Accounting for Financial Instruments: An Analysis of the Determinants of Disclosure in the Portuguese Stock Exchange

This paper analyzes the determinants of disclosure level in the accounting for financial instruments of Portuguese listed companies. We have constructed an index of disclosure based on IAS 32 and 39 disclosure requirements and computed the index score for each company. Consequently, this study also analyzes the characteristics of companies that are closest to IAS before 2005. The analysis includes variables that capture intrinsic features of Portuguese companies and institutional regulatory context, such as capital structure and characteristics of the corporate governance structure, within contingency theory. We could not find significant influence of corporate governance structure and of financing structure. We conclude that disclosure degree is significantly related to size, type of auditor, listing status and to the economic sector. This research reveals areas for improvement of the Portuguese companies’ reporting practices and suggests areas for intervention of the Portuguese capital markets regulator in the context of mandatory IAS after 2005.Financial instruments accounting, Disclosure indices, Firm-specific characteristics, International Accounting, IAS, Portugal

Accounting for financial instruments: A comparison of European companies’ practices with IAS 32 and IAS 39

This paper analyses accounting for financial instruments of STOXX 50 companies and compare them to the requirements of IAS 32 and IAS 39, before IFRS are mandatory in the European Union. We use a list of 120 categories of inquiry and 370 possible responses and analyse companies’ annual reports. The results show that the majority of companies disclose the fair value amounts and methods of calculation but the information is neither clear nor objective, preventing the fair value information from being relevant and useful. We conclude that companies have a long way to go in terms of accounting and disclosure of financial instruments, namely derivatives. The mandatory adoption of more stringent standards such as the IAS 32 and IAS 39 may improve the information disclosed by companies. Doubts about the compliance degree and the usefulness of the information still remain. This paper brings new perspectives to the challenges of IAS/IFRS adoption, namely to what relates to fair value measurement.Accounting for financial instruments, Fair value accounting, International Accounting, Accounting harmonisation, IAS/IFRS, STOXX 50

Presumed TP53 mosaicism: variants detected using a NGS hereditary cancer multigene panel

Aims/Context: NGS multigene panels are routinely used to identify germline pathogenic variants in cancer susceptibility genes. In addition, NGS allows the identification of low-level mosaicism events that may not be detectable by conventional Sanger sequencing. We describe two cases of presumed TP53 mosaic variants detected by NGS on blood-derived DNA, and confirmed by ARMS-PCR and Sanger sequencing. Case 1: female, 87 years old, colon cancer at 83 and metachronous breast cancer at 86, no history of familial cancer. Case 2: female, 75 years old, ovarian cancer at 71, local relapse at 74. Methods: NGS using TruSight® Cancer Sequencing Panel and TruSight® Rapid Capture kit (Illumina) and paired-end sequencing on MiSeq® platform (Illumina). Bioinformatic analysis with MiSeq Reporter, Enrichment, VariantStudio, VEP, Alamut Visual, VarAFT, VarSome and IGV. ARMS-PCR and Sanger sequencing were used to confirm the TP53 variants. Results and Conclusions: Two cases of presumed TP53 mosaic variants were studied. Case 1: the missense alteration TP53: c.764T>G, p.(Ile255Ser) was detected with a variant allele frequency (VAF) of 26% (39/150 reads). This variant is described in ClinVar as a somatic alteration, classified as likely pathogenic. It is not reported in gnomAD and VarSome software classified it as a variant of uncertain significance. Case 2: missense variant TP53: c.524G>A, p.(Arg175His) detected with a VAF of 15% (10/58 reads). This variant is described as pathogenic in HGMD Professional, LOVD and ClinVar, in association with Li-Fraumeni syndrome. These two cases seem to represent TP53 mosaicism, supported by: i) VAF lower than 30%, ii) detection at the sensitivity limit of Sanger sequencing and iii) confirmation by ARMS-PCR. Confirming this hypothesis by studying tumor and other tissue samples and offspring analysis (underway in both cases), is essential for disease diagnosis, assessing recurrence risk and genetic counseling. The hypothesis of acquired aberrant clonal expansion limited to the hematologic compartment, versus a germline variant should be considered in similar cases, and confirmatory methodologies are mandatory.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Sistema de gestão de segurança para a prevenção de acidentes graves (SGSPAG): manual de implementação para o sector químico: volume I

A evolução dos acidentes graves envolvendo substâncias perigosas ocorridos no Sector Químico, não deixa dúvidas de que as características intrínsecas da própria actividade industrial podem estimular a ocorrência dos acidentes graves, proporcionando sérias consequências à Comunidade envolvente, à própria Propriedade e ao meio ambiente, cujas responsabilidades estão inseridas na Gestão Empresarial. Desta forma torna-se fundamental o desenvolvimento e implementação de um Sistema de Gestão de Segurança para a Prevenção de Acidentes Graves num Estabelecimento de Nível Superior de Perigosidade. O objectivo global deste trabalho, baseia-se no estabelecimento de um Quadro Metodológico de aplicação do Regime de Prevenção de Acidentes Graves ao Sector Químico, suportado num Sistema de Gestão de Segurança para a Prevenção de Acidentes Graves (SGSPAG) e no respectivo Manual de Implementação. Para tal foi realizado um enquadramento teórico, técnico-científico, e legal da prevenção de acidentes graves que envolvam substâncias perigosas, a concepção de um SGSPAG e elaboração do Manual de Implementação e a aplicação a um Caso de Estudo Industrial do SGSPAG com a correspondente análise crítica. O contexto específico foi o da Refinaria de Sines - Instalação de Dessulfuração de Gasóleo. A pesquisa foi acompanhada por um conjunto de métodos que permitiram uma visão mais actual do assunto no contexto seleccionado (dados adquiridos através de referências bibliográficas, da observação in-loco de auditorias de SGSPAG, da consulta de documentação relativa a auditorias SGSPAG e do estudo da legislação vigente e passada). Os resultados obtidos no Caso de Estudo Industrial, demonstraram que uma visão mais integradora e global podem contribuir para um melhor entendimento dos acidentes graves envolvendo substâncias perigosas e a sua prevenção, possibilitando um envolvimento maior e o comprometimento efectivo de todos, sejam eles trabalhadores (internos ou serviços subcontratados), Chefes de Secção, Responsáveis de Área, fornecedores, profissionais de outras áreas, Direcção da Empresa, representantes sindicais ou governamentais ou a própria Comunidade envolvente, estando o SGSPAG da Refinaria de Sines globalmente concebido, implementado e a demonstrar aptidão para, de uma forma consistente, cumprir os requisitos aplicáveis no DL nº 254/2007 e atingir os objectivos da Politica de Prevenção de Acidentes Graves

Zeolite nanomaterials aiming antimicrobial activity and non-melanoma skin cancer treatment

Dissertação de mestrado em Bioquímica AplicadaIn the 21st century, nanotechnology has been emerging as a very promising field that is expected to have a revolutionary impact on society, including medicine (commonly known as nanomedicine). Nanoparticles hold tremendous potential as an effective drug delivery system (DDS), as they can be used to improve the uptake of poorly soluble drugs, to target drugs to a specific site and increase drug bioavailability. Among the different existing categories of nanomaterials, zeolites constitute a class of inorganic materials that have been explored in the past few years as promising candidates for this purpose. The fundamental idea of this work is to direct the use of zeolites as host for the treatment of two interrelated clinical situations: cutaneous lesions resulting from skin cancer development (often exhibiting an ulcerating growth) and possible microbial infections occurring on those injured and susceptible skin areas. NaY zeolite was selected as host for the preparation of the DDS. Silver (in the ionic form, Ag+) and 5- Fluorouracil (5-FU), were selected as antimicrobial and antineoplastic agents, respectively, to be introduced into the zeolite structure, combining both pharmacologically active species in the same formulation, thus creating a hybrid DDS designated as (Ag/5-FU)Y. The long-term objective of this project would be to incorporate this DDS into a biocompatible cream/ointment to be used for topic delivery, whose application would be easy and suitable to treat the damaged skin areas. The obtained results from the characterization analyses demonstrated that both agents were successfully incorporated, without causing relevant changes on the zeolite structure. Moreover, (Ag/5-FU)Y inhibited the growth of all tested bacterial strains, exhibiting lower MIC values than AgY. Regarding the assays on a human skin cancer line (A375), NaY, did not interfere with cell viability, proving its applicability as host for a drug delivery system. Additionally, (Ag/5-FU)Y caused an accentuated decrease in cell viability, that resulted not only from the effect of 5-FU but also from Ag+ as well.No século XXI, a nanotecnologia tem emergido como área muito promissora, da qual se espera que venha a ter um impacto revolucionário na sociedade, incluído no sector da medicina (comumente conhecida por nanomedicina). As nanopartículas apresentam um enorme potencial enquanto sistemas de drug delivery (DDS), podendo ser usadas para melhorar a absorção de fármacos pouco solúveis, direcioná-los para locais específicos e aumentar a sua biodisponibilidade. Entre as diferentes categorias de nanomateriais existentes, os zeólitos constituem uma classe de materiais inorgânicos porosos que têm sido explorados nos últimos anos enquanto candidatos promissores para esse propósito. A ideia fundamental deste trabalho é direcionar a utilização de zeólitos como hospedeiros para o tratamento de duas situações clínicas interrelacionadas: lesões cutâneas resultantes do desenvolvimento do cancro da pele (que muitas vezes demonstra um crescimento ulcerativo) e possíveis infeções microbianas que possam ocorrer nessas zonas feridas e mais suscetíveis da pele. O zeólito NaY foi selecionado como hospedeiro para a preparação do DDS. A prata (na forma iónica, Ag+) e o 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) foram selecionados enquanto agentes antimicrobiano e antineoplásico, respetivamente, para serem introduzidos na estrutura do zeólito, combinando ambas as espécies farmacologicamente ativas na mesma formulação, criando assim um sistema híbrido designado por (Ag/5-FU)Y. O objetivo a longo prazo deste projeto seria incorporar este DDS num creme/pomada para ser usado via tópica, cuja aplicação seria cómoda e adequada ao tratamento de zonas da pele lesadas. Os resultados das análises de caracterização demonstraram que ambos os agentes foram incorporados com sucesso, não causando alterações relevantes na estrutura do zeólito. Para além disso, (Ag/5-FU)Y inibiu o crescimento de todas as estirpes bacterianas testadas, exibindo valores MIC mais baixos do que AgY. Relativamente aos ensaios de viabilidade numa linha de cancro de pele humana (A375), o zeólito NaY, não interferiu com a viabilidade celular, provando a sua aplicabilidade como hospedeiro num sistema de drug delivery. Adicionalmente, (Ag/5-FU)Y causou uma diminuição significativa na viabilidade celular, que resultou, não apenas do efeito do 5-FU mas também da ação de Ag+

Structural Evolution of Ni-Ti Alloy Wires Produced by Hot and Cold Rotary Forging

Ni-Ti shape memory alloys (SMA), have interesting functional properties such as shape memory effect and superelasticity that enable their use in different segments. These functional characteristics are obtained through the thermomechanical processing (hot and cold). The hot deformation may promote the intended metallurgical transformations and the microstructural changes are improved by final cold deformation. These processes influence the final mechanical properties of the materials and, by consequence, their applications. This work focused on a Ni-rich Ni-Ti alloy, which may be used in the orthodontic archwires since the alloys used for this purpose need to show superelastic characteristics at room and oral temperature. It is sought by the mechanical and thermal treatments that the material displays an austenite finish temperature below room temperature. In this work, the characteristics of the thermomechanical processing are studied using samples representative of the different processing steps. For each processing step, the effect of the process parameters on the phase transformation temperature, superelasticity and shape memory effects was assessed and correlated to its microstructure. The structural analysis of each sample was performed by different techniques, which allowed the identification of the thermomechanical processing evolution. It was noticed that the austenite finish temperature was close to room temperature for all the steps. For all the samples, an austenite matrix at room temperature was observed. Different heat treatments were applied to identify the most suitable changes to be proposed along the rotary forging steps. Thermomechanical treatments were performed to understand and verify the structural evolution (by X-ray diffraction, using synchrotron radiation) and the mechanical behavior during the hot and cold deformations. These treatments allowed us to observe and discuss restoration phenomena, such as dynamic recovery and recrystallization. In addition, orthodontic archwires were studied in a reverse engineering approach to identify their structural characteristics and the corresponding functional behavior. The characterization of commercial functionally graded NiTi orthodontic archwire was performed and the introduction of graded functionality in conventional archwires was analyzed. This study aimed to contribute to the development of processing strategies that will give rise to more consistently uniform characteristics of Ni-Ti shape memory alloys and a minimization of the failures occurring during processing

Nevirapine in an animal model of pre-diabetes: study of drug pharmacokinetic and its effects on fasting glycemia and insulin resistance

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em BiotecnologiaThe increased incidence of type II diabetes has emerged as a major concern in controlled human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)infection. There is a general lack of data to support the best combined antiretroviral therapy (cART) option to treat HIV-patients with pre-diabetes and nevirapine has been described has a glucose-friendly antiretroviral. On the other hand, it is known that diabetes could influence the pharmacokinetics of several drugs. This aspect is particularly relevant for drugs with narrow therapeutic window, which is the case of nevirapine. To understand if nevirapine is a good choice for pre-diabetic HIV-patients, the effect of insulin resistance in NVP pharmacokinetics as well as the effect of nevirapine on insulin resistance, fasting glycemia and mean arterial pressure was evaluated. Moreover, nevirapine effect on thiols content, an endogenous antioxidant defence system, was also evaluated. To achieve the main goal four groups of female Wistar rat were used: a control group, a control group treated with nevirapine, an insulin resistant group and an insulin resistant group treated with nevirapine. An influence of a pre-diabetic status on nevirapine pharmacokinetic was found. Nevirapine and its phase I metabolites presented changes in disposition and the metabolite profile pattern was changed. Moreover, nevirapine, in a pre-diabetic perspective, is associated with a beneficial effect on fasting glycemia, while it has no effect on sensitivity to insulin or in arterial pressure. Furthermore, nevirapine is associated with a lower degradation of total glutathione. Nevirapine might be a good option for HIV-infected patients at higher risk of develop diabetes or in pre-diabetic condition. Moreover, while further studies are necessary to consolidate this issue, nevirapine might be less toxic in pre-diabetes. Although, the decreased bioavailability of nevirapine in pre-diabetes requires special attention, as an adjustment of nevirapine dose might be required in this subpopulation.Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology - PTDC/QUI-QUI/113910/2009, PTDC/SAU-ORG/111417/200

Proposal of smoothing space: disputes around the “modern Manaus”

AbstractThis article presents a reflection on projects for the so-called area of “Modern Manaus” in the city of Manaus/Amazonas, Brazil, which aim to create activities to define the uses of space as scenarios. This area stands as a space of dispute by various interested parties in the city of Manaus. The focus of this article lies with the changes proposed for the area of Modern Manaus and the issues experienced currently by this spatiality, for it is understood that pressures and class struggles are experienced in the city as a whole and, therefore, highlight the tensions of living in the city. Keywords: Manaus – City; Memories; History; Photos; Oral Sources. Original title: Propondo o alisamento do espaço: disputas em torno da “Manaus moderna

NGS Panels applied to Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

Cancer is among the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide (Okur et al, 2017). Germline pathogenic variants for monogenic, highly penetrant cancer susceptibility genes are observed in 5%–10% of all cancers (Lu et al, 2014). Hereditary cancers due to monogenic causes are characterized by earlier age of onset, other associated cancers, and often a family history of specific cancers. From the clinical perspective, it is important to recognize the affected individuals to provide them the best clinical management (Hennessy et al, 2010; Ledermann et al, 2014; Pennington et al, 2014) and to identify at-risk family members who will benefit from predictive genetic testing and enhanced surveillance, including early detection and/or risk reduction measures (Kurian et al, 2010; Okur et al, 2017). Germline variants identified in major cancer susceptibility genes associated with hereditary breast or ovarian cancer (HBOC) or hereditary colorectal cancer (HCRC), also account for 5-10% of the patients with these cancers. In the last years, new susceptibility genes, with different penetrance degrees, have been identified. Variants in any of those genes are rare and classical methodologies (e.g. Sanger sequencing - SS) are time consuming and expensive. Next-generation sequencing (NGS) has several advantages compared to SS, including the simultaneous analysis of many samples and sequencing of a large set of genes, higher sensitivity (down to 1% vs 15-20% in SS), lower cost and faster turnaround time, reasons that make NGS the best approach for molecular diagnosis. It is possible nowadays to choose between whole-genome sequencing (WGS), whole-exome sequencing (WES) and NGS limited to a set of genes (NGS-Panel). In cases where a suspected genetic disease or condition has been identified, targeted sequencing of specific genes or genomic regions is preferred (Grada et al, 2013). For that reason, we use NGS-Panel approach using TruSight Cancer (Illumina) to sequence DNA extracted from blood samples of patients with personal and/or familiar history of cancer. This hereditary cancer gene panel sequences 94 genes associated with both common (e.g., breast, colorectal) and rare hereditary cancers and allows the creation of virtual gene panels according to each phenotype or disease under study. NGS workflow analysis (Figure 1) includes five steps: quality assessment of raw data, read alignment to a reference genome, variant identification/calling, variant annotation and data visualization (Pabinger et al, 2013). The establishment of the most appropriate bioinformatics pipeline is crucial in order to achieve the best results. NGS data allows the identification of several types of variants like single nucleotide variants (SNVs), small insertions/deletions, inversions and also copy number variants (CNVs).FCT - UID/BIM/0009/2016info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio