Search

This study outlines the findings from a survey of 208 micro-enterprises (MEs) in Portugal, focusing on their corporate finance practices, including working capital management (WCM), financing and investment decisions, the adoption of accounting information systems (AIS) and the use of financial data. Both an unconditional exploratory study and a study conditional on the characteristics of the ME and its manager are conducted. The unconditional results reveal direct CEO involvement in cash management and accounts receivable in MEs. While these companies use AIS for financial reporting, the use of financial ratios is uncommon. Additionally, these MEs do not frequently calculate the cost of capital and primarily rely on the payback rule as an investment decision criterion. With respect to the conditional analysis, the results indicate that factors such as size and managers’ education, especially in finance, significantly influence the sophistication of corporate finance functions. Moreover, management diversity emerges as a key driver across various financial functions, and family businesses demonstrate heightened concern for these financial aspects. The study concludes by recommending the promotion of financial education for ME managers to enhance their financial management practices. Particularly, it advocates for targeted financial literacy policies and training and the adoption of advanced financial tools to support the growth and sustainability of MEs.

Abstract Background Breast cancer (BC) is the second most frequent type of cancer in the world and most common among women, configuring a major challenge to global health. BC is a complex and heterogeneous disease that can be subdivided into distinct tumor types based on the expression of molecular markers predicting patient outcomes and response to therapy. A growing number of studies have tried to expand the known markers by investigating the association of altered lipid metabolism with BC immune escape, progression, and metastasis. In this review, we describe the metabolic peculiarities of each BC subtype, understanding how this influences its aggressiveness and identifying whether these intrinsic vulnerabilities of each subtype can play a role in therapeutic management and may affect immune system cells in the tumor microenvironment. Conclusion The evidence suggests so far that when changes occur in lipid pathways, it can affect the availability of structural lipids for membrane synthesis, lipid synthesis, and degradation that contribute to energy homeostasis and cell signaling functions. These findings will guide the next steps on the path to understanding the mechanisms underlying how lipids alterations are related to disparities in chemotherapeutic response and immune escape in BC. Video Abstract

The manufacturing of automotive components using aluminium metal matrix composites (Al-MMCs) is progressively gaining a relevant place in the automotive industry. Due to the increasing competition in the automobile sector, there is a great need to supply efficient, stable, and high-quality products. Generally, following automotive standards is voluntary, which means that businesses and other organizations are not legally obliged to apply them. Nevertheless, in certain cases standards may facilitate compliance with legal requirements, such as those contained in European directives and regulations. IATF 16949:2016 is the current version of the IATF 16949 Standard and outlines the requirements an organization must maintain in their quality system for IATF 16949 certification. This new application of manufacturing Al-MMCs requires additional procedures to guarantee the quality of the components manufactured. Because the manufacturing process may generate various defects, such as cracks, voids, lack of fusion, inclusions, porosities, and other metallurgical aspects, non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques should be used for guaranteeing the quality of the components manufactured. The development of reliable NDT methods for aluminium metal matrix composite parts is thus a major challenge. This aspect is related to how NDT procedures need to be optimised or developed to address the singular structures of the processes, such as complex geometry, anisotropic material properties, special internal structures, and the presence of nanoparticles. The main objective of this work is to summarize and present the relevant potential of different NDT techniques used in quality control of manufactured Al-MMC components in the automotive industry, to be explorer in the European FLAMINGo project (Fabrication of Lightweight Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites and Validation in Green Vehicles). This study is very significant because the NDT techniques present different probabilities of detection of the defects, principally of the microdefects.

