platform economy : a competition law analysis of the impact of parity clauses in online platform marketsPublication . Van Houtte, Alice Theresa L; Silva, Miguel Moura eThis dissertation explores how online platforms impact competition through the use of PPC’s. It analyses compliance with EU competition law, and reviews case law, notably the ongoing Booking.com saga, revealing inconsistent rulings and legal uncertainty. Regulatory responses suggest a positive impact on competition through the shift from wide to narrow PPC’s, but they do not provide conclusive findings regarding a general ban. Further empirical study is needed for optimal regulatory measures.
- Editorial: Education and innovative perspectives in higher educationPublication . Rodrigues, Ana LuísaGlobalization, digitalization, and a rapid technological development of many areas of life and society, bring humanity to another level of development. Changes in the educational organizations are inevitable and the university must meet new requirements in a new paradigm (Gafurov et al., 2020). This Research Topic “Education and Innovative Perspectives in Higher Education” invited the submission of articles on: globalization effects; impact of education on development and new challenges in the higher education area; generic, soft, and transversal skills and global citizenship education; entrepreneurship education and innovation in educational institutions; new pedagogical and didactic developments, including learning, assessment and teaching methodologies and models, as active learning and flipped classroom; and technological issues in education, as distance education, technologyenhanced learning, technological skills, and digital platforms. This edition had 70 submissions of which 23 articles were accepted for publication by 74 authors from different countries.