Impairment losses: causes and impacts

Purpose - To analyze recognition of impairment losses in tangible and intangible assets, and their relevance to investors in companies listed in the Lisbon and Madrid Stock Exchange (2007-2011).Methodology - Quantitative analysis of a panel data sample of 80 companies listed in the Lisbon and Madrid Stock Exchange (2007-2011) was carried out. Panel data linear and non-linear regression models were estimated.Findings - We found that the amount of impairment losses showed an upward trend, and that these losses are most significant among intangibles, especially goodwill (GW). We also found that the probability of recognition of impairment losses is positively influenced by the dimension of entities and negatively by market value (p < 0.10). Portuguese export-oriented companies have a higher probability of not recognizing impairments. However, Portuguese companies with higher market values have greater probability of recognizing impairment losses, contrary to the sample as a whole, in which the relationship is negative (p < 0.10). The results also suggest that there is a smoothing effect on results because of impairments, especially in IBEX35 companies. As to the relevance of impairment losses to market value, we confirm a significant negative relationship, in line with conclusions from previous studies.Originality/value - This study contributes to the introduction of the cultural factor in this analysis, highlighting the differentiated behaviors between Portuguese and Spanish companies

A CEFR- Based Comparison of ELT Curriculum and Course Books used in Turkish and Portuguese Primary Schools

This cross-cultural study aims to explore to what extent a macro-level language policy, the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) (CoE, 2001), is implemented at micro-level contexts, more specifically, primary English classrooms in Turkey and Portugal. This study investigated the 3rd and 4th grade course books and the Turkish and Portuguese English language curricula through content analysis and cross-cultural comparison. The course book analysis was carried out with reference to language skills as suggested in the CEFR, intercultural characteristics of the course books, and A1 level descriptors. Results highlight similarities and differences in both countries in terms of the implementation of the CEFR and representation of A1 level descriptors in course book activities in primary English classrooms. Implications refer to the importance of teacher education, preparation of age and inter-culturally appropriate materials for primary levels and necessities for sustainable and consistent language policy and planning

Cost analysis of direct and indirect materials used in classes III, IV and V composite resin dental restorations

Orientador: Eduardo HeblingDissertação (mestrado profissional) - Universidade Estadual de Campinas, Faculdade de Odontologia de PiracicabaResumo: As resinas compostas são materiais usualmente utilizados em restaurações dentárias diretas. O custo dos materiais faz parte do cálculo do valor dos honorários odontológicos. O objetivo desse trabalho foi determinar e analisar o valor total do custo dos materiais diretos e indiretos utilizados para a confecção de restaurações dentárias diretas de classes III, IV e V em resina composta. O cálculo dos custos foi baseado no método de sistema de custeio variável. A lista dos materiais foi obtida por meio de consulta a uma banca juízes e baseada nos padrões de excelência comprovados na literatura para atendimento em equipe. Os valores dos materiais foram obtidos de uma média dos valores consultados no mercado fornecedor e convertidos em dólar americano (US$1.00=R$2,12). As repetições foram obtidas de preparos cavitários Classes III, IV e V em dentes artificiais pré-fabricados. As cavidades foram classificadas em profundidades rasa, média e profunda. Os materiais foram quantificados para cada tipo de preparo. Sete marcas de resinas compostas avaliadas foram pesadas em balança de precisão após a sua inserção em cada tipo de preparo. Os dados foram avaliados por estatística descritiva e pelo Teste não-paramétrico de Friedman. O custo encontrado para restauração de Classe III foi de US$7.96 (R$16,88), para a de Classe IV de US$8.13 (R$17,24) e, para a de Classe V de US$7.84 (R$16,62). Houve diferença estatística no custo entre algumas marcas de resina, entre todos os tipos de preparos cavitários e entre todas as profundidades. Os valores encontrados podem ser utilizados no cálculo do valor final do procedimento restaurador, auxiliando na gestão de serviços odontológicos públicos ou privadosAbstract: Composite resins are materials commonly used in direct dental restorations. The cost of the materials is part of the calculation of the value of dental fees. The aim of this study was to determine and to assess the total value of direct and indirect materials used in Classes III, IV and V composite resin direct dental restorations. The calculation of costs was based on the method of variable costing system. A list of the materials was obtained by a panel of experts and based on the excellence standards established in the literature for dental team treatment. The values of the materials were obtained from an average of the values founded in the local supplier market (US$1.0=R$2.12). The repetitions were obtained from Classes III, IV and V cavities in artificial pre-manufactured teeth. The materials were quantified for each type of preparation. Seven trademarks of composite resins used were weighed on a precision balance after their insertion in each type of preparation. The data were assessed by descriptive statistics and non-parametric Friedman's test. Result: The cost found for restoration of Class III was US$7.96 (R$16,88), for Class IV was US$8.13 (R$17,24), and for Class V was US$7.84 (R$16,62). There was statistically significant difference in cost between some trademark resins, between all types of cavities preparation and between all depth classifications. These values might be used in the calculation of the final value of the restorative procedure, aiding in the management of public or private dental care servicesMestradoOdontologia em Saude ColetivaMestre em Odontologia em Saúde Coletiv

The policy mix in the US and EMU: evidence from a SVAR analysis

We use a SVAR approach to the effects of fiscal and monetary policies, as well as their interactions (policy mix) for the US and the Euro Area (EMU). Overall, our results show that these two cases are different from each other. First, while in the case of the US there is evidence of Keynesian monetary policy, the same is not true in the case of the EMU. Second, considering the effects of the global economic and financial crisis, there is evidence of non-Keynesian fiscal policy in the case of the EMU (expansionary fiscal consolidation), while it does not hold in the case of the US. Third, there is evidence supporting the traditional inverse relationship between monetary policy interest rates and inflation in the case of the US, whereas in the case of the EMU there is a price puzzle (frequent in SVAR studies). Fourth, the baseline model seems to be robust in the case of the US, when considering the effects of the economic and financial crisis 2007–2009, while the opposite holds in the case of the EMU. However, in both cases, the policies seem to act as complements. Another similarity appears when analysing the relationship between public spending and taxation, where there is evidence supporting a fiscal retrenchment.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Manutenção proactiva de sistemas AVAC com recurso aos sistemas inteligentes multiagente

Nos tempos actuais os equipamentos para Aquecimento Ventilação e Ar Condicionado (AVAC) ocupam um lugar de grande importância na concepção, desenvolvimento e manutenção de qualquer edifício por mais pequeno que este seja. Assim, surge a necessidade premente de racionalizar os consumos energéticos optimizando-os. A alta fiabilidade desejada nestes sistemas obriga-nos cada vez mais a descobrir formas de tornar a sua manutenção mais eficiente, pelo que é necessário prevenir de uma forma proactiva todas as falhas que possam prejudicar o bom desempenho destas instalações. Como tal, torna-se necessário detectar estas falhas/anomalias, sendo imprescíndivel que nos antecipemos a estes eventos prevendo o seu acontecimento num horizonte temporal pré-definido, permitindo actuar o mais cedo possível. É neste domínio que a presente dissertação tenta encontrar soluções para que a manutenção destes equipamentos aconteça de uma forma proactiva e o mais eficazmente possível. A ideia estruturante é a de tentar intervir ainda numa fase incipiente do problema, alterando o comportamento dos equipamentos monitorizados, de uma forma automática, com recursos a agentes inteligentes de diagnóstico de falhas. No caso em estudo tenta-se adaptar de forma automática o funcionamento de uma Unidade de Tratamento de Ar (UTA) aos desvios/anomalias detectadas, promovendo a paragem integral do sistema apenas como último recurso. A arquitectura aplicada baseia-se na utilização de técnicas de inteligência artificial, nomeadamente dos sistemas multiagente. O algoritmo utilizado e testado foi construído em Labview®, utilizando um kit de ferramentas de controlo inteligente para Labview®. O sistema proposto é validado através de um simulador com o qual se conseguem reproduzir as condições reais de funcionamento de uma UTA.In the current days the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation and Ar Conditioning) equipment have a great influence in the conception, development and maintenance of any building no matter how small it is. Thus, it is necessary some system optimization due to a high necessity to rationalize costs. The reliability needed in these systems turn necessary to find more ways to make the maintenance more efficient, and proactively detect the faults that could brake the good performance of these installations. Therefore, it is a real need to detect as soon as possible these faults, forecasting it’s occurrence in a predefined horizon, with knowledge and cause knowing. It is in this dominium, that this thesis tries to find solutions for the maintenance of these equipments, in a proactive way. The structuring idea is trying to act as soon as possible, changing the monitored equipment behaviour, trying to reduce non-expected deviations, by actuating directly on the system, using fault tolerant control intelligent agents. In the case study it is tried to accommodate the functioning of a Air Handling Unit (AHU) to the detected faults, promoting the integral shutdown only as last resource. The used architecture is based on artificial intelligence techniques, namely multiagent systems. The used and tested algorithm was built in Labview®, using the Intelligent Control ToolKit for Labview® (ICTL). The proposed system is validated in a simulator, where we can reproduce an AHU in real operating conditions

Fish larvae and zooplankton biomass around Faial Island (Azores archipelago). A preliminary study of species occurrence and relative abundance.

Plankton hauls were conducted off Faial island (Azores archipelago, NE Atlantic), to a depth of 100 m, between February and June 1998, covering the spawning period of a number of commercially important fish species. Seventy-three fish larvae taxa were identified, of which 51 were quantified, one of them a new record for the region, Glossanodon leioglossus (Valenciennes, 1848). The fish larvae community was dominated by mesopelagic and bathypelagic elements (namely Myctophidae and Gonostomatidae), a typical oceanic island environment composition. Total zooplankton showed a biomass peak in May that could correspond to the Spring “bloom”. However, the fish larvae showed an abundance minimum in May and a maximum in June, presenting a general negative relationship with zooplankton biomass and indicating a temporal asynchrony between their annual cycles of production. The comparison of fish larvae abundance with those of other NE Atlantic regions suggests that the zooplankton production in the Azores may be similar to the one found in the Iberian Peninsula continental shelf. Significant spatial density gradients (for fish larvae and zooplankton) were not found with either bathymetry or distance from shore

Human Sexual Cycles are Driven by Culture and Match Collective Moods

It is a long-standing question whether human sexual and reproductive cycles are affected predominantly by biology or culture. The literature is mixed with respect to whether biological or cultural factors best explain the reproduction cycle phenomenon, with biological explanations dominating the argument. The biological hypothesis proposes that human reproductive cycles are an adaptation to the seasonal cycles caused by hemisphere positioning, while the cultural hypothesis proposes that conception dates vary mostly due to cultural factors, such as vacation schedule or religious holidays. However, for many countries, common records used to investigate these hypotheses are incomplete or unavailable, biasing existing analysis towards primarily Christian countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Here we show that interest in sex peaks sharply online during major cultural and religious celebrations, regardless of hemisphere location. This online interest, when shifted by nine months, corresponds to documented human birth cycles, even after adjusting for numerous factors such as language, season, and amount of free time due to holidays. We further show that mood, measured independently on Twitter, contains distinct collective emotions associated with those cultural celebrations, and these collective moods correlate with sex search volume outside of these holidays as well. Our results provide converging evidence that the cyclic sexual and reproductive behavior of human populations is mostly driven by culture and that this interest in sex is associated with specific emotions, characteristic of, but not limited to, major cultural and religious celebrations.Comment: Main Paper: 21 pages, 4 figures Supplementary Material: 66 pages, 15 figures, 13 table

Identifying Risky Dropout Student Profiles using Machine Learning Models

Student dropout prediction is essential to measure the success of an educa- tion institute system. This paper focuses on identifying the dropout risk at the University of Évora based on student’s academic performance. Educa- tional data was collected from four different programs, from the academic years of 2006/2007 until 2018/2019. After gathering the raw data, some data pre-processing was done aiming to build a dataset capable of being used by Machine Learning algorithms. Decision trees, Naïve Bayes, Sup- port Vector Machines and Random Forests were evaluated, with the best model reaching an accuracy of around 96% when distinguishing between risky dropout and non-dropout students