ScannerS: Constraining the phase diagram of a complex scalar singlet at the LHC

We present the first version of a new tool to scan the parameter space of generic scalar potentials, ScannerS. The main goal of ScannerS is to help distinguish between different patterns of symmetry breaking for each scalar potential. In this work we use it to investigate the possibility of excluding regions of the phase diagram of several versions of a complex singlet extension of the Standard Model, with future LHC results. We find that if another scalar is found, one can exclude a phase with a dark matter candidate in definite regions of the parameter space, while predicting whether a third scalar to be found must be lighter or heavier. The first version of the code is publicly available and contains various generic core routines for tree level vacuum stability analysis, as well as implementations of collider bounds, dark matter constraints, electroweak precision constraints and tree level unitarity.Comment: 24 pages, 4 figures, 3 tables. Project development webpage - http://gravitation.web.ua.pt/Scanner

Representation matters: LGBTQI+ representation in brands’ advertising

Nowadays, diversity is a major component of competitive advantage for brands, and so they incorporate social messages such as LGBTQIA+ equality into their advertising, as a means of differentiation. Moreover, the LGBTQIA+ market is currently estimated to be worth $18 trillion globally. Hence, the main goal of this dissertation is to explore how LGBTQIA+ consumers respond to brands’ LGBTQIA+ representation in advertising. In order to do so, as this is a qualitative study, 25 semi-structured interviews were conducted, making use of a diverse sample of LGBTQIA+ consumers. Data was analyzed using Bardin’s Content Analysis technique. Results show that there is still a lack of diverse and inclusive LGBTQIA+ representation in advertising and that actually appeals to this group of consumers. Additionally, brands must make a whole-hearted long-term effort to the LGBTQIA+ community, not only in their advertising but also as one of their core values. Finally, various recommendations are given to companies for them to become truly LGBTQIA+ friendly

Gopro: a threatening future

This report aims to give a sell recommendation for GoPro, Inc. GoPro, as the oldest and first player in the action camera market, has always been recognized for its name and brand status. The Karma Drone failure in 2017 disappointed GoPro’s clients and the company is still recovering from that. GoPro is now under huge pressure among other action cameras in a market that is increasing exponentially, especially with the rise of Japanese companies. For GoPro to differentiate itself in the market, new products and features have to come up to impress buyers. For the future, it is expected that GoPro strongly diminishes its market share

Leitura em voz alta no 2.º ciclo do ensino básico: conceções dos alunos e estratégias pedagógicas

Relatório de Estágio realizado no âmbito da Prática de Ensino Supervisionada II e apresentado à Escola Superior de Educação de Lisboa para obtenção de grau de mestre em Ensino do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e de Português e História e Geografia de Portugal no 2.º Ciclo do Ensino BásicoO presente relatório insere-se no âmbito da unidade curricular Prática de Ensino Supervisionado II, do Mestrado em Ensino do 1.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico e de Português e História e Geografia de Portugal no 2.º Ciclo do Ensino Básico. Nas salas de aula do Ensino Básico, ler em voz alta é frequente. Contudo, as leituras revelam-se por vezes monótonas, pouco fluidas e desprovidas de expressividade; os leitores não raras vezes denotam desinteresse; as propostas de atividades são pouco diversificadas e nem sempre promovem o desenvolvimento das diversas competências para a leitura oralizada. Com a investigação junto de duas turmas de 6.º ano pretendi compreender que propostas de trabalho deverá o professor apresentar aos alunos para que estes leiam por gosto, com entusiasmo e qualidade. Recorrendo a metodologias mistas, o estudo visou cumprir os seguintes objetivos: (1) Caracterizar as conceções dos alunos das duas turmas sobre leitura em voz alta; (2) Caracterizar as conceções dos professores de Português das duas turmas acerca da leitura em voz alta; (3) Compreender as práticas dos professores de Português das duas turmas em torno da leitura em voz alta; (4) Desenvolver estratégias promotoras de leitura em voz alta. Para tal, recorri à implementação de inquéritos aos alunos das duas turmas e aos professores cooperantes de Português. Neste estudo conclui-se que o diagnóstico das conceções dos alunos sobre a leitura em voz alta permite entender em que estádio eles se encontram no âmbito da leitura oralizada. Partindo deste ponto, o professor deverá preparar um percurso com um objetivo final bem delineado. Tomando como objetivo último a leitura em voz alta com qualidade, este percurso deverá ser criado com diversas estratégias, capazes de trabalhar cada aspeto técnico, tendo sempre em vista a agregação gradual destes para que os alunos adquiram as competências para ler em voz alta.Abstract This report is part of the curricular unit Supervised Teaching Practice II, within the Master’s degree in Teaching of the 1st Level of Basic Education and of Portuguese and History and Geography of Portugal in the 2nd Level of Basic Education. In elementary school classrooms, reading aloud is commonplace. However, these readings sometimes prove monotonous, lacking fluidity and expressiveness; readers, not rarely, show lack of interest; activity proposals are not very diversified and do not always promote the development of different skills for reading aloud. With the research with two 6th grade classes, I intended to understand which work proposals should the teacher present to his students so that they read with pleasure, enthusiasm and quality. Using mixed methodologies, the study aimed at fulfilling the following objectives: (1) to characterize both classes students’ conceptions about reading aloud; (2) to characterize the two classes Portuguese teachers’ conceptions about reading aloud; (3) to understand the two classes Portuguese teachers’ practices about reading aloud; (4) to design strategies that promote reading aloud. To this purpose, I resorted to the implementation of surveys with the students from both classes and to the cooperating Portuguese teachers. In this study, the conclusion is drawn that the diagnosis of the students conceptions about reading aloud allows us to understand at what stage the students are in the context of oral reading. Starting from this point, the teacher must prepare a route with a well-defined final objective. Taking quality reading aloud as its ultimate objective, this path should be created with several strategies, capable of working on each technical aspect, always with a view to gradually aggregating them so that students acquire the skills to reading aloud.N/

