The impact of Covid-19 across corporate debt structures

This paper investigates the impact of the COVID-19-induced financial crisis across corporate debt structures. I uncover that firms with a high bond-to-total debt ratio tend to have higher stock returns during non crisis periods, but face lower returns with the onset of the pandemic. I suggest various explanations for why this is the case, including the most likely hypothesis that borrowing from the market is associated with higher volatility in returns. The analysis relies on an original and comprehensive database built on bond offering amounts matched with company fundamentals and stock price data from US firms

Precession of neutrino-cooled accretion disks in gamma-ray burst engines

We study the precession of accretion disks in the context of gamma-ray burst inner engines. With an accretion disk model that allows for neutrino cooling, we evaluate the possible periods of disk precession and nutation due to the Lense-Thirring effect. Assuming jet ejection perpendicular to the disk midplane and a typical intrinsic time dependence for the burst, we find possible gamma-ray light curves with temporal microstructure similar to what is observed in some subsamples. We conclude that the precession and nutation of a neutrino-cooled accretion disk in the burst engine might be responsible for some events, especially those with a slow rise and a fast decay.Comment: 7 pages, 8 figures, accepted for publication in A&

Telework during the COVID-19 epidemic in Portugal and determinants of job satisfaction: a cross-sectional study

Background:Telework satisfaction is a Public Health concern, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, and its determinant factors may be related with the negative health effects of teleworking. However, there is still little research exploring this issue. This study aimed to characterize telework during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic in Portugal and to identify the major predictors of telework satisfaction. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study aimed at all teleworkers working in Portugal, during the first wave of the COVID-19 epidemic. Data were collected through a Google Forms platform online questionnaire distributed by a snowball method on social networks. Descriptive statistics included crude and relative frequency data. The associations between sociodemographic characteristics, self-perceived health, organization of working time, concentration at work, work-life balance, work disconnection, working conditions, and organizational demands (flexibility and organizational trust based on E-work Life Scale) with telework satisfaction were estimated through logistic regression. Results: This study included 1004 participants. Teleworkers satisfaction levels were high (69%). Better concentration at work (OR = 1.54; 95%CI 1.01–2.34); the satisfaction with the balance between work life and extra work when teleworking (OR = 1.79; 95%CI 1.17–2.74); and higher work flexibility (OR = 2.26; 95%CI 1.46–3.49) were good predictors of greater levels of satisfaction with telework. However, its major predictors were the company’s trust in teleworkers (OR = 4.50; 95%CI 2.89–7.02) and feeling good in the workspace at home (OR = 3.72; 95%CI 1.46–9.49). Conclusions: Our findings point that work environment and organizational culture play a crucial role in affecting telework satisfaction. More studies are needed to monitor telework satisfaction and its effects on physical and mental health, so that Public and Occupational Health (and Safety) can be able to identify and implement the best interventions that allow promoting individual health and foster a healthy work environment for teleworkers.Fundação Ciência e Tecnologia, IP national support through CHRC (UIDP/04923/2020)info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Bacterial Communities of Two Ubiquitous Great Barrier Reef Corals Reveals Both Site- and Species-Specificity of Common Bacterial Associates

Background: Coral-associated bacteria are increasingly considered to be important in coral health, and altered bacterial community structures have been linked to both coral disease and bleaching. Despite this, assessments of bacterial communities on corals rarely apply sufficient replication to adequately describe the natural variability. Replicated data such as these are crucial in determining potential roles of bacteria on coral

Perfis de Chefes de Missão acreditados em Lisboa durante a II Guerra Mundial

Perfis dos Chefes de Missão acreditados em Lisboa durante a II Guerra Mundial constitui uma abordagem das características e do desempenho dos embaixadores e dos ministros plenipotenciários que serviram na capital portuguesa entre 1939 e 1945, principalmente os que constituíram o núcleo dos Aliados (China, Estados Unidos, França e Reino Unido), do Eixo (Alemanha, Itália e Japão), do Brasil e de Espanha. Nela estabelece-se uma relação entre a neutralidade portuguesa, que se demonstra ser alinhada, desde o início do conflito, com o Reino Unido, e o maior ou menor investimento diplomático e político de cada uma das partes, em número e qualificação de agentes.Profiles of the Heads of Mission accredited in Lisbon during World War II is an approach of the characteristics and performance of ambassadors and plenipotentiary ministers who served in the Portuguese capital between 1939 and 1945, especially those who formed the core of the Allies (China, United States , France and the UK), Axis (Germany, Italy and Japan), Brazil and Spain. It establishes a relationship between the Portuguese neutrality, which proves to be aligned, from the beginning of the conflict, with the United Kingdom, and more or less diplomatic and political investment of each party, in number and qualification of staff

Jaime Galvis y su particular forma de ganarse la vida.

Este proyecto se inició en la búsqueda de una historia de vida, después de esto se fomentó el deseo de seguir investigando con el fin de buscar respuestas a toda las situaciones que se presentaban en el barrio Primero de mayo y así conseguir una temática fuerte y consistente para la construcción de un proyecto de grado con miras a graduarnos. Por tal razón nuestra principal justificación es que cada historia merece ser contada y esta es una de ellas, sentimos la necesidad de ser los encargados de contar una problemática, de interactuar y de abrir los ojos a situaciones que son normales para algunas personas que viven el Barrio, pero que para nosotros es algo muy particular. Queremos mostrar varios contrastes partiendo a través de un personaje que vive en una ciudad que se hace llamar “La Puerta de Oro”. A través de “Pin” pretendemos reflejar la realidad y el extremo de muchas personas que a diario luchan incesantemente para mejorar sus condiciones de vida, poniendo en riesgo su integridad personal y haciendo actividades ilegales. En este proyecto audiovisual narraremos la historia de Jaime Galvis, popularmente conocido como “Pin” un hombre de 23 años de edad, que diariamente recorre algunos sectores de Barranquilla en un vehículo de tracción animal para recolectar llantas y quemarlas para extraerles el acero. Aunque “Pin” es consciente de los peligros a los que ésta actividad lo lleva; como la inhalación de sustancias tóxicas que ponen en riesgo su salud, los efectos nocivos que causa al medio ambiente y constantes desacuerdos con los vecinos por desempeñar esta actividad ilegal, él ve esa actividad como su única forma de sobrevivir. Debido a las constantes prohibiciones realizadas por entidades encargadas del medio ambiente, Pin ve poco a poco como decae el negocio de la quema de llantas y cómo se hace más difícil adaptarse a otras actividades

Efeitos do clima de comunicação organizacional no "stress", "work" "engagement" e comportamentos extra-papel

A presente tese analisa os efeitos do clima de comunicação organizacional no "stress", "work" "engagement" e comportamentos extra-papel com base em três objetivos principais. O primeiro objetivo consiste em validar a Communication Climate Scale (Smidts, Pruyn, & Van Riel, 2001), e testar a validade preditiva com as variáveis critério extra-papel (voz, cinismo). Os resultados dos estudos realizados validam a escala e sugerem que o clima de comunicação é preditor dos comportamentos extra-papel e dos comportamentos de cinismo. O segundo objetivo visa analisar o papel mediador do "work" "engagement" na relação entre o clima de comunicação e os comportamentos de voz. Os resultados confirmam a existência de uma mediação total, ou seja, o efeito positivo do clima de comunicação na voz é explicado pelo seu efeito no "work" "engagement". O terceiro objetivo visa analisar o papel do clima de comunicação enquanto moderador na relação entre os efeitos das exigências e recursos de trabalho no "stress". Observou-se que a relação entre as exigências de trabalho e o "stress" é significativamente condicionada pela confiança e abertura na comunicação. A relação entre os recursos de trabalho (qualidade de "feedback" das chefias; autonomia) e o "stress" dos colaboradores, é significativamente condicionada pelo clima de confiança e abertura da comunicação e pelo suporte na comunicação, respetivamente. Globalmente, os resultados contribuem para o conhecimento teórico sobre os efeitos do clima de comunicação na qualidade de vida dos colaboradores e sugerem recomendações importantes para a melhoria da comunicação interna das organizações.The present thesis aims to analyze the effects of organizational communication climate on stress, work engagement and extra-role behaviors based on three main objectives. The first objective is to validate the Communication Climate Scale (Smidts, Pruyn, & Van Riel, 2001), and to test the predictive validity with the extra-role criterion variables (voice, cynicism). The results of the studies validate the scale and suggest that the communication climate is a predictor of extra-role behaviors and cynicism behaviors. The second objective is to analyze the mediating role of work engagement in the relationship between the communication climate and the voice behaviors. The results confirm the existence of a total mediation, the positive effect of the communication climate on the voice is explained by its effect on work engagement. The third objective is to analyze the role of the communication climate as a moderator in the relationship between the effects of work demands and resources on stress. It was observed that the relationship between work demands and stress is significantly conditioned by trust and openness in communication. The relationship between work resources (supervisor quality feedback; autonomy) and employee stress is significantly conditioned by the climate of trust and openness in communication and support in communication, respectively. Overall, the results contribute to the theoretical knowledge about the effects of the communication climate on the quality of life of employees and suggest important recommendations for improving the internal communication of organizations

ANALISIS DE LAS RESPUESTAS FISIOLÓGICAS QUE SE GENERAN EN UN PACIENTE CON PANCREATITIS AGUDA: UN CASO DE ESTUDIO.

Se presenta el caso de una paciente de 42 años de edad Objetivo: Valorar las respuestas humanas fisiológicas de la pancreatitis aguda a través de los dominios NANDA, que permita establecer el plan de cuidados determinado para el cliente Metodología: abordaje cualitativo observacional descriptivo, permitiendo justificar la sintomatología presente en la paciente con la que se desarrolla en la evolución de la patología; siendo esta metodología útil para verificar y desarrollar el proceso de diagnostico a la muestra incluye una paciente, del servicio hospitalario de medicina interna de la ESE San Juan de Dios, Pamplona Resultados: El paciente siente satisfacción cuando percibe la vocación y la voluntad de servicio de la enfermera. La satisfacción por buena atención se concibe como un campo de aceptación limitada. Conclusión: estos hallazgos indican la necesidad de valorar la incertidumbre e identificar factores relacionados como capacidades cognitivas, y fuentes de estructura que inciden positiva o negativamente en la aparición de la misma

“CLUPS”: A New Culture Medium for the Axenic Growth of Entamoeba histolytica

Amebiasis remains a major health problem in Mexico. Terefore, the search for better culture media and low-cost diagnostic and therapeutic tools is fundamental. We present a new culture medium for Entamoeba histolytica which allows the microbe to preserve its virulence factors and ability to induce hepatic abscesses in animal models. Te novel CLUPS medium is an improved version of the PEHPS medium, previously designed in our laboratory. Te main diference is the substitution of raw beef liver in PEHPS by raw beef lung in the CLUPS medium. To compare the performance of three-culture media (traditional TYI-S-33, PEHPS, and CLUPS), E. histolytica trophozoites were cultured in quintuplicate, followed by the evaluation of phospholipase activity and the induction of liver abscesses in golden hamsters. E. histolytica trophozoites grew signifcantly better in CLUPS medium than in TYIS-33. Likewise, CLUPS-cultured trophozoites produced signifcantly more phospholipases than TYI-S-33-cultured trophozoites. Finally, trophozoites grown in any of the three tested media had similar potential to induce liver abscesse