Epidemiology and genetic diversity of invasive Neisseria meningitidis strains circulating in Portugal from 2003 to 2020

Invasive meningococcal disease (IMD) continues to be a public health problem due to its epidemic potential, affecting mostly children. We aimed to present a detailed description of the epidemiology of IMD in Portugal, including insights into the genetic diversity of Neisseria meningitidis strains. Epidemiological analysis included data from the Portuguese National Reference Laboratory of Neisseria meningitidis during 2003 to 2020. Since 2012, N. meningitidis isolates have also been assessed for their susceptibility to antibiotics and were characterized by whole genome sequencing. During 2003–2020, 1392 confirmed cases of IMD were analyzed. A decrease in the annual incidence rate was observed, ranging from 1.99 (2003) to 0.39 (2020), with an average case fatality rate of 7.1%. Serogroup B was the most frequent (69.7%), followed by serogroups C (9.7%), Y (5.7%), and W (2.6%). Genomic characterization of 329 isolates identified 20 clonal complexes (cc), with the most prevalent belonging to serogroup B cc41/44 (26.3%) and cc213 (16.3%). Isolates belonging to cc11 were predominantly from serogroups W (77.3%) and C (76.5%), whereas cc23 was dominant from serogroup Y (65.7%). Over the past 4 years (2017–2020), we observed an increasing trend of cases assigned to cc213, cc32, and cc11. Regarding antimicrobial susceptibility, all isolates were susceptible to ceftriaxone and 61.8% were penicillin-nonsusceptible, whereas 1.4% and 1.0% were resistant to ciprofloxacin and rifampicin. This is the first detailed study on the epidemiology and genomics of invasive N. meningitidis infections in Portugal, providing relevant data to public health policy makers for a more effective control of this disease.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Risco sistémico do sistema bancário nacional

Ao longo deste trabalho procurou-se explorar um tema actual, que afecta o sistema bancário mundial e que tem repercussões na economia global e na economia e sistema bancário nacional. Neste sentido, pretende-se mostrar a ênfase e os efeitos da Crise do Subprime Americana na possibilidade de ocorrência de risco sistémico no sistema bancário. Ostentando alguns modelos teóricos existentes de crises sistémicas, aspectos da regulação bancária existente e a perspectivas da abordagem de alguns autores que se pronunciaram sobre a ocorrência de crises sistémicas, como Keynes, Minsky e Stigliz. No que confere á actuação dos mercados, analisou-se a problemática da teoria dos mercados eficientes, apontando algumas das suas lacunas e apontamos uma alternativa desenvolvida por Minsky a hipótese da instabilidade financeira. Efectuou-se um breve resumo dos factores e acontecimentos que contribuíram para a ocorrência da Crise do Subprime Americana, desde o aparecimento da bolha até ao rebentamento da mesma e o seu contributo para a propagação e tumultuo do sistema financeiro global. Para complementar este trabalho, abordou-se um fenómeno de possível ocorrência de risco sistémico no sistema bancário nacional, no qual efectuamos a análise às cotações de algumas instituições bancárias cotadas na Bolsa de Valores de Lisboa. Este trabalho pretende mostrar de uma forma alusiva, um tema que tem vindo a ser difundido mundialmente, aludindo á necessidade de uma regulação eficaz do sistema bancário e da necessidade de revisão dos aspectos e formas interventivas dos bancos centrais, abrangendo de uma forma generalista os impactos que o risco sistémico pode acarretar.Throughout this work, the objective was to explore a current issue affecting the banking system, that has its repercussions in the global economy, and consequently, in the national economy, as well as on its banking system. Thus, it is intended to stress out and identify the effects of the American subprime crisis in case of a systemic risk in the banking system, through the support of some existing theoretical models of systemic crisis; aspects of existing bank regulation and some approach prospects of some authors who have outlined the occurrence of systemic crisis, such as Keynes, Minsky and Stigliz. In terms of the market performance, it was analyzed the problem concerning the efficient market theory, assuming some of its shortcomings and pointing out an alternative developed by Minsky´s financial instability hypothesis. So there’s a brief summary of factors and events that contributed to the occurrence of the American subprime crisis, since the emergence of the “bubble”, until its burst, and the contribution to the spread and disorder of the global financial system. In order to complement this work, it was addressed a phenomenon of a possible occurrence of a systemic risk in the national banking system, where we considered the prices of some banks listed on the Lisbon Stock Exchange. This work aims to show clearly, a subject that has been broadcasted worldwide, encouraging the need to promote effective regulation in the banking system and to review aspects and ways of intervention of the central banks, by overviewing the impacts that a systemic risk may create

Toxoplasma gondii seroprevalence in the Portuguese population: comparison of three cross-sectional studies spanning three decades

Background: Toxoplasma gondii is an obligate intracellular protozoan infecting up to one-third of the world's population, constituting a life threat if transmitted from mother to child during pregnancy. In Portugal, there is a lack of knowledge of the current epidemiological situation, as the unique toxoplasmosis National Serological Survey was performed in 1979/1980. Methods: We studied the seroprevalence trends in the Portuguese general population over the past 3 decades, by assessing chronological spread cross-sectional studies, with special focus on women of childbearing age, by age group, region and gender. Results: The T. gondii overall seroprevalence decreased from 47% in 1979/1980 to 22% (95% CI 20% to 24%) in 2013. Generally, we observed that the prevalence of T. gondii IgG increased significantly with age and it decreased over time, both in the general population and in the childbearing women (18% prevalence in 2013). Conclusions: The scenario observed for the latter indicates that more than 80% of childbearing women are susceptible to primary infection yielding a risk of congenital toxoplasmosis and respective sequelae. Since there is no vaccine to prevent human toxoplasmosis, the improvement of primary prevention constitutes a major tool to avoid infection in such susceptible groups.The Portuguese National Institute of Health funded this study.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Production and processing of pre-impregnated thermoplastic tapes by pultrusion and compression moulding

Although there is no doubt that composite materials are the future of lightweight structures and components, most of composites currently produced are made from thermoset polymers, which are not able to be recycled or reprocessed. In contrast, thermoplastic polymers offer the possibility to recycle and reprocess and when combined with a fibrous reinforcement, provide interesting mechanical properties. This work reviews the production of two thermoplastic preimpregnated materials in a tape form, one of which is produced on new prototype equipment developed in our laboratories. The method for the production of tape is described, and the prepregs presented here were subjected to two processing techniques. The first processing method, pultrusion, is an efficient and autonomous method to produce composite profiles, marking itself as a continuous and cost-effective way to produce these materials. Pultrusion bars were then subjected to heated compression moulding, a process that allows to obtain more complex-shaped parts. The second method, heated compression moulding, is a relatively simple process which was used to obtain composite laminates. The pultrusion bars and composite laminates were then subjected to mechanical testing to evaluate the levels of consolidation of the final material. A microscope testing was also carried out to analyse the dispersion of fibres and polymer, as well as the amount of voids present in the composite.Agência Nacional para a Inovação - ANI, Projeto ADD.CompFiber 6960

Projectos educativos : elaboração, monitorização e avaliação : guião de apoio

O presente guião de apoio à elaboração, implementação, monitorização, divulgação e avaliação de projetos educativos é o resultado de um trabalho coletivo coordenado por uma equipa técnica multidisciplinar e com diferentes experiências no contexto do sistema educativo e formativo

A Model-Driven Development (MDD) Approach to Change Impact Analysis

This paper presents a change impact analysis approach created as part of a model-driven development (MDD) environment. Its purpose is to give project stakeholders the ability to better assess the impact that requirement changes will impose on project schedule and budget. Using MDD techniques and visualization tools we were able to automate requirement change impact analysis. Therefore, the following discussion focuses on how this environment can help software project managers, developers, and other stakeholders increase their productivity and evaluate how client changes affect their daily work

Multidisciplinary Treatment of a Double First Mandibular Premolar

Gemination aka twinning and fusion, are rare occurrences in posterior mandibular teeth, often requiring endodontic and surgical treatment for functional, orthodontic or cosmetic reasons. The diagnosis and design of a precise treatment plan in cases involving double teeth are in most cases challenging. The purpose of this case report is to describe a successful multidisciplinary treatment protocol for a double tooth. Upon completion of the endodontic, restorative and orthodontic treatments, the clinical and radiographic three-year follow-up revealed that the rest of the transected premolar showed evidence of healing of the supporting tissues and satisfactory cosmetic result.Keywords: Double Tooth; Hemisection; Orthodontics; Root Canal Treatmen

ESTUDOS I

A apresentação de uma Obra nunca é tarefa fácil, particularmente quando tal apresentação se atreva a uma apreciação do conteúdo ou a orientações da leitura. No caso da Obra que temos em mãos a diversidade de temas dificulta esse tipo de apresentação, até porque escasseiam no “apresentador” as capacidades para se pronunciar sobre muitos deles. É verdade que uma das áreas de que está mais próximo (a Economia e o Desenvolvimento Regional) é até a que regista o maior número de contribuições, em secção específica e noutras; mas faria pouco sentido que a apresentação de um Livro com as características deste viesse destacar apenas alguma das suas áreas

Governança do conhecimento: identificação das perspectivas a partir da análise de conteúdo da produção científica

O conhecimento individual, base para a existência do conhecimento organizacional é influenciado por diversos fatores individuais e organizacionais que permitem ou não que o conhecimento seja criado ou compartilhado. Além da Gestão do Conhecimento, surge uma abordagem interdisciplinar emergente, que permeia os campos da gestão do conhecimento, os estudos de organização, a estratégia e a gestão de recursos humanos. A Governança do Conhecimento (GovC) consiste na implantação de mecanismos de governança influenciando os processos de conhecimento. O objetivo foi identificar as possíveis perspectivas apresentadas na literatura, além de verificar se existe um alinhamento entre elas. A partir da pesquisa bibliográfica e por meio da análise de conteúdo, buscou-se identificar as possíveis perspectivas sobre a GovC, realizando uma análise por clusters dos autores. Na sequência, com auxílio do software Iramuteq, realizar a análise dos documentos selecionados de que tratam do tema de GovC. Foi possível identificar três perspectivas de GovC (economia do conhecimento; eficiência econômica e; sustentabilidade e fatores sócio-culturais), e que trazem a ideia de que a Governança do Conhecimento se refere ao conjunto de instituições, das estratégias corporativas, tipos de transações, regras e formas de interação dos mecanismos de governança visando o uso, criação ou produção, troca ou compartilhamento, retenção ou absorção e uso do conhecimento. Como contribuição teórica pode-se observar, principalmente nos conceitos de Governança do Conhecimento que existe uma relação direta com a Gestão do Conhecimento. Como contribuição metodológica a utilização do software Iramuteq para a identificação das perspectivas

Ecological Apparency Hypothesis and Availability of Useful Plants: Testing different seu values

The present study tested the ecological apparency hypothesis in a Brazilian rural community. It used the use value to test the information gained through three types of calculations (UVchange, UVgeneral, UVpotential). A vegetation inventory was performed in two areas near Capivara, Paraíba, Brazil, and 112 informants were interviewed. For the hypothesis test, the Spearman correlation coefficient was used to correlate the phytosociological (vegetation) and ethnobotanical data (use value). The study recorded 25 useful species in the first site and 20 in the second site. Positive correlations were found in the first site, between the UVg to basal area and dominance, and between the UVc and basal area, dominance, and importance value. In the second site, between the UVg and both basal area and dominance and between UVc and basal area, density, and dominance. Apparency explained the local importance of useful plants in construction, technology, and fuel, but was not explanative of medicine. Also, important responses were observed for the different use values