How the major capital markets interact in the world: a VAR approach

Durante as últimas décadas, a análise de dados financeiros, tais como, os preços das acções e os seus respectivos retornos, tem sido alvo de muito estudo por parte dos investigadores. Existe uma variedade de métodos que têm sido propostos e implementados com o objectivo de prever essas variáveis e também de estudar as relações interacções que têm entre si. Esta tese tem como principal objectivo analisar a interacção entre os seguintes sete índices: o PSI20 (Portugal), CAC40 (França), IBEX35 (Espanha), Nikkei225 (Japão), DAX (Alemanha), NASDAQ (Estados Unidos da América), e FOOTSIE100 (Reino Unido). A análise efectuada teve como suporte uma base de dados com observações diárias entre os anos 2000 e 2010, e a metodologia econométrica incluí os testes: Augmented Dickey-Fuller, KPSS, causalidade de Granger e os modelos VAR.For many years, financial data analysis, such as stock prices and returns, has been receiving a lot of attention from researchers. A variety of methods has been proposed and implemented in order to forecast these variables and also to study the relation and interaction between them. The main goal of this thesis is to analyze the interaction between the following seven indexes the PSI20 (Portugal), CAC40 (France), IBEX35 (Spain), NIKKEI225 (Japan), DAX (Germany), NASDAQ (United States of America), and FOOTSIE100 (United Kingdom). The analysis was based on a database with daily observations between 2000 and 2010, and the econometric methodology includes: Augmented Dickey-Fuller, KPSS, Granger causality test and VAR models

Trnsys simulation results of an existing monitored small scale CHCP system and mathematical model adaptations of the air-cooled ammonia chiller and CHP prototypes

This work is a TRNSYS simulation of solar thermal system working together with an existing small sized CHCP (Combinet Heat Cooling and Power) demonstration project, included in the workpackage 5 (simulation) of the PolySMART project. The first objective of this work is to fine tune simulation parameters of the simulation Units (or Types), based on monitoring data collected during the first semester of 2010. The second objective is to further develop the mathematical models of type 107 (Hot Water-Fired Single-Effect Absorption Chiller) and type 120 (HYDROGEMS: Diesel Engine Generator System (DEGS) - Version 1.1). This will tackle the remaining differences between the real and simulated systems. These differences are due to the fact that both the CHP and the Ammonia-Water Air Cooled Chiller are prototypes. The third objective is to simulate the performance of different thermal collectors, some of which are also prototypes, and choose a proper solution for future experiments. The forth objective is to compare local weather data sets, collected on site since 2007, with proven standard data sets. Further work may be developed regarding the fan coils used to carry in/out heat

Monitoring Results of a Small Scale CHCP System

A small scale trigeneration system for combined heat, cold and power production was developed and installed at the Laboratório Nacional de Energia e Geologia, I.P. campus in Lisbon, Portugal. This system is one of the twelve experimental trigeneration systems being developed and tested across Europe within the PolySMART project. The CHCP system main constituents are a purpose made CHP prototype with an estimated 27kW maximum heat capacity and 9,6kW maximum electrical capacity and a TDC prototype with 8kW cooling power. The hydraulic scheme is presented and briefly analyzed. The data obtained during the monitoring of the system during heat and cold seasons is presented and analyzed for the global system. Main components behavior is analyzed with regard of their real performance when installed on a CHCP system

A perspectiva arquipelágica: Açores

"[…]. Dada a inexistência de um catálogo nacional ou regional de espécies ameaçadas, e considerando que muitas das espécies endémicas dos Açores, raras e sujeitas a várias ameaças, não se encontram abrangidas por directivas e convenções internacionais, nem foram alvo de avaliação por nenhum tipo de critérios (IUCN ou outros), houve necessidade de uma definição de prioridades em termos de acções de conservação baseada numa fundamentação tanto quanto possível clara e objectiva. Nesse sentido, a lista agora apresentada permite-nos realizar uma análise de prioridades para os Açores. Com base nos mesmos critérios e pontuações já referidos em capítulos anteriores, organizou-se o Top 100 dos Açores, listagem que permitirá a prioritização de esforços e recursos (humanos, financeiros ou outros) a nível regional de forma objectiva, previamente acordada entre os intervenientes (gestores e cientistas). Pretende-se assim diminuir a subjectividade que, mais frequentemente do que é em geral admitido, está inerente à atribuição de recursos para a conservação do nosso património natural." [da Introdução

