Immigration, Emigration and Policy Developments in Portugal

Due to the economic crisis, from the beginning of the new century many of Portugal’s former immigrants have moved on to Spain and other European countries, in parallel with the increase in Portuguese emigration. In the context of Southern Europe, Portugal faces a singular situation. Similarly to Spain, Italy and Greece, the country registered a strong immigration in the late 1990s. However, in the early years of the new century immigration has decreased. At the same time, emigration has continued and a new wave of emigrants has left the country, mostly directed towards Spain. As regards government policy, admission and integration have been addressed but emigration has not seriously been looked into

Development of Multifunctional Hydrogel for Cancer Therapy

Breast cancer continues to be one of the most frequently diagnosed cancers, having also one of the highest mortality rates among women. This scenario is justified by the limitations associated with the therapies currently used in the clinic (namely chemotherapy and radiotherapy), which present a low efficacy and non-specific toxicity. In this way, the development of innovative therapeutic strategies displaying a higher efficacy and safety is of paramount importance. Among the therapeutics under study, the Chemo-Photothermal Therapy (Chemo-PTT) mediated by nanomaterials has been showing promising results. This therapeutic modality explores the possible synergistic effects occurring between the nanomaterials mediated’ Near Infrared (NIR) light induced heating, as well as its drug delivery capacity. However, less than 1 % of nanoparticles become accumulated within tumor, after systemic administration. To address this limitation, the delivery of nanomaterials directly into the tumor site by injectable tridimensional polymeric matrices has recently started to be explored. In this MSc Dissertation, an injectable in situ forming ionotropically crosslinked chitosan-based hydrogel was developed. Then, Bovine Serum Albumin nanoparticles loaded with IR780 (photothermal agent; IR/BPN) and nanoparticles of D-a-Tocopheryl Polyethylene Glycol 1000 Succinate encapsulating Doxorubicin (chemotherapeutic agent; DOX/TPN) were incorporated within the hydrogel polymeric matrix in order to explore it in cancer Chemo-PTT. The results obtained reveal that the produced hydrogels (IR/BPN@Gel and IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel) present suitable physicochemical properties to be used in cancer therapy. Upon NIR light exposure, the IR/BPN@Gel and IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel produced a temperature increase of 9.2 °C and 9.0 °C, respectively, confirming their photothermal capacity. As importantly, the NIR-light exposure also increased the release of DOX from the hydrogel by 1.7 times. In the in vitro studies, the IR/BPN@Gel presented a cytocompatible behavior towards breast cancer and normal cells. Moreover, the combination of IR/BPN@Gel with NIR light (photothermal therapy) led to a 65 % reduction in the viability of breast cancer cells. On the other hand, the non-irradiated IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel (chemotherapy) only diminished cancer cells viability by 15 %. In stark contrast, the Chemo-PTT mediated by IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel reduced the cancer cells viability by about 91 %. Overall, these results demonstrate that IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel is an injectable in situ forming hydrogel with great potential for the Chemo-PTT of breast cancer.O cancro da mama é uma das doenças com maior mortalidade em todo o mundo, que afeta sobretudo o sexo feminino. Este facto está relacionado com as limitações associadas às terapias aplicadas em meio clínico (quimioterapia e radioterapia), que apresentam uma baixa eficiência, toxicidade inespecífica, e ainda causam efeitos secundários nos pacientes. Deste modo, é essencial o desenvolvimento de estratégias terapêuticas inovadoras que apresentem uma maior eficácia e segurança. Entre as diferentes abordagens terapêuticas atualmente a serem desenvolvidas, a terapia quimio-fototérmica mediada por nanomateriais tem apresentado resultados promissores. Esta modalidade terapêutica explora possíveis efeitos sinérgicos entre a aplicação localizada de hipertermia, mediada por nanomateriais responsivos à luz com um comprimento de onda na região do infravermelho próximo (em inglês: Near Infrared (NIR)) e que mediam a entrega direcionada de fármacos. No entanto, as nanopartículas administradas sistemicamente apresentam uma taxa de acumulação no tumor inferior a 1 %. Com o intuito de incrementar a acumulação dos nanomateriais no tumor, a entrega destes diretamente no local do tumor através de matrizes poliméricas tridimensionais injetáveis tem vindo a ser cada vez mais explorada. Nesta Dissertação de Mestrado, foi desenvolvido um hidrogel de quitosano injetável que gelificava in situ através de reticulação ionotrópica. Para além disso, foram também incorporadas nanopartículas de Albumina de Soro Bovino contendo IR780 (agente fototérmico; IR/BPN) e nanopartículas de Succinato de D-a-Tocoferil Polietilenoglicol 1000 encapsulando Doxorubicina (fármaco quimioterapêutico; DOX/TPN) no hidrogel, de modo a explorar o potencial desta matriz na terapia quimio-fototérmica do cancro. Os resultados obtidos permitiram confirmar que os hidrogéis produzidos (IR/BPN@Gel e IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel) apresentaram boas propriedades físico-químicas para aplicação na terapia do cancro. Quando irradiados com luz NIR, o IR/BPN@Gel e IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel induziram um aumento de temperatura de 9.2 °C e 9.0 °C, respetivamente, confirmando o seu potencial fototérmico. Esta interação com a luz NIR também aumentou em 1.7 vezes a libertação de DOX do hidrogel. Para além disso, nos estudos in vitro foi demonstrada a citocompatibilidade do IR/BPN@Gel. Este sistema não induziu qualquer efeito citotóxico em células normais ou em células cancerígenas. Para além disto, a irradiação do IR/BPN@Gel com a luz NIR (terapia fototérmica) causou uma redução (em 65 %) da viabilidade de células do cancro da mama. O IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel sem ser irradiado (quimioterapia) apenas reduziu a viabilidade celular em 15 %. Por outro lado, a terapia quimio-fototérmica mediada pelo IR/BPN+DOX/TPN@Gel reduziu a viabilidade das células em 91 %. Os resultados obtidos demonstram o potencial deste hidrogel injetável (com formação in situ) para aplicação na terapia quimio-fototérmica de células do cancro da mama

The value relevance of tangible fixed assets

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Finance from the NOVA – School of Business and EconomicsThis Work Project aims to verify whether gains from the revaluation of tangible fixed assets in Portugal and Spain are relevant to investors. My sample consists of Portuguese and Spanish listed firms and it spans from the mandatory adoption of IFRS in 2005 until 2009. The results suggest that gains from revaluations are relevant to investors in Portugal and Spain both individually and together and independently of the dependent variable used (March or December share prices). Also, further analysis suggests that revaluations have lower value relevance in firms with high levels of debt which implies an opportunistic motivation

Critical incident study on forgiveness in the organizational context

Forgiveness has been subject of interest, mainly in the psychology fields of study. Relatively to the organizational context, this topic has been somehow put aside and settled as something that is purely an intra-individual phenomenon which organizations cannot force, or even stimulate. As conflicts are common within organizations and being often difficult to overcome, eyes have turned into the role forgiveness might take in this scenario. Despite forgiveness being accepted as an intrapersonal decision and a result of predisposition as it is a result of education and culture. This study, as some already done, refuses to accept forgiveness as an unchangeable behavior that cannot be manipulated or induced by managers or by organizational context. Therefore, offering a set of incidents as well as their classification, that have been identified by individuals performing different types organizational roles in different organization which is believed as being a genuine way of delivering to the reader a set of actions and behaviors that if taken, may incentivize or inhibit forgiveness

The making of policies of immigration control in Portugal

In this paper, the main elements about the making of policies of immigration control in Portugal will be described. As regards methodology, a large part of the paper is based on secondary sources. Evidence regarding immigration flows, main policy measures, public opinion and stakeholders positions, particularly employers associations and trade unions, was based on available bibliography, statistical datasets and documental analysis, including legislation and other information available at the internet. Due to limited availability of updated evidence and research, the making of immigration policies was complemented with direct enquiry. The positions of the main political parties, negotiations and coalitions were mainly addressed through semi-directive interviews to representatives of the main political parties and some other governmental actors, particularly the former High Commissioner for Immigration and Intercultural Dialogue. All the interviews were carried out between January and March 2008. To clarify some of the aspects of policy action and institutional factors behind policies also direct contacts were done with the Aliens and Borders Service (SEF), still in March 2008. The organisation of the paper is as follows. In Part I, immigration stocks and flows since the 1980s will be presented, as well as some data on the labour market incorporation of immigrants. Due to the wider availability of statistics based on citizenship, most elements refer to foreign citizens in Portugal3 . In order to simplify, “immigration” will mean, in most of the paper, foreign population in Portugal, except when mention to these different concepts is done. In Part II, policies of immigration control in Portugal will be presented, taking into account the chronology of measures, current admission policy and some elements on integration and citizenship policies. In Part III, public opinion, political parties and stakeholders will be analysed. Most of the elements will be devoted to the positions of political parties regarding immigration and the complex ways through which policies are designed. In Part IV, the role of institutional domestic and external factors will be highlighted, taking into account agreements and partnerships established between Portugal and some third-countries and the EU constraints regarding immigration policy. Finally, some conclusive remarks will be set

Immigration policies in Portugal: Limits and compromise in the quest for regulation

The main objective of this article is to describe the key elements of the making of immigration control policies in Portugal until 2007. First, the main policy initiatives and measures concerning the admission of foreigners are presented. Second, the mechanisms and difficulties surrounding the issue of immigration control are discussed, and a tension is identified between the structural demand for foreign labour and the measures taken for control. Third, the positions of the main political parties and of the most relevant stakeholders are highlighted. The evidence indicates that despite continued attempts to control immigration, the stated policy objectives are at odds with the outcome, characterised by endemic irregular migration. The factors hindering regulation are both internal and external, encompassing the economic, social, institutional and legal domains. Given the limits to control, policy-makers have sought to achieve a com promise by enacting frequent regularization programmes while seeking to improve admission and control. In this process, the main political parties have exhibited a significant degree of consensus, which may be partially accounted for by the convergence among the other stakeholders (employers, trade unions, Catholic organisations and immigrants’ associations) and by the increasing, albeit contradictory, acceptance of immigration by public opinion.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Fungal Contamination of Sandpits from Recreational Parks and Schools: a Potential Risk for Human Health

Sandpits used by children are frequently visited by wild life which constitutes a source of fungal pathogens and allergenic fungi. This study aimed to take an unannounced snapshot of the urban levels of fungal contaminants in sands, using for this purpose two public recreational parks, three elementary schools and two kindergartens. All samples were from Lisbon and neighboring municipalities and were tested for fungi of clinical interest. Potentially pathogenic fungi were isolated from all samples besides one. Fusarium dimerum (32.4%) was found to be the dominant species in one park and Chrysonilia spp. in the other (46.6%). Fourteen different species and genera were detected and no dermatophytes were found. Of a total of 14 species and genera, the fungi most isolated from the samples of the elementary schools were Penicillium spp. (74%), Cladophialophora spp. (38%) and Cladosporium spp. (90%). Five dominant species and genera were isolated from the kindergartens. Penicillium spp. was the only genus isolated in one, though with remarkably high counts (32500 colony forming units per gram). In the other kindergarten Penicillium spp. were also the most abundant species, occupying 69% of all the fungi found. All of the samples exceeded the Maximum Recommended Value (MRV) for beach sand defined by Brandão et al. 2011, which are currently the only quantitative guidelines available for the same matrix. The fungi found confirm the potential risk of exposure of children to keratinophilic fungi and demonstrates that regular cleaning or replacing of sand needs to be implemented in order to minimize contamination.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Património romano do Centro Histórico de Évora: representação e técnicas digitais na valorização das Termas da Praça do Sertório

O presente trabalho sobre as termas da cidade romana de Évora pretende explicar os processos projetuais sobre as imagens de reconstituição e interpretação do passado. Um modo de olhar para uma ruína arqueológica ou para um monumento. O resultado é adquirido através de um processo que implica, a análise, e a interpretação. Existem, inúmeros aspetos que estão devidamente fundamentados e que nos permitem antever uma leitura muito aproximada da aparência da cidade, dos banhos e em determinados locais. As plantas propostas por alguns investigadores, admitem fazer o cruzamento de informação, do que se conhece até ao presente, sobre o seu urbanismo e caracterização de algumas estruturas, na malha urbana. A reconstrução das termas de Évora, de todas as partes em falta, não invalida que esta proposta possa ter aceitação científica e revele informação de grande valor e utilidade, tornando-se um ponto de partida para novas abordagens, bem como para futuras investigações e escavações; ABSTRACT: Virtual Recovery of the Roman Heritage- historic center of Évora The present work about the Baths of the Roman city of Évora intends to explain the procedure processes on the reconstitution and interpretation of the past. A way of looking at an archaeological ruin or a monument. The result is acquired through a process that implies, the analysis, and the interpretation. There are, however, numerous aspects that are well-founded and that allows us to foresee a very approximate reading of the city's and bath’ appearance, in certain places. Some researchers proposed plants that allowed to cross the information, of what is known so far to its planning and characterization of some structures, in the urban mesh. The reconstruction of Évora thermal baths, all missing parts, does not invalidate that this proposal may have scientific acceptance and information of great value and usefulness, becoming a starting point for further discussions or approaches as well as for future investigations and excavations

Realização de uma ponte Ethernet-SPI para comunicação e controlo de placas de alta tensão do detetor TileCal da experiência ATLAS do LHC

Tese de mestrado integrado em Engenharia Física, apresentada à Universidade de Lisboa, através da Faculdade de Ciências, 2017O trabalho apresentado nesta tese foi realizado no âmbito do projeto de atualização do calorímetro TileCal do detetor ATLAS, mais concretamente, na substituição das placas HV-Opto por uma versão melhorada (HV-Remote) que controlam a alta tensão fornecida aos fotomultiplicadores (PMTs) do detetor. Atualmente, a placa HV-Opto encontra-se em operação há mais de 10 anos, e uma vez que o equipamento se encontra no interior do detetor, está sujeita a elevadas doses de radiação. Outro problema prende-se com a necessidade de substituir equipamento avariado, o que, devido à radiação, só é possível quando se realizam paragens técnicas do LHC, algo que acontece esporadicamente. Assim, uma das propostas de atualização daquele sistema consiste em mover a eletrónica de controlo do TileCal atualmente no detetor, para um local na caverna USA15, num ambiente virtualmente sem radiação pois encontra-se a 100 m do detetor. A atualização proposta pelo grupo de investigação do LIP (Laboratório de Instrumentação e Física Experimental de Partículas) e de outras instituições participantes no projeto está dividida em três partes: conceção e produção de uma carta-protótipo (HV-Remote), realização de testes com o protótipo e criação do sistema de controlo da placa HV-Remote. O trabalho realizado nesta tese incide no sistema de controlo da placa, e teve como objetivo a criação de uma interface que permite ao utilizador gerir os valores de tensão que são aplicados aos PMTs do detetor. Adquiriu-se uma placa de teste que contém um módulo programável em linguagem C e/ou BASIC. Este módulo (da TIBBO), caso o seu desempenho cumpra os requisitos, será colocado na versão final da HV-Remote e terá como função direcionar a informação enviada pela interface de utilizador para os subsistemas, ou componentes, da placa, para que a respetiva parametrização seja efetuada. A interface de utilizador foi desenvolvida em linguagem C++, com recurso ao programa WinCC atualmente utilizado no controlo do TileCal. Esta interface permitirá ao utilizador escrever e ler valores de tensão aplicados aos PMTs, bem como controlar ou monitorizar outras variáveis, tais como a temperatura, que são cruciais para o normal funcionamento de todo o sistema. A ligação entre a interface e a placa HV-Remote será feita com Sockets, através de uma ligação via Ethernet, utilizando o protocolo de comunicação SPI para o envio de dados. No trabalho, foram alcançadas com sucesso as seguintes metas: - Teste do módulo programável que se encontra anexado a uma placa de testes. - Teste do canal SSI do módulo (em configuração de Master) com Arduinos Uno (em configuração de Slave) e comunicação por Sockets sobre Ethernet. - Teste do módulo TIBBO com os vários componentes que constituem a placa HV-Remote. - Planificação e conceção do painel (interface de utilizador) para o DCS. - Programação dos vários botões do painel. - Testes finais com o módulo TIBBO, o painel DCS e os componentes da placa HV-Remote.The work presented in this thesis was carried out as part of the project to upgrade the TileCal detector of the ATLAS experiment, more specifically, the replacement of the HV-Opto boards by an improved version (HV-Remote) that controls the high voltage supplied to the PMTs of the detector. The HV-Opto board has been in operation for more than 10 years now, and since the equipment is inside the detector, it is subject to high doses of radiation. Another problem may arise when some equipment needs to be replaced, a task that, due to radiation is only possible of being done when performing technical stops of the LHC, something that happens sporadically. Thus, one of the upgrade proposals consists in moving the detector's TileCal control electronics to a location in the USA15 cave, which has a much lower radioactive environment, located 100 m apart from the detector, thus allowing the system a longer expected operation time. The upgrade proposed by the group is divided into three parts: design and production of a prototype (HV-Remote), testing of the prototype and creation of the control system for the new version of the HV-Remote board. The work carried out in this thesis focuses on the control system of the board, and aims to create an interface that allows the user to manage the voltage values that are applied to the PMTs of the detector. A test board, which contains a module (from TIBBO) programmable in C and/or BASIC language, was acquired for the project. This module, if its performance is satisfactory, will be placed in the final version of the HV-Remote and will have the function of directing the information sent by the user interface to the correct sub-system in the board to carry out the instructions. The user interface will be developed in the C ++ language, using the WinCC program already used in the TileCal control. This interface will allow the user to write and read voltage values applied to the PMTs, as well as control or monitor other factors, such as temperature, that are crucial to the normal operation of the entire system. The connection between the interface and the HV-Remote board will be made via Sockets, through an Ethernet connection, using the SPI communication protocol for sending and receiving data. The following tasks have been accomplished: - Test the TIBBO module that is attached to a test board. - Test the module's SSI channel (in master configuration) with Arduinos Uno (in slave configuration) and Sockets' communication over Ethernet. - Test the module linked to several components that are in the HV-Remote board. - DCS panel planning and design. - Coding of the various buttons in the panel. - Final tests with the TIBBO module, the DCS panel and the components acquired

Perspectivas de pedagogas acerca de suas práticas profissionais no contexto do sistema judiciário em João Pessoa – PB

The present work has as general objective to reflect and to analyze the ways of acting of the Pedagogy professional in the Court of Justice of Paraíba. The specific objectives have the purpose of: characterizing the performance of the pedagogue in the context of the Judiciary; describe duties that are under the responsibility of these professionals; diagnose possible difficulties faced; addressing initial and continuing training; compare the training received in the course of Pedagogy with the dynamics of practice. Education scholars provide adequate argumentation for further study. The methodology used was the bibliographical research and the field research, guiding analyzes and inferences. In the final considerations, conclusions are drawn that make it clear that, despite the difficulties, the work of the pedagogue in the Judiciary is extremely important, taking care of children and youth at risk, with a human 'look' orienting, reorienting, supervising, dialoguing, finally transforming the educational practice, in non formal space of education, in pedagogical practice, acting in the present in joint action with the psychosocial sector and the magistrates; thus taking care of the future, working for a better world.O presente trabalho tem como objetivo geral refletir e analisar os modos de atuação do(a) profissional da Pedagogia no Tribunal de Justiça da Paraíba. Os objetivos específicos possuem o propósito de caracterizar a atuação do(a) pedagogo(a) no contexto do Judiciário; descrever atribuições que estão sob a responsabilidade desses(as) profissionais; diagnosticar possíveis dificuldades enfrentadas abordar a formação inicial e continuada; comparar a formação recebida no curso de Pedagogia com as dinâmicas da prática. A fundamentação teórica advém da literatura técnica especializada em Teoria da Pedagogia, Educação Não Escolar e Pedagogia Jurídica. A metodologia utilizada foi a da pesquisa bibliográfica e da pesquisa de campo, orientando análises e inferências, esta última acontecendo na forma de construção de dados junto a pedagogas que atuavam no Tribunal de Justiça da Paraíba. Nas considerações finais, são apresentadas conclusões que deixam claro que, apesar das dificuldades, o trabalho do(a) pedagogo(a) no Judiciário é extremamente importante, cuidando da infância e da juventude em situação de risco, com um „olhar‟ humano, orientando, reorientando, coordenando, dialogando para construir o espaço da prática educativa em espaço não formal de educação como prática pedagógica, atuando em ação conjunta com o setor psicossocial e os magistrados; cuidando, assim, do futuro, laborando por um mundo melhor