Resale value of individual sets of Magic the Gathering

Magic: the Gathering is a strategy-based fantasy card game developed by Richard Garfield in 1993. The appeal of playing the game is found in using cardboard printed cards to cast spells to achieve a victory over one or more opponents. This thesis will provide an analysis of six MTG sets, calculating the average value of one pack of fourteen cards. The relationships between the average resale value for each set will be evaluated using statistical graphical analysis. Conclusions will be drawn regarding the average resale value of a pack of fourteen cards in each of six set

Business models in the portuguese football clubs

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Management from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsThis work project discusses the key features that affect the Portuguese Football Market and the business models presented by its football clubs by analyzing its unique characteristics and performing a comparison with the main European championships. The business models of Sport Clube Beira-Mar - Futebol, SAD, Sport Lisboa e Benfica - Futebol, SAD, Sporting Clube de Braga - Futebol, SAD and three Portuguese Football Academies were analyzed in order to understand the differences between clubs with dissimilar goals and scopes and which aspects should be improved and explored. Portuguese clubs present a significant competitive advantage in developing players as well as an important members base. However, they face many challenges due to low stadium occupation rates, excessive dependence on certain revenue streams, lack of sports facilities utilization, a limited range of services, and the need to reformulate their revenue structure and increase the interaction with their fans and members by providing them enjoyable experiences beyond the football matches. Hence, a set of recommendations and suggestions was developed, which was discussed with and approved by the previously mentioned clubs, in order to face the referred issues according to nine different operating areas of football clubs management and Portuguese Football in general: Restructuring of Portuguese football, Partnerships & sponsorships/new services, New customer segments and retaining the current ones, Customer relationship management, Interaction with fans and members, Facilities utilization/stadium occupation rates, Financial aspects, Participation in society/social concerns, and Internationalization/search for new revenues in emerging markets

Approaching universal frequency reuse through base station cooperation

Base Station (BS) architectures are a promising cellular wireless solution to mitigate the interference issues and to avoid the high frequency reuse factors implemented in conventional systems. Combined with block transmission techniques, such as Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) for the downlink and Single-Carrier with Frequency-Domain Equalization (SC-FDE) for the uplink, these systems provide a significant performance improvement to the overall system. Block transmission techniques are suitable for broadband wireless communication systems, which have to deal with strongly frequency-selective fading channels and are able to provide high bit rates despite the channel adversities. In BS cooperation schemes users in adjacent cells share the same physical channel and the signals received by each BS are sent to a Central Processing Unit (CPU) that combines the different signals and performs the user detections and/or separation, which can be regarded as a Multi-User Detection (MUD) technique. The work presented in this thesis is focused on the study of uplink transmissions in BS cooperations systems, considering single carrier block transmission schemes and iterative receivers based on the Iterative-Block Decision Feedback Equalization (IB-DFE) concept, which combined with the employment of Cyclic Prefix (CP)-assisted block transmission techniques are appropriate to scenarios with strongly time-dispersive channels. Furthermore, the impact of the sampling and quantization applied to the received signals from each Mobile Terminal (MT) to the corresponding BS is studied, with the achievement of the spectral characterization of the quantization noise. This thesis also provides a conventional analytical model for the BER (Bit Error Rate) performance complemented with an approach to improve its results. Finally, this thesis addresses the contextualization of BS cooperation schemes in clustered C-RAN (Centralized-Radio Access Network)-type solutions.As arquitecturas BS cooperation são uma solução promissora de redes celulares sem fios para atenuar o problema da interferência e evitar os factores de reuso elevados, que se encontram implementados nos sistemas convencionais. Combinadas com técnicas de transmissão por blocos, como o OFDM para o downlink e o SC-FDE no uplink, estes sistemas fornecem uma melhoria significativa no desempenho geral do sistema. Técnicas de transmissão por blocos são adequadas para sistemas de comunicações de banda larga sem fios, que têm que lidar com canais que possuem um forte desvanescimento selectivo na frequência e são capazes de fornecer ligações com taxas de transmissão altas apesar das adversidades do canal. Em esquemas BS cooperation os terminais móveis situados em células adjacentes partilham o mesmo canal físico e os sinais recebidos em cada estação de base são enviados para uma Unidade Central de Processamento (CPU) que combina os diferentes sinais recebidos associados a um dado utilizador e realiza a detecção e/ou separação do mesmo, sendo esta considerada uma técnica de Detecção Multi-Utilizador (MUD). O trabalho apresentado nesta tese concentra o seu estudo no uplink de transmissões em sistemas BS cooperation, considerando transmissões em bloco de esquemas monoportadoras e receptores iterativos baseados no conceito B-DFE, em que quando combinados com a implementação de técnicas de transmissao por blocos assistidas por prefixos cíclicos (CP) são apropriados a cenários com canais fortemente dispersivos no tempo. Além disso, é estudado o impacto do processo de amostragem e quantização aplicados aos sinais recebidos de cada terminal móvel para a estação de base, com a obtenção da caracterização espectral do ruído de quantização. Esta tese também fornece um modelo analítico convencional para a computação do desempenho da taxa de erros de bit (BER), com um método melhorado para o mesmo. Por último, esta tese visa a contextualização dos sistemas BS cooperation em soluções do tipo C-RAN

