Millennium BCP- The almond hill credit extension proposal

This Work Project is a case study on the credit lending process and loan pricing policy of Millennium bcp, one of the main Portuguese banks. The goal of the case study is to provide an opportunity to understand the above mentioned process and policy in a major bank and to explore the issues and interests at play when a relevant credit decision must be taken. I would like to thank Dr. José Miguel Pessanha without whom this project would not have been possible

SYSTEMATIC DEVELOPMENT OF FORMULATIONS SUITABLE FOR PULMONARY APPLICATIONS BY NEBULISATION

In this work, we investigated the solubility enhancement of 3 water insoluble drugs by using cyclodextrins in two pharmaceutical delivery forms: Solutions and Suspensions. A preliminary conclusion was that through the use of cyclodextrins it was possible to increase the solubility of the 3 water insoluble drugs, Cyclosporin A, Azithromycin and Budesonide. In addition,all the formulations were stable and suitable to be nebulised using the intended eflow device.It was also an objective of this work the elaboration of a systematic pathway for the development of formulations suitable for nebulisation. Based on the knowledge collect during this work, a database system was built as an aid tool for the pharmaceutical formulation development process. In conclusion, it was able to increase the solubility/stability and also to taste mask formulations containing both water insoluble and water soluble drugs. This opens new possibilities to the pulmonary delivery as an alternative non-invasive method of delivering drugs that currently can only be delivered orally or intravenously

Foeniculum sanguineum Triano y A. Pujadas (Apiaceae) nueva especie del suroeste de la Región Mediterránea

Foeniculum sanguineum Triano & A. Pujadas, sp. nov., from the south western Mediterranean Region (Spain & Morocco) is described. Its characterization and a comparative study with the related species Foeniculum vulgare Mill., has been carried out through morphological, cytological, chemical and molecular analysis. F. sanguineum is distinguished primarily for its red petals, pink pollen in fresh, and red stylopod. It is a diploid species (2n= 22). A high proportion of limonene and piperitenone oxide (absent in F. vulgare) has been found in the essential oil composition of the dry fruits of F. sanguineum and a high amount (about 50 %) of α-phellandrene in its roots and stems. Phylogenetic analyses were performed using the internal transcribed spacer sequences of nuclear ribosomal DNA (ITS) and the chloroplast rbcL gene sequences. ITS analysis supports the existence of the new species, while revealing sequence divergence both at the intraspecific and at the interspecific levels. A Single-nucleotide-polymorphism (SNP) sequence divergence found in the slow evolving chloroplast gene provided additional support for the novel species characterization, for which the name Foeniculum sanguineum is proposed

USA 1942-1973: la arquitectura popular del imperio

La ciudad, en general, y la norteamericana, en particular, se suele describir comúnmente en el imaginario social como pecaminosa, corrupta, impura, inmoral, obscena, etc. Las narrativas, de ficción o no, se esforzarán, desde el siglo XIX en representar la constelación de los signos peyorativos de la ciudad cuando la situación lo haga irremediable o cuando haya intereses específicos, y, esto aunque a veces mute en la inversa comparsa de las maravillas y frutos que pueden ofrecer las urbes, si uno se porta bien. El marcado carácter institucionalizador de estas operaciones, en las novelas, el discurso de la disciplina arquitectónica, o desde el cine, desprenderá normalmente una suerte de “moral negativa”, que, casi siempre para el caso estadounidense, lejos de predicar con el ejemplo del camino recto y virtuoso, a falta de muestras de una alternativa salvadora y convincente, se contentará con la exposición del pecado definitivamente culturizado y en la discreta homilía, por oposición. Para ilustrar estas operaciones, indicadoras de la construcción social de la cultura, emplearemos dos ejemplos relacionados lateralmente -o inversamente- con la arquitectura. Uno, de la arquitectura popular o vernácula más moderna, anónima pero engarzada con procesos más generales de la cultura y la institución: los refugios antinucleares, sobre todo los familiares, de mediados del siglo XX. El otro, que refleja una cosmogonía específica en su momento, pero ahora ya extendida y naturalizada, sobre nuestra comprensión del fenómeno de las grandes metrópolis: el thriller urbano estadounidense de los años 70, junto a sus antecedentes.Award-winnin

Estudio de las razones y medidas para evitar el plagio en jóvenes estudiantes de educación

