Browsing by Issue Date, starting with "2009-12"
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- Critical information as a success factor in organizations: objective and methodological approachPublication . Fernandes, Silvia Brito; Almeida, H.We are witnessing the need for a quick and intelligent reaction from organizations to the level and speed of change in business processes. These imperatives are very often associated to the emerging of new information systems and technologies, sometimes bursting change and other times being burst, which bring more challenges to organizations. The arising problems can be: from wrong information that lasts; systems not fully used or explored; too much staff; slow reaction to change; etc. This can be summarized in a governance problem that requires two main confluent action methods: people to synchronize their visions, ideas and strategies in the whole organization; and, in that context, select the information that strictly answers to the performance factors at the right moment. The proposed methodology is adequate here, once it turns to the potential of approach to the entrepreneurial architecture as well as to the potential of the information system in order to iteratively select and integrate the data and resources needed for that performance. The modeling of an information architecture of the company and its business helps in the identification of critical information, that is, of the one which is according to the mission, prospects and critical factors of business success at the required moment.
- ICT Diffusion, inward foreign direct investment,and entrepreneurship in developing countries:a research notePublication . Baptista, Rui; Faria, Pedro M.; Vaz, Teresa de NoronhaThe last decades have stablished the fundamental importance of technological progress for economic growth and wealth creation. Most new technology is created in developed countries. For these countries, the fundamental problem for growth is to harness the economic value of new inventions by converting them into new products, processes and organizational means. Entrepreneurship plays a fundamental role in this course of events (Shane 2001; Michelacci 2003; Acs et al. 2004; 2009). In developing countries the diffusion of new technologies plays an essential role in fostering growth.
- Gla-Rich Protein Is a Novel Vitamin K-Dependent Protein Present in Serum That Accumulates at Sites of Pathological CalcificationsPublication . Viegas, Carla; Cavaco, Sofia; Neves, Pedro L.; Ferreira, Ana; Joao, Alexandre; Williamson, Matthew K.; Price, Paul A.; Cancela, M. Leonor; Simes, DinaMineralization of soft tissues is an abnormal process that occurs in any body tissue and can greatly increase morbidity and mortality. Vitamin K-dependent (VKD) proteins play a crucial role in these processes; matrix Gla protein is considered one of the most relevant physiological inhibitors of soft tissue calcification know to date. Several studies have suggested that other, still unknown, VKD proteins might also be involved in soft tissue calcification pathologies. We have recently identified in sturgeon a new VKD protein, Gla-rich protein (GRP), which contains the highest ratio between number of Gla residues and size of the mature protein so far identified. Although mainly expressed in cartilaginous tissues of sturgeon, in rat GRP is present in both cartilage and bone. We now show that GRP is a circulating protein that is also expressed and accumulated in soft tissues of rats and humans, including the skin and vascular system in which, when affected by pathological calcifications, GRP accumulates at high levels at sites of mineral deposition, indicating an association with calcification processes. The high number of Gla residues and consequent mineral binding affinity properties strongly suggest that GRP may directly influence mineral formation, thereby playing a role in processes involving connective tissue mineralization. (Am J Pathol 2009, 175:2288-2298; DOI; 10.2353/ajpath.2009.090474)
- Reversal of left-right asymmetry induced by aberrant nodal signaling in the node of mouse embryosPublication . Oki, Shinya; Kitajima, Keiko; Marques, Sara; Belo, José A.; Yokoyama, Takahiko; Hamada, Hiroshi; Meno, ChikaraThe node at the anterior tip of the primitive streak serves as an initial generator of the left-right (L-R) axis in mammalian embryos. We now show that a small disturbance in molecular signaling at the node is responsible for the L-R reversal of visceral organs in the inv mutant mouse. In the node of wild-type embryos, the expression of Nodal and Cerl2 (Dand5), which encodes an inhibitor of Nodal, is asymmetric, with the level of Nodal expression being higher on the left side and that of Cerl2 expression higher on the right. In inv/inv embryos, however, a localized reduction in the level of Cerl2 expression results in upregulation of the Nodal signal and a consequent induction of Lefty expression in the node. The ectopic expression of Lefty1 delays the onset of Nodal expression in the lateral plate mesoderm. L-R asymmetry of Cerl2 expression in the node also becomes reversed in a manner dependent on the Nodal signal. Nodal expression in the lateral plate mesoderm then appears on the right side, probably reflecting the balance between Nodal and Cerl2 in the node. The inhibition of Cerl2 expression by the Nodal signal suggests a mechanism for amplification of the cue for L-R asymmetry provided by nodal flow and for stabilization of asymmetric gene expression around the node. In inv/inv embryos, this system may function in reverse as a result of ectopic production of Lefty, which inhibits the Nodal signal on the left side in a manner dependent on leftward nodal flow.
- Innovation for developmentPublication . Vaz, Teresa de NoronhaEm comemoração do 30º Aniversário da Universidade do Algarve e do Ano Europeu da Criatividade e Inovação. On the commemoration of its 30th anniversary, the University of Algarve decided to promote a series of conferences on Innovation for Development and then to edit this book on the interventions prepared by the invited speakers. The overall debate on this topic – broken down into more specific objectives such as competitiveness, entrepreneurship, sustainability, geographic information systems or innovation regional policies – could not be better chosen, in the context of our country which, like many others, is seeking to become more competitive in today’s knowledge based global world economy. As a matter of fact it is unanimously accepted that, these days, innovation became a must in the search for development. The most consensual definition of innovation is probably the one provided by the OECD Oslo Manual, 2005. By entailing four types of innovation – product (be it good or service), process, organizational and marketing – it sensibly extends innovation far beyond a strictly technological perspective. But, broadly speaking, innovation can be interpreted as the conversion of knowledge into social or economic value. This synthetic definition of the innovation concept has two major implications. Firstly, it becomes clear that the generation of knowledge – i.e. Research and Development (R&D) – and its diffusion – i.e. people’s qualification – are necessary conditions for innovation to take place.