The ability to manufacture parts with complex geometry by sending a model from CAD directly to the manufacturing machine has attracted much attention in the industry, driving the development of additive manufacturing technology. However, studies have shown that components manufactured using additive manufacturing technology have several problems, namely high tensile residual stresses, cracks, and voids, which are known to have a major impact on material performance (in service). Therefore, various post-treatment methods have been developed to address these drawbacks. Among the post-treatment techniques, laser shock peening (LSP) is currently considered one of the most efficient post-treatment technologies for improving the mechanical properties of materials. In practice, LSP is responsible for eliminating unfavorable tensile residual stresses and generating compressive residual stresses (CRS), which result in higher resistance to crack initiation and propagation, thus increasing component life. However, since CRS depends on many parameters, the optimization of LSP parameters remains a challenge. In this paper, a general overview of AM and LSP technology is first provided. It then describes which parameters have a greater influence during powder bed melting and LSP processing and how they affect the microstructure and mechanical properties of the material. Experimental, numerical, and analytical optimization approaches are also presented, and their results are discussed. Finally, a performance evaluation of the LSP technique in powder bed melting of metallic materials is presented. It is expected that the analysis presented in this review will stimulate further studies on the optimization of parameters via experimental, numerical, and perhaps analytical approaches that have not been well studied so far.

The article demonstrates the centrality of the academic concern, in the discipline Ethnic-Racial Relations, which is given by an observation of the different Brazilian filmographies. A Chanchada was the paroxysm of the stereotype of racial inferiority of the image of the Iberian-Afro-American as a rural ethnic demand of Amerindian heritage in the progress-averse Jeca Tatu. To affirm the racial superiority of the imagetic hegemony of the Euro-hetero-macho-authoritarian as a sign of divine perfection expressed in the priest as God's representative. Racial domination determined by the power of euroheteronormativity. Cinema Novo was the trend that the black man became an aesthetic referent in the Marxist-influenced Glauberian realization. In the syntax of Cinema Novo in the semiotics of class struggles, the black man is a proletarian expression and the white man configures the bourgeoisie. The ontological struggle to affirm the positive image of minorities is a projection of class struggles. In Black Cinema, the Africanity that is a reference in Cinema Novismo conquers the position of subject in this cinema as the author of its own history. It concludes that it is in the Pedagogical Dimension of Black Cinema, as epistemic cinema that the minority builds the image of positive affirmation representing the visual of the decanted place of speech, as inclusive contemporaneity, overcoming the excluding anachronism.

The analysis of the viruses allocated to the recently established Brevihamaparvovirus genus (Parvoviridae family), which includes all previously known brevidensoviruses, has not yet been carried out on an extensive basis. As a result, no detailed genetic lineage characterization has ever been performed for this group of insect-specific viruses.Using a wide range of molecular tools, we have explored this taxon by calculating Shannon entropy values, intra- and inter-taxon genetic distances, analysed sequence polymorphisms, and evaluated selective pressures acting on the viral genome. While the calculated Brevihamaparvovirus mutation rates were within the range of those of other parvoviruses, their genomes look to be under strong purifying selection, and are also characterized by low diversity and entropy. Furthermore, even though recombination events are quite common among parvoviruses, no evidence of recombination (either intra or intergenic) was found in the Brevihamaparvoviruses sequences analyzed. An extended taxonomic analysis and reevaluation of existing Brevihamaparvoviruses sequences, many still unclassified, was performed using cut-off values defining NS1 identity between viral sequences from the Parvovirus family. Two existing genetic lineages, Dipteran Brevihamaparvovirus 1 and Dipteran Brevihamaparvovirus 2, were rearranged and the creation of a new one, Dipteran Brevihamaparvovirus 3, was suggested. Finally, despite the uncertainties associated with both the time estimates of the most recent common ancestors, which could span from twenty thousand years before the current era to way earlier (in the last century), and the dispersal routes proposed for Brevihamaparvoviruses sequences by phylodynamic reconstruction, the analyses here presented could help define how future studies should be conducted as more isolates continue to be identified in the future, and contribute to eliminating possible analytical biases.

Research on the recently established Mesoniviridae family (Order Nidovirales), RNA genome insect-specific viruses, has been steadily growing in the last decade. However, after the last detailed phylogenetic characterization of mesoniviruses in 2014, numerous new sequences, even in organisms other than mosquitos, have been identified and characterized.In this study, we analyzed nucleotide and protein sequences of mesoniviruses with a wide range of molecular tools including genetic distance, Shannon entropy, selective pressure analysis, polymorphism identification, principal coordinate analysis, likelihood mapping and phylodynamic reconstruction. We also sought to revaluate new mesoniviruses sequence positions within the family, proposing a taxonomic revision.The different sub-lineages of mosquito mesoniviruses sequences presented low sequence diversity and entropy, with incongruences to the existing taxonomy being found after an extensive phylogenetic characterization. High sequence discrepancy and differences in genome organization were found between mosquito mesoniviruses and other mesoniviruses, so their future classification, as other meso-like viruses that are found in other organisms, should be approached with caution.No evidence of frequent recombination was found, and mesonivirus genomes seem to evolve under strong purifying selection. Insufficient data by root-to-tip analysis did not yet allow for an adequate phylogeographic reconstruction.

Introdução: A implementação de modelos capazes de melhorar a referenciação, por forma a garantir a qualidade e precocidade do diagnóstico, o melhor tratamento e seguimento do doente psoriático é fundamental. Material e Métodos: Um painel de médicos de Medicina Geral e Familiar e Dermatologia discutiu e criou um algoritmo de referenciação simples, eficaz e célere de doentes com psoríase. Resultados: O algoritmo proposto inicia-se quando o clínico de Medicina Geral e Familiar suspeita de psoríase. Caso haja dúvidas no diagnóstico, o doente deve ser referenciado para a dermatologia. No caso de um diagnóstico confirmado, compete ao clínico de Medicina Geral e Familiar avaliar a gravidade e perfil de respondedor do doente, rastrear comorbilidades e a possibilidade de artrite psoriática. Se a psoríase for ligeira, deverão ser iniciados tratamentos tópicos, sendo que, se não houver melhoria clínica ou ocorrer agravamento da doença, o doente deverá ser referenciado para a dermatologia. Se a psoríase for considerada moderada a grave, em localizações de elevado impacto, ou em idade pediátrica, o doente deverá ser referenciado para a dermatologia. Para que o seguimento e tratamento destes doentes seja partilhado, é fundamental que o médico de Medicina Geral e Familiar tenha o conhecimento necessário sobre os tratamentos sistémicos que o doente está a fazer e os seus efeitos adversos. Discussão e Conclusão: Apenas uma gestão partilhada do doente psoriático poderá tornar possível o melhor tratamento e seguimento destes doentes, a utilização mais racional dos recursos médicos disponíveis, proporcionando ao doente a melhor qualidade de vida possível.

A 5-year-old caucasian boy, born of non-consanguineous parents, was referred to the dermatology department due to palmar hiperlinearity and multiple 2-3 mm hyperkeratotic circular lesions in the soles (Fig. 1). The remaining physical examination was unremarkable. There was a family history of palmoplantar hyperkeratosis in the mother and maternal grandfather. To spare the child, a punch skin biopsy was taken from his mother. Pathology revealed an epidermis with irregular acanthosis and orthokeratotic hyperkeratosis, without other morphologic alterations (Fig. 2). Clinical aspect of the lesions associated with a positive family history and histologic findings allowed the diagnosis of punctate palmoplantar keratoderma. Satisfactory results were achieved with urea 20% cream and emollient applied to the soles. [...]

Visa-se com o presente trabalho acrescentar alguns subsídios ao estudo das relações entre os Carnavais do Brasil e de Portugal, nomeadamente tendo em conta as vertentes culturais e sociais, verificando-se um movimento vai-e-vem e uma permeabilidade cultural e influências mútuas.

Abstract INTRODUCTION Malaria case management is a pivotal intervention in malaria elimination. However, many remote areas in Brazil still lack access to basic health services. This study describes a community-based approach (CBA) for malaria case management in the large remote area of the Jaú National Park (JNP), Amazonas, Brazil. METHODS In 2001, a general health CBA was initiated with a motor group (MG); a participative community health diagnosis (PCHD) was subsequently implemented between 2001 and 2005. In 2006, a CBA for malaria case management started with an expanded MG including all sectors with a stake in malaria control, from the local residents to the federal government. In 2008, community microscopists were selected and trained to diagnose hemoparasites. A full malaria strategy was implemented in 2009 with subsequent quality control follow-up. RESULTS Two educational materials were co-created with local communities. The MG identified malaria as a major health problem and the malaria MG planned the control activities. Ten communities selected a resident to become malaria microscopists, and ten solar-operated health centers were built. The number of slide readings increased from 923 in 2006 to 1,900 in 2009, while malaria infections decreased from 354 cases in 2005 to 20 cases in 2015. The excess time (≥ 48 hours) between first symptoms and diagnosis/treatment decreased from 68.9% of cases in 2005 to 14.3% in 2010. CONCLUSIONS While many factors were likely involved in the reduction of malaria transmission in the JNP, the CBA played an important role in the sustained success of the initiative.

