Forecasting models for real estate market analysis The case study of Portugal

Project Work presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Knowledge Management and Business IntelligenceThe real estate market is known for its difficulties and volatility, particularly in determining property values, which significantly impact economic choices and societal well-being. Accurate predictions of property prices can facilitate informed decision-making and influence investment strategies and market dynamics. This study focuses on predicting property prices in Portugal and looks at different regions with a focus on Lisbon. It attempts to use innovative methods such as Decision Tree, Random Forest, Artificial Neural Networks, Linear Regression, and K-Nearest Neighbors. The research provides an in-depth evaluation of forecasting techniques by analyzing historical data and employing various machine learning algorithms. The models are specifically designed to understand the complex dynamics of different property types in different regions of Portugal. Overall, the Random Forest model is the best model for predicting property prices, followed by Decision Tree model. This forecast is also important because it provides us with an insight into the importance of certain features in real estate property prices. Using advanced predictive models does not only enhance the understanding of real estate market trends but also enables stakeholders to make informed decisions

Understanding the internet banking adoption by Portuguese customers - a unified theory of acceptance and use of technology and perceived risk application.

Trabalho de Projeto apresentado como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Estatística e Gestão de Informação, especialização em Gestão do Conhecimento e Inteligência de NegócioThe understanding of the main determinants of Internet banking adoption is important for banks and users. If banks understand users’ concerns, then they will be able to provide better services. In this investigation we developed a conceptual model that combined the unified theory of acceptance and use of technology (UTAUT) with perceived risk in order to explain behaviour intention and usage behaviour of Internet banking. To test the conceptual model we collected data from Portugal (249 valid cases). We found that the model explained 60 percent of intention to use variance and 81 percent of usage variance. Our findings supported some relationships of UTAUT, as performance expectancy, effort expectancy and social influence, and also the role of risk as a stronger predictor of intention. To explain usage behaviour of Internet banking the most important factor was behavioural intention.A percepção dos factores que mais contribuem para a adopção do Internet banking é importante para os bancos e para os utilizadores. Se os bancos compreenderem as principais preocupações e opiniões dos utilizadores, então serão capazes de prestar melhores serviços aos seus clientes. Nesta investigação, foi desenvolvido um modelo conceptual que combina a teoria unificada da aceitação e uso de tecnologia (UTAUT) com o risco percebido, de forma a explicar e intenção e o uso do Internet banking. Para testar o modelo concetual, foram recolhidos dados em Portugal (249 casos válidos). Os resultados mostraram que o modelo explicava 60% da intenção e 81 % do uso. Foram suportadas algumas das relações do UTAUT, como a expectativa de desempenho, expectativa de esforço e a influência social, e também o papel do risco como o forte preditor da intenção. Para explicar o uso do Internet banking, o factor mais importante foi a intenção

Ethics in Intangible Cultural Heritage Public Policies: Interview with Marc Jacobs

Desde que foi adoptada (2003), a Convenção para a Salvaguarda do Património Cultural Imaterial da UNESCO continua a suscitar interrogações e a constituir um campo de negociação quanto à sua implementação nas políticas públicas do património cultural dos países que ratificaram o documento. As questões éticas estão actualmente no centro da discussão com a recente adopção de 12 princípios éticos que pretendem guiar as estratégias de salvaguarda do Património Cultural Imaterial. Nesta entrevista com Marc Jacobs, realizada durante a sua visita à Universidade de Évora, reflectimos sobre o impacto da Convenção para a Salvaguarda do Património Cultural Imaterial nas políticas nacionais, os seus problemas e oportunidades. Marc Jacobs (1963) é Professor de Estudos Críticos de Património na Vrije Universiteit Brussel. É desde 2008 director da Faro (Flemish Interface Centre for Cultural Heritage), uma organização belga para o sector do património cultural (material e imaterial). É desde 2014 o coordenador da UNESCO Chair em Critical Heritage Studies na Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Participou na qualidade de representante da Bélgica na redacção da Convenção para a Salvaguarda do Património Cultural Imaterial (2003) e em vários grupos de trabalho durante o primeiro Comité Intergovernamental da Convenção (2006-2008).CIDEHUS - UID/HIS/00057/2013 (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-007702

