Worldwide Sourcing: Latin American Snapshot for Food Retail

CEMSThe increasing significance of global Latin American food exports, allied with the Eurasian Customs Union current need for alternative food sourcing solutions, result in potential food retail trade flows that are yet to be exploited between these regions. This study follows a methodology called “SCIMS” model, which includes a macro environment analysis, an analysis of possible food categories, the identification the core food products, followed by a scoring model, which identified 16 promising trade opportunities between the selected countries in these regions, according to time barometer of short-, medium- and long-term opportunities

Elementos de Estatística e Probabilidades I

O principal objetivo da deste documento é fornecer conhecimentos básicos dos diferentes tópicos da disciplina de Elementos de Estatística e Probabilidades I do curso de Educação Básica

Mesenchymal stem cells therapy in Veterinary Medicine: useful for immune mediated disorders?

Mesenchymal Stem Cells (MSCs) are multipotent cells, with capacity for self-renewal and differentiation into tissues of mesodermal origin. These cells are possible therapeutic agents for autoimmune disorders, since they present remarkable immunomodulatory ability. The increase of immune-mediated diseases in veterinary medicine has led to a growing interest in the research of these disorders and their medical treatment. Conventional immunomodulatory drug therapy (such as glucocorticoids or cyclosporine) is associated with numerous side effects that limit its long-term use, leading to the need for developing new therapeutic strategies, which are more effective and safe. The aim of this study is to perform a critical review about the therapeutic potential of these cells in the treatment of some auto-immune disorders (canine atopic dermatitis, feline chronic gingivostomatitis, inflammatory bowel disease and feline asthma) compared with their conventional treatment. MSC-based therapy in autoimmune diseases has been showing that this approach can improve clinical signs or even cause remission in most animals, with the exception of canine atopic dermatitis in which no improvement was observed. Although MSCs present a promising future in the treatment of most of these disorders, the outcome variability in some clinical trials has led to the current controversy among authors regarding their efficacy. MSCs-based therapy is currently requiring a deeper and detailed analysis that allows its standardization and better adaptation to the intended therapeutic results, in order to overcome current limitations in future trials.As células estaminais mesenquimatosas (MSCs) são células multipotentes, com capacidade de auto-renovação e diferenciação em diferentes tecidos de origem mesodérmica. Estas células constituem possíveis agentes terapêuticos para doenças auto-imunes, uma vez que apresentam uma notável capacidade imunomoduladora. As doenças imunomediadas têm alcançado especial interesse em medicina veterinária, devido ao aumento da sua ocorrência na prática clínica. A maioria destas doenças é tratada de forma convencional com terapias imunomodeladoras (como glucocorticóides ou ciclosporina), estando associadas a uma série de efeitos adversos que limitam o seu uso a longo prazo, levando à necessidade de desenvolver novas estratégias terapêuticas mais eficazes e seguras. Este estudo pretende realizar uma revisão crítica acerca do potencial terapêutico destas células no tratamento de algumas doenças auto-imunes (dermatite atópica canina, gengivostomatite crónica felina, doença inflamatória intestinal e asma felina) em comparação com o tratamento convencional estabelecido para as mesmas. De acordo com ensaios clínicos realizados para estas doenças, a terapia baseada em MSCs permitiu a melhoria dos sinais clínicos ou mesmo a sua remissão total na maioria dos animais, com excepção da dermatite atópica canina na qual não se observaram melhorias. Apesar das MSCs apresentarem um futuro promissor no tratamento da maioria destas doenças, a variabilidade nos resultados em alguns ensaios clínicos levaram à actual controvérsia entre autores relativamente à sua eficácia. Atualmente a terapia baseada em MSCs carece de uma análise mais profunda e detalhada, tendo em vista a sua padronização e melhor adequação aos resultados terapêuticos pretendidos, de forma a superar as suas limitações em estudos futuros

