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The SBE19 Brussels - BAMB-CIRCPATH "Building as Material Banks - A Pathway for a Circular held in Brussels on 5 to 7 of February 2019, is an initiative of the Consortium of the H2020 BAMB Project together with the Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) series of conferences. Being within the SBE series, this event gathers the support of CIB International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction, iiSBE International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment, the United Nations Environment Programme, and FIDIC International Federation of Consulting Engineers. The goal of this series of regional and international conferences is to disseminate innovative policies and developments in the field of sustainable urban environment to a broad international audience of specialists in policy, design, construction and operation of buildings and related infrastructure. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The SBE19 Brussels - BAMB-CIRCPATH "Building as Material Banks - A Pathway for a Circular held in Brussels on 5 to 7 of February 2019, is an initiative of the Consortium of the H2020 BAMB Project together with the Sustainable Built Environment (SBE) series of conferences. Being within the SBE series, this event gathers the support of CIB International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction, iiSBE International Initiative for a Sustainable Built Environment, the United Nations Environment Programme, and FIDIC International Federation of Consulting Engineers. The goal of this series of regional and international conferences is to disseminate innovative policies and developments in the field of sustainable urban environment to a broad international audience of specialists in policy, design, construction and operation of buildings and related infrastructure. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Great part of the History of mankind is registered in the form of documents or works of art on paper support. Paper can be deteriorated due to physical, chemical and biological agents. Within microorganisms, fungi are the major paper biodeteriogens. Throughout history, several toxic methods have been used to prevent and stop fungal deterioration on paper based materials. More recently, a growing concern about environmental and health issues has led to the research on new antifungal alternatives, with lower toxicity. However, the existent antifungal methods and compounds still have drawbacks in terms of efficacy, health hazards, damaging effects on paper, or lack of thorough testing. In this context, the present thesis focused on testing and developing accessible antifungal treatments with low toxicity, which could prevent the long term paper deterioration. The selection of antifungal compounds was made taking into account the results from a literature review on antifungals used on paper conservation, a survey to paper conservators, and a review of antifungals used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, having as a basic premise their low toxicity. Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium corylophilum were selected as test fungal species. Fungal growth on paper was evaluated by measuring colonization areas and biomass dry weight determination. A formulation containing parabens and calcium propionate (PBs+CP) presented the best antifungal activity on paper samples, followed by a formulation containing clotrimazole and calcium hydroxide nanoparticles (CLT+NPs), and ultimately 70% ethanol (70%EtOH). Before application on cultural heritage materials, conservation treatments have to be thoroughly tested to assess if they can cause any damage on the treated materials in the short and long term. The effects of the tested formulations on paper were evaluated in terms of pH, colourimetry, folding endurance and molecular alterations, using moist heat artificial ageing. Besides plain paper, paper previously biodeteriorated by A. niger was tested in order to evaluate the potential of each compound to prevent further deterioration caused by fungal metabolites. The obtained results on biodeteriorated samples illustrate how tremendously damaging the products excreted by fungi can be in the long term. PBs+CP formulation was the only one capable of preventing long term acidification, loss of folding endurance, and discoloration caused by fungal metabolites, but on the other hand, on plain samples, this formulation caused paper discoloration. CLT+NPs formulation significantly prevented the acidification and loss of folding endurance, although causing a minor discoloration on paper at a long term. 70%EtOH had a mild positive impact in the chemical stabilization of paper and did not cause any paper discoloration. The information provided in this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding on safer options for preventing and treating paper deterioration by fungi and opens the way for further research in this challenging field of heritage conservation.

Great part of the History of mankind is registered in the form of documents or works of art on paper support. Paper can be deteriorated due to physical, chemical and biological agents. Within microorganisms, fungi are the major paper biodeteriogens. Throughout history, several toxic methods have been used to prevent and stop fungal deterioration on paper based materials. More recently, a growing concern about environmental and health issues has led to the research on new antifungal alternatives, with lower toxicity. However, the existent antifungal methods and compounds still have drawbacks in terms of efficacy, health hazards, damaging effects on paper, or lack of thorough testing. In this context, the present thesis focused on testing and developing accessible antifungal treatments with low toxicity, which could prevent the long term paper deterioration. The selection of antifungal compounds was made taking into account the results from a literature review on antifungals used on paper conservation, a survey to paper conservators, and a review of antifungals used in cosmetics and pharmaceutical industries, having as a basic premise their low toxicity. Aspergillus niger, Chaetomium globosum, Cladosporium cladosporioides, Penicillium chrysogenum and Penicillium corylophilum were selected as test fungal species. Fungal growth on paper was evaluated by measuring colonization areas and biomass dry weight determination. A formulation containing parabens and calcium propionate (PBs+CP) presented the best antifungal activity on paper samples, followed by a formulation containing clotrimazole and calcium hydroxide nanoparticles (CLT+NPs), and ultimately 70% ethanol (70%EtOH). Before application on cultural heritage materials, conservation treatments have to be thoroughly tested to assess if they can cause any damage on the treated materials in the short and long term. The effects of the tested formulations on paper were evaluated in terms of pH, colourimetry, folding endurance and molecular alterations, using moist heat artificial ageing. Besides plain paper, paper previously biodeteriorated by A. niger was tested in order to evaluate the potential of each compound to prevent further deterioration caused by fungal metabolites. The obtained results on biodeteriorated samples illustrate how tremendously damaging the products excreted by fungi can be in the long term. PBs+CP formulation was the only one capable of preventing long term acidification, loss of folding endurance, and discoloration caused by fungal metabolites, but on the other hand, on plain samples, this formulation caused paper discoloration. CLT+NPs formulation significantly prevented the acidification and loss of folding endurance, although causing a minor discoloration on paper at a long term. 70%EtOH had a mild positive impact in the chemical stabilization of paper and did not cause any paper discoloration. The information provided in this thesis contributes to a deeper understanding on safer options for preventing and treating paper deterioration by fungi and opens the way for further research in this challenging field of heritage conservation.

The paper discusses a case study of the Trás-os-Montes region to assess the resilience and sustainability of the local sheep sector. The area is a low-density mountainous region where small ruminant production is a relevant sector of the economy and is mainly based on natural resources. The study employed a mixed methodological approach to identify the socio-economic profile of different actors and the main obstacles and opportunities of this livestock activity. The research found that the main strength of the sector is the intrinsic quality of the products with origin in the various indigenous sheep breeds. However, marketing channels associated with this mechanism are generally limited, and its market shares are minimal. The analysis highlights the constraints resulting from the holdings’ small average size, the advanced age of most farmers, the lack of successors, the low profitability of the lamb meat, and producers’ weak bargaining power. Also, wool's lack of economic interest is an economic and environmental problem for farmers. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

The paper discusses a case study of the Trás-os-Montes region to assess the resilience and sustainability of the local sheep sector. The area is a low-density mountainous region where small ruminant production is a relevant sector of the economy and is mainly based on natural resources. The study employed a mixed methodological approach to identify the socio-economic profile of different actors and the main obstacles and opportunities of this livestock activity. The research found that the main strength of the sector is the intrinsic quality of the products with origin in the various indigenous sheep breeds. However, marketing channels associated with this mechanism are generally limited, and its market shares are minimal. The analysis highlights the constraints resulting from the holdings’ small average size, the advanced age of most farmers, the lack of successors, the low profitability of the lamb meat, and producers’ weak bargaining power. Also, wool's lack of economic interest is an economic and environmental problem for farmers. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Nature provides all the goods, conditions and services for the maintenance of life, societies and human wellbeing. Most of the approaches (e.g. United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) advertise these benefits as ecosystem services, mostly associated to the renewable resources on a biological basis. More recently, non-renewable and renewable geodiversity services are being framed into the MA ecosystem services categories: regulating, supporting, provisioning, and cultural services (Gray et al., 2013). In order to promote the geodiversity values, the Terras de Cavaleiros UNESCO Global Geopark (TCUGG) is now introducing the geodiversity services concept in the educational and touristic programmes. All geosites can be presented within the scope of the geodiversity cultural services taking into account that they provide data to develop our scientific knowledge. In the most important TCUGG geosites, the educational approach stress the contribution of these sites to the knowledge of the Earth history. Geodiversity cultural services also include aspects like recreation or spiritual experiences, with numerous examples in TCUGG, as well as in all other geoparks. The TCUGG promotes the understating of the sustainable use of geodiversity provisioning services and offers teachers training and educational programmes focused on geological resources. These programmes include the visit to active quarries exploiting construction materials, and mines exploiting industrial minerals like talc (active) and tungsten (inactive). Other provisioning services like freshwater and mineral water are mentioned in the geosites related with thermal springs in the geopark. This topic is also addressed in the geopark interpretative centre dedicated to the characteristics, origins and uses of ore minerals. The geodiversity supporting services refers to the geology as an essential foundation for biodiversity (services to the ecosystems) and human activities (direct supporting services). Locally, the Earth dynamics is expressed by a diversified landscape with mountains, plateaus and valleys sculpted on a variety of rocks, which results on a remarkable biodiversity. One of the TCUGG educational programmes is focused on the relief as the structuring element of the landscape and on the relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity. Soil processes, especially weathering and soil profile development, are well observed in many outcrops and geosites. The understanding of the slow soil formation, on the scale of the geological time, raises awareness for the importance of its conservation. The habitat provision is also clearly comprehensive in the Morais massif, the core of the geopark, were the endemic vegetation is clearly related to the occurrence of exotic ultramafic rocks. Direct geodiversity supporting services to human well-being are represented by the hydroelectric dam in Tuela river gorge and by the wind power on the top of Bornes Mountain. Finally, examples of geodiversity regulation services are scattered throughout the TCUGG. These services can be illustrated with the importance of rocks as essential natural filters for water quality regulation in the context of the hydrological cycle, and the importance of the rock cycle as a nature regulation service, attending to its importance for carbon sequestration, storage and climate regulation. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Nature provides all the goods, conditions and services for the maintenance of life, societies and human wellbeing. Most of the approaches (e.g. United Nations Millennium Ecosystem Assessment) advertise these benefits as ecosystem services, mostly associated to the renewable resources on a biological basis. More recently, non-renewable and renewable geodiversity services are being framed into the MA ecosystem services categories: regulating, supporting, provisioning, and cultural services (Gray et al., 2013). In order to promote the geodiversity values, the Terras de Cavaleiros UNESCO Global Geopark (TCUGG) is now introducing the geodiversity services concept in the educational and touristic programmes. All geosites can be presented within the scope of the geodiversity cultural services taking into account that they provide data to develop our scientific knowledge. In the most important TCUGG geosites, the educational approach stress the contribution of these sites to the knowledge of the Earth history. Geodiversity cultural services also include aspects like recreation or spiritual experiences, with numerous examples in TCUGG, as well as in all other geoparks. The TCUGG promotes the understating of the sustainable use of geodiversity provisioning services and offers teachers training and educational programmes focused on geological resources. These programmes include the visit to active quarries exploiting construction materials, and mines exploiting industrial minerals like talc (active) and tungsten (inactive). Other provisioning services like freshwater and mineral water are mentioned in the geosites related with thermal springs in the geopark. This topic is also addressed in the geopark interpretative centre dedicated to the characteristics, origins and uses of ore minerals. The geodiversity supporting services refers to the geology as an essential foundation for biodiversity (services to the ecosystems) and human activities (direct supporting services). Locally, the Earth dynamics is expressed by a diversified landscape with mountains, plateaus and valleys sculpted on a variety of rocks, which results on a remarkable biodiversity. One of the TCUGG educational programmes is focused on the relief as the structuring element of the landscape and on the relationship between geodiversity and biodiversity. Soil processes, especially weathering and soil profile development, are well observed in many outcrops and geosites. The understanding of the slow soil formation, on the scale of the geological time, raises awareness for the importance of its conservation. The habitat provision is also clearly comprehensive in the Morais massif, the core of the geopark, were the endemic vegetation is clearly related to the occurrence of exotic ultramafic rocks. Direct geodiversity supporting services to human well-being are represented by the hydroelectric dam in Tuela river gorge and by the wind power on the top of Bornes Mountain. Finally, examples of geodiversity regulation services are scattered throughout the TCUGG. These services can be illustrated with the importance of rocks as essential natural filters for water quality regulation in the context of the hydrological cycle, and the importance of the rock cycle as a nature regulation service, attending to its importance for carbon sequestration, storage and climate regulation. info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion

Tackling energy consumption in European buildings and reducing its negative impact is vital, and this has been a key driver for the development of new technological solutions for architectural applications targeting a more efficient use of energy resources. Integrated solar energy systems for zero-energy buildings holds the best potential to meet this objective and foster the renewable energy market, but there are steppingstones that limit large-scale industrialization process operation and market implementation at competitive costs. In parallel to the evolution of solar energy harvesting and storage technologies, one of the major challenges has been the quest for materials that convert sunlight in an efficient and cost-effective way, without compromising the perception of colors and thermal comfort inside the buildings. Here we describe the development of functionalized silica-based polymeric coatings for the conversion of solar energy into electricity and smart climatization of buildings, with a special focus on the synthesis, characterization and integration of these materials in smart windows and other architectural elements such as building integrated dye-sensitized solar panels. Different luminophores have been used to realize semitransparent and colorless photovoltaic windows to convert the energy-passive façades of urban buildings into effective energy and, at the same time, promoting building’s visual and thermal comfort. Here we used inorganic dyes with rare-earth elements such as Eu3+ and Nd3+/Yb3+ lanthanide couple to energy incident photons are not absorbed, whereas the excess energy carried by photons with energy higher than the bandgap causes thermalization of the charge carriers [4]. To overcome this limitation and enhance the energy conversion efficiency, one can resort to downshifting or downconversion mechanisms and modify the incident solar spectrum. With the advances on the development of LSCs, different types of luminescent species have been used with this purpose. This paper reports the development of multifunctional coatings to enhance the performance of such systems. e WINNER project, funded under the program ERA-NET LAC (Latin America, Caribbean and European Union), with project reference number ELAC2014/ESE-0146, and nationally in Spain by Ministerio de Economía y Competitividad (Acciones de Programación Conjunta Internacional, PCIN-2015-152), in Portugal by Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education via FCT- The Portuguese National Foundation for Science and Technology (ERANETLAC/0007/2014), in Chile by Comisión Nacional de Investigación Científica y Tecnológica (CONICYT) and in Dominican Republic by Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology (MESCYT)