A conversion model for OCTA vessel density metrics in diabetic eyes: AngioVue vs Angioplex

To understand measurements variability between 2 different OCTA devices and to develop a conversion model that translate vascular metrics into a standardized and comparable value in patients with different stages of DR.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Aquisição de marcas : gestão e comunicação : estudo de caso : Marriott International e Starwood Hotels & Resorts

A indústria hoteleira é um dos maiores segmentos da indústria de serviços e é um setor que se encontra em constante mudança e crescimento. Os consumidores desta indústria têm se tornado mais sofisticados e têm surgido novos segmentos de mercado, o que gera um aumento significativo da competitividade, para as empresas que conseguem acompanhar as novas tendências. Aquisição de marcas corporativas é uma estratégia comum para as empresas deste setor que procuram crescimento económico e criar valor junto dos seus públicos interno e externo. As empresas que se encontram envolvidas num processo de aquisição de marcas, devem ter em consideração que uma eficaz gestão da comunicação interna, é critica para o sucesso deste processo. Este estudo propõe um modelo para a comunicação interna num processo de aquisição, na indústria hoteleira, baseado na literatura e, em particular, nos modelos de Elving (2005) e de Men (2015). De forma a testar o modelo proposto, foi efetuado um estudo de caso acerca do recente processo de aquisição da Starwood Hotels & Resorts pela Marriott International, utilizando o Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa como objeto de estudo. Foram recolhidos 131 questionários online, realizadas sete entrevistas semiestruturadas a diretores de departamentos do hotel e ainda uma entrevista, também semiestruturada, à diretora geral do Hotel. O modelo em estudo permitiu-nos concluir que, para uma organização que esteja envolvida num processo de aquisição, é fundamental garantir que os seus colaboradores se sintam bem informados, sem dúvidas que possam gerar receios, assim como usar a comunicação para criar uma boa relação entre o colaborador e a organização, de modo a que o mesmo demonstre disponibilidade para participar ativamente na gestão e implementação do processo de aquisição.The hotel industry is one of the largest segments in the service industry and it is a sector in constant change and growth. Consumers of this industry are becoming more sophisticated and new market segments have been arising which generates a significant increase in competitiveness for companies that are able to accompany new trends. The acquisition of corporate brands is a common strategy for the companies in this sector that are looking for economic growth and to create value for their internal and external customers. Companies involved in a process of brand acquisition in the hotel industry, should recognize that effective management of internal communication is critical for the success of this process. The present study proposes a model for the development of the internal communication during an acquisition process, based on the literature review. In order to apply the model proposed, a case study was developed. In particular, this research analyzed the case of the recent acquisition of Starwood Hotels and Resorts by Marriott International, using Sheraton Porto Hotel & Spa as the object of study. 131 online questionnaires, seven semi structured interviews to hotel department directors and one to the general manager of the hotel were made. The research model allowed us to conclude that, for a company involved in an acquisition process, it is crucial to assure that the hotel’s employees are well informed, and have no doubts that may cause uncertainty feelings. Moreover, it is critical to use internal communication to build a good relationship between the employee and the organization, so that the employees show willingness to actively participate in the management and implementation of the acquisition process

