Portuguese cultural standards from the French perspective

The goal of current master thesis is to identify the Portuguese cultural standards from the perspective of French culture. The methodology that best suits this type of study is the Cultural Standards Method. It allows to determine cultural standards between two specific cultures through narrative interviews with representatives of one of the cultures. The data was gathered during interviews made with French people who have a significant experience of living and working in Portugal. The thesis is divided into two major parts: the first one concerns the theoretical framework of the investigation. Different researches of important authors with basis on crosscultural management were explained. The theoretical part is pursued by comparing Portugal and France according to Geert Hofstede’s cultural dimensions which give an initial overview. The chapter introducing the Cultural Standards Method concludes this section. The second part of the thesis presents the research sample and the subsequent Portuguese cultural standards that were obtained, which are then compared to the Hofstede’s dimensions. This part is completed with case studies based on real experiences, a Portuguese business guide for French people, and the conclusion. The research is valuable for any French person who plans on moving to Portugal and has to be prepared for the encounter with the Portuguese culture.O objetivo desta tese de mestrado é identificar os padrões culturais portugueses desde uma perspetiva cultural francesa. A metodologia que melhor se adequa a este tipo de estudo é o método dos standards culturais. Este método permite determinar padrões culturais entre duas culturas específicas através de entrevistas narrativas com representantes de uma das culturas. Os dados foram colhidos durante entrevistas feitas com franceses que tiveram uma experiência significativa de vida e de trabalho em Portugal. A tese é repartida em duas partes principais: a primeira refere-se ao quadro teórico da investigação abordando conceitos relacionados à cultura e a diferentes pesquisas de autores importantes com base na gestão intercultural. A parte teórica é seguida pela comparação entre Portugal e França de acordo com as dimensões culturais de Geert Hosftede. O capítulo que introduz o método dos standards culturais conclui essa parte. A segunda parte da tese apresenta a amostra da pesquisa e os subsequentes padrões culturais portugueses obtidos, os quais foram comparados com as dimensões de Hofstede. Para finalizar são apresentados casos de estudo baseados em experiências reais, um guia de negócios português para franceses, que finalmente levam à conclusão. Este estudo é útil para qualquer francês que intente mudar-se para Portugal e que terá de estar preparado para o encontro com a cultura Portuguesa

Rank-1 Tensor Approximation Methods and Application to Deflation

Because of the attractiveness of the canonical polyadic (CP) tensor decomposition in various applications, several algorithms have been designed to compute it, but efficient ones are still lacking. Iterative deflation algorithms based on successive rank-1 approximations can be used to perform this task, since the latter are rather easy to compute. We first present an algebraic rank-1 approximation method that performs better than the standard higher-order singular value decomposition (HOSVD) for three-way tensors. Second, we propose a new iterative rank-1 approximation algorithm that improves any other rank-1 approximation method. Third, we describe a probabilistic framework allowing to study the convergence of deflation CP decomposition (DCPD) algorithms based on successive rank-1 approximations. A set of computer experiments then validates theoretical results and demonstrates the efficiency of DCPD algorithms compared to other ones

Cross sectional default probabilities in european corporate bonds

This study attempts to identify basis-trading opportunities in the European banking sector by comparing two different measures for the market’s assessment of risk: market-observed CDS spreads and model-implied Z-spreads. Using a sample of 10 banks, over a period of 3 years following the European banking crisis, it can be concluded that there were arbitrage opportunities in the sector, as evidenced by the derived negative bases

Comparing EEG-neurofeedback visual modalities between screen-based and immersive head-mounted VR

Tese de Mestrado Integrado, Engenharia Biomédica e Biofísica (Sinais e Imagens Médicas), 2022, Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de CiênciasNeurofeedback (NF) can be defined as a form of biofeedback that trains subjects to have self-control over brain their functions, by providing real-time feedback of their own cerebral activity. This activity can be presented in various forms, with auditory and visual feedback being the most common. Recently, NF has been investigated as a potential treatment for various clinical conditions associated with abnormal brain activity or cognitive capacities. However, the greater research focus is not discussing how the feedback should be presented. The chosen modality for any NF training system may strongly influence the training protocol and consequently the outcome of the experiment. In this thesis, a systematical comparison between two different type of visual modalities (ScreenBased vs. immersive-virtual reality (VR) ) was performed with the goal to evaluate the effectiveness of each modality on the NF training results. Data from two previous studies, recorded on healthy participants, in protocols that targeted the increase in the upper alpha (UA) band power measured at the EEG electrode Cz was used. This was then divided into two modality groups: Screen-Based modality group (N = 8) and the Immersive-VR group (N = 4). An extensive data processing and cleaning protocol was applied to both groups and the training effectiveness was measured through band power calculation, the definition of learning ability indexes and the application of statistical tests. Results showed that, both groups had a generally positive training effect within sessions, however data regarding different sessions is inconclusive and does not show clear evidence of up-regulation of the target feature. Additionally, when only considering within-session evolution, only the Immersive-VR modality group was able to maintain an increasing trend in all sessions. One of the main limitations of this study was the sample size, which was too small to determine the precise effect of NF training. Future work requires, not only an increase in sample size but also, the definition and incorporation of learning predictors that allow the pre-selection of subjects before the training sessions, in order to prevent high number of non-learners

Origins and Development of Teaching Animal Law in Brazil

This paper examines the strategies utilized on each continent and shows the path made for these scholars to build a framework to discuss animal law within law schools. The conclusion is that this movement produced by such scholars has changed the way law schools are teaching law and is affording new opportunities to solve animal concerns, and likewise, social problems in Brazil and around the world. Therefore, this article first discusses the philosophical Brazilian background to teach animal law, and how the animal rights movement creates a framework for professors and students working in this field. It then summarily explores the Brazilian and United States dialogue and how this partnership has expanded the animal law debate in South America, followed by an examination of the civil law countries that have historically influenced the Brazilian system. That section focuses on Portugal, Spain, and France to define new pedagogy to legal education in Brazil while looking at the Brazilian experience in teaching animal law. Some universities have begun to open discussion and create centers to debate this area. The challenge is to change the way of teaching law by showing students that human and non-human interests need to be considered by the law. Finally, this article proposes a direction and some perspectives for the immediate future and explains that it is time to overcome the obstacles and enjoy the atmosphere already shaped to teach animal law as an autonomous subject, that is, as part of the minimum curriculum in Brazilian law schools

The Role of Small RNAs and Ribonucleases in the Control of Gene Expression in Salmonella Typhimurium

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in BiologyRNAs are important effectors in the process of gene expression. In bacteria, the levels of the transcripts have to be rapidly adjusted in response to constantly changing environmental demands. The cellular concentration of a given RNA is the result of the balance between its synthesis and degradation. RNA degradation is a complex process encompassing multiple pathways. Ribonucleases are the enzymes that directly process and degrade RNA transcripts, regulating their cellular amounts. The rate at which RNA decay occurs depends on the availability of ribonucleases and their specificities according to the sequence and/or the structural elements of the RNA molecule. Several other factors modulate RNA degradation, namely polyadenylation, which plays a multifunctional role in RNA metabolism. Additionally, small non-coding RNAs are crucial regulators of gene expression, and can directly modulate the stability of their mRNA targets. In many cases this regulation is dependent on Hfq, an RNA binding protein which can act in concert with polyadenylation enzymes and is often necessary for the activity of the sRNAs.(...

DESEMPENHO ECONÔMICO DO ASSENTAMENTO BARRA DO FEIJÃO NO ANO DE 2005

Este estudo teve por objetivo verificar o desempenho econômico do Projeto de Assentamento Barra do Feijão localizado no município de Tabuleiro do Norte-CE no ano de 2005. Utilizou-se a renda como indicador de desempenho para atingir o objetivo proposto. Este indicador foi decomposto da mesma forma como fez Romeiro et al (1994) que agrupou a renda de assentamentos brasileiros em categorias como: renda agrícola líquida monetária; renda animal líquida monetária; renda de auto-consumo; renda de outros trabalhos; renda de outras receitas. No referido trabalho ainda foi acrescentado a esse conjunto de categoria a renda de benefícios. A análise dos dados demonstrou que a renda anual total do assentamento foi de R$515.954,90, representando uma média mensal de R$ 42.996,22 para o assentamento e R$429,96 por família. Sendo 66,78$ 515.954,90, representing a monthly average of $42.996,22 for the settlement and$ 429.96 per family. As 66.78% from 33.22% and agropecuáias activities of non-agricultural incomes. The main income was derived from the animal net income, which accounted for 44.19% of total rents. The analysis of this indicator of performance monstrous media that the income of families of settlers was 1.4 minimum wages per month, with a low economic performance.Assentamento, renda, desempenho econômico, Seating, income, economic performance, Crop Production/Industries,