Sistem Gotong Royong dalam masyarakat pedesaan Daerah Khusus Ibukota Jakarta

Dalarn proses perubahan kebudayaan di Indonesia, khususnya di pedesaan telah terjadi pergeseran nilai-nilai budaya. Hal itu mempengaruhi juga sifat dan aktivitas gotong-royong yang ada pada masyarakat bersangkutan. Koentjaraningrat (1975 : 10 - 16) mengemukakan bahwa telah terjadi perubahan dalam sistem gotong-royong dalam bidang pertanian menjadi sistem upah; bahkan ada bentuk gotong-royong yang sudah punah atau menghilang dari kebudayaan sesuatu masyarakat. Sehubungan dengan pergeseran gotong-royong dalam pertanian, kita juga dapat melihatnya pada berbagai masyarakat desa seperti yang dikukiska~ suatu dalarn pertanian di Gayo (Melalatoa, 1975 : 17 - 27). Pembangunan yang sedang giat-giatnya dilaksanakan dewasa ini pada hakekatnya merupakan proses pembaharuan disegala bidang. Proses itu dalam kenyataannya telah menuntut perubahan kebudayaan dalarn masyarakat. Di antara kebudayaan atau unsur kebudayaan yang akan atau sudah terpengaruh oleh proses pembaharuan itu ialah berbagai bentuk gotong-royong; baik yang bersifat spontan maupun yang bersifat memenuhi kewajiban sosial

Estudios sobre la eficacia antihelmíntica de oxfendazol : Tioxidazol y Mebendazol en la triquinosis experimental

Tesis doctoral, Univ. Complutense, 1981.Depto. de Microbiología y ParasitologíaFac. de FarmaciaTRUEProQuestpu

Estudios sobre la eficacia antihelmíntica de oxfendazol : Tioxidazol y Mebendazol en la triquinosis experimental

Tesis doctoral, Univ. Complutense, 1981.Depto. de Microbiología y ParasitologíaFac. de FarmaciaTRUEProQuestpu

Forest Isoprene Emissions: New Insights from a Novel Field Instrument

Isoprene is an important biogenic volatile organic compound (VOC) in natural systems. Its emission by certain species of plants depends on solar radiation levels and on temperature, as well as other factors. Once in the atmosphere, it is rapidly transported and oxidised, and the subsequent chemistry of isoprene plays a significant part in determining the oxidising capacity of the troposphere, and therefore atmospheric composition and aerosol formation. The emission of isoprene is also important to the global carbon cycle and the carbon budget of the biosphere. Measurements have highlighted the great spatial and temporal variation of isoprene concentrations within forests and across different forest types, presenting a challenge for understanding overall emissions. Current understanding of isoprene is limited by the lack of availability of suitable instrumentation for deployment in key field sites. In this thesis the development of a novel portable gas chromatography instrument suitable for challenging field environments, the iDirac, is described. Current estimates for global isoprene emission attribute 70% to tropical forests, but these are under-sampled. This thesis describes a tropical field campaign with measurements of isoprene from tropical trees. The distribution of isoprene within a canopy is poorly understood and existing models do not capture effectively the forest vertical isoprene gradient. The vertical concentration gradient is investigated in a novel measurement campaign over summer 2018 in a temperate forest. Measurements at different canopy heights were taken with maximum isoprene concentrations of 8 ppb. Insolation at the top of the canopy drives the vertical gradient. The forest experienced stress as a result of higher temperatures and low rainfall in the 2018 heatwave and showed elevated isoprene levels. A new simple conceptual model is described, CamCan, which simulates isoprene concentration at different levels in the forest canopy. The model is used to calculate fluxes from the forest and an annual emission of 2.0 Mg is estimated for the 2018 season

Youth homelessness : social and symptomatic correlates

The present longitudinal study utilizes the Sociological Causal Model of Neurosis postulated by Broun and Harris (1978)3 and the Circumplex Model3 by Olsen et al. (1976) in looking at the family problems of youth homelessness which contribute to mental health. Fifty subjects from the first and second stages of homelessness participated in the study, ranging in age from 12-18 years. Data collection was over a period of six months3 and subjects filled out the Initial Questionnaire on arrival at a youth refuge. Follow-up questionnaires were posted out at 6 weeks to where the subjects were living and two outcome groups were formed: Return home and Failure to return home. A Parents' Questionnaire was posted to the subject's nominated parent in order to gain independent information about the subject and the family. Four self-report scales were utilized in the study and these were: the Hopkins Symptom Checklist (Derogatis et al. 1974) which measured the dependent variable3 neurosis; the Adolescent Life Event Scale by Ferguson (1981)3 the Moos Family Environment Scale (Moos and Moos, 1976)3 and the Support Questions which were derived from the support interview questions used by Brown and Harris (1978)3 to measure the independent variables. The questions on family structure asked about the subject's parental status and were divided into two groups: nuclear and non-nuclear3 families. The results revealed a remarkable homogeneity of sample type: females (50%) and males (50%)3 high levels of unemployment (48%) or still at school (48%) and high levels of family conflict (56%) and loss of family support (28%). The majority came from non-nuclear family structures (86%)3 compared to nuclear families (14%). Factors contributing to high levels of symptoms reported by subjects included parental marital statuss high cumulative distress scores3 rigidity in family rules and roles (adaptability)3 and a family member with whom one had had recent interpersonal conflict (made things worse). Factors conducive to psychological well-being included high family cohesiveness and adequate family support. Subjects who failed to return home were found to be females who had a family member who made things worse3 but who had also received other forms of adequate family support. Both family and personal variables were found to be important in determining outcome following a stay at a youth refuge. The results suggest that the majority of homeless youth in the first and second stages of homelessness who seek shelter at a youth refuge due to family disruption are high risk candidates for developing a psychological illness. The family patterns are indicative of dysfunctional systems and that major preventative work in the community is needed for step families and single parent families if the problems are to be reduced

Estrutura das Informações na Guarda

O Objetivo Geral deste Trabalho de Investigação Individual consiste em analisar a estrutura de informações da Guarda, identificando medidas que possam vir a ser adotadas para otimizarem a sua efetividade. A metodologia seguida, enquadrada na tipologia de investigação aplicada, com posicionamentos epistemológico interpretativista e ontológico construtivista, foi sustentada num processo de raciocínio indutivo. Para dar corpo ao desenvolvimento da investigação optou-se por uma estratégia mista, com recurso a um desenho de pesquisa baseado no Estudo de Caso e sustentado em múltiplas fontes documentais, em entrevistas e num inquérito por questionário. Desta investigação resultou um diagnóstico à atual estrutura das informações da Guarda Nacional Republicana, o qual aponta para diversas fragilidades nas três características que compõem a sua estrutura, designadamente, no grau de complexidade da sua departamentalização, na formalização dos seus processos e na centralização da decisão. Adicionalmente, esta investigação possibilitou identificar um conjunto alargado de medidas estruturais, nos domínios organizacional, funcional, técnico/tecnológico e dos recursos, que poderão auxiliar a melhorar a sua efetividade no futuro.The General Objective of this Individual Investigation Work is to analyze the Guarda Intelligence organizational structure, identifying measures that may be adopted to optimize its effectiveness. The methodology followed, framed in the typology of applied research, with interpretative and ontological constructivist epistemological positions, was supported by an inductive reasoning process. To embody the development of the investigation, a mixed strategy was chosen, using a research design based on the Case Study and supported by multiple documentary sources, interviews and a questionnaire survey. This investigation resulted in a diagnosis of the current Intelligence structure of the National Republican Guard, which points to several weaknesses in the three characteristics that make up its structure, namely, the degree of complexity of its departmentalization, the formalization of its processes and the centralization of decision. In addition, this investigation made it possible to identify a wide range of structural measures, in the organizational, functional, technical / technological and resource domains, which may help to improve their effectiveness in the future.N/

Atividade oxidativa e não oxidativa de células fagocitárias expostas a protozoários do género Leishmania