Evolução do contraste térmico terra-oceano em condições de mudança climática

Tese de mestrado, Ciências Geofísicas (Meteorologia e Oceanografia) Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Ciências, 2019A representação de processos acoplados oceano-atmosfera e a caracterização da sua evolução em contexto de mudança climática constituem um dos grandes desafios da modelação do clima a nível regional. Neste trabalho pretende-se estudar a evolução dos sistemas de upwelling e avaliar o contraste térmico terra-oceano no sistema costeiro da Península Ibérica (PI) e Noroeste de África (44° N a 29° N e 20° W a 5° W) nos últimos 24 anos (1992-2015), usando dados de deteção remota obtidos a partir de satélites geostacionários distribuídos pela Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring - CM-SAF (para a temperatura de superfície continental) e PODAAC (para a temperatura de superfície do oceano). Adicionalmente, pretende-se avaliar este contraste a partir de reanálises (globais e regionais). Para isso serão analisados dados de satélite, dados de reanálises da ERA5 e da UERRA. Dados de estações meteorológicas convencionais compilados pela E-OBS foram também utilizados de modo a fazer ponte com índices climáticos mais comuns. Devido ao forte ciclo diurno sobre a terra, utilizou-se apenas temperaturas máximas diárias de cada produto (entre as 12 UTC e as 15 UTC), realizando o cálculo da média sazonal para os meses correspondentes ao verão boreal (julho, agosto e setembro). Este procedimento não pode ser aplicado à UERRA, visto que apenas dispõe de dados a cada 6 h, pelo que nesse caso se utilizou a informação das 12 UTC como aproximação da temperatura máxima. Para além disso, procedeu-se a uma análise regional, sendo dividida em 3 regiões entre o Norte e Sul da PI e Noroeste de África. Estimou-se o Índice de Upwelling (UI) procedendo à análise da variabilidade dos extremos da temperatura da superfície do mar (SST) entre a zona costeira e o oceano aberto e o Índice de Contraste Térmico (TCI) avaliando o contraste entre a superfície continental e o mar. Utilizou-se o teste de Mann-Kendall para avaliar estatisticamente a existência de tendências. Os resultados evidenciam um aumento de temperatura da superfície continental na ordem de 0.38 K/década no Norte da PI, uma vez que nas restantes regiões aqui estudadas não se obtiveram resultados com significância estatística. Os resultados obtidos a partir dos dados de satélite apresentam uma diminuição de intensidade do afloramento costeiro em todas as regiões da Península Ibérica e um aumento do mesmo no Noroeste de África. Os dados de satélite permitem ainda concluir que não existe aumento de TCI na Península Ibérica, mas parece existir um aumento (embora estatisticamente não significativo) no Noroeste africano. As reanálises apontam para tendências mais significativas; em particular a ERA5 aponta para um aumento de TCI em todas as regiões e a UERRA para uma diminuição na PI, sendo que o Norte de África não apresenta tendências significativas.The representation of ocean-atmosphere coupled processes and the characterization of their evolution in the context of climate change constitute one of the biggest challenges of climate modeling at the regional level. This work intends to study the evolution of upwelling systems and evaluate the thermal contrast between land and ocean in the coastal system of Iberian Peninsula (IP) and Northwest of Africa (44° N a 29° N e 20° W a 5° W) in the last 24 years (1992-2015), using remote sensing data obtained from geostationary satellites distributed by Satellite Application Facility on Climate Monitoring - CM-SAF (for land surface temperature) and by PODAAC (for ocean surface temperature). In addition, this thermal contrast is evaluated using both global (ERA5) and regional (UERRA) reanalysis. Data from conventional meteorological stations compiled in the E-OBS dataset were also analysed to bridge the gap to more conventional climate indices. Due to the strong diurnal cycle over land, only the maximum daily temperatures of each product (between 12 UTC and 15 UTC) were used, calculating the seasonal means for summer months (July, August and September). This procedure cannot be applied to UERRA, because only has data every 6 h, so in this case the 12 UTC time slot was used to approximate the maximum temperature. Furthermore, a regional analysis was made and divided into 3 regions between North and South of IP and Northwest of Africa. The Upwelling Index (UI) was estimated by analysing the variability of sea surface temperature (SST) extremes between the coastal zone and the open sea and the Thermal Contrast Index (TCI) assessing the contrast between land and ocean. The Man-Kendall test was used to statistically assess the existence of trends. The results of this analysis indicate an increase in the continental surface temperature of about 0.38 K/decade in the North of IP, while in the other regions studied here no statistical significance was found. Satellite data show a decrease in coastal upwelling intensity in all regions of the IP and an increase in Northwest of Africa. Satellite also show that there was no increase in TCI over the IP and suggest a slight increase (although statistically non-significant) in Northwest of Africa. Reanalysis data point out to trends that are more significant; particularly ERA5 shows an increase in TCI over all analysed regions, while UERRA shows a decrease over IP and no statistically significant signal over Northwest Africa

Computer skills and digital media uses among young students in Rio de Janeiro

The main purpose of this paper is provide information relevant for  the formulation of new policies for the integration of technology in education from  the  discussion of research results that analyse computer skills and digital media uses among students (between 12 to 18 years old) from schools in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The schools surveyed were selected by a stratified random sample. The questionnaire allowed for statistical measurement of theoretical constructs employing non parametrical item response theory. The schools showed a homogeneous pattern with regard to the frequency of use and the ability of students to perform tasks on the computer. Most students use the computer and the Internet at home. The use of computers in schools is minimal and does not influence the students' ability. Even so, the use of a computer at school positively affects the frequency of use and suggests that schools can play a role in promoting digital inclusion. The availability of media resources at home, how long students have been using a computer and cultural practices during the students’ free time had notable positive correlations with the student’s abilities. The results suggest that the relation between age and abilities in the use of computer and internet was not significant, except in reference to school delays which were related to age and to students’ grades, i.e., the more delayed a student is, the less able he/she will be

Hyperthermia induced after recirculation triggers chronic neurodegeneration in the penumbra zone of focal ischemia in the rat brain

Chronic neurodegenerative processes have been identified in the rat forebrain after prolonged survival following hyperthermia (HT) initiated a few hours after transient global ischemia. Since transient global ischemia and ischemic penumbra share pathophysiological similarities, this study addressed the effects of HT induced after recirculation of focal brain ischemia on infarct size during long survival times. Adult male Wistar rats underwent intra-luminal occlusion of the left middle cerebral artery for 60 min followed by HT (39.0-39.5°C) or normothermia. Control procedures included none and sham surgery with and without HT, and middle cerebral artery occlusion alone. Part I: 6-h HT induced at recirculation. Part II: 2-h HT induced at 2-, 6-, or 24-h recirculation. Part III: 2-h HT initiated at recirculation or 6-h HT initiated at 2-, 6- or 24-h recirculation. Survival periods were 7 days, 2 or 6 months. The effects of post-ischemic HT on cortex and striatum were evaluated histopathologically by measuring the area of remaining tissue in the infarcted hemisphere at -0.30 mm from bregma. Six-hour HT initiated from 6-h recirculation caused a significant decrease in the remaining cortical tissue between 7-day (N = 8) and 2-month (N = 8) survivals (98.46 ± 1.14 to 73.62 ± 8.99%, respectively). When induced from 24-h recirculation, 6-h HT caused a significant reduction of the remaining cortical tissue between 2- (N = 8) and 6-month (N = 9) survivals (94.97 ± 5.02 vs 63.26 ± 11.97%, respectively). These data indicate that post-ischemic HT triggers chronic neurodegenerative processes in ischemic penumbra, suggesting that similar fever-triggered effects may annul the benefit of early recirculation in stroke patients over the long-term.Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Clínica e ExperimentalUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de Neurologia e NeurocirurgiaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Departamento de MedicinaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Centro de Microscopia EletrônicaUniversidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP) Escola Paulista de Medicina COLSAN-UNIFESPUNIFESP, Laboratório de Fisiopatologia Clínica e ExperimentalUNIFESP, Depto. de Neurologia e NeurocirurgiaUNIFESP, Depto. de MedicinaUNIFESP, Centro de Microscopia EletrônicaUNIFESP, EPM, COLSAN-UNIFESPSciEL