- A paisagem de Vila Real de Santo António dos areais da orla às vertentes da SerraPublication . Costa, Miguel ReimãoA desembocadura do Guadiana alargada ao estuário constitui, pela sua diversidade, uma paisagem muito particular na região do Algarve, marcada pela aproximação à orla marítima dos montículos serranos do maciço Hespérico. O barrocal de solos calcários, subunidade intermédia entre a serra do Caldeirão e a faixa litoral, estreita-se a partir do termo de Faro aos campos e almargens de Tavira, dando lugar pelas alturas de São Bartolomeu, na aproximação ao rio, à paisagem dos sapais. Castro Marim, quase na foz, ocupa já, em parte, os outeiros da serra, encerrando a nascente um alinhamento de aglomerados de pequena ou média dimensão que, de Barlavento a Sotavento, marcam a proximidade ao vale do triássico na transição entre o maciço Antigo e o Baixo Algarve.
- Representações da violência criminal feminina em Portugal no discurso antropológico oitocentistaPublication . Anica, AuríziaNeste texto analisa-se a transformação do discurso antropológico sobre o género na violência criminal e respetiva penalização, em Portugal, desde as «Luzes» até ao socialismo do final do século XIX. O discurso predominante ao longo de oitocentos legitimou a diferenciação das penas previstas para certos crimes julgados como especificamente femininos com argumentos baseados na ideia da desigualdade natural dos sexos e consequente assimetria da criminalidade. Todavia, sobre este pano de fundo despontaram sensibilidades diferentes quanto à possibilidade de regenerar o tecido social, tendo o paradigma anatomofisiológico de explicação do crime conduzido a um ceticismo perante a possibilidade de corrigir os «selvagens da civilização», em especial, as «criminosas degeneradas». Foi este pessimismo que a Antropologia socialista procurou ultrapassar, remetendo para o domínio do patológico todo o crime que não fosse suscetível de prevenção ou correção pela alteração das condições de vida dos seus autores. Pretende-se contribuir para a compreensão do caráter arbitrário da dicotomia entre antropologia física e antropologia cultural que conduziu a excluir da história da antropologia cultural os estudos mais antigos sobre o género na criminalidade.
- International survey of Cronobacter sakazakii and other Cronobacter spp. in follow up formulas and infant foodsPublication . Chap, J.; Jackson, P.; Siqueira, R.; Gaspar, N.; Quintas, Célia; Park, J.; Osaili, T.; Shaker, R.; Jaradat, Z.; Hartantyo, S. H. P.; Sani, N. Abdullah; Estuningsih, S.; Forsythe, S. J.A coordinated survey for Cronobacter and related organisms in powdered infant formula, follow up formula and infant foods was undertaken by 8 laboratories in 7 countries in recognition of and in response to the data needs identified in an FAO/WHO call for data in order to develop global risk management guidance for these products. The products (domestic and imported) were purchased from the local market and were categorised according to their principle ingredients. A total of 290 products were analysed using a standardised procedure of pre-enrichment in 225 ml Buffered Peptone Water (BPW), followed by enrichment in Enterobacteriaceae Enrichment (EE) broth, plating on the chromogenic Cronobacter Druggan–Forsythe–Iversen (DFI) agar and presumptive identification with ID 32 E. Presumptive Cronobacter isolates were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Aerobic plate counts (APC) of the products were also determined on nutrient agar. Fourteen samples had APC > 105 cfu/g, 3 of which contained probiotic cultures. C. sakazakii was isolated from 27 products; 3/91 (3%) follow up formulas (as defined by Codex Alimentarius Commission), and 24/199 (12%) infant foods and drinks. Hence C. sakazakii was less prevalent in follow up formula than other foods given to infants over the same age range. A range of other bacteria were also isolated from follow up formulas, including Acinetobacter baumannii, Enterobacter cloacae, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Citrobacter freundii, and Serratia ficaria. There was significant variation in the reconstitution instructions for follow up formulas. These included using water at temperatures which would enable bacterial growth. Additionally, the definition of follow up formula varied between countries.
- Poemas que falam para estátuas silenciosas. A poesia ecfrástica de Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen: dois poemasPublication . Nogueira, AdrianaA poesia de Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen tem um forte cariz ecfrástico, considerando como tal quer os poemas que assim se assumem, como é o caso dos que aqui vou tratar, quer aqueles a cujas écfrases poderíamos chamar de ficcionais ou imaginárias, isto é, aqueles em que as écfrases remetem para obras de arte que consideramos inexistentes.
- Competitiveness and innovation for development: challenging knowledge and trustPublication . Simão, José Veiga; Vaz, Teresa de NoronhaNo século XX assistimos ao colapso de mitos ideológicos, a confrontos nos domínios da ética e do comportamento humano e a conquistas surpreendentes da ciência e da tecnologia, com directas consequências na economia, na ordem social e na configuração do poder mundial. No entanto, a lógica do progresso que derivou da Ciência não tem sido facilmente compatibilizada com a “luta pelo reconhecimento de valores e de identidades” que, na visão de Kant e de Hegel, são o “motor da história”. Aliás constatamos que perduram raízes do passado. Vale a pena, embora não seja fácil, reflectir sobre o futuro.
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