A Step Forward in Breast Cancer Research: From a Natural-Like Experimental Model to a Preliminary Photothermal Approach

Supplementary Materials - The following are available online at https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/21/24/9681/s1, Figure S1: GNPs’ size distribution by intensity (%) obtained by DLS.Breast cancer is one of the most frequently diagnosed malignancies and common causes of cancer death in women. Recent studies suggest that environmental exposures to certain chemicals, such as 7,12-Dimethylbenzanthracene (DMBA), a chemical present in tobacco, may increase the risk of developing breast cancer later in life. The first-line treatments for breast cancer (surgery, chemotherapy or a combination of both) are generally invasive and frequently associated with severe side effects and high comorbidity. Consequently, novel approaches are strongly required to find more natural-like experimental models that better reflect the tumors’ etiology, physiopathology and response to treatments, as well as to find more targeted, efficient and minimally invasive treatments. This study proposes the development and an in deep biological characterization of an experimental model using DMBA-tumor-induction in Sprague-Dawley female rats. Moreover, a photothermal therapy approach using a near-infrared laser coupled with gold nanoparticles was preliminarily assessed. The gold nanoparticles were functionalized with Epidermal Growth Factor, and their physicochemical properties and in vitro effects were characterized. DMBA proved to be a very good and selective inductor of breast cancer, with 100% incidence and inducing an average of 4.7 tumors per animal. Epigenetic analysis showed that tumors classified with worst prognosis were hypomethylated. The tumor-induced rats were then subjected to a preliminary treatment using functionalized gold nanoparticles and its activation by laser (650–900 nm). The treatment outcomes presented very promising alterations in terms of tumor histology, confirming the presence of necrosis in most of the cases. Although this study revealed encouraging results as a breast cancer therapy, it is important to define tumor eligibility and specific efficiency criteria to further assess its application in breast cancer treatment on other species.The APC was funded by Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Coimbra and Coimbra Chemistry Centre, Department of Chemistry, University of Coimbra. This work was also supported by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (FCT), Portugal under the project’s references UIDB/00645/2020 and UID/DTP/04138/2019. TFG was supported by FCT, Portugal under the reference SFRH/BD/147306/2019. Thanks to FCT/MCTES for the financial support to CESAM (UIDP/50017/2020+UIDB/50017/2020), through national funds.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Os custos da aterosclerose em Portugal

Copyright © 2020 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier España, S.L.U. All rights reserved.© 2020 Sociedade Portuguesa de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espa ̃na, S.L.U. This is an open access article under the CC-BY-NC-ND license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).Introduction and objectives: Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in Portugal and atherosclerosis is the most common underlying pathophysiological process. The aim of this study was to quantify the economic impact of atherosclerosis in Portugal by estimating disease-related costs. Methods: Costs were estimated based on a prevalence approach and following a societal perspective. Three national epidemiological sources were used to estimate the prevalence of the main clinical manifestations of atherosclerosis. The annual costs of atherosclerosis included both direct costs (resource consumption) and indirect costs (impact on population productivity). These costs were estimated for 2016, based on data from the Hospital Morbidity Database, the health care database (SIARS) of the Regional Health Administration of Lisbon and Tagus Valley including real-world data from primary care, the 2014 National Health Interview Survey, and expert opinion. Results: The total cost of atherosclerosis in 2016 reached 1.9 billion euros (58% and 42% of which was direct and indirect costs, respectively). Most of the direct costs were associated with primary care (55%), followed by hospital outpatient care (27%) and hospitalizations (18%). Indirect costs were mainly driven by early exit from the labor force (91%). Conclusions: Atherosclerosis has a major economic impact, being responsible for health expenditure equivalent to 1% of Portuguese gross domestic product and 11% of current health expenditure in 2016.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Bom Santo Cave (Lisbon, Portugal): catchment, diet, and patterns of mobility of a Middle Neolithic population