Vertical air curtains are often used to separate two different zones to reduce contaminant transfer or even to provide aerodynamic sealing from one zone to the other. In this isothermal full-size experimental research work, the contaminant transfer between zones is reduced using an air extraction from the “contaminated” compartment and an air curtain. This work correlates the minimum exhaust air flow rate required to reach the aerodynamic sealing at the opening connecting two different zones with the jet nozzle velocity for small nozzle thicknesses (5 mm, 10 mm and 16 mm), particularly for Reynolds numbers below 3800. Following the experimental study, a general physical law that relates the jet parameters (angle, nozzle thickness and jet velocity at the nozzle) with the average velocity through the opening (for the condition of acceptable contaminant tightness) was obtained. The results showed that the average velocity of the flow across a door protected by an air curtain required to keep the aerodynamic sealing varies linearly with Re. The slope, however, is different below and above Re = 3820.

In recent years, several solutions for structural vibration control of buildings have been proposed. In particular, the combination of base-isolated structures with complementary variable damping devices has been successful in reducing the base isolator displacements without increasing the building superstructure response when subjected to earthquake loads. In this paper, a magnetorheological device is installed on a 2-DOF mechanical model mounted on an experimental uniaxial shaking table. A simple numerical simulation model is derived for the experimental setup and it represents a typical base-isolated structure with a semi-active vibration controller. The control law combines a force tracking integral action with a clipped on–off adaptation rule that changes the magnetorheological damping in real time. The effectiveness of the proposed solution is demonstrated for both earthquake-like and real earthquake input ground motions. A comparison between the numerical and the experimental results validates the numerical simulations and it gives confidence in using this model for validation and evaluation of other semi-active control solutions based on magnetorheological dampers.

Abstract Gorlin's syndrome is an autosomal dominant disorder, mainly characterized by the presence of multiple and early-onset basal cell carcinomas, odontogenic keratocysts and palmoplantar pits. We describe the case of a patient with clinical and imaging features of Gorlin syndrome, and highlight the role of dermoscopy in the early detection of basal cell carcinomas. In addition, we discuss the dermoscopic features of palmar pits.

A neurofibromatose tipo 1 (NF1) segmentar caracteriza-se pela presença das manifestações típicas da NF1 circunscritas a um ou mais segmentos corporais e geralmente localizadas unilateralmente. É causada por uma mutação pós-zigótica somática, e mais raramente gonadal, no gene NF1, sendo por isso um exemplo de mosaicismo genético e não uma forma distinta de neurofibromatose. Apresentamos dois doentes com NF1 segmentar e efectuamos uma revisão actualizada do tema.

A queratodermia palmoplantar epidermolítica (queratodermia de Vörner) é uma doença da queratinização autossómica dominante caracterizada por espessamento difuso e não-transgressivo das regiões palmoplantares, na ausência de anomalias ectodérmicas associadas. Deve-se a mutações no gene da queratina 9 (KRT9) e, mais raramente, no gene da queratina 1 (KRT1). Apresentamos o caso de uma doente do sexo feminino (caso índice), com 16 meses de idade e filha de pais não-consanguíneos, que apresentava, desde o segundo mês de vida, hiperqueratose difusa com superfície amarelada e bordo eritematoso, limitada às superfícies palmares e plantares. As unhas, dentes, cabelo e mucosas eram normais e não se evidenciavam alterações noutros sistemas orgânicos. A investigação clínica permitiu identificar um total de 15 elementos da família com quadro clínico similar, sendo o ancestral comum um trisavô da mãe de origem italiana. Efectuou-se uma biópsia cutânea lesional na mãe, a qual mostrou marcada hiperqueratose ortoqueratótica e epidermólise da epiderme média e superior. O padrão de hereditariedade, o aspecto clínico e os achados histológicos eram compatíveis com o diagnóstico de queratodermia palmoplantar hereditária do tipo Vörner. Foi instituído tratamento com creme contendo ureia a 20% na criança e ureia a 30-50% na mãe com melhoria clínica satisfatória.