The role of conspecific social information on male mating decisions

Tese de doutoramento, Biologia (Etologia), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2018Behavioural plasticity occurs when animals adjust their behaviour to current environmental conditions. Research suggests that this ability helps animals cope with changeable environments, especially in the social domain, where social information is highly variable and unpredictable. In this thesis I evaluated the contribution of the complexity of social information to: 1) male mating behaviours, 2) evolution of courtship display, and 3) evolution of dishonest communication. For male mating behaviours, I performed experiments with guppies (Poecilia reticulata). I predicted that males would invest more on mating attempts if they spend more time without mating (chapter 2), and when there was a higher probability of mating success or fertilization success (chapters 3 and 4). I found that time between encounters with females (not time between actual mating opportunities) was determinant to male investment. Moreover, males did not avoid encountering competitors but invested more when they were the first to arrive near females (not the last), and when competing against more attractive males (but only for orange colouration). These evidences support that males produce complex plastic responses in face of diverse social information. For the evolution of courtship display and dishonest communication, my hypothesis was that competitor (bystander) males use the courtship performance of other males as information about their competitive ability, and that displayer males adjust their behaviour accordingly. For this, I performed systematic reviews (chapter 5), where I found that male male courtship display is, indeed, frequently associated with intrasexual competition, suggesting that courtship display has evolved a dual utility: attract females and intimidate competitors. A corollary of this, which I developed in a conceptual study (chapter 6), is that males can display dishonestly to deter competitors. If so, the interference of bystanders in communication systems could have a non-negligent role in the evolution of dishonest signalling

A Systematic Review

Background: Various studies suggest that the prevalence of food allergy may be increasing worldwide. Results regarding the prevalence and features of adverse food reactions in the elderly have, however, scarcely been analysed in the literature. Thus, the objective of the present systematic review is to describe the prevalence of food allergy, as well as its risk factors, clinical features and most frequently involved foods. Methods: This systematic review protocol was registered at the PROSPERO online platform (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) number CRD42018102140. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis on the prevalence and risk factors for food allergy in elderly individuals. We searched international electronic databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, AMED and ISI Web of Science, as well as clinical trials databases for published, unpublished and on-going studies from 1980 to 2019. There were no restrictions on the language or geography of publication. The Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) quality assessment tool was used to appraise the methodological quality of the included studies. A descriptive summary with data tables was elaborated, and when clinically relevant and statistically adequate, a meta-analysis using random-effects modelling was carried out, given the expected clinical, methodological and statistical heterogeneity of the selected studies. The PRISMA checklist guided the reporting of the systematic review. Results: The prevalence of food allergy in the elderly was 11.2% for self-report, lower than that of SR + food-specific IgE levels (25.4%) and SPT (24.3%), and higher than that in children (when data were available) for all methods of outcome assessment, and that in adults only with self-report. No results were obtained regarding the time and geographical tendencies, predominant foods, risk and prognostic factors, and clinical manifestations of food allergy in the elderly. There was great heterogeneity both in the systematic review and the meta-analysis, which was highest for milk and derivatives (I2=97.142%), moderate for peanuts (I2=44.342%) and lowest for others (I2=0.000%). Conclusions: This systematic review allowed us to draw up-to-date estimates of the prevalence of adverse food reactions in elderly individuals, worldwide. The data reported in all selected studies did not allow an analysis regarding time and geographical trends, predominant foods, risk and prognostic factors, and clinical manifestations of food allergy in the elderly. Our review only involved studies that fully met the inclusion criteria and included analysis of study biases that might affect exposure and outcomes.Vários estudos sugerem que a prevalência de alergias alimentares tem tido vindo a aumentar a nível mundial. Os resultados acerca da prevalência e características de reações adversas a alimentos em idosos têm, no entanto, sido escassamente analisados na literatura. Posto isto, o objetivo da presente revisão sistemática foi o de descrever a prevalência de alergias alimentares em idosos, assim como os seus fatores de risco, manifestações clínicas e os alimentos mais frequentemente envolvidos. Métodos: O protocolo desta revisão sistemática foi registado com o registo PROSPERO (https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/prospero/) número CRD42018102140. Conduzimos uma revisão sistemática e meta-análise acerca da prevalência e fatores de risco para alergias alimentares em idosos. Foi feita pesquisa em bases de dados eletrónicas internacionais, incluindo MEDLINE, EMBASE, Biblioteca Cochrane, CINAHL, AMED, ISI Web of Science, e bases de dados de ensaios clínicos, por estudos publicados, não publicados e em desenvolvimento, desde 1980 até 2019. Não foram impostas restrições a linguísticas ou geográficas. Usamos a ferramenta de avaliação de qualidade Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) para aferir a qualidade dos estudos incluídos. Um sumário descritivo com tabelas de dados foi elaborado e, quando considerado clinicamente relevante e estatisticamente adequado, realizada uma meta-análise, utilizando modelos com efeitos aleatórios, consoante a heterogeneidade estatística, metodológica e clínica expectável dos estudos selecionados. A checklist PRISMA guiou o registo da revisão sistemática. Resultados: A prevalência de alergia alimentar em idosos foi 11.2% para o auto-reporte, inferior à obtida através de níveis de IgE específicas (25.4%) e SPT (24.3%), e superior à prevalência em crianças (quando apresentada) para todos os métodos de diagnóstico de alergia alimentar, e também superior à apresentada por adultos, no auto-reporte. Não foram obtidos resultados relativamente a tendências temporais e geográficas, alimentos predominantes, fatores de risco e prognóstico e manifestações clínicas nas alergias alimentares em idosos. Foi encontrada uma elevada heterogeneidade entre estudos, quer na revisão sistemática, quer na meta-análise, sendo está máxima para o leite e derivados (I2=97.142%), moderada para o amendoim (I2=44.342%) e mínima para outros alimentos (I2=0.000%). Conclusões: Esta revisão sistemática permitiu fazer estimativas atualizadas da prevalência de reações adversas a alimentos em idosos, a nível mundial. Os dados encontrados não permitiram a análise de tendências temporais e geográficas, alimentos predominantes, fatores de risco e prognóstico e manifestações clínicas de alergia alimentar em idosos. A nossa revisão envolveu apenas estudos que cumpram completamente os critérios de inclusão e incluiu a análise de vieses de estudos que possam afetar a exposição e resultado