Le Patrimoine Culturel Immatériel et le Role d’Institutions Publiques dans l’Implementation d’Inventaires: Actes du Séminaire International, Université d’Évora, 22 Juin 2007

La publication est le résultat d’un séminaire international tenu à Évora (juin 2007) dévoué au Patrimoine Culturel Immatériel dans le contexte d’un projet européen «MEDINS – Identity is future: The Mediterranean Intangible Space» (2006-2008). Ces textes sont des diverses contributions des différents partenaires du projet

Chemical Composition of the Essential Oils in Portuguese Daucus Carota Subspecies

This study focused on five different subspecies of Portuguese Daucus carota L., to identify the main compounds in the essential oils of umbels from each subspecies. The isolation of the essential oils was performed by hydrodistillation methods followed by further composition analysis by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, ultimately demonstrating that each subspecies had different major compounds. This study concluded that the main compounds found in Daucus carota subsp. maritimus were geranyl acetate, followed by trans-methyl-isoeugenol, α-pinene, cis-asarone and elemicin. Daucus carota subsp. hispidus presented with the major compounds as geranyl acetate, caryophyllene oxide, trans-methyl-isoeugenol and sabinene. For Daucus carota subsp. maximus, the major compounds were cis-asarone, geranyl acetate and elemicin, which was similar to Daucus carota subsp. carota which presented with the major compounds as geranyl acetate, cis-asarone, trans-methylisoeugenol and α-pinene. Finally, the major components of Daucus carota subsp. sativus were carotol and daucol. Keywords: essential oils, chemical composition, Daucus carota, hydrodistillation, GC-M

The effects of ionizing radiation on gut microbiota, a systematic review

Background: The human gut microbiota is defined as the microorganisms that collectively inhabit the intestinal tract. Its composition is relatively stable; however, an imbalance can be precipitated by various factors and is known to be associated with various diseases. Humans are daily exposed to ionizing radiation from ambient and medical procedures, and gastrointestinal side effects are not rare. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library databases was conducted. Primary outcomes were changes in composition, richness, and diversity of the gut microbiota after ionizing radiation exposure. Standard methodological procedures expected by Cochrane were used. Results: A total of 2929 nonduplicated records were identified, and based on the inclusion criteria, 11 studies were considered. Studies were heterogeneous, with differences in population and outcomes. Overall, we found evidence for an association between ionizing radiation exposure and dysbiosis: reduction in microbiota diversity and richness, increase in pathogenic bacteria abundance (Proteobacteria and Fusobacteria), and decrease in beneficial bacteria (Faecalibacterium and Bifidobacterium). Conclusions: This review highlights the importance of considering the influence of ionizing radiation exposure on gut microbiota, especially when considering the side effects of abdominal and pelvic radiotherapy. Better knowledge of these effects, with larger population studies, is needed.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Scenedesmus obliquus in poultry wastewater bioremediation

