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Purpose Through the application of the theory of planned behavior (TPB), this study aims to explore the main determinants of higher education students’ pro-environmental behavior. Design/methodology/approach An online survey was conducted among the students of a public higher education institution (HEI) in Portugal, from March to May of 2020. The data were analyzed with the structural equation modeling technique, considering environmental attitude, knowledge, subjective norm and perceived behavioral control as exogenous latent variables, and pro-environmental intention and behavior as endogenous latent variables. Findings The results show that the students’ environmental attitude and knowledge have no significant impact on their pro-environmental intention, while the students’ subjective norm and perceived behavioral control have a positive impact on their pro-environmental intention. The results also reveal that the students’ perceived behavioral control and pro-environmental intention have a strong and positive impact on their pro-environmental behavior. Research limitations/implications This study focuses on the students from a single public HEI, in accounting and administration area, and deepens environmental behavior in relation to resources’ consumption. Practical implications This study provides findings that can be useful for HEIs to be more effective in their policies, strategies and practices to improve students’ environmental behavior. Originality/value The paper contributes to the literature by exploring the main determinants of higher education students’ pro-environmental behavior in a Portuguese HEI and extending the TPB considering the additional variable environmental knowledge.

PurposeThis paper aims to better understand if speculative activity is a factor or even the main factor in the run-up of oil prices in the spot market, particularly in the recent price bubble that occurred in the period from mid-2003 to 2008.Design/methodology/approachThe methodology used is based on an existing vector autoregressive model proposed by Kilian and Murphy (2014), which is a structural model of the global market for crude oil that accounts for flow demand and flow supply shocks and speculative demand oil shocks.FindingsFrom the output of the authors’ structural model, the authors ruled out speculation as a factor of rising oil prices. The authors have found instead that the rapid oil demand caused by an unexpected increase in the global business cycle is the most accurate culprit. Despite the change of perspective in the speculative component, the authors’ conclusions concur with the findings of Kilian and Murphy (2014) and others.Originality/valueAs far as the authors are aware, this is the first time that a study has used as a spread oil variable, a speculative component of the real price, replacing the oil inventories considered by Kilian and Murphy (2014). Another contribution is that the model used allows estimating traditional oil demand elasticity in production and oil supply elasticity in spread movements, casting doubt on existing models with perfect price-inelastic output for crude oil.

The main purpose of this research study is to explore higher education students’ environmental knowledge, attitudes and behavior. To achieve this goal, a questionnaire was conducted among the stude...

Introduction: Erasmus syndrome (ErS) is a rare entity in which Systemic Sclerosis (SSc) develops following exposure to silica, with or without associated silicosis. The objectives of this study were: 1) to evaluate the prevalence of ErS in our SSc cohort; 2) to characterize the cases; 3) to evaluate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of SSc in patients with (Ers) or without silica exposure. Methods: Cross-sectional and analytical study. Sociodemographic, clinical and laboratory data were collected from all patients with SSc diagnosed in our department according to ACR / EULAR criteria. Data on professional activity and possible exposure to silica were obtained by phone interview. Results: Among 48 patients with SSc, the prevalence of ErS was 16.7% (8/48). All cases identified were male, corresponding to 72.7% of men with SSc followed at our department. There was a statistically significant association between ErS and male gender (p

The main goal of this chapter is to analyze the performance of four investment strategies within a recent period of international political uncertainties. RSI and MACD supported three competing investment strategies, which were compared to the conservative Buy and Hold strategy. Euro Stoxx 50 Index was selected through the Markowitz Theory, and the DAX index was established as a benchmark. The period considered was between the start of Donald Trump's official campaign to the US elections and the first date set for Brexit. Two subsequent additional studies were performed to evaluate their profitability. The entry and exit points were determined by international economic reports. Alternative time lengths for the RSI window were considered. The results suggest that, when the market is bear or undefined, the investor should have a strategy supported on technical analysis and he should consider more than one indicator to increase the information that is taken from the market. The passive Buy and Hold strategy should be considered when the market is considered a bull market.

Chikungunya virus is known to cause acute disease characterized by fever, rash, myalgias, conjunctivitis and arthritis, having potential to cause chronic musculoskeletal disease, namely persistent arthritis. The area of spread of the virus in the world has been increasing and the migratory flows make the occurrence of Chikungunya induced chronic arthritis more and more scattered. Data regarding the experience of Portuguese rheumatology centres in identifying and treating chronic ChikV induced arthritis are not available. The authors describe the diagnosis and treatment aspects of three cases of "imported" Chikungunya induced chronic arthritis, briefly discuss its approach in the light of current knowledge and alert to the possibility this situation may become more prevalent in the Portuguese rheumatology setting.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is frequently regarded by patients and health care providers as a normal consequence of ageing and a minor condition. In contrast, rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a pathological condition that usually requires prolonged treatment and regular Rheumatology follow-up. Pain and physical limitations are hallmarks of both conditions and some previous studies suggest that OA and RA may have a similar burden for both groups of patients although those works usually do not take into account the inflammatory activity of RA. With this work, the authors compare levels of pain, physical disability and health-related quality of life in patients with primary hand osteoarthritis (hOA) and with RA – active disease (aRA) or in remission (rRA). The results show that hOA may have similar or even higher burden of pain than RA even with clinically relevant inflammatory activity in hand joints. Rather than suggesting that OA could be as severe as RA (or more or less severe), this brief study highlights OA as a cause of severe pain, which should lead us to try to achieve better symptom control for these patients and encourage rheumatologists to endeavor efforts to perform more studies in the field of OA.

Cytokinesis is the last step of cell division that physically partitions the mother cell into two daughter cells. Cytokinesis requires the assembly and constriction of a contractile ring, a circumferential array of filamentous actin (F-actin), non-muscle myosin II motors (myosin), and actin-binding proteins that forms at the cell equator. Cytokinesis is accompanied by long-range cortical flows from regions of relaxation toward regions of compression. In the C. elegans one-cell embryo, it has been suggested that anterior-directed cortical flows are the main driver of contractile ring assembly. Here, we use embryos co-expressing motor-dead and wild-type myosin to show that cortical flows can be severely reduced without major effects on contractile ring assembly and timely completion of cytokinesis. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching in the ingressing furrow reveals that myosin recruitment kinetics are also unaffected by the absence of cortical flows. We find that myosin cooperates with the F-actin crosslinker plastin to align and compact F-actin bundles at the cell equator, and that this cross-talk is essential for cytokinesis. Our results thus argue against the idea that cortical flows are a major determinant of contractile ring assembly. Instead, we propose that contractile ring assembly requires localized concerted action of motor-competent myosin and plastin at the cell equator. The research leading to these results was funded by the European Research Council under the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (grant agreement 640553 – ACTOMYO). AXC and RG hold Principal Investigator positions from the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) (CEECIND/01967/2017 and CEECIND/00333/2017, respectively). F-YC and AMS hold FCT junior researcher positions (DL 57/2016/CP1355/CT0013 and DL 57/2016/CP1355/CT0017, respectively). AFS holds an FCT Ph.D. scholarship (SFRH/BD/121874/2016). The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Objective: Salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) has been applied in the diagnosis of primary Sjögren’s syndrome (pSS). To investigate the association of SGUS findings with clinical and analytical features of pSS patients. Material and methods: 54 pSS patients underwent SGUS evaluation. The parenchymal homogeneity of bilateral parotid and submandibular glands was graded using a score of 0 (normal) to 4 (gross inhomogeneity). Patients were classified into two groups according to the highest SGUS score obtained. The grades 1 and 2 were considered to be normal and grades 3 and 4 to represent pathological SGUS findings. Demographic, clinical and laboratorial data were collected and compared between the groups. Results: Nineteen of 54 patients had pathological SGUS findings. These were associated with higher ESSDAI and positivity for rheumatoid factor and anti-SSB antibody. Anti-SSB antibody was strongly and independently associated with pathological US findings in the salivary gland of pSS patients. Conclusion: This study provides further evidence that salivary gland ultrasound is linked to clinical and autoimmunity profile in pSS and confirm what has been reported in the literature. SGUS represents a useful imaging tool for diagnostic and prognostic of pSS.

Introduction: Shoulder pain is a common cause of consultation in Primary Health Care, and may correspond to up to 30% of the reasons for consultation. Pathology of the rotator cuff is the most common cause of pain. Ultrasound is a valuable diagnostic tool in assessing shoulder disorders; it can be as effective as magnetic resonance imaging. Objective: To determine the predictive factors of response to treatment and ultrasound findings in shoulder pain. Methods: We performed an analysis of the patients' cases sent to the rheumatology consultation with shoulder pain, every patient had an echography shoulder evaluation, and the rheumatologist decided treatment based on the guidelines for the treatment of shoulder tendinopathies. The use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAIDs) and muscle relaxant medications as well as the following techniques: corticosteroids local injection, barbotage, capsular distension and physiotherapy programs were some of the variables assessed. Posteriorly, the patients were clinically assessed in a follow-up visit. Results: A total of 119 patients were evaluated. There was a statistically significant relationship between the time from the beginning of the symptomatology and treatment response. Diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension and dyslipidaemia were statistically significantly associated with some rotator cuff lesions and distention of the subscapular bursa. Age is the main predictor of rotator cuff ultrasound findings. Conclusion: In patients with shoulder pain, early intervention positively influences the response to treatment. Thus, it is important that these patients are evaluated more promptly. Some comorbidities seem to be associated with a higher risk of specific rotator cuff lesions. No relationship was found between response to treatment and age, sex, occupation, previous treatments or type of therapy selected. The associations found in this study seem to have clinical implications. Prevention of rotator cuff disease is a matter of major relevance as well as early institution of treatment.

Ultrasound-guided core biopsy is a minimally invasive technique able to identify lymphoma accompanying Sjögren syndrome, neoplasms or infiltrative diseases, with less complications compared to open biopsy. With these images, we aim to describe the ultrasound-guided core biopsy procedure, in a female patient with rheumatoid arthritis who presented evident inhomogeneity of the parotid gland. The procedure was performed by rheumatologists, trained in ultrasonography of the salivary glands, demonstrating that ultrasound-guided core biopsy is an easy and safe method to obtain salivary gland tissue.

In obesity, especially if visceral, and in rheumatic diseases, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines contributes to an increased cardiovascular risk. Moreover, classic cardiovascular risk factors are more common in these patients. We intended to assess the influence of body mass index (BMI), abdominal circumference (AC) and metabolic syndrome (MS) on disease activity and quality of life in Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA) and Psoriatic Arthritis patients and to compare the results between the RA and PsA patients. We performed a cross-sectional study, including 150 patients with RA and 75 patients with PsA. PsA patients had significantly higher BMI, AC and total of comorbidities than RA patients . Independently the underlying pathology (RA or PsA), the number of comorbidities was correlated positively with DAS28, HAQ , CRP and ESR. In RA group, overweight/obesity (BMI≥25kg/m2) were associated with at least one painful joint and the risk of having at least one swollen joint was 3.4 times higher in patients with increased AC. There was an association between the BMI and AC and the CRP value. Patients with BMI≥25 kg/m2 and increased AC had significantly higher DAS28 scores. MS was associated with significantly higher ESR. There was a positive correlation of both BMI and AC with HAQ and also MS was associated with highest HAQ values. In PsA group, patients with BMI≥25kg/m2 had equally more painful joints and higher CRP values. Patients with MS had higher CRP values, more joint pain and higher disease activity according to DAS28. None of the patients with normal BMI had swollen joints, however 20.4% of overweight patients had at least one swollen joint. The number of comorbidities showed to influence inflammatory parameters, disease activity and quality of life. We found that BMI, AC and MS are associated with disease activity, which may be improved by weight reduction and comorbidities control.

Dissertation presented as the partial requirement for obtaining a Master's degree in Information Management, specialization in Information Systems and Technologies Management For the past decades, organizations have been investing heavily in BPM projects in the hope of improving their competitive advantage in an increasingly complex environment. However, although it is believed that the higher the level of BPM maturity the greater the success of the organization, experience shows that this relationship is not always possible to prove. The purpose of this study is to help clarify the relationship between the level of BPM maturity and the success of an organization. This was done through the implementation of a case study-based research within a global company that has an operation in Portugal, focusing on the shared services organization. An analysis of the existing BPM maturity models and its level of coverage of BPM core areas was conducted as a way to select the most suitable BPM maturity model to conduct the assessment of the current BPM maturity level of the organization. It was also established a framework to characterize the success of an organization. These two inputs, along with information gathered to understand process improvements that were implemented and its impact in the organization, were the basis for conducting the research. Results show a successful organization, with a high maturity level according to the BPM OMG maturity model, that has been investing in continually improving its processes with a strong focus on digital transformation. The identified benefits from a high level of BPM maturity, namely the improved productivity, cost reduction, error & risk prevention, higher agility, employee upskilling and knowledge retention, were shown to have a positive influence in the majority of the dimensions used to characterize the success of the organization.

This work was supported by a Research Grant from the InvestigatorInitiated Studies program of Merck Sharp & Dohme (Grant No. 56078). The sponsor did not interfere with the study question, analysis or interpretation of results. AS is supported by a doctoral grant from Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia (Foundation for Science and Technology) (SFRH/BD/108246/2015). OBJECTIVES: To compare definitions of high disease activity of the Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Score (ASDAS) and Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) in selecting patients for treatment with biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (bDMARDs). METHODS: Patients from Rheumatic Diseases Portuguese Register (Reuma.pt) with a clinical diagnosis of axial spondyloarthritis (axSpA) were included. Four subgroups (cross-tabulation between ASDAS (≥2.1) and BASDAI (≥4) definitions of high disease activity) were compared regarding baseline characteristics and response to bDMARDs at 3 and 6 months estimated in multivariable regression models. RESULTS: Of the 594 patients included, the majority (82%) had both BASDAI≥4 and ASDAS ≥2.1. The frequency of ASDAS ≥2.1, if BASDAI

IL1RAP is an emerging target for AML therapy. Studying its cell-intrinsic function revealed that IL1RAP interacts with and amplifies signaling through c-KIT and FLT3 in AML cells. This novel promiscuous role of IL1RAP in AML has implications for therapeutic targeting., The surface molecule interleukin-1 receptor accessory protein (IL1RAP) is consistently overexpressed across multiple genetic subtypes of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and other myeloid malignancies, including at the stem cell level, and is emerging as a novel therapeutic target. However, the cell-intrinsic functions of IL1RAP in AML cells are largely unknown. Here, we show that targeting of IL1RAP via RNA interference, genetic deletion, or antibodies inhibits AML pathogenesis in vitro and in vivo, without perturbing healthy hematopoietic function or viability. Furthermore, we found that the role of IL1RAP is not restricted to the IL-1 receptor pathway, but that IL1RAP physically interacts with and mediates signaling and pro-proliferative effects through FLT3 and c-KIT, two receptor tyrosine kinases with known key roles in AML pathogenesis. Our study provides a new mechanistic basis for the efficacy of IL1RAP targeting in AML and reveals a novel role for this protein in the pathogenesis of the disease., Graphical Abstract

To compare the effectiveness of a 2nd TNF inhibitor (TNFi), Tocilizumab (TCZ) and Rituximab (RTX), measured by drug retention and by response rates, in RA patients after discontinuing a first-line TNFi and to clarify the reasons and predictors for discontinuation of a second-line biologic.Non-interventional prospective study of RA patients exposed to a 2nd TNFi, TCZ or RTX after previous TNFi discontinuation using real-world data from Reuma.pt database. Drug retention was estimated using Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox models. Crude and LUNDEX adjusted response rates were evaluated at 6 months, 1 and 2 years and reasons for discontinuation were compared according to biologic class.In total, 643 patients were included, 88.8% females, with a mean age of 59.4±12.8 years. Of those, 390 (60.7%) initiated a 2nd TNFi, 147 (22.9%) TCZ and 106 (16.5%) RTX. Drug retention was significantly greater among patients who initiated TCZ (76.4±4.3 months) or RTX (80.8±4.8 months), compared with those who initiated a 2nd TNFi (52.7±2.6 months) (log rank test, p0.001). In the adjusted Cox model, hazards of discontinuation were significantly lower for TCZ (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.23-0.64, p0.001) and RTX (HR 0.42, 95% CI 0.25-0.72, p=0.001). Smokers had a significantly higher risk for discontinuation (HR 2.43, 95%CI 1.50-3.95, p0.001) as well as patients with higher HAQ at baseline (HR 1.51, 95%CI 1.14-2.00, p=0.004). The proportion of patients in remission or low disease activity according to Clinical Disease Activity Index (CDAI) at 6 months, 1 and 2 years was, respectively, 46.5%/50.0%/61.2% for TNFi, 52.9%/53.6%/ 69.2% for TCZ and 37.7%/48.0%/50.0% for RTX. After LUNDEX adjustment, response rates were, respectively, 33.0%/31.0%/31.8% for 2nd TNFi, 42.8%/41.8%/53.3% for TCZ and 32.0%/39.4%/39.0% for RTX. The main reasons for discontinuation were inefficacy for 2nd TNFi and RTX and adverse events for TCZ (p0.001).Our findings showed a significantly higher drug retention for TCZ and RTX, compared with 2nd TNFi, and similar persistence among TCZ and RTX, in patients who discontinued a first-line TNFi. These data corroborate the notion that switching to a biologic with a different mode of action is more effective than to a second TNFi.

Cytokinesis in animal cells requires the assembly and constriction of a contractile actomyosin ring. Non-muscle myosin II is essential for cytokinesis, but the role of its motor activity remains unclear. Here, we examine cytokinesis in C. elegans embryos expressing non-muscle myosin motor mutants generated by genome editing. Two non-muscle motor-dead myosins capable of binding F-actin do not support cytokinesis in the one-cell embryo, and two partially motor-impaired myosins delay cytokinesis and render rings more sensitive to reduced myosin levels. Further analysis of myosin mutants suggests that it is myosin motor activity, and not the ability of myosin to crosslink F-actin, that drives the alignment and compaction of F-actin bundles during contractile ring assembly, and that myosin motor activity sets the pace of contractile ring constriction. We conclude that myosin motor activity is required at all stages of cytokinesis. Finally, characterization of the corresponding motor mutations in C. elegans major muscle myosin shows that motor activity is required for muscle contraction but is dispensable for F-actin organization in adult muscles. This article has an associated ‘The people behind the papers’ interview., Highlighted Article: The motor activity of non-muscle myosin II is essential for cytokinesis and contributes to all stages of the process in C. elegans embryos.

The aim of this paper is to estimate the probability distribution of power TGARCH processes by establishing bounds for their nite dimensional laws. These bounds only depend on the parameters of the model and on the distribu- tion function of its independent generating process. The application of this study to some particular models allows us to conjecture that this procedure is an ade- quate alternative to the corresponding estimation using the empirical distribution functions, particularly useful in the development of control charts for this kind of models.

In Auditing, an expectation can be formed applying methodologically sound analytical procedures to produce a forecast based on past records. Computer-Assisted Audit Tools and Techniques (CAATTs) have an important part in this process, since those methodologies can involve sophisticated statistical analysis and can be time consuming. For audit time series, CaseWare IDEA can be used to compute point forecasts, meaning that a single value is produced for each forecast. Even though the practical usefulness of this type of forecast is undisputed, the uncertainty in the forecasts is not expressed. To overcome this issue, a point forecast should be complemented with its prediction intervals. The R Project software is an interesting statistical tool to consider for this purpose, as it provides quick accurate analysis in a reproducible way. This paper describes how prediction intervals based on regression analysis can be computed in R Project software, for audit series with trend and/or seasonality.

In the past decades, obesity and associated metabolic complications have reached epidemic proportions. For the study of these pathologies, a number of animal models have been developed. However, a direct comparison between Wistar and Sprague-Dawley (SD) Rat as models of high-fat (HF) diet-induced obesity has not been adequately evaluated so far. Wistar and SD rats were assigned for 2 experimental groups for 17 weeks: standard (St) and high-fat (HF) diet groups. To assess some of the features of the metabolic syndrome, oral glucose tolerance tests, systolic blood pressure measurements and blood biochemical analysis were performed throughout the study. The gut microbiota composition of the animals of each group was evaluated at the end of the study by real-time PCR. HF diet increased weight gain, body fat mass, mesenteric adipocyte's size, adiponectin and leptin plasma levels and decreased oral glucose tolerance in both Wistar and SD rats. However, the majority of these effects were more pronounced or earlier detected in Wistar rats. The gut microbiota of SD rats was less abundant in Bacteroides and Prevotella but richer in Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus comparatively to the gut microbiota of Wistar rats. Nevertheless, the modulation of the gut microbiota by HF diet was similar in both strains, except for Clostridium leptum that was only reduced in Wistar rats fed with HF diet. In conclusion, both Wistar and SD Rat can be used as models of HF diet-induced obesity although the metabolic effects caused by HF diet seemed to be more pronounced in Wistar Rat. Differences in the gut microbial ecology may account for the worsened metabolic scenario observed in Wistar Rat.

Systemic sclerosis is a connective tissue disease characterized by a complex pathogenesis and a multi organ involvement of unknown etiology. Genetic features and environmental factors, as the use of some drugs, influence the onset of the clinical picture. The authors describe a case of a patient who developed systemic sclerosis after treatment of melanoma with interferon alfa-2b, drug rarely implicated in the induction of this disease.

Introdução: A adolescência é uma fase de intensa transformação, procura de identidade e necessidade de experimentação. Objetivos: Conhecer os padrões do consumo de drogas e sexualidade dos adolescentes de uma área urbana do grande Porto e analisar a influência do contexto socio-ambiental. Material e métodos: Estudo transversal, e amostra de conveniência de adolescentes inscritos numa escola secundária pública urbana, com realização de um questionário anónimo entre Outubro e Novembro de 2012. Resultados: Obteve-se um total de 141 inquéritos, com 13,8 anos de idade média. Um terço dos adolescentes já tinha experimentado tabaco ou álcool; 8,5% canábis. O consumo de tabaco associou-se significativamente ao de álcool, canábis ou outras drogas. Eram sexualmente ativos, 14,9% dos adolescentes e a idade média de início de atividade sexual foi 13,7 anos. Não utilizaram preservativo na última relação sexual, 28,6%. Verificou-se associação significativa entre atividade sexual e o consumo álcool, canábis ou outras drogas. O consumo de tabaco e de canábis associou-se significativamente com o consumo na família e nos amigos. As retenções escolares associaram-se ao consumo de álcool, tabaco, canábis e outras drogas. Conclusões: O tabaco foi um preditor do consumo de outras substâncias, o que confere extrema importância aos programas dirigidos à prevenção do seu consumo. Dadas as associações significativas, consideramos crucial conhecer o contexto socio-ambiental dos adolescentes, identificando grupos vulneráveis, nos quais estratégias de prevenção seletivas seriam recomendadas. A precocidade do início da atividade sexual observada é preocupante e permite-nos inferir a cerca da elevada prevalência de condutas sexuais de risco., NASCER E CRESCER - BIRTH AND GROWTH MEDICAL JOURNAL, Vol 23, No 3 (2014)

Aim The Social Competence and Behavior Evaluation Scale (SCBE-30) is a 30-item questionnaire designed to assess preschoolers’ behavioral problems (externalizing and internalizing) and social competence. It is widely used in the developmental research. This study aims to contribute to the adaptation and validation of the Portuguese version of the teachers’ short form of the SCBE-30 (Psychol. Assess. 8:369–777, 1996). Method Participants were 361 children from 3 to 6 years old whose preschool teachers completed the SCBE-30. For external validation purposes children completed arithmetic and theory of mind tasks, and parents completed a socio-demographic questionnaire. Results Confirmatory factor analysis did not confirm the 10-item-subscale solution of the original SCBE-30 version. Instead, a five-item-subscale was found as a better solution. Discussion The reduced 15-item version replicates the three-factor structure, shows good psychometric properties and meets external validation criteria. Further research should focus on the invariance of the factor structure of the SCBE-30 between cultures.

The aim of this paper is to develop a probabilistic study on a large and general class of conditionally heteroscedastic models, namely the δ -TGARCH processes. For this class of processes we establish necessary and sufficient conditions of strict stationarity, ergodicity and existence of moments. A discussion on the weak stationarity of an associated vectorial process, moments and weak stationarity up to the order δ of those processes is also presented. Finally, the minimal representation of a δ -TGARCH process is obtained developing, in a unique way, the corresponding conditional moment of order δ in terms of present and past observations.

In this article we consider the modified Shewhart control chart for ARCH processes and introduce it for threshold ARCH (TARCH) ones. For both charts, we determine bounds for the distribution of the in-control run length (RL) and, consequently, for its average (ARL), both depending only on the distribution of the generating white noise, the model parameters and the critical value. For the ARCH model, we compare our bounds with others available in literature and show how they improve the existing ones. We present a simulation study to assess the quality of the bounds calculated for the ARL.

Introduction: Confluent and reticulated papillomatosis (CRP) of Gougerot and Carteaud is a rare dermatosis characterized by brownish papules with fine scaling, forming confluent plaques in the center and reticulated at the periphery. It is preferentially located in the central region of the trunk, armpits and neck.Case Report: A 13 year-old overweight female adolescent was admitted to Dermatology outpatient clinic for asymptomatic brownish skin lesions. At physical examination she presented brown plaques spread out on the breast, neck and armpits. Laboratory studies were normal and skin biopsy supported the hypothesis of CRP. She was initially treated with minocycline, suspended after completing the recommended treatment time. Then, the lesions began to return and oral isotretinoin was started with lesions resolution.Discussion: The CRP is a rare pathology that, by their usual adolescent onset and predominance in females, may have physical and psychological implications on self-image. The etiology is probably multifactorial, so there are several therapeutic options., Introdução: A papilomatose reticulada e confluente (PRC) de Carteaud e Gougerot é uma dermatose rara, caraterizada por pápulas acastanhadas com descamação fina, que formam placas confluentes no centro e reticuladas na periferia. Localiza-se preferencialmente na região central do tronco, axilas e pescoço.Caso Clínico: Adolescente do sexo feminino de 13 anos, com excesso ponderal, enviada à consulta de Dermatologia por lesões cutâneas acastanhadas, assintomáticas. Ao exame objetivo apresentava placas acastanhadas cervicais, axilares e nos sulcos inter e inframamários. Realizou estudo analítico, que foi normal, e biópsia cutânea, que apoiou a hipótese diagnóstica de PRC. Foi tratada inicialmente com minociclina, entretanto suspensa após ter cumprido o tempo de tratamento recomendado, com agravamento das lesões, pelo que iniciou isotretinoína oral com resolução das lesões.Discussão: A PRC é uma patologia rara que, pelo seu início habitual na adolescência e predomínio no sexo feminino, pode ter implicações na autoimagem corporal e psicológicas. A etiologia é provavelmente multifatorial, pelo que existem diversas opções terapêuticas.

Dissertação para obtenção do grau de Mestre no Instituto Superior de Ciências da Saúde Egas Moniz Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the possible risk factors for implant failure and peri-implant pathology in a population of systemically compromised patients. Materials and Methods: This retrospective clinical study included a total of 721 systemically compromised patients (422 women, 299 men), with an average age of 51 years (range: 20-87) rehabilitated with dental implants. The average follow-up time was 7.3 years. The patient’s demographic variables (age and gender), and clinical variables (implant location, type of implant surface and systemic conditions) were recorded. Outcome measures were implant failure and peri-implant pathology. Binary logistic regression models were performed to investigate the effect of the patients’ demographic and clinical characteristics on the dependent variables implant failure and peri-implant pathology. A linear regression model was performed to correlate the patient’s characteristics with the number of failed implants. Odds ratios with 95% confidence intervals and corresponding levels of significance were estimated for each variable. Results: Multivariate logistic regression disclosed increased age (patients over 40 years of age) as a risk factor for implant failure (OR = 2.63); and hepatitis as a risk factor for peri-implant pathology (OR = 3.74). Multivariate linear regression disclosed rheumatologic and cardiac diseases to be correlated with a higher number of failed implants. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the results suggest no absolute contraindications for implant rehabilitation in a population of systemically compromised patients. Nevertheless, this study suggests that increasing age, rheumatological condition, cardiovascular condition and hepatitis should be taken into consideration when performing implant supported rehabilitations due to their negative influence on the outcome. Objetivos: Identificar os possíveis fatores de risco para a perda de implantes e patologia peri-implantar numa população de pacientes sistemicamente comprometidos. Materiais e métodos: Trata-se de estudo clínico retrospetivo que inclui um total de 721 pacientes sistemicamente comprometidos, submetidos a reabilitações com implantes dentários (422 mulheres, 299 homens) e com idade média de 51 anos ( entre 20-87). O tempo médio de seguimento clínico é de 7.3 anos. Foram registadas as variáveis demográficas (idade e género) e as variáveis clínicas (localização dos implantes, tipo de superfície dos implantes e condição sistémica). As variáveis em estudo são a perda de implantes e a patologia peri-implantar. Foram efetuados modelos de regressão logística binários para investigar os efeitos das características demográficas e clínicas dos pacientes para as variáveis dependentes: perda de implantes e patologia peri-implantar. Foi efetuada uma regressão linear para relacionar as características dos pacientes com o número de implantes perdidos. Foram estimados para cada variável o rácio de changes (odds ratio) com intervalos de confiança de 95% e níveis de significância correspondentes. Resultados: A regressão logística multivariada identificou o aumento da idade (pacientes com mais de 40 anos) como fator de risco para a perda de implantes (OR=2.63); e a hepatite como fator de risco para a patologia peri-implantar (OR=3.74). A regressão linear multivariada identificou as doenças reumatológicas e cardiovasculares como estando relacionadas com um número elevado de implantes perdidos. Conclusão: Tendo em conta as limitações deste estudo, os resultados sugerem que não existem contra-indicações absolutas para a reabilitação com implantes numa população de pacientes sistemicamente comprometidos. No entanto, este estudo sugere que o aumento da idade, as condições reumatológicas, as condições cardiovasculares e a hepatite poderão ser tidos em consideração quando se verifica uma influência negativa nos resultados das reabilitações suportadas por implantes.

Functionally critical decreases in levels or activity of the ETS family transcription factor PU.1 are present in approximately 2/3 of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML), across different AML subtypes (Sive, Leukemia 2016) including at the stem cell level (Steidl, Nat Genet 2006; Will, Nat Med 2015). Thus, targeting PU.1 could be an appealing option for treatment. As complete loss of PU.1 leads to stem cell failure (Iwasaki, Blood 2005), we hypothesized that PU.1 inhibition could eradicate leukemic cells harboring already low levels of PU.1, with modest effects on normal cells. We initially tested this hypothesis using 3 different shRNAs, and found that PU.1 inhibition led to a significant decrease in proliferation and clonogenicity, and increased apoptosis of mouse and human leukemic cell lines with low PU.1 levels, as well as the majority of primary human AML cells tested. We demonstrated that these effects were indeed due to decreased PU.1 levels by retroviral add-back experiments. The direct pharmacologic targeting of transcription factors has proven challenging in the past. Besides the core ETS binding motif (GGAA) in the DNA major groove, PU.1 binding to chromatin depends on additional minor groove contacts enriched for AT nucleotides upstream of the ETS motif, which determine selectivity for PU.1. Using an integrated screening strategy utilizing biosensor surface plasmon resonance, DNA footprinting, and cell-based dual-color PU.1 reporter assays, we developed novel small molecules of the heterocyclic diamidine family acting as first-in-class PU.1 inhibitors. Targeted occupancy by our compounds in the minor groove induces perturbations in DNA conformation that are transmitted to the PU.1 site in the major groove and thus inhibits PU.1 binding via an allosteric mechanism. Consistent with this, the inhibitory effects were selective for PU.1 versus other ETS transcription factors. Treatment with 3 different compounds led to cell growth inhibitory effect with respect to PU.1 level and preferentially affects PU.1low AML cells. Similarly to what we observed with shRNAs, treatment with our novel inhibitors led to decreased proliferation and colony forming capacity, increased apoptosis, and disrupted serial replating capacity of PU.1low AML cells and a majority of primary AML cell samples. Targeted ChIP and expression analysis showed that the compounds disrupt PU.1-promoter interaction and lead to downregulation of canonical PU.1 transcriptional targets in AML cells, confirming on-target activity in AML cells. Genome-wide analysis showed highly significant enrichment of known transcriptional targets of PU.1, and selectivity over genes regulated by other ETS family members. Comparison with published transcriptomic and PU.1 ChIP-seq data sets, as well as ARACNe analysis of the PU.1 regulon in primary AML cells, demonstrated that the inhibitors antagonize PU.1-regulated pathways at a genome-wide level. ChIP-seq performed in PU.1low AML cells confirmed a genome-wide decrease of PU.1 peaks after treatment and provides novel insight into the molecular mechanisms mediating the anti-leukemic effects of pharmacological PU.1 inhibition. To test the effects of PU.1 inhibition on normal hematopoiesis, we treated normal hematopoietic stem/progenitors cells (HSPC) in colony forming assays and saw decreased production of mature granulo-monocytic cells, consistent with PU.1's known role in this lineage. However, this effect was reversible upon drug removal, and serial replating capacity was not affected suggesting no significant effects on more immature HSPC. Congenic transplantation assays of treated normal bone marrow cells led to no change in myeloid and T-cells and only a modest decrease in B-cell numbers. Lastly, in vivo treatment with PU.1 inhibitors in mouse and human AML (xeno)transplantation models significantly decreased tumor burden and increased survival. To conclude, our study provides proof-of-principle for PU.1 inhibition as a novel therapeutic strategy in AML. Furthermore, we present the development of first-in-class PU.1 inhibitors acting via an allosteric minor groove-mediated mechanism. Our work shows that the specific pharmacological targeting of the DNA interaction of transcription factors such as PU.1 is feasible in principle, and may open the way for targeting of other transcription factors through minor groove-directed approaches. Disclosures Will: Novartis Pharmaceuticals: Consultancy, Research Funding. Steidl: Celgene: Consultancy; Aileron Therapeutics: Consultancy, Research Funding; Novartis: Research Funding; GlaxoSmithKline: Research Funding; Bayer Healthcare: Consultancy.

Mestrado em Ensino de Música O presente trabalho pretende estudar a eficácia do sistema numérico como agente de sensibilização na aprendizagem da hierarquia tonal na disciplina da formação musical. O estudo partirá de uma investigação bibliográfica sobre notação musical, sistemas melódicos e pedagogias que utilizem o sistema numerico. Numa perspectiva fundamentada e comparativa, serão apresentadas as vantagens do sistema numeric, na compreensão da tonalidade quando associado à fonomímica. O projecto experimental junta uma nova concepção de notação musical, relacionando o gesto e a entoação numa abordagem mais envolvente da aprendizagem da altura sonora. This present paper intends to study the efficiency of the numeric system as an agent of awareness within the learning process of tonal hierarchy inside the Music Education realm. Based on Bibliography concerning musical notation, melodic systems and pedagogies which use the numeric system, a comparative and reasoned study will present several vantages of using this system in order to understand tonality when associated with hand signs. This experimental project shows a new conception of musical notation that relates gesture with intonation making the learning process of tonality broader and engaging.

In this chapter we establish bounds for the finite dimensional laws of a threshold GARCH process, X, with generating process Z. In this class of models the conditional standard deviation has different reactions according to the sign of past values of the process. So, we firstly find lower and upper bounds for the law of \(\left ({X}_{1}^{+},-{X}_{1}^{+},\ldots,{X}_{n}^{+},-{X}_{n}^{+}\right )\), in certain regions of \({\mathbb{R}}^{2n}\), and use them to find bounds of the law of \(\left ({X}_{1},\ldots,{X}_{n}\right )\). Some of these bounds only depend on the parameters of the model and on the distribution function of the independent generating process, Z. An application of these bounds to control charts for time series is presented.

Tese de mestrado, Psicologia (Stress e Bem-Estar - Intervenção na Família, na Escola, e no Trabalho), Universidade de Lisboa, Faculdade de Psicologia e de Ciências da Educação, 2009 Nível de preservação: critical, Criado em: 2010-04-27 15:59:36, Criado por: super:JREVEZ, Alterado em: 2010-04-27 16:02:26, Modificado por: super:JREVEZ Made available in DSpace on 2010-12-09T13:13:52Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 2 22154_ulfp034803_tm.pdf: 3361589 bytes, checksum: 5a52c769b55850c3be959b1b714d7f14 (MD5) 22154.xml: 8894 bytes, checksum: 8b3c91c12c57bd0f91fabeba48bbaf06 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2009

We analyze the presence of the Taylor property in a well-known class of models for financial time series, the threshold ARCH (TARCH) model. This property is the theoretical counterpart of the stylized fact known as Taylor effect, detected in several empirical studies which have shown that the autocorrelations of the absolute returns are larger than those of the squared returns. We establish that the Taylor property is present for some parameterizations of the first order TARCH model. As this fact is strongly dependent on the distribution of the generating white noise, we analyze and compare, for several distributions of that process, the sets of parameterizations of the model presenting the Taylor property. Finally, a simulation study strongly suggests that TARCH models are considerably more likely to capture the Taylor effect than ARCH ones.

Raman vibrational spectroscopy, at 298 K, has been used to study the hydration of betaine hydrochloride and betaine in the concentration range 0.5-2 M. The observed changes in the internal vibrations of the solutes, namely, in the C=O, COO- and C-H stretchings, and in the components of the O-H stretching band are consonant with anionic water-betaine and betaine hydrochloride dimeric species involving simultaneously hydrogen-bonding between two solute and water molecules. In both cases, betaine hydrochloride and 'zwitterionic' betaine behave like structure-makers promoting a larger association in the 'bulk' liquid water.