Dynamics of the birational maps arising from F0F_0 and dP3dP_3 quivers

The dynamics of the maps associated to $F_0$ and $dP_3$ quivers is studied in detail. We show that the corresponding reduced symplectic maps are conjugate to globally periodic maps by providing explicit conjugations. The dynamics in \Rb^N_+ of the original maps is obtained by lifting the dynamics of these globally periodic maps and the solution of the discrete dynamical systems generated by each map is given. A better understanding of the dynamics is achieved by considering first integrals. The relationship between the complete integrability of the globally periodic maps and the dynamics of the original maps is explored

I target with my little eye : drones and targeted killing under the scope of Ius in Bello

“I Target with My Little Eye; Drones and Targeted Killing under the Scope of Ius in Bello” Esta dissertação terá dois pontos que nos iremos focar: um, determinar a legalidade do uso de drones e das operações de “targeted killing” num contexto de conflitos armados; dois, pretendemos confrontar os requisitos teóricos com a atuação dos Estados, nomeadamente o programa de drones dos EUA, uma vez que é aquele que surge como o mais problemático. Nesta última parte, iremos abordar a prática de “Signature Strikes”, como uma das maiores críticas apontadas ao programa de drones americano, especialmente aquele levado a cabo pela CIA. No final pretendemos estabelecer duas ideias: a primeira, que DIH é capaz de regular a utilização de drones e as operações de “targeted killing”, sem ser necessário a criação de novos tratados ou convenções; e segundo, no que concerne esta questão, o problema não está nas regras existentes, mas no facto de a sua aplicação depender da vontade dos Estados. E parece-nos que os EUA não terão essa vontade.“I Target with My Little Eye; Drones and Targeted Killing under the Scope of Ius in Bello” This master dissertation has two major focuses: one, to determine the legality of drones and targeted killing operations in armed conflicts, subjected to International Humanitarian Law; second, we intend to confront the theoretical conditions that we established to State practice, namely the US drone program, since it has been the most problematic. For this last section, we will discuss the practice of Signature Strikes as a great critic to the US is how they’re conducting their drone program, specially the one carried out by the CIA. In the end we purpose to establish two things: the first is that IHL covers the use of drones and targeted killing operations, not requiring the creation of new treaties or conventions; and second, the need, when it comes to this subject, it’s not about the existing rules, but it is dependent on the Sates will to comply with them. And it seems that the US does not have that will

Challenges of born global firms : NDrive case study

When reviewing international strategy relevant theory, I found very interesting the born global firm’s theory. I chose NDrive and I realize that the company fitted well in this context. Although this theory was introduced in the 90s, it continues to have relevance today with more and more companies in the same situation. This case study and the theory embedded will allow students to develop knowledge in strategic management with focus in internationalization strategies and apply important strategic frameworks. In that sense, the purpose is getting students to discuss international strategies relating this case study with the theory of born global Firms. When asked about implementing a good business idea, João Neto, NDrive Chairman, is peremptory “The only advice I can give is internationalization". With just over five years of existence, NDrive is an interesting success story in one of the most sophisticated markets in the world, the navigation software market. Being in a very competitive market, NDrive is gaining important scope and relevance. The company describes innovative commercialization models based on three core areas: agreements with major international equipment manufacturers as LG, partnerships with mobile Telco´s as Vivo or by managing direct presence in apps stores. Taking advantage of partnerships and apps stores phenomena, the company is gaining an important global presence

Co-criação com adultos 55+ para o desenvolvimento de conteúdo audiovisual educativo TIC

A product's acceptance depends on the experience that it provides to its users. The product must meet the contextualized specific needs of the users, and one way to understand and consider those needs is through a human-centred design process. Human-centric design collects users' opinions as a design priority, the element in the "centre" of the iterative design process. To keep our focus on the user, the human-centred design process of this work has four steps: understand, specify, design, and evaluate. This dissertation explores how end-users' involvement in the product development life cycle can contribute to the design process. This document comprises two parts: research and development. The research establishes a State of the Art, and the development reports an empirical study with a co-creation methodology based on design thinking for developing ICT audiovisual learning content adapted to the adults 55+. This study is incorporated in the ICTskills4All project that aims to support the acquisition of digital skills among 55+ aged citizens. Participants were recruited with the help of APRe! an ICTskills4All associated partner. The participants had a reliable internet connection at home which enabled them to participate freely and safely, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The respondents were between the age range of 55 - 81 years old (median=72). This sample integrates 25 participants, 16 (64%) female and 9 (36%) male, 88% (22/25) are already retired. The inclusion criteria for participants were as follows: 55 years or older, minimum technology skills to participate online, and open to sharing their personal opinions and interactions related to technology. This study aims to contribute with audiovisual artefacts for the online platform ICTskills4All, co-designed and validated with end-users, improve digital literacy skills, and to the human-centred design field with a qualitative study based on design thinking approach. The results indicate that involving end-users in the design process can lead to different visual results but similar rating values. Combining the expert quality of a professional designer with the participants' expertise can enrich the experience of both parts, even with a small sample.A aprovação de um produto depende da experiência que este proporciona aos seus utilizadores - o produto deve satisfazer as necessidades específicas no contexto do utilizador. Uma forma de compreender e considerar essas necessidades é através de um processo de human-centred design. O human-centred design considera as opiniões dos utilizadores como uma prioridade do design, o elemento no "centro" do processo de design iterativo. Para manter o foco no utilizador, o processo de human-centred design deste trabalho desdobra-se em quatro etapas: compreender, especificar, desenhar e avaliar. Explorar de que forma o envolvimento dos end-users no ciclo de vida do desenvolvimento do produto pode contribuir para o processo de design é objeto de estudo desta dissertação, cuja estrutura se divide em duas partes: investigação e desenvolvimento. A investigação estabelece um estado da arte; odesenvolvimento consiste num estudo empírico, com uma metodologia de co-criação baseada em design thinking, para o desenvolvimento de conteúdosde aprendizagem audiovisual TIC adaptados aos adultos 55+. Este estudo está incorporado no ICTskills4All, um projeto de apoio ao desenvolvimento de competências digitais entre cidadãos com mais de 55 anos de idade. Os participantes foram recrutados com a ajuda da APRe!, um parceiro associado. Os participantes dispunham de uma ligação segura à Internet, em casa, que lhes permitiu participar livremente e em segurança, especialmente durante a pandemia COVID-19. Esta amostra integra 25 participantes, 16 (64%) do sexo feminino e 9 (36%) do sexo masculino, com idades compreendidas entre os 55 e os 81 anos de idade (mediana=72), 88% (22/25) dos quais já reformados. Os critérios de inclusão dos participantes foram os seguintes: 55 anos ou mais, competências tecnológicas mínimas para participar online, e com disponibilidade para a partilha das suas opiniões e interações relacionadas com a tecnologia. A partir da co-criação e validação de conteúdos audiovisuais para a plataforma ICTskills4All, parceria com os end-users, este trabalho pretende melhorar as competências de literacia digital e contribuir para o human-centred design, com um estudo qualitativo baseado na abordagem do design thinking. Os resultados indicam que o envolvimento dos utilizadores finais no processo de design pode conduzir a produtos visualmente diferentes mas com avaliações semelhantes. A combinação da formação especializada de um designer profissional com a experiência pessoal dos participantes pode enriquecer a experiência de ambas as partes, mesmo com uma pequena amostra.Mestrado em Comunicação Multimédi