ABSTRACT: Wastewater biological treatment with microalgae can be an effective technology, removing nutrients and other contaminants while reducing chemical oxygen demand. This can be particularly interesting for the meat producing industry which produces large volumes of wastewater from the slaughtering of animals and cleaning of their facilities. The main purpose of this research was the treatment of poultry wastewater using Scenedesmus obliquus in an economical and environmentally sustainable way. Two wastewaters were collected from a Portuguese poultry slaughterhouse (poultry raw - PR and poultry flocculated - PF) and the bioremediation was evaluated. The performance of microalga biomass growth and biochemical composition were assessed for two illumination sources (fluorescent vs LEDs). S. obliquus achieved positive results when grown in highly contaminated agro-industrial wastewater from the poultry industry, independently of the light source. The wastewater bioremediation revealed results higher than 97% for both ammonium and phosphate removal efficiency, for a cultivation time of 13 days. The saponifiable matter obtained from the biomass of the microalga cultures was, on average, 11% and 27% (m/malga) with PR and PF wastewater, respectively. In opposition, higher sugar content was obtained from microalgae biomass grown in PR wastewater (average 34% m/malga) in comparison to PF wastewater (average 23% m/malga), independently of the illumination source. Therefore, biomass obtained with PR wastewater will be more appropriate as a raw material for bioethanol/biohydrogen production (higher sugar content) while biomass produced in PF wastewater will have a similar potential as feedstock for both biodiesel and bioethanol/biohydrogen production (similar lipid and sugar content).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Erlotinib e metástases cerebrais

AbstractWe report two cases of brain metastases in context of non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). After having progressed to chemotherapy they received erlotinib 150mg/m2 orally daily, with complete response of brain metastasis and partial response of thoracic lesions.Brain metastases are both prevalent and a major cause of mortality in NSCLC, with few systemic treatment options. Median survival after whole brain radiotherapy is 4-6 months and the role of systemic therapy for brain metastases is limited with the most drugs use to stage IV disease ineffective in this setting.This case demonstrates that brain metastases may be sensitive to erlotinib and give to us growing body of evidence that EGFR-associated tyrosine kinase inhibition is a feasible strategy in the management of NSCLC patients with brain metastasesWe propose further study into the continued use of this drug in the situation where there is a differential response.Rev Port Pneumol 2008; XIV (Supl 3): S35-S4

Prevalence of the golden proportion on dental students

Poster presented at the 2014 IADR/PER Congress (International Association for Dental Research). Dubrovnik, Croatia, September 10-13, 201

Mémoire du Futur. Safim-Safi Histoire d´une Ville Portuaire-Carrefour de Cultures. Pour une inscription sur la liste du patrimoine mondial de l´UNESCO. Rapport

Ce rapport est le résultat du travail commun et collaboratif entre deux groupes d’enseignants, un de l’Université Cadi Ayyad de Marrakech et un autre de l’Université d’Évora. Tout au long des années cette coopération a abouti à plusieurs conclusions, dont une des plus intéressantes c’est le terrain à exploiter : la ville de Safi. Là, on trouve un patrimoine d’origine portugaise à côté d’un autre bien marocain. Cependant, dans la ville, on comprend comme les gens vivent bien avec cette diversité, ce qui a contribué à bâtir une identité spéciale. D’une autre part, c’est assez claire la richesse de tout ce patrimoine : la musique traditionnelle, les pratiques liées à la mer et l’incroyable école de céramique de Safi se mélangent avec les châteaux et les murailles d’origine portugaise et les anciennes structures islamiques, comme le minaret almohade de l’ancienne mosquée de Safi. La plus intéressante surprise pour les groupes des deux universités était de constater que, après la promotion de réunions et de colloques sur ces sujets, plusieurs associations culturales locales et des citoyens, nous ont soutenu à organiser un projet qui pourrait assurer des alternatives de développement pour la population de la ville. Ce rapport inclue des documents formels du projet, cela veut dire : le projet et l’équipe. On a considéré également important d’intégrer une partie importante du matériel produit au moment des rencontres qui ont eu lieu entre par les deux groupes de recherche, bien qu’une partie des résultats du travail de terrain qui a déjà été élaboré. Ce projet est, en quelque sorte, l’accomplissement de la promesse de ces chercheurs vers la population de Safi. Et le voilà !Fundação para a Ciencia e a Tecnologia,FCT; CIDEHUS (Univ. Évora); Comune Urbane de Safi. Portuguese Studies Program, Univ. California Berkeley, EUA; Ministère de la Culture - Royaume du Maroc; Banco Santander