As leishmanioses, causadas por protozoários do género Leishmania, são um problema de saúde pública e veterinária. No homem, a doença classifica-se clinicamente em leishmaniose cutânea, visceral e mucocutânea. A leishmaniose cutânea pode ser produzida por L. amazonensis, L. shawi e L. guyanensis, entre muitas outras espécies. A leishmaniose visceral zoonótica causada por L. infantum apresenta manifestações clínicas graves que podem ser fatais. Neutrófilos ou células polimorfonucleares (PMN) têm função crucial na imunidade inata, sendo as primeiras a ser recrutadas para o local de infeção. Os monócitos/macrófagos (MФ) desempenham o duplo papel de serem células fagocíticas apresentadoras profissionais de antigénios e as hospedeiras por excelência de Leishmania. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo analisar a atividade leishmanicida de neutrófilos de murganhos BALB/c e de MФ (linha celular P388D1 derivada de murganhos) quando expostos in vitro a espécies de Leishmania do subgénero Leishmania (L. infantum e L. amazonensis) e Viannia (L. shawi e L. guyanensis) através da avaliação da (i) expressão dos sensores celulares NOD1, NOD2, TLR2, TLR4 e TLR9 por real time PCR, (ii) ativação dos mecanismos oxidativos (superóxido nos neutrófilos e óxido nítrico e ureia nos MФ), (iii) importância dos mecanismos enzimáticos e (iv) produção de NET por neutrófilos. Estudo idêntico foi realizado em neutrófilos e MФ de canídeos infetados in vitro com L. infantum. Neutrófilos de murganhos internalizam parasitas dos subgéneros Leishmania e Viannia. Os mecanismos oxidativos e enzimáticos são ativados e geradas NET, contribuindo para o controlo da infeção. No entanto, o contato com os parasitas não promove a expressão génica dos sensores celulares. MФ P388D1 fagocitam as diferentes espécies de Leishmania, porém não ocorre ativação da via clássica, mas sim da via alternativa, assegurando a sobrevivência intracelular do parasita. Nestas células, a exposição às diferentes espécies de Leishmania conduziu a aumentos pontuais da expressão génica de NOD1 e TLR2 e também de TLR9, com exceção de L. shawi. No entanto, as espécies do subgénero Viannia induziram aumento da expressão génica de NOD2. Em conjunto, estes resultados sugerem que cada espécie elabora estratégias próprias de ativação dos sensores celulares. Os neutrófilos caninos também internalizaram L. infantum, ativaram os mecanismos oxidativos e produziram NET capazes de aprisionar extracelularmente promastigotas. Porém, apenas ocorreu exocitose da elastase neutrofilica sugerindo que este parasita restringe a actividade enzimática de neutrófilos. MФ caninos infetados por L. infantum ativaram a via alternativa e apresentaram unicamente expressão aumentada de TLR2, o que desencadeia a ativação dos mecanismos oxidativos e produção de citocinas pró-inflamatórias. Este estudo contribuiu para clarificar o efeito da infeção por espécies cutâneas e viscerais de Leishmania na ativação dos mecanismos oxidativos e não oxidativos das células fagocitárias de canídeos e modelo roedor. Foi demonstrado pela primeira vez que a infeção por Leishmania spp. na célula hospedeira está intimamente associada ao aumento da expressão de TLR2 e, consequentemente, à provável ativação desta via metabólica. A compreensão dos fatores que inibem ou estimulam os sensores celulares de imunidade inata, cruciais no reconhecimento do parasita, pode ser importante no desenvolvimento de novas estratégias terapêuticas para a leishmaniose.Caused by protozoa of the genus Leishmania, leishmaniases, are considered an important public health issue and a veterinary disease. In humans, the disease can be clinically classified into cutaneous, visceral and mucocutaneous leishmaniasis. Cutaneous leishmaniasis can be produced by L. amazonensis, L. shawi and L. guyanensis among many others species. The zoonotic visceral leishmaniasis caused by L. infantum presents severe clinical manifestations that can be fatal if left untreated. Neutrophils or polymorphonuclear cells (PMN) play a crucial role in innate immunity, being the first cells to be recruited to the site of infection. Monocytes/macrophages (MФ) play the dual role of being phagocytic and antigenic presenting cells and the definitive host cells of Leishmania parasite. This study was designed to investigate the leishmanicidal activity of neutrophils isolated from BALB/c mice and of MФ (cell line P388D1 differentiated from mice) exposed in vitro to two species of subgenus Leishmania (L. amazonensis and L. infantum) and two species of subgenus Viannia (L. shawi and L. guyanensis) by evaluating (i) gene expression of cell sensors NOD1, NOD2, TLR2, TLR4 and TLR9 through real time PCR, (ii) the activation of oxidative mechanisms (superoxide by neutrophils and nitric oxide and urea by MФ), (iii) the importance of enzymatic mechanisms and (iv) the production of NET by neutrophils. Similar studies were carried out in dog’ neutrophils and MФ infected in vitro by L. infantum. Murine neutrophils were able to internalize parasites of Leishmania and Viannia subgenera. Oxidative and enzymatic mechanisms were activated and NET were generated, leading to control of infection. However, the parasite did not induced the gene expression of cell sensors. MФ P388D1 phagocytosed the different species of Leishmania although without activating the macrophage classical pathway. Instead, parasites activated the MФ alternative pathway, ensuring intracellular survival. In such cells, the exposition to the different species of Leishmania leaded to transient increase NOD1 and TLR2 gene expression and, also of TLR9 with the exception of L. shawi. However, only the species of the subgenus Viannia caused the increase of NOD2 gene expression. Taken together, these results suggest that each parasite species develop their own strategy to promote or, by he contrary to avoid the activation of cell sensors. Dog neutrophils also internalized L. infantum parasites, activatedoxidative mechanisms and generated NET able to ambush extracellular promastigotes. However, only occurs exocytosis of neutrophilic elastase, suggesting that this parasite restricts the enzymatic activity of neutrophils. Dog MФ L. infantum-infected activated the alternative pathway and enhanced the gene expression of TLR2, stimulating oxidative mechanisms and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study sheeds light on the effect of cutaneous and visceral Leishmania parasites in the activation of oxidative and non-oxidative mechanisms of mice and dog phagocytic cells. It is also demonstrated for the first time that the establishment of infection by Leishmania spp. in the definitive host cell is closely associated with the increase of TLR2 gene expression and likely, by the activation of this metabolic pathway. Understanding the factors that inhibit or, by the contrary, stimulate innate cell sensors, which are crucial for parasite recognition, might be important in the development of new therapeutic strategies for leishmaniasis