Compounds in Portuguese

In this article, Portuguese compounds are analysed according to different criteria, such as: (i) the morphological, categorial and semantic properties of their basic units, (ii) the grammatical relations linking their constituents, (iii) their syntactic atomicity and lexical opacity and (iv) the patterns of inflection. The problem of the boundaries of compoundhood, namely those existing between compounds and phrasal nouns, is also addressed, as well as the accuracy of the tests adopted to distinguish compounds (especially phrasal or prepositional compounds) from phrases. We assume that in conjunction with the criteria mentioned above, the referential identity of the entity, object, event or property denoted by the compound is a crucial dimension for the conceptual integrity of each compound lexeme. Keywords: compounding, word-formation, morphology, portuguese

Toward the isolation of exosomes by flow cytometry

In the last two decades the Extracellular Vesicles (EVs) field has attracted a lot of attention from the scientific community, especially after the discovery that EVs can shuttle functional proteins and nucleic acids between cells. Some recent studies have shown an association between tumorigenesis and increased exosomes production. Exosomes and their influence has also been reported in the establishment of new metastatic niches. Besides that, the EV field remains confusing due to numerous and ambiguous definitions, specially caused by the huge heterogeneity of the vesicles, both in composition and function. Extracellular vesicles are divided into microvesicles which are originated from the plasma membrane and exosomes which have an endosomal origin. For now, it is technically challenging to obtain a pure exosome fraction, free from non-vesicular components, due to the fact the extracellular milieu is quite complex and can contain microvesicles or apoptotic bodies similar in size and structure to exosomes. The two most used methods, ultracentrifugation and commercial kits, don’t show a good efficiency when distinguishing the exosomes fraction specifically from the microvesicles fraction. Due to this sub-optimal efficiency demonstrated by these two methods, we have decided to use Flow Cytometry to see if we can achieve better exosome purification. We will use Fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS) to purify endogenous exosomes. This would be quite challenging especially due to the exosomes size and heterogeneity but on the other hand, if we have success with our approach, it would be possible to do downstream analysis in order to know their protein composition, functions and elaborate some more studies to try to find some “exosome-specific” marker. This would have a huge impact in the pharmaceutical industry, both for diagnosis and therapy.Durante as últimas duas décadas, a investigação desenvolvida sobre Vesículas extracelulares (VE), atraíu o bastante interesse por parte da comunidade científica, especialmente após ter sido descoberto que as VE podem transportar proteínas funcinais e ácidos nucleicos entre diferentes células. Estudos mais recentes mostraram uma relação entre tumorogenese e um aumento na produção de exosomas. Estes foram também associados ao estabelecimento de novas metástases. Apesar de todas estas descobertas, o domínio das VE continua significativamente confuso, nomeadamente devido às numerosas e ambíguas definições utilizadas, especialmente devido ao facto da imensa heterogeneidade entre as diversas VE, tanto a nível de composição como de função. Vesículas extracellulares estão divididas em microvesículas, que são originárias da membrana plasmática, e exosomas que têm uma oigem endossomal. No presente, é tecnicamente bastante complicado de obter uma fracção de pura exosomas que não apresente componentes não vesiculares, principalmente pelo facto do meio extracellular ser bastante complexo e poder conter microvesícula e corpos apoptóticos semelhantes em termos de tamanho e estrutura. Os dois métodos mais usados, a ultracentrifugação e kits comerciais, não apresentam uma boa eficiência na distinção de exosomas, especialmente das microvesículas. Devido a esta eficiência sub-óptima demonstrada por estes dois métodos, decídimos usar a separação celular por citometria de fluxo (FACS) para proceder ao isolamento de exosomas endógenos. Este objectivo será bastante desafiador especialmente pelo tamanho e heterogeneidade dos exosomas mas, por outro lado, se formos suficientemente bem sucedidos na nossa abordagem, será possível realizar análises posteriores, de modo a conhecer a sua composição proteica, funções e partir para novos estudos de modo a tentar identificar um marcador molecular específico para exosomas. Isto teria um impacto significativo na indústria farmacêutica, tanto a nível de diagnóstico como terapêutico

An homogenization result in W^1,pXL^q

An integral representation result is provided for the Gamma-limit of integral functionals arising in homogenization problems for the study of coherent thermochemical equilibria in multiphase solids

Relaxation for some integral functionals in W1;p w × Lq w

An integral representation result is obtained for the relaxation of a class of energy functionals depending on two vector fields with different behaviors

Collaborative learning experiences within the nutrition policy discipline in the nutritional sciences undergraduate students of Porto University

This paper describe and analyse the impact of an educational approach based on collaborative learning regarding a critical analyse of the new Portuguese Food and Nutrition Action Plan (PFNAP), into the students enrolled at Nutrition Policy (NP) course unit of Nutritional Sciences Undergraduate of University of Porto (UP). In our opinion this new educational approach ensure that students developed the necessary competencies to effectively meet the challenges of the public health nutrition practic

