Madeira Tecnopolo

Population parameters have been studied for only five out of 24 beaked whale species worldwide and in limited locations. This study provides novel knowledge on the natural markings and population parameters of Blainville’s beaked whales ( Mesoplodon densirostris ). Using photographic-identification data from adults and subadults of both sexes in Madeira Island (Eastern North Atlantic, 2015-2020), we estimated abundance and survival using capture-recapture models, the Robust Design (RD) and the POPAN. We calculated a proportion of marked individuals of 0.88, with new marks appearing every 0.4 years (range = 0.1-0.7). Annual abundance estimates from both models were similar and showed no trend. The POPAN model estimated a corrected super-population of 112 individuals (95% CI = 99-134) between 2015 and 2020. The corrected annual abundance estimates from the POPAN best-fitting model ranged from 42 whales (95% CI = 39-46 in 2016, and 95% CI = 39-48 in 2019) to 61 (95% CI = 51-72 in 2015). Survival rates of 0.98 (95% CI = 0.83-1.0) and 0.99 (95% CI = 0.97-1.00) were estimated (excluding transients) from the RD and POPAN models, respectively, which are similar to other regions. Despite potential caveats discussed in our analysis, these plausible estimates for a relatively small population should be considered in conservation and management strategies, highlighting the need to monitor the potential impact of local human activities. • First photo-ID-based abundance estimations of Blainville’s whales • Results suggest population stability over time • Two open population capture-recapture models gave consistent estimates

ABSTRACT Whether personality changes over time has long been a central question in psychology. While most research has approached this issue through the lens of trait stability, such a perspective alone is insufficient to fully capture the dynamic and multifaceted nature of personality development. From a constructivist standpoint, personality is not a fixed set of attributes but an evolving process of self‐organization, shaped by the continual interaction between individuals and their sociocultural contexts. In this work, we adopt McAdams's integrative three‐layer model of personality—encompassing dispositional traits, characteristic adaptations, and narrative identity—to explore how stability and change coexist across the life span. Drawing on empirical evidence, we argue that although traits tend to relative stability, particularly from early adulthood onward, characteristic adaptations and life narratives are inherently more fluid and responsive to life experience, personal goals, and meaning‐making processes. Personality change, therefore, is not merely a quantitative shift in traits but often reflects qualitative transformations in how individuals construct and reconstruct their sense of self. We discuss the implications of this perspective for psychological practice, emphasizing the importance of supporting narrative revision and tailoring interventions to individuals' unique developmental trajectories and personal meanings.

The management of aging infrastructure requires a paradigm shift from routine, time-based inspections to data-driven, condition-based assessment. This paper presents a novel and practical framework for this transition through an in-depth case study of the Machico Cable-Stayed Bridge, a modern structure exhibiting accelerated deterioration driven by its aggressive marine environment. The core contribution is a replicable methodology demonstrating how to leverage a unique and disparate set of existing diagnostic data—synthesizing visual inspection reports, non-destructive evaluations, and dynamic in situ measurements—to design a targeted and optimized Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) strategy. The diagnostic analysis reveals critical pathologies, including advanced corrosion and significant discrepancies between design and measured cable forces, a finding that highlights a critical gap in historical performance data. In direct response to an official mandate for continuous monitoring, this paper proposes a multi-level SHM framework where the placement and specifications of each sensor (accelerometers, strain gauges, corrosion sensors) are directly justified by the documented failure modes. This work thus provides a practical roadmap for translating forensic data into a coherent, long-term asset management strategy, bridging the critical gap between diagnostic engineering and proactive infrastructure management.

Perspective-taking in virtual reality has been exploited in different areas, including using avatars for self-dialogue. We explore the effect of performing self-dialogue in VR, alternating between a non-lookalike ‘self’ and an age-congruent or age-incongruent ‘other’. We used an independent-sample design, with 28 females aged 18–35, starting a conversation in their ‘self’ avatar while describing a stressful daily-life problem, swapping immediately after with the ‘other’ (either young or mature-looking) avatar to listen and respond. Results showed that the importance of the change regarding their problem immediately after the experiment was significantly higher for the mature avatar condition (p = 0.01), an effect not found at follow-up. Further, there is a trend towards specific factors of embodiment (e.g., self-recognition and body recognition) being related to understanding their problem better or how helpful the exercise was perceived. To conclude, while the mature avatar showed a short-term advantage, long-term effects were not observed. Future studies with tighter controls are warranted.

This paper presents a detailed analysis of the severe structural anomalies that led to the urgent rehabilitation of the Eduardo Caldeira Bridge in Machico, Madeira. Situated in a challenging coastal environment with complex volcanic geology, the bridge exhibited a critical failure of its bearing devices, which were assigned the highest defect severity rating (Grade 5). A multidisciplinary diagnostic methodology, combining visual inspection data, non-destructive testing, and geotechnical analysis, was employed to identify the root causes of this degradation. The investigation concluded that the bearing failure was not due to widespread material deterioration but was directly linked to significant lateral structural displacements, exacerbated by localized geotechnical instabilities. This paper details the data-driven rehabilitation strategy that was subsequently implemented, including the complete replacement of the bearings and substructure stabilization measures. The study provides a valuable case study of a complex, mechanics-driven failure mode and demonstrates that for such critical infrastructure, a proactive management model integrating advanced technologies like Structural Health Monitoring (SHM) and Building Information Modelling (BIM) is essential for ensuring long-term safety and resilience.

Abstract Marine non-indigenous species (NIS), introduced primarily through shipping in marinas and ports, pose significant threats to coastal biodiversity and ecosystem functioning, requiring effective management strategies, especially for monitoring aimed at early detection. This study aimed to capture a comprehensive snapshot of the geographic variation of marine invertebrate assemblages and NIS occurrence, across 10 recreational marinas in Portugal (6 on the mainland - Viana do Castelo, Porto, Aveiro (2 marinas), and Lisbon (2 marinas) - and 2 in each archipelago, Madeira and the Azores). In each marina, hard substrates, zooplankton, and water samples (for eDNA) were collected in triplicate during summertime for metabarcoding profiling, adding up to a total of 111 samples. Using Illumina MiSeq sequencing of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene (313 bp) and the V4 region of the small subunit 18S rRNA gene (18S, approximately 400 bp), we detected 645 species from 21 phyla, 40 of which were NIS (7 phyla). Only 5% of the species and 5% of NIS were detected in all marinas. The highest numbers of both exclusive native species and NIS were recorded in the Azores (100 and 7, respectively), and the lowest numbers of exclusive native species were recovered in Aveiro (39) while the lowest numbers of exclusive NIS were detected in the North and Aveiro regions (1 in each). A Principal Coordinate Analysis indicated a distinct separation among communities forming three main groups: 1) Viana do Castelo, Porto, and Aveiro; 2) Lisbon; and 3) Madeira and the Azores. Similarity between these groups is negatively correlated with geographic distance and overlaps with ecoregions previously identified within Lusitania. In the Azores 9 NIS were recorded for the first time, and one in Madeira. We also recorded a considerable number of potential range expansions of NIS, predominantly along the mainland coast, in both North (N) – South (S) or S-N directions, which shows promising results of the high potential of DNA metabarcoding to be included in future national marine biomonitoring campaigns.

Designing public spaces requires balancing the interests of diverse stakeholders within a constrained physical and institutional space. Designers usually approach these problems through participatory methods but struggle to incorporate diverse perspectives into design outputs. The growing capabilities of image-generative artificial intelligence (IGAI) could support participatory design. Prior work in leveraging IGAI's capabilities in design has focused on augmenting the experience and performance of individual creators. We study how IGAI could facilitate participatory processes when designing public spaces, a complex collaborative task. We conducted workshops and IGAI-mediated interviews in a real-world participatory process to upgrade a park in Los Angeles. We found (1) a shift from focusing on accuracy to fostering richer conversations as the desirable outcome of adopting IGAI in participatory design, (2) that IGAI promoted more space-aware conversations, and (3) that IGAI-mediated conversations are subject to the abilities of the facilitators in managing the interaction between themselves, the AI, and stakeholders. We contribute by discussing practical implications for using IGAI in participatory design, including success metrics, relevant skills, and asymmetries between designers and stakeholders. We finish by proposing a series of open research questions.

Marine debris (MD) can be a transport vector for diverse marine communities, including non-indigenous species (NIS). This study assessed MD potential role as a substrate for colonization and dispersal vector for NIS in the Madeira Archipelago (NE Atlantic) by examining three MD categories: floating (FMD), seafloor (SMD), and beached (BMD). Opportunistic sampling, conducted in collaboration with local maritime stakeholders, documented MD sightings with photographs and GPS coordinates. A total of 92 MD items were inspected, revealing 108 fouling species across 11 phyla, with 13% identified as NIS. SMD exhibited the highest proportion of NIS (9.6%), followed by BMD (4.4%) and FMD (3.9%). Notably, the study provides evidence that FMD functions as both a substrate and a dispersal vector for NIS in Madeira waters. Combining biogeographic analyses, oceanographic modelling, and MD identification marks, this study highlighted the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre's currents as key pathways, transporting MD items from the Wider Caribbean, the North American east coast, and the Iberian Peninsula to Madeira within 2-3years. These findings emphasize Madeira's dual role as both a recipient and exporter of MD, with implications for NIS introductions and secondary spread. This study underscores the urgent need for standardized monitoring, stakeholder engagement, and proactive MD management strategies to mitigate NIS introductions and protect sensitive marine ecosystems like Macaronesia from the ecological risks of biological invasions.

The Eleventh International Conference on Marine Bioinvasions (ICMB-XI), held May 15–19, 2023, in Baltimore, Maryland, USA, convened 213 attendees from 24 countries to discuss the challenges and advancements in managing marine non-indigenous species (NIS). The conference emphasized the urgent need for international collaboration to address the increasing threats posed by marine bioinvasions, which transcend geopolitical boundaries. Participants explored six key themes through 119 oral presentations, 37 posters, and six keynote speakers, providing a platform for researchers, policymakers, and industry professionals to exchange knowledge and strategies. Notably, ICMB-XI implemented the first Code of Conduct for the Society for the Study of Marine Bioinvasions, promoting inclusivity and ethical scientific discourse. Here, we review articles published in Aquatic Invasions and Management of Biological Invasions based on research presented at ICMB-XI. Studies highlighted novel findings on species settlement dynamics, NIS ecological impacts, and advancements in detection methods such as environmental DNA monitoring. Research also examined the role of climate change in facilitating NIS, the influence of biofouling on NIS establishment, and the expansion of NIS into new ecological niches. Beyond scientific discussions, ICMB-XI celebrated the intersection of art and science through a collaboration with artist April Flanders, whose work communicated the impacts of marine invasions to broader audiences. The conference also provided travel awards and student achievement prizes to support early-career scientists. As ICMB-XI concluded, participants reinforced the need for sustained, large-scale efforts to mitigate marine bioinvasions through enhanced research, policy integration, and cross-sector collaboration. The next ICMB, scheduled for 2025 in Madeira, Portugal, aims to continue advancing the field and fostering international partnerships in marine bioinvasion management.