The study of the Bom Santo Cave (central Portugal), a Neolithic cemetery, indicates a complex social, palaeoeconomic, and population scenario. With isotope, aDNA, and provenance, analyses of raw materials coupled with stylistic variability of material culture items and palaeogeographical data, light is shed on the territory and social organization of a population dated to 3800-3400 cal BC, i.e. the Middle Neolithic. Results indicate an itinerant farming, segmentary society, where exogamic practices were the norm. Its lifeway may be that of the earliest megalithic builders of the region, but further research is needed to correctly evaluate the degree of this community's participation in such a phenomenon

Co-design of a marine protected area zoning and the lessons learned from it

Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are a tool to safeguard marine natural systems, yet their effectiveness depends on how well they are integrated into the existing socioeconomic context. Stakeholder engagement in MPA design can contribute to increasing integration. This study focuses on the co-design of an MPA between researchers, public administration, the private sector, and non-governmental organizations. The proposed MPA is in Portugal and includes an area that is a hotspot for biodiversity and economic activities. This is the first MPA proposal in mainland Portugal co-designed using a participatory approach. This study highlights the steps of the zoning process and synthesizes the eight main lessons learned, useful for other cases, particularly for relatively small coastal MPAs with multiple socioeconomic activities. Three zoning proposals were developed and discussed within the participatory process. The proposals considered the best scientific and local knowledge available and were defined using ecological, socioeconomic, and shape-area guiding principles. In an iterative manner and following a participatory approach, compromises with stakeholders were achieved, and a final proposal, scientifically sound and socially accepted by most stakeholders, was delivered to the government. The final zoning plan will achieve ambitious conservation goals, including the largest fully protected area to be declared in mainland Portugal, while minimizing the impacts on the existing economic activities and promoting its sustainability. This process resulted in valuable lessons that may be applied elsewhere and guide future MPA implementation or rezoning of existing ones. These transdisciplinary and participatory processes can be time and resource-consuming but are vital for ensuring MPA effectiveness.Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia - FCTinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Risk Assessment Strategies for Contaminants in Seafood (RASCS)

Risk Assessment Strategies for Contaminants in Seafood (RASCS) is an EFSA Partnering Grant focusing on KEamong seven European Institutions. The project lasted from June 2021 to June 2023. The proposal was built to establish links among seven major research and regulatory institutions in the EU dealing with seafood safety: IPMA (Portugal), Istituto Superiore di Sanità (Italy), Ghent University (Belgium), BfR (Germany), ANSES (France), CREDA and IRTA (Spain). The purpose was to increase KEto foster harmonization and improve strategies for RA of contaminants in seafood products and the related risk communication to the population. RASCS included 6 work-packages (WPs) focused on Hazard Identification, Dietary Exposure Assessment, RA: present and future strategies in a changing world and balance with nutritional benefits, Risk/Benefit Perception and Communication, Dissemination and outreach, and Management of the project. The project started during the COVID pandemic, and interaction during the first year was exclusively online. Although this circumstance partially limited interactions, the execution of the project was not significantly impacted. Exchange among partners was ensured through monthly meetings and additional exchanges by mail or web meetings, while during the second year also physical meetings were organised: the first meeting in Paris in June 2022, was followed by an additional interim meeting focused on specific webinars in Barcelona in November 2022. Four sessions of ToS were held in 2023 in Rome, Lisbon, Barcelona and Paris, and a final meeting in Parma at EFSA's premises in June 2023. The RASCS Partnering Grant has allowed to reach three main goals: i) Significantly improve the participant's knowledge within the subject of RA of contaminants in seafood, ii) Increase awareness on EFSA's goals and tools regarding RA, and iii) Strengthen links and network among multidisciplinary institutions and experts also for future consortia.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Estimativa de potenciais técnicos de energia renovável em Portugal: eólico, solar fotovoltaico, solar concentrado, biomassa e oceanos