Introdução: O âmbito da dermatoscopia estende-se para além da avaliação das lesões pigmentadas, designadamente na avaliação de lesões vasculares, infeciosas e inflamatórias, bem como na patologia do couro cabeludo e ungueal. Pretendemos demonstrar características dermatoscópicas que poderão ser úteis no diagnóstico e seguimento de lesões não melanocíticas. Material e métodos: Selecionaram-se 19 doentes nos quais a dermatoscopia foi utilizada no diagnóstico e/ou seguimento de lesões. Os achados dermatoscópico foram comparados com os publicados na literatura. Resultados: Descrevemos o aspeto dermatoscópico de lesões vasculares, como o hemangioma infantil, o glomangioma, o hemangioma hemossiderótico targetóide, o linfangioma cutâneo circunscrito e a malformação arteriovenosa digital adquirida. Dentro das infeções víricas e infestações, detalhamos os achados dermatoscópicos identificadores de molusco contagioso, verruga vírica, pediculose do couro cabeludo e escabiose. Descrevemos também o aspeto dermatoscópico de lesões de poroqueratose actínica disseminada superficial, psoríase, pitiríase rósea, líquen plano, sarcoidose, queratodermia espinulosa palmoplantar, queratólise punctata, mamilo acessório, hiperplasia sebácea e hemorragia subcórnea, confrontando os resultados obtidos com os padrões dermatoscópicos previamente descritos na literatura e aqui revistos. Conclusões: A dermatoscopia é útil no diagnóstico, prognóstico e follow-up de diversas lesões cutâneas, além das melanocíticas. Verifica-se um aumento exponencial das suas aplicações com o reconhecimento de novos padrões dermatoscópicos, colocando-se a dermatoscopia em posição valiosa entre a clínica e a histologia.

Trichoscopy corresponds to scalp and hair dermoscopy and has been increasingly used as an aid in the diagnosis, follow-up, and prognosis of hair disorders. Herein, we report selected cases harbouring scalp or hair diseases, in whom trichoscopy proved to be a valuable tool in their management. A review of the recent literature on this hot topic was performed comparing the described patterns with our findings in clinically common conditions, as well as in rare hair shaft abnormalities, where trichoscopy may display pathognomonic features. In our view, trichoscopy represents a valuable link between clinical and histological diagnosis. We detailed some trichoscopic patterns, complemented with our original photographs and our insights into nondescribed patterns.

A dermatose IgA linear infantil, ou dermatose bolhosa crónica da infância, é uma doença imuno-bolhosa, subepidérmica e adquirida. Este caso ilustra uma forma de apresentação peculiar de uma doença incomum da infância e pretende salientar a importância da dapsona no seu tratamento, numa altura em que este fármaco é cada vez mais de acesso limitado. PALAVRAS-CHAVE – Criança; Dermatose IgA linear; Dermatose bolhosa crónica; Dapsona.

A protoporfiria eritropoiética (PPE), é uma genodermatose rara causada, na maioria dos doentes, pela redução da actividade da ferroquelatase (FECH), a última enzima da biossíntese do heme, e consequente acumulação de protoporfirina (PP) em vários tecidos. Os autores descrevem um adolescente de 16 anos (caso índice) que sofria de PPE desde a infância, caracterizada por episódios agudos de fotossensibilidade dolorosa nas áreas foto-expostas, alterações crónicas, anemia microcítica, trombocitopenia e disfunção hepática ligeira. A irmã de 18 anos apresentava sintomas agudos mais ligeiros e não evidenciava alterações crónicas. Os progenitores e o irmão mais novo eram assintomáticos. A biópsia lesional efectuada no caso índice mostrou deposição de material hialino, PAS-positivo, em localização perivascular. O teste de Rimington-Cripps foi positivo em ambos os doentes sintomáticos e os níveis de PPs eritrocitárias encontravam-se elevados