MONITORIZAÇÃO E ANÁLISE SEGURA DE CONSUMOS ENERGÉTICOS

Hoje em dia é possível utilizar dispositivos intitulados de smart meters para registar e monitorizar os consumos energéticos de uma rede elétrica. O uso deste tipo de dispositivo permite aos seus utilizadores comprovar a veracidade das suas faturas energéticas, compreender melhor a natureza dos seus consumos energéticos e desta forma proceder a alterações para reduzir o consumo eletrico. No entanto, a utilidade proporcionada pelo uso de smart meters deve ser sempre acompanhada pelo cuidado no processamento e transmissão dos dados recolhidos por estes. Com efeito, as leituras energéticas de um utilizador podem, por exemplo, ser utilizadas para derivar destas os hábitos quotidianos deste, devendo tanto quanto possível zelar-se pela confidencialidade e integridade deste tipo de dados. Neste trabalho foi feita uma análise de segurança ao smart meter Mirubee, bem como às duas plataforma web associadas a este, a Smilics e a Circutor. Foi feita também uma análise dos dados armazenados nestas plataformas para fundamentar o cuidado que se deve ter ao tratar este tipo de dados. Com base nesta análise de segurança foi então projetada e implementada uma solução alternativa que não só colmatou os problemas de segurança detetados inicialmente mas que foi também desenvolvida com o objetivo de ser facilmente instanciada pelo utilizador. Para comprovar a eficácia dos mecanismos de segurança empregues nesta solução, foram ainda realizados testes de penetração à plataforma criada e foram tratadas as vulnerabilidades identificadas por estes testes

A inovação, as marcas próprias e o private label no setor do calçado em Portugal

O sector do calçado português apresenta excelentes indicadores económicos e um desempenho competitivo assinalável. Os últimos quatro anos foram particularmente fortes, tendo Portugal atingido o 11º lugar entre os 15 maiores exportadores mundiais, com o segundo preço mais elevado por par de sapato vendido, superado apenas pela Itália. O artigo analisa o tipo de inovação realizada pelas empresas consideradas inovadoras dentro do sector do calçado em Portugal, de acordo com o manual de Oslo, e analisa a evolução que as empresas fizeram ao passarem de um regime dominado pelo private label para o desenvolvimento de produtos, de coleções e de marcas próprias. A pesquisa foi de natureza qualitativa, envolvendo sete empresas com inovação, sendo realizado estudos de caso através de entrevistas semi-estruturadas, análise de documentos e visitas às empresas e aos seus processos produtivos e de criação. Os resultados obtidos na investigação evidenciam uma relação entre os indicadores económicos e de desempenho e a existência de determinadas categorias de inovação. Evidencia ainda a relação existente entre o regime de produção e os indicadores económicos das empresas.The Portuguese footwear industry shows excellent economic indicators and a remarkable competitive performance. The last four years were fantastic and Portugal reached the 11th position among the top 15 world exporters, with the second highest price per pair of shoe produced (just behind Italy). This paper analyses the type of innovation followed by the innovative Portuguese footwear companies, according Oslo Manual, and analyses the processes adopted by the companies when they upgrade the production regime from private label to own products, own collections and own brands. The research was qualitative and the methodology was case studies. Seven innovative companies built the sample, and the researcher made interviews, read internal documents and visited the production lines and design departments. Research results show relationships between economic and competitive performance, type of innovation (according Oslo Manual) and the production regime: private label versus own brand and own products

War exposure and post-traumatic stress as predictors of portuguese colonial war veterans’ physical health

The relationship between war exposure and PTSD has been largely investigated but the impact of the combat experience on physical health has only recently merited attention. The authors investigated the relationship between war exposure, psychological and physical health among 350 Portuguese colonial war veterans. The role of current PTSD symptoms as a mediator of these relationships was also investigated. The results showed that 39% of the veterans met criteria for current PTSD diagnosis and psychological distress was present in half of the sample. Pain, fatigue and sleep problems were the most reported physical symptoms and mental health and gastro-intestinal problems, the most reported illnesses. Combat exposure variables were significant predictors of current health. The results indicated that veterans with higher exposure to war trauma maintained higher current levels of psychological distress and presented more physical health problems and physical symptoms than those less exposed. Mediation analyses showed that current PTSD was a full mediator of the relationship between war exposure and physical health outcomes.The authors wish to thank the Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia, grant POCTI (POCTI/ESP/39515/2000), for financing this project. The authors are also grateful for the collaboration of the Associação Portuguesa de Veteranos de Guerra and their aid with the data collection

Innovation in the portuguese footwear industry

Proceedings da AUTEX 2015, Bucareste, Roménia.The Portuguese footwear industry had in the last five years a remarkable performance in several economic indicators (e.g. exportation values) and is a success case in the Portuguese industry. The economic results of the footwear companies studied by the authors shows differences between all of them and these differences are related with the innovation strategy adopted. The companies focused in product innovation, oriented to their target market, have higher ratios “turnover per worker” than the companies focused in process innovation. A systemic model of innovation is proposed for the innovation in the seven companies analysed. The research methodology was qualitative and the strategy for data collection was the case study

Own brands and private label in the portuguese fashion industry

There are many similarities between the footwear industry and the textile/apparel industries (ITV) in Portugal. Both industries are traditional, “low-tech” and with an important performance in the Portuguese economy. They export more than other Portuguese labour intensive industries and contribute to a very positive trade balance. The Portuguese footwear industry shows an excellent performance in several indicators in the last five years. In two decades, the footwear companies in Portugal made a strategic change in the business model and they started do develop own products and own brands. This performance wasn’t achieved yet by the textile and clothing industry in Portugal. Innovation and cooperation are very important factors in these achievements by the footwear sector and the evolution from private label to own brand has also importance to these results.This work is financed by FEDER funds through the Competitivity Factors Operational Programme - COMPETE and by national funds through FCT – Foundation for Science and Technology within the scope of the project POCI-01-0145-FEDER-00713