Executive Summary: There is a clear need to accelerate the energy transition, including the implementation of renewable electricity production plants, as well as the increase in consumption of other renewable energy carriers in buildings, industry, transport and other sectors. This work provides key information to make this transition possible, that is, the technical renewable energy potentials for Portugal. The aim is thus to contribute to policy support, as well as to decision-making by various Portuguese stakeholders (public and private) in the domains of energy, energy transition and greenhouse gases emissions mitigation. The work presents the technical renewable energy potentials for Portugal to: (i) decentralized solar photovoltaic (PV) plants in artificialized (or built-up) areas; (ii) centralized solar PV plants in non-artificialized (or natural) areas; (iii) concentrated solar power; (iv) onshore wind; (v) offshore wind (floating and fixed); (vi) bioenergy, and (vii) solar thermal. The wave energy primary energy resource potential is also presented (not the technical potential). The technical potential values of renewable energy sources (RES) presented are dynamic values, given the substantial uncertainty associated with their estimation. The study identifies technical RES potentials i.e., the technically viable energy generation achievable from a specific technology, considering the primary energy resource available and the geographic, environmental and land use limitations. RES economic potentials represent the fraction of RES technical potential that is economically viable, but they are not presented in this work. Likewise, this report does not address market potential, that translate the capacity and energy generation that the market effectively manages to implement. The presented RES technical potentials include the total capacity currently installed in the country. The technical potentials are estimated mostly for mainland Portugal, in most cases with a spatial disaggregation of at least NUT2 and sometimes for NUT5 and/or type of building. Despite adopting an approach based on a territorial analysis in which some areas of the country are excluded, this potential does not correspond to the work done in mapping less-sensitive areas towards future definition of RES “Go-To Areas”. The decentralized solar PV potential in artificialized areas is divided into 6 area types: industrial areas; commercial buildings; residential and mixed-use buildings; villas; health, education, cultural, tourist and military buildings, and other land uses (including parking lots and patios, ports, waste and wastewater treatment infrastructure, sports facilities, among others). It is estimated a technical potential of 23.33 GW that could generate up to 36.84 TWh/year. This potential is distributed throughout the entire territory of mainland Portugal but is higher in the North and Center regions. The RES technical potential for centralized solar PV was estimated as a range of values that translate the uncertainty associated with using different levels of concern in excluding certain areas in which solar PV can be deployed (for example to safeguard ecosystems, water resources, agriculture or archaeological heritage). The centralized solar PV potential varies between 168.82 GW and 45.63 GW. The maximum threshold of installed capacity could generate 278.11 TWh/year of electricity. The value is high and reflects on the one hand, the excellence of the solar resource throughout the country, and on the other, the large size of the considered areas. The CSP potential is 62.6 GW with a corresponding electrical production potential of 183.61 TWh/year. It is mainly located in the Alentejo region, although other areas have also been identified in other regions of the country. The wind onshore technical potential is 15.7 GW, that could generate 37.13 TWh/year, taking into account the safeguarding of various areas for the protection of ecosystems and also social acceptability issues. In the case of offshore wind and considering a capacity density of 4 MW/km2 for floating offshore and 5.5 MW/km2 for fixed offshore, a total of 36 GW and 2 GW are obtained, respectively. This capacity could generate up to 126.14 TWh/year (floating offshore) or 6.31 TWh/year (fixed offshore). The solar thermal energy potential focused residential and service buildings (such as nursing homes, barracks, etc., tourism, hospitals, indoor swimming pools and other sports facilities). The potential is of 0.95 GWt and 0.95 TWh/year for service buildings, 7.26 GWt and 5.84 TWh/year for residential buildings. For industry there is a potential of 1.06 GWt, which could generate up to 1.15 TWh/year for applications up to 160 ºC. The total technical potential of solar thermal is 9.25 GWt and 7.93 TWh/year of thermal energy generated, with a substantial weight of residential buildings in the total value. Potential values are disaggregated by NUTS III and type of building. In terms of biomass and bioenergy potential, annual values of forest biomass, agricultural biomass, agro-industrial waste, urban waste and wastewater treatment are estimated, totaling around 58 TWh/year. Regarding the production of biofuels (HVO and FAME) it is estimated that the annual production of domestic used oils and other similar residues is 1.4 TWh/year. The use of oils from food crops such as soybean, sunflower and rapeseed is limited by European (and national) policy guidelines and is 2.1 TWh/year. Regarding wave energy, the resource potential is estimated between 1.4 GW for 80 m bathymetry and 4.8 for 20 m bathymetry. There are substantial uncertainties associated with the presented values, inherent to the methodological approach considered. Nevertheless, these estimates are a valuable starting point to be refined and improved in subsequent updates.N/