New insights into 17th and 18th century glass from Portugal: study and preservation

Early Modern glass from the Iberian Peninsula has - so far - seldom been investigated. The project, combining chemical analysis with a stylistic approach, and focusing on composition and technology, aims to characterise glass objects circulating in the national territory, in an attempt to identify their origins and to eventually bring to light a Portuguese centre of glass production. The chemical composition of more than 200 glass fragments was determined by means of μ-PIXE down to a level of tens of μg/g. The results obtained allowed one to select some objects to further extend the analysis to the trace and rare earth elements (REE) down to the ng/g level, through the use of LA-ICP-MS. Glass colours and natural hues were studied by means of UV-Vis reflectance spectroscopy and, when necessary, enamels were studied by means of μ-EDXRF and μ- Raman microscopy. From all the objects analysed, it was possible to conclude that the great majority of the glass dating upto the 17th century, is of a soda-lime-silica type, which indicates a Mediterranean tradition. Venetian or façon-de-Venise shapes were identified, and for some of them a Venetian provenance was confirmed. For other façon-de-Venise shapes, the composition presented differences that led to the conclusion that new façon-de-Venise production centres could be recognised. From the only assemblage containing glass fragments dated to the medieval period, it was possible to attest the presence of Venetian glass in the Portuguese territory from at least the 14th century. Additional objects showed particular compositional features, such as high and very high alumina contents for instance, that, as far as it is known, do not match up with any of the known glass production centres in Europe. Allying the stylistic characteristics with the glass chemical composition, allowed one to identify some objects possibly belonging to a Portuguese production. Several glass fragments belonging to wine bottles were retrieved from archaeological excavations in Lisbon and were chemically characterised. The chemical analysis revealed an HLLA composition for all of them. For some of these fragments it was possible to propose an English provenance. Besides the chemical characterisation, a systematic analysis of the bottle shape was proposed since the shape can be an important factor in determining its chronology. A small percentage of the fragments were identified chemically as having mixed-alkali compositions, potassium-rich glass, and lead glass compositions. The latter two chemical formulations were found among the assemblages from Lisbon and the objects with these compositions were dated to the 18th century. These constitute evidence that Portugal followed European tendencies in their glass and its compositions. This is the first systematic chemical characterisation of Early Modern glass circulating in Portugal, providing new insights into trade between Portugal and its trade allies. As a part of the study, and to prolong the survival of these glass assemblages, simple and low cost optical sensors were developed for the in situ detection of the organic pollutant formic acid, which is emitted by materials usually used in storage and in the display of glass. The detection of the presence of this acid can play an important role in the preservation of this valuable heritage; glass

A strategic plan for “ADHD Project”

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 is a strategic plan for a program of corporate social entrepreneurship that is currently being developed in José de Mello Saúde with the support of Fundação Manuel Violante and Instituto de Empreendedorismo Social. The goal of the program is to improve the quality of life of children with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder, which is the most common neurobehavioral disorder in childhood. The strategic plan is intended to analyze the decisions taken up until the presentation of the program to the board of José de Mello Saúde and indicate the path to future planning and decision-making

A knowledge-based decision support system for sustainable city livability evaluation

