Investment in new HUB for Oil & Gas Engineering Centres by Oil & Gas Services Companies

Mestrado em FinançasO renovado interesse na indústria petrolífera coloca-a no topo da lista de prioridades de investimento estrangeiro para alguns países. A competitividade empresarial é um factor bastante importante numa Sociedade global e, como tal, um factor que não pode ser descurado a este nível. O objectivo deste trabalho assenta no estudo de uma decisão de investimento referente à possível expansão da actividade de empresas prestadoras de serviços na indústria petrolífera. Além da definição do enunciado da situação, uma resolução é apresentada. Esta resolução assenta em três metodologias distintas: - Modelo Free Cash-Flow; - Análise Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities e Threats (SWOT); - Modelo Matriz Híbrida. O modelo de Free Cash-Flow permitiu considerar os custos de capital de cada empresa e chegar a uma conclusão sobre o país/local que apresenta as métricas financeiras mais apelativas. A análise SWOT oferece-nos uma visão mais generalista acerca dos países considerados sobre a perspectiva de investimento.. Com o intuito de analisar factores estratégicos induzidos por parâmetros externos (de forma a não considerar apenas métricas financeiras), foi criada uma Matriz Híbrida e foi realizada a respectiva análise. Neste seguimento, os resultados apresentados pelo Modelo de Matriz Híbrida deverão ser considerados aquando da decisão de expansão. Foi possível concluir que a melhor opção base é a criação de um escritório em Portugal. Apesar desta conclusão, a solução óptima é observada quando contabilizamos os custos de abrir um escritório em Portugal e quando, simultaneamente, consideramos os impostos que são pagos na Holanda (devido à sua política de impostos mais atractiva).The renewed interest in the Oil & Gas sector places this Industry at the top of the list of priorities for some countries in order to attract foreign investment. Corporate competitiveness is, therefore, an extremely important vehicle for a globalized Society. The aim of the present work was to study the possible investment contemplated by an expansion decision taken by some Oil & Gas Services companies. Besides the definition of the problem, an adequate resolution is also presented. This resolution is sustained by three distinct methodologies: - Free Cash-Flow Model; - Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis; - Hybrid Matrix Model. The Free Cash-Flow Model enabled us to consider costs of capital and come to a decision regarding the country that presented the best financial results. The SWOT analysis provided a more generalist view over the several analysed countries. With the purpose of analysing strategic factors induced by external parameters (besides the financial field), the Hybrid Matrix Model was created and a study was carried out. Subsequently, the results presented by the Hybrid Matrix Model shall be taken into account when choosing a location for an international expansion. It was possible to conclude that the best base scenario is observed when opening an Office in Portugal. However, the optimal solution would be opening an Office in Portugal and account the profits/losses in the Netherlands, mixing the country that presents the lowest costs with the country that has the best taxation policies

Força de adesão de brackets ortodônticos recolados : comparação de diferentes métodos de preparação da base do bracket

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Universitário Egas MonizObjetivo: Comparar três métodos de preparação da base de brackets para posterior recolagem e avaliação da sua aplicabilidade clínica Materiais e métodos: Foram utilizados 45 dentes pré-molares humanos em estado hígido, aos quais foram colados brackets ortodônticos pré-molares Victory SeriesTM (3M Unitek), utilizando o sistema adesivo TransbondTMXT (3M, Unitek). Após uma colagem e descolagem iniciais, os dentes foram aleatoriamente subdivididos em 3 grupos de 15 dentes e foram submetidos a 3 tipos de técnica de reciclagem: no Grupo A os brackets foram limpos com jato de óxido de alumínio; no Grupo B1 os brackets foram limpos superficialmente com pedra verde; no Grupo B2 os brackets foram limpos totalmente, até ser visível a malha com pedra verde. Os brackets foram recolados e submetidos a testes de força de adesão por cisalhamento, à velocidade de 1mm/min. O local da falha de adesão foi caracterizado através do Índice de Remanescente Adesivo (IRA). Na análise estatística foram utilizados os testes ANOVA One-way e Kruskal-Wallis (p ≤ 0,05). Resultados: As forças médias de adesão obtidas foram de 11,75 ± 4,83 Mpa, 8,22 ± 4,01 Mpa e 7,54 ± 2,85 Mpa, respetivamente para o Grupo A, B1 e B2,. Não foram registadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os Grupos A - B1 (p=0,051) e entre os Grupos B1 - B2 (p=0,885). Contudo, foram identificadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas quando comparados o Grupo A com o B2 (p= 0,016). Quanto ao IRA, foram registadas diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os Grupos A - B2 e B1 - B2 (p<0,001), não se identificando diferenças estatisticamente significativas entre os Grupos A- B1 (p=0,068). Os Grupos A e B1 obtiveram predominantemente pontuações de 2 e 1 (99% e 86,7%, respetivamente). No Grupo B2, foi atribuída com maior prevalência a pontuação de 3 (73,3%). Conclusão: A reciclagem com jato de óxido de alumínio demonstrou ser a técnica capaz de proporcionar maior força de adesão, seguida pela abrasão superficial com pedra verde. A abrasão total com pedra verde foi a técnica que levou a forças de adesão mais baixas. Quanto ao IRA, nos Grupos A e B1, as falhas foram predominantemente do tipo misto. No Grupo B2, o tipo de falha mais prevalente foi na interface adesivo-bracket.Aim: To compare three bracket base conditioning methods for posterior rebonding and evaluate their clinical applicability. Materials and Methods: 45 healthy human bicuspids were used, to which were bonded the Victory Series (3M Unitek) orthodontic bicuspid brackets with TransbondTMXT (3M, Unitek). After an initial bonding and debondig, teeth were randomly divided into 3 groups of 15 teeth. Brackets were then subjected to one of 3 recycling techniques: In Group A, brackets were prepared with an aluminum oxide micro blaster; in Group B1, brackets were superficially cleaned using a green stone bur; in Group B2, brackets were fully cleaned, until mesh was visible using a green stone bur. Brackets were rebonded and were then subjected to a shear bond strength test, at a crosshead speed of 1mm/min. The site of bonding failure was characterized using the Adhesive Remnant Index (ARI). One-way ANOVA and Kruskal-Wallis test were applied for the statistical analysis. Results: The average bond strengths registered were 11,75 ± 4,83 Mpa, 8,22 ± 4,01 Mpa and 7,54 ± 2,85 Mpa, respectively for Group A, B1 and B2. No statistically significant differences were reported between Groups A – B1 (p=0,051) and Groups B1 - B2 (p=0,885). However, a statistically significant difference was identified when comparing Groups A and B2 (p= 0,016). As for the ARI, statistically significant differences were reported between Groups A – B2 and B1 – B2 (p<0,001), on the contrary, no statistically significant differences were registered between Groups A- B1 (p=0,068). Groups A and B1 were predominantly scored with 2 and 1 (99% e 86,7%, respectively). In Group B2, the most predominantly score was 3 (73,3%). Conclusion: Recycling with aluminum oxide micro blaster attained the highest bond strength, followed by superficially cleansing with green stone bur. Total cleansing with green stone bur showed the lowest average bond strength. As for ARI, in Groups A and B1 the failures were predominantly of a mixed type. Group B2 showed mostly adhesive-bracket interface type failures

Encephalitozoonosis in Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Background: Encephalitozoonosis is caused by the protozoan Encephalitozoon cuniculi, in rabbits, and can affect humans. The disease can be fatal and difficult to diagnose. It can be asymptomatic or cause vestibular neurological disease, paralysis, uveitis in addition to chronic kidney disease in rabbits. The transmission of the microorganism's spores occurs by ingestion, inhalation, or by the transplacental route. The aim of this work is to report a case of encephalitozoonosis in a pet rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus).Case: An Oryctolagus cuniculus with a history of paraparesis of the thoracic and pelvic limbs was referred for necropsy, the evolution of the clinical picture happened in one day. After death, a necropsy was performed. Organ fragments were collected, fixed, and processed routinely for histology. Macroscopically, there was evidence of hepatic lobes, without injury to the other organs. Microscopically it was observed in the white and gray substance of the telencephalon multiple circumscribed granulomas composed of a necrotic center surrounded by macrophages, giant multinucleated cells in addition to lymphocytes and plasmocytes in the periphery, delimited by fibrous connective tissue. Around the vessels, perivascular cuffs with two to four layers of lymphocytic infiltrate were observed. Besides, special staining of Schiff's Periodic Acid (PAS) and Ziehl-Neelsen was performed, in which numerous cylindrical, eosinophilic structures of approximately 2.5 x 1.0 µm were observed, compatible with E. cuniculi spores. Besides, histiocytic lymphoblasts pericoronitis was noted in the liver. There were no relevant changes in the kidney.Discussion: The diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis in rabbits was based on clinical and anatomopathological findings. Tetraparesis was the predominant sign in the present case and was justified by telencephalic lesions. This clinical sign is included in the literature but is less common than the syndrome such as head tilt and paralysis. The diagnosis of the disease is usually made by post-mortem examination when it is possible to identify the spores in the lesions. Multifocal granulomatous encephalitis was the most significant finding in this case, which is also consistent with other studies. The pathogenesis of granulomatous lesions is still controversial. It is known that spores allow phagocytosis by macrophages, which induce the production of interleukins and other cytokines by TCD4 + lymphocytes, thereby activating the action of TCD8 + (cytotoxic) lymphocytes. Natural killer cells, granulocytes, other macrophages, and B lymphocytes are also recruited. Although there is such an inflammatory response, the antibodies produced are not efficient to eliminate the agent from the host organism, however, they contribute to the process of opsonization and consequent phagocytosis, facilitating the destruction of the microsporidium by macrophages. The neurological form was predominant in this case, with no chronic or ocular renal forms, possibly due to the rapid clinical evolution. Special stains were useful for visualizing intralesional spores. Although PAS staining is considered to be of little use, it was relevant in this case. The visualization of the agent made it possible to distinguish differential diagnoses, among them vestibular syndrome secondary to otitis due to pasteurellosis, toxoplasmosis, neoplasms, traumas, or diseases of the spine. Thus, a diagnosis of encephalitozoonosis was made in a rabbit through clinical and anatomopathological correlation using Ziehl-Neelsen and PAS stains.Keywords: granuloma, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, central nervous system.Descritores: granuloma, Encephalitozoon cuniculi, sistema nervoso central.Título: Encefalitozoonose em coelho (Oryctolagus cuniculus)

Radar on RAIA: High frequency radars in the RAIA Observatory

The RADAR ON RAIA project aims to update and extend beyond the Galician border the High Frequency (HF) radar network that has been operating since 2011 in the framework of the RAIA Observatory. The Project is allowing the establishment of a cross-border collaboration beyond the physical infrastructure itself, developing a sharing strategy of maintenance procedures, validation and data processing on both sides of the border, as well as an easy and public access to all the information. In addition, new products are being developed to exploit the potential of the HF radar technology.Peer Reviewe

SARS-CoV-2 introductions and early dynamics of the epidemic in Portugal

Genomic surveillance of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal was rapidly implemented by the National Institute of Health in the early stages of the COVID-19 epidemic, in collaboration with more than 50 laboratories distributed nationwide. Methods By applying recent phylodynamic models that allow integration of individual-based travel history, we reconstructed and characterized the spatio-temporal dynamics of SARSCoV-2 introductions and early dissemination in Portugal. Results We detected at least 277 independent SARS-CoV-2 introductions, mostly from European countries (namely the United Kingdom, Spain, France, Italy, and Switzerland), which were consistent with the countries with the highest connectivity with Portugal. Although most introductions were estimated to have occurred during early March 2020, it is likely that SARS-CoV-2 was silently circulating in Portugal throughout February, before the first cases were confirmed. Conclusions Here we conclude that the earlier implementation of measures could have minimized the number of introductions and subsequent virus expansion in Portugal. This study lays the foundation for genomic epidemiology of SARS-CoV-2 in Portugal, and highlights the need for systematic and geographically-representative genomic surveillance.We gratefully acknowledge to Sara Hill and Nuno Faria (University of Oxford) and Joshua Quick and Nick Loman (University of Birmingham) for kindly providing us with the initial sets of Artic Network primers for NGS; Rafael Mamede (MRamirez team, IMM, Lisbon) for developing and sharing a bioinformatics script for sequence curation (https://github.com/rfm-targa/BioinfUtils); Philippe Lemey (KU Leuven) for providing guidance on the implementation of the phylodynamic models; Joshua L. Cherry (National Center for Biotechnology Information, National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health) for providing guidance with the subsampling strategies; and all authors, originating and submitting laboratories who have contributed genome data on GISAID (https://www.gisaid.org/) on which part of this research is based. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the authors and do not reflect the view of the National Institutes of Health, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the United States government. This study is co-funded by Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia and Agência de Investigação Clínica e Inovação Biomédica (234_596874175) on behalf of the Research 4 COVID-19 call. Some infrastructural resources used in this study come from the GenomePT project (POCI-01-0145-FEDER-022184), supported by COMPETE 2020 - Operational Programme for Competitiveness and Internationalisation (POCI), Lisboa Portugal Regional Operational Programme (Lisboa2020), Algarve Portugal Regional Operational Programme (CRESC Algarve2020), under the PORTUGAL 2020 Partnership Agreement, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), and by Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT).info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Pervasive gaps in Amazonian ecological research

Biodiversity loss is one of the main challenges of our time,1,2 and attempts to address it require a clear un derstanding of how ecological communities respond to environmental change across time and space.3,4 While the increasing availability of global databases on ecological communities has advanced our knowledge of biodiversity sensitivity to environmental changes,5–7 vast areas of the tropics remain understudied.8–11 In the American tropics, Amazonia stands out as the world’s most diverse rainforest and the primary source of Neotropical biodiversity,12 but it remains among the least known forests in America and is often underrepre sented in biodiversity databases.13–15 To worsen this situation, human-induced modifications16,17 may elim inate pieces of the Amazon’s biodiversity puzzle before we can use them to understand how ecological com munities are responding. To increase generalization and applicability of biodiversity knowledge,18,19 it is thus crucial to reduce biases in ecological research, particularly in regions projected to face the most pronounced environmental changes. We integrate ecological community metadata of 7,694 sampling sites for multiple or ganism groups in a machine learning model framework to map the research probability across the Brazilian Amazonia, while identifying the region’s vulnerability to environmental change. 15%–18% of the most ne glected areas in ecological research are expected to experience severe climate or land use changes by 2050. This means that unless we take immediate action, we will not be able to establish their current status, much less monitor how it is changing and what is being lostinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

An estimate of the number of tropical tree species

The high species richness of tropical forests has long been recognized, yet there remains substantial uncertainty regarding the actual number of tropical tree species. Using a pantropical tree inventory database from closed canopy forests, consisting of 657,630 trees belonging to 11,371 species, we use a fitted value of Fisher’s alpha and an approximate pantropical stem total to estimate the minimum number of tropical forest tree species to fall between ∼40,000 and ∼53,000, i.e. at the high end of previous estimates. Contrary to common assumption, the Indo-Pacific region was found to be as species-rich as the Neotropics, with both regions having a minimum of ∼19,000–25,000 tree species. Continental Africa is relatively depauperate with a minimum of ∼4,500–6,000 tree species. Very few species are shared among the African, American, and the Indo-Pacific regions. We provide a methodological framework for estimating species richness in trees that may help refine species richness estimates of tree-dependent taxa

The impact of surgical delay on resectability of colorectal cancer: An international prospective cohort study

AIM: The SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has provided a unique opportunity to explore the impact of surgical delays on cancer resectability. This study aimed to compare resectability for colorectal cancer patients undergoing delayed versus non-delayed surgery. METHODS: This was an international prospective cohort study of consecutive colorectal cancer patients with a decision for curative surgery (January-April 2020). Surgical delay was defined as an operation taking place more than 4 weeks after treatment decision, in a patient who did not receive neoadjuvant therapy. A subgroup analysis explored the effects of delay in elective patients only. The impact of longer delays was explored in a sensitivity analysis. The primary outcome was complete resection, defined as curative resection with an R0 margin. RESULTS: Overall, 5453 patients from 304 hospitals in 47 countries were included, of whom 6.6% (358/5453) did not receive their planned operation. Of the 4304 operated patients without neoadjuvant therapy, 40.5% (1744/4304) were delayed beyond 4 weeks. Delayed patients were more likely to be older, men, more comorbid, have higher body mass index and have rectal cancer and early stage disease. Delayed patients had higher unadjusted rates of complete resection (93.7% vs. 91.9%, P = 0.032) and lower rates of emergency surgery (4.5% vs. 22.5%, P < 0.001). After adjustment, delay was not associated with a lower rate of complete resection (OR 1.18, 95% CI 0.90-1.55, P = 0.224), which was consistent in elective patients only (OR 0.94, 95% CI 0.69-1.27, P = 0.672). Longer delays were not associated with poorer outcomes. CONCLUSION: One in 15 colorectal cancer patients did not receive their planned operation during the first wave of COVID-19. Surgical delay did not appear to compromise resectability, raising the hypothesis that any reduction in long-term survival attributable to delays is likely to be due to micro-metastatic disease