The Internet has become a source of information for most young people. It provides opportunities but also poses dangers for which they must acquire digital skills. This is the case for young students intending to become teachers who, in turn, will have to train other young people in these digital skills. The research focuses on students’ opinions on two issues relating to dishonest practices: a. the reason or reasons they and their fellow students plagiarize and, b. finding solutions to avoid academic plagiarism. The study analyzes data of 539 students from faculties of education of eight universities and two different countries (Portugal and Spain). A common model for young people has been found from validated instruments. There is a common pattern in the students of all the universities and countries studied, justified by three interrelated reasons to plagiarize: "internal" and "external" reasons to the students and the lack of motivation required for the task.Internet se ha convertido en una fuente de información para la mayoría de los jóvenes. Ofrece oportunidades, pero también plantea peligros para los que deben adquirir habilidades digitales. Este es el caso de los jóvenes estudiantes que pretenden convertirse en maestros, quienes a su vez deberán capacitar a otros jóvenes en estas habilidades digitales. La investigación se centra en las opiniones de los estudiantes sobre dos temas relacionados con prácticas deshonestas: a. la razón o las razones por las cuales ellos y sus compañeros estudiantes plagian y, b. Buscar soluciones para evitar el plagio académico. El estudio analiza datos de 539 estudiantes de facultades de educación de ocho universidades y dos países diferentes (Portugal y España). Se ha encontrado un modelo común para los jóvenes desde instrumentos validados. Existe un patrón común en los estudiantes de todas las universidades y países estudiados, justificado por tres razones interrelacionadas para plagiar: razones “internas” y “externas” a los estudiantes y la falta de motivación requerida para la tarea

Agave Syrup:Chemical Analysis and Nutritional Profile, Applications in the Food Industry and Health Impacts

Agave syrup (AS), a food product made from agave plant sap, is a vegan sweetener that has become popular for replacing conventional sweeteners such as sucrose. As the demand for naturally derived sweeteners has grown in the last decade, this review paper addresses and discusses, in detail, the most relevant aspects of the chemical AS analysis, applications in the food industry, sustainability issues, safety and quality control and, finally, nutritional profile and health impacts. According to our main research outcome, we can assume that the mid-infrared-principal components analysis, high-performance anion exchange chromatography equipped with a pulsed amperometric detector, and thin-layer chromatography can be used to identify and distinguish syrups from natural sources. The main agave–derived products are juice, leaves, bagasse, and fiber. In sustainability terms, it can be stated that certified organic and free trade agave products are the most sustainable options available on the market because they guarantee products being created without pesticides and according to specific labor standards. The Mexican government and AS producers have also established Mexican guidelines which prohibit using any ingredient, sugar or food additive that derives from sources, apart from agave plants, to produce any commercial AS. Due to its nutritional value, AS is a good source of minerals, vitamins and polyphenols compared to other traditional sweeteners. However, further research into the effects of AS on human metabolism is necessary to back its health claims as a natural sugar substitute

Maltitol:Analytical Determination Methods, Applications in the Food Industry, Metabolism and Health Impacts

Bulk sweetener maltitol belongs to the polyols family and there have been several dietary applications in the past few years, during which the food industry has used it in many food products: bakery and dairy products, chocolate, sweets. This review paper addresses and discusses in detail the most relevant aspects concerning the analytical methods employed to determine maltitol’s food safety and industry applications, its metabolism and its impacts on human health. According to our main research outcome, we can assume that maltitol at lower doses poses little risk to humans and is a good alternative to using sucrose. However, it causes diarrhoea and foetus complications at high doses. Regarding its determination, high-performance liquid chromatography proved the primary method in various food matrices. The future role of maltitol in the food industry is likely to become more relevant as processors seek alternative sweeteners in product formulation without compromising health

The Impact of COVID-19 on the Food Supply Chain and the Role of E-Commerce for Food Purchasing

The world has been plagued by an unforeseen threat to public health by the appearance of COVID-19, which has impacted the world’s economy and the worldwide supply chain. The unexpected pandemic (COVID-19) quickly spread across the world, leaving not a single country unaffected by the worldwide pandemic. At the start of COVID-19, several countries adopted social distancing and lockdowns due to the virus. The existing pandemic’s discriminatory aspect has a negative influence on human health and the standard of living, as well as worldwide trade, supply chains, and major economies. COVID-19 has been shown to have an effect throughout the broader food supply chain, one of the largest significant sectors of any country, from the field to the consumers. There are currently substantial concerns regarding food production, manufacturing, delivery, and consumption in light of emerging issues within the food supply chain. Limitations on the mobility of workers, variations in consumer demands, the shutdown of food manufacturing industries, limited food trading regulations, and financial stress throughout the food supply chain are all results of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pandemic (COVID-19) has changed consumer behavior and affected the business and economic sector. The purpose of this study was to explore the application of the Q-technique in the investigation of online consumer and manufacturer behavior in relation to end-user food purchases via digital marketing skills, supply chain possibilities, food purchaser and consumer happiness, and e-commerce infrastructure efficiency under the influence of COVID-19. The results show that in the crisis of supply chain management, clarifying the import food industry ecommerce supply chain crisis items, and determining their priority and strength can help enterprises make emergency decisions regarding supply chain operation; they can also be used as a reference for enterprises to use in responding to the crisis