The real estate industry is an important indicator of national economies and is influenced by the environment in which it operates. Several countries were seriously affected by the most recent international financial crisis, including Portugal. Nevertheless, it is still an interesting area to invest in, in spite of the challenges cities may face nowadays that influence their sustainable livability. For this reason, it seems logical to develop and apply methodologies aimed at evaluating sustainable city livability. It is worth noting, however, that there are methodological limitations typically associated with the majority of the current applications (e.g. how to select and weight criteria in the evaluation), which have been hampering the progress. Hence, this dissertation aims to develop a knowledge-based decision support system to evaluate sustainable city livability, in a transparent and informed way. To achieve this goal, it combines cognitive mapping techniques and the Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). The advantages and limitations of this integrative evaluation model are also analyzed and discussed.O mercado imobiliário é um indicador importante das economias mundiais e é influenciado pelo ambiente em que opera. Muitos foram os países seriamente afetados pela mais recente crise financeira internacional, incluindo Portugal. Não obstante, este continua a ser uma área de investimento interessante, ainda que, hoje em dia, as cidades possam enfrentar desafios que influenciam a sua habitabilidade sustentável. Por essa razão, parece lógico o desenvolvimento e a aplicação de metodologias que permitam avaliar a sustentabilidade habitacional de uma área urbana. No entanto, limitações metodológicas comuns à maioria das aplicações (e.g. processo de seleção e ponderação dos critérios de avaliação) têm dificultado os progressos alcançados. Assim, a presente dissertação pretende desenvolver um “termómetro” de habitabilidade sustentável que, de forma informada e transparente, permita apoiar a tomada de decisão no mercado imobiliário urbano, através da combinação do uso integrado de técnicas de mapeamento cognitivo e da metodologia Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP). As vantagens e as limitações do uso deste sistema integrativo de avaliação serão também analisadas e discutidas

Bandida do pomar: breaking the status quo through communication strategy

Recently, we have been witnessing a global attractiveness enhancement for cider. People have discovered its enjoyable natural and uplifting taste, creating tailwinds in this market. Cider itself, is a refreshing alcoholic drink made essentially from fermented apple juice, designed specifically to be an alternative for those who don’t find satisfaction in drinking beer and prefer a sweetener option for their drinking enjoyments. Despite being a tasty and natural drink, cider brands have a privation when it comes to establishing long-term relationships of loyalty along with consumers, which is a fact that contributes to a path towards becoming forgotten in the future. With this relationship absence, brands end up losing their strength in their market’s sector, losing their relevance among possible clients. The present case-study aims to analyze the impact that communications has when it comes to reaching the success of brands in general and, in a more specific investigation, analyzing the example of the cider brand Bandida do Pomar. Despite being a new born brand inside the Portuguese market, Bandida aspires to break the traditional communication rules regarding this type of products. In order to understand the situation point of the theme, it will be initially explored the overall market position of ciders, leading to the specific Portuguese market and, in a more concrete form, it will be analyzed the brand itself, which is already present in several countries with several names, being part of the Global Heineken Group. Furthermore, it will be presented the strategy adapted by the brand in Portugal, referring to its communication and impact regarding the position that the brand wants to establish in the market. In order to successfully understand that, it will be added a more detailed approach to the 4 P’s of the brand, giving a special focus on Promotion, and it will also be explored the Brands’ Awareness and Equity. This case-study will be mainly focusing on the performance and potential growth of the brand within the Portuguese market.Recentemente, temos vindo a assistir a uma atração a nível global pela categoria sidra. As pessoas têm descoberto o seu sabor natural e revigorante, mexendo com este mercado. A Sidra é uma bebida refrescante, com álcool, produzida essencialmente com sumo de maça fermentado, desenhada especificamente como alternativa para aqueles que não encontram qualquer satisfação no consumo da cerveja, preferindo um sabor mais doce para a sua bebida de eleição. Apesar de ser uma bebida natural e saborosa, as marcas de sidra têm um handicap no que respeita ao relacionamento de longo prazo com os consumidores, facto que contribui para um percurso que se quer esquecer no futuro. Com esta dificuldade de relacionamento, as marcas acabam por perder força no seu sector de mercado, perdendo também relevo entre os possíveis clientes. O presente Case-Study visa analisar o impacto que as comunicações têm quando se trata de alcançar sucesso das marcas em geral e, de uma forma mais específica, analisar a marca de sidra “Bandida do Pomar”. Apesar de ser uma marca criada recentemente no mercado português, Bandida aspira a quebrar as regras tradicionais de comunicações em relação a este tipo de produtos. Esta marca está a lançar-se no mercado de uma forma mais disruptiva, superando a ideia de apenas vender uma bebida e se tornar numa moda a ser seguida. Em ordem a compreender o ponto de situação, inicialmente, será analisada a posição geral no mercado das sidras, no que diz respeito ao mercado específico de Portugal e, de uma forma mais concreta, será analisada a própria marca, que já se encontra presente em diversos países, com os seus respetivos nomes, fazendo parte do Grupo Global Heineken. Além disso, será apresentada a estratégia adaptada pela marca em Portugal, referindo-se à sua comunicação e impacto em relação à posição que a marca quer estabelecer no mercado. Este Case-Study centrar-se-á principalmente no desempenho e potencial de crescimento da marca no mercado português

Identity dynamics in non-profit organizations: Ideological and methodological identity orientations

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 EconomicsOrganizational identity, a social and relational process that is continuously happening, plays a key role in organizations’ performance and communication. Achieving a clear and shared organizational identity enables employees’ alignment and the projection of consistent images to external stakeholders. Non-profit organizations are an interesting group to study organizational identity dynamics. These organizations pay little or no money to their workers achieving often high levels of performance. Organizational identity processes can be a possible explanation for this. The present study analyzes four non-profit organizations that operate in the social field. Findings suggest that, besides several common traits, there are two kinds of identity orientations among non-profit organizations: ideological identity orientation and methodological identity orientation. These two orientations constrain the organizational identity and are reflected in the relationships established between organizational members and the stakeholders. In both cases, organizations might develop identity dysfunctions, i.e. organizational narcissism and hyper-adaptation

Resinas epoxídicas - estudos de envelhecimento acelerado e sua aplicação em conservação e restauro de vidro

Dissertação apresentada na Faculdade de Ciências e Tecnologia da Universidade Nova de Lisboa para obtenção do grau de Mestre em Conservação e RestauroEste estudo tem como objectivo seleccionar um material adequado para efectuar o preenchimento de duas lacunas numa peça de vidro pertencente ao Museu do Vidro da Marinha Grande (MVMG). Após uma primeira avaliação das características dos materiais disponíveis no mercado, seleccionaram-se para este estudo três resinas epoxídicas muito utilizadas em conservação e restauro de vidro quer como adesivos quer como materiais de preenchimento, apesar da sua conhecida tendência para amarelecer sob o efeito da luz. Foram seleccionadas as resinas de cura à temperatura ambiente Araldite 2020 (XW 396 / XW 397), Hxtal NYL-1 e Epo-tek 301, as quais foram submetidas a um estudo de fotodegradação. Amostras das três resinas foram expostas numa câmara solar equipada com uma lâmpada de xénon, que simula o espectro solar. A avaliação óptica e mecânica da degradação foi efectuada com recurso às seguintes técnicas analíticas: colorimetria(parâmetros CIELab), calorimetria diferencial de varrimento (DSC), espectroscopia de absorção UV-Vis e testes mecânicos de tracção. Os resultados obtidos sugerem que a resina Hxtal NYL-1 é a menos susceptível à degradação induzida pela luz e a resina Epo-tek 301 é a mais sensível à fotodegradação

Púrpura Fulminante numa Jovem de 20 Anos

A previously healthy 20-year-old female presented with extensive retiform purpura located at the face, upper and lower limbs, one week after an episode of acute tonsillitis. Despite the exuberance of the cutaneous findings and progression to skin necrosis she had no accompanying symptoms. Laboratory investigation revealed a heterozygous protein C mutation (exon 9, c.1332G> C, p.Trp444Cys), accounting for a partial deficiency of this anticoagulant protein. The patient was started on broad spectrum antibiotics, anticoagulation and systemic corticosteroids, with no lesional progression and complete resolution of cutaneous ulceration within 6 months. This is a singular case of purpura fulminans, since two different causative factors precipitated the events. The previous tonsillitis reported by the patient is significant, because the serum concentration of protein S may also decrease after an infectious event - post-infectious purpura fulminans. This case illustrates that purpura fulminans due to autoantibodies against protein S, although rare, should be considered, especially in the absence of a severe acute infection. It also illustrates how in a given patient different independent factors can act simultaneously, triggering potentially devastating clinical scenarios.Apresentamos o caso de uma jovem do sexo feminino, de 20 anos de idade, previamente saudável, que se apresentou com lesões muito extensas de púrpura retiforme localizadas na face, membros superiores e inferiores, uma semana após um episódio de amigdalite aguda. Apesar das lesões cutâneas exuberantes que evoluiram para necrose cutânea, a doente não apresentava qualquer sintomatologia associada. A investigação laboratorial revelou uma mutação em heterozigotia da proteína C (exon 9, c.1332G> C, p.Trp444Cys), condicionando um deficit parcial desta proteína anticoagulante. Iniciou antibioticoterapia de largo espectro, anticoagulação e corticoterapia sistémica, sem progressão das lesões no imediato, e resolução completa das ulcerações em 6 meses. Este é um caso singular de púrpura fulminante, visto que que dois fatores etiológicos diferentes precipitaram os eventos. A amigdalite prévia rela- tada pela doente é significativa, pois a concentração sérica da proteína S também pode diminuir após um evento infeccioso - purpura fulminans pós-infecciosa. Este caso ilustra que a púrpura fulminante decorrente de auto-anticorpos contra a proteína S, embora rara, deve ser considerada, principalmente na ausência de infecção aguda grave. Também evidencia como, em um determinado doente, diferentes fatores independentes podem atuar simultaneamente, desencadeando cenários clínicos potencialmente devastadores

Less is More: an overview on the use of RNAi as a tool to achieve Substrate Reduction in Mucopolysaccharidoses

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are a group of genetic disorders caused by dysfunction in enzymes responsible for the intralysosomal degradation of particular compounds. Given their complex nature and the limitations of available therapies, the shift towards the development of combination treatments to counteract more effectively the pathological burden of these disorders is in the agenda of current research viewing to improve the clinical outcome of LSD patients. We consider that treatment strategies relying on RNA interference (RNAi), as well as in other RNA-based methodologies, may be feasible and particularly promising if designed in the context of a synergistic combinatorial therapeutic approach. We are currently evaluating an RNAi-dependent strategy based upon the selective downregulation of genes involved in the biosynthesis of glycosaminoglycans (GAGs), the major substrates that accumulate in patients suffering from a subset of LSDs called mucopolysaccharidoses (MPSs). Although enzyme replacement therapy is already available for some MPSs, it has some serious drawbacks, justifying the challenge of developing additional therapies targeting this group of disorders. Our goal is to promote an effective reduction of the accumulating substrate, ultimately decreasing or delaying MPSs’ symptoms. It should be noticed that, even though some substrate reduction therapy (SRT) drugs have already been approved (miglustat for GD) or are undergoing clinical trial (genistein and/or rhodamine B for MPSs), clinical evaluation of those same drugs has unveiled a few side effects, the most well-known being those observed for miglustat, which included osmotic diarrhea and weight loss. Nevertheless, chemical drugs aren’t the only way to achieve substrate reduction. Ours is fully molecular, drug-free approach, whose major focus relies on the biosynthetic pathways giving origin to each one of the GAGs whose degradation is impaired in MPS. Taking advantage of the RNAi technology potential, we have designed and assayed specific siRNAs targeting genes on those biosynthetic cascades to decrease the levels of production of each one of the four substrates. Their efficiency is currently being evaluated in vitro. Here we present an overview of the preliminary results of this project and unveil its next steps towards a full characterization/evaluation of its potential therapeutic effect.This work was partially supported by Fundação Millennium bcp (bcp/LIM/DGH/2014). Coutinho MF is grantee from the FCT (SFRH/BPD/101965/2014).N/

Síndrome de Mayer-Rokitansk-Kuster-Hauser-descrição de um caso clínico.

Mestrado Integrado em MedicinaMaster Degree in Medicin

Coutinho et al. Less Is More: Substrate Reduction Therapy for Lysosomal Storage Disorders. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2016, 17, 1065

Erratum for Less Is More: Substrate Reduction Therapy for Lysosomal Storage Disorders. [Int J Mol Sci. 2016]n/a.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio