Lattice-ordered abelian groups and perfect MV-algebras: a topos-theoretic perspective

We establish, generalizing Di Nola and Lettieri's categorical equivalence, a Morita-equivalence between the theory of lattice-ordered abelian groups and that of perfect MV-algebras. Further, after observing that the two theories are not bi-interpretable in the classical sense, we identify, by considering appropriate topos-theoretic invariants on their common classifying topos, three levels of bi-intepretability holding for particular classes of formulas: irreducible formulas, geometric sentences and imaginaries. Lastly, by investigating the classifying topos of the theory of perfect MV-algebras, we obtain various results on its syntax and semantics also in relation to the cartesian theory of the variety generated by Chang's MV-algebra, including a concrete representation for the finitely presentable models of the latter theory as finite products of finitely presentable perfect MV-algebras. Among the results established on the way, we mention a Morita-equivalence between the theory of lattice-ordered abelian groups and that of cancellative lattice-ordered abelian monoids with bottom element.Comment: 54 page

On the geometric theory of local MV-algebras

We investigate the geometric theory of local MV-algebras and its quotients axiomatizing the local MV-algebras in a given proper variety of MV-algebras. We show that, whilst the theory of local MV-algebras is not of presheaf type, each of these quotients is a theory of presheaf type which is Morita-equivalent to an expansion of the theory of lattice-ordered abelian groups. Di Nola-Lettieri's equivalence is recovered from the Morita-equivalence for the quotient axiomatizing the local MV-algebras in Chang's variety, that is, the perfect MV-algebras. We establish along the way a number of results of independent interest, including a constructive treatment of the radical for MV-algebras in a fixed proper variety of MV-algebras and a representation theorem for the finitely presentable algebras in such a variety as finite products of local MV-algebras.Comment: 52 page

Legitimation of sexual violence: an exploratory study in students of Social Education

Attitudes and beliefs about sexual violence (SV) play a significant role in its early detection, as well as on help-seeking behavior among adult victims of this form of violence. The primary concern of this study was to explore students’ conceptualisation of SV. In this sense, this study aims to: (i) describe the prevalence of abusive sexual behaviours experienced and committed by students; (ii) analyse the degree of legitimation of SV depending on students’ sociodemographic characteristics and students' perception as victims/ aggressors. This poster presents analyses of cross-sectional data collected in a convenience sample of 151 students, of both genders, who are graduating in Social Education in a Portuguese public Higher Education Institution of the northern and interior region of Portugal. Data were gathered by a questionnaire consisting of a sociodemographic data (gender, age and academic year), students’ perception as victims/ aggressors and indicators of victimization/perpetration of SV. It was also used a Portuguese version of the Scale of Beliefs about Sexual Violence (ECVS; Martins, Machado, Abrunhosa & Manita, 2012) that measures the degree to which a person sustains false information about SV. Results confirm that few students perceive themselves as a victim (6,6%) or as an aggressor (0,7%) of SV, despite the higher percentage of one or more indicators of SV victimization (47%)/perpetration (9,9%). In general, there is a low tolerance/acceptance of SV, particularly among females, students aged between 18 and 21 years and those attending the second year of the degree course. Also, students who perceive themselves as victims have fewer stereotyped representations of SV. The implications of these findings are discussed considering the potential to the training of Social Educators.info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

The Ebola virus disease outbreak in Tonkolili district, Sierra Leone: a retrospective analysis of the Viral Haemorrhagic Fever surveillance system, July 2014–June 2015

In Sierra Leone, the Ebola virus disease (EVD) outbreak occurred with substantial differences between districts with someone even not affected. To monitor the epidemic, a community event-based surveillance system was set up, collecting data into the Viral Haemorrhagic Fever (VHF) database. We analysed the VHF database of Tonkolili district to describe the epi- demiology of the EVD outbreak during July 2014–June 2015 (data availability). Multivariable analysis was used to identify risk factors for EVD, fatal EVD and barriers to healthcare access, by comparing EVD-positive vs. EVD-negative cases. Key-performance indicators for EVD response were also measured. Overall, 454 EVD-positive cases were reported. At multivariable analysis, the odds of EVD was higher among those reporting contacts with an EVD-positive/ suspected case (odds ratio (OR) 2.47; 95% confidence interval (CI) 2.44–2.50; P < 0.01) and those attending funeral (OR 1.02; 95% CI 1.01–1.04; P < 0.01). EVD cases from Kunike chief- dom had a lower odds of death (OR 0.22; 95% CI 0.08–0.44; P < 0.01) and were also more likely to be hospitalised (OR 2.34; 95% CI 1.23–4.57; P < 0.05). Only 25.1% of alerts were gen- erated within 1 day from symptom onset. EVD preparedness and response plans for Tonkolili should include social-mobilisation activities targeting Ebola/knowledge-attitudes-practice dur- ing funeral attendance, to avoid contact with suspected cases and to increase awareness on EVD symptoms, in order to reduce delays between symptom onset to alert generation and consequently improve the outbreak-response promptness

MV-algebras, Grothendieck toposes and applications

2014 - 2015This thesis is a contribution to the research program ‘toposes as bridges’ introduced in [12], which aims at developing the unifying potential of the notion of Grothendieck topos as a means for relating different mathematical theories to each other through topos-theoretic invariants. The general methodology outlined therein is applied here to study already existing categorical equivalences of particular interest arising in the field of many-valued logics and also to produce new ones. The original content of the disseration is contained in [22], [21] and [23]... [edited by Author]XIV n.s

Heat-shock pretreatment inhibits sorbitol-induced apoptosis in K562, U937 and HeLa cells.

The aim of this study was to determine whether heat-shock pretreatment exerted a protective effect against sorbitol-induced apoptotic cell death in K562, U937 and HeLa cell lines and whether such protection was associated with a decreased cytochrome c release from mithocondria and a decreased activation of caspase-9 and -3. Following heat-shock pretreatment (42 6 0.3C for 1 hr), these cell lines were exposed to sorbitol for 1 hr. Apoptosis was evaluated by DNA fragmentation, whereas caspase-9,-3 activation, cytochrome c release and heat-shock protein70 (HSP70) were assayed by Western Blot. Sorbitol exposure-induced apoptosis in these different cell lines with a marked activation of caspase-9 and caspase- 3, whereas heat-shock pretreatment before sorbitol exposure, induced expression of HSP70 and inhibited sorbitol-mediated cytochrome c release and subsequent activation of caspase-9 and caspase- 3. Similarly, overexpression of HSP70 in the three cell lines studied prevented caspase-9 cleavage and activation as well as cell death. Furthermore, we showed that the mRNA expression of iNOS decreased during both the heat-shock treatment and heat-shock pretreatment before sorbitol exposure. By contrast, the expression of Cu-Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD) and Mn-SOD proteins increased during heat-shock pretreatment before sorbitol exposure. We conclude that, heat-shock pretreatment protects different cell lines against sorbitol-induced apoptosis through a mechanism that is likely to involve SOD family members

Stakeholders’ perceptions of digital health platform ecosystem generativity

This paper discusses findings from a study of healthcare stakeholders’ perceptions of the enablers and barriers of core-periphery systems and solutions in the digital platform of a Private Tertiary Health Service (PTHS). Using critical realism as a lens, the study involved an embedded case study of three departments in PTHS. The findings show that the platformisation of digital health infrastructure enhanced generativity, including innovation, adoption, and scaling. Further, the research identified platform governance as the area that requires enhancements. This research adds to the limited literature on digital health platform ecosystems by revealing healthcare stakeholders’ perceptions. Our findings can inform strategy for health organisations seeking platformisation of their digital infrastructures. Further, state and national digital healthcare policymakers can use this research to address digital health platform ecosystems challenges, especially in the private sector

Estratégias de internacionalização - Contextos, formas de atuação, organização e performance das empresas vitivinícolas portuguesas

O presente trabalho de investigação visa analisar o contexto competitivo das empresas do setor vitivinícola e avaliar as implicações no desenvolvimento de orientações estratégicas contingentes e performances diversas. Propõe a aplicação do referencial metodológico Grelha Integrada de Reflexão Estratégica adaptada a um contexto de internacionalização - GIRE(i), estruturando a pesquisa em dois níveis, um preliminar, de caracterização genérica das empresas, e outro central, de análise da sua vertente estratégica. A pesquisa implicou a recolha de dados primários (questionário aos empresários do setor) e secundários (de natureza documental). Explora a vertente estratégica, analisando o contexto do setor em termos mundiais e nacionais, de forma a desenhar um diagnóstico do seu contexto de ação, recorrendo aos modelos PEST e Modelo das 5 Forças. Identifica, com base em diversas técnicas estatísticas, os tipos de reflexão estratégica adotados e o seu perfil em termos de variáveis contextuais, assim como as performances económicas subjacentes; ABSTRACT: This aim of this research work is to analyze the competitive environment of companies in the wine sector and assess the implications in the development of contingent strategic directions and performances. Intends to develop a literature review within the framework of international strategies and theories, complemented by systematic research in the sector within the business strategy. Proposes to apply the methodological framework of Grid Integrated Strategic Reflection adapted to an increasingly international - GIRE(i) structuring the research on two levels, a preliminary characterization of the generic companies, and another central aspect of its strategic analysis. The empirical study, supported on primary data (questionnaire) and secondary in nature documentary and by applying multivariate statistical techniques, allowed the identification of strategic thinking styles based on the presence of external growth but widely dispersed. Based on qualitative analysis (contextual and transactional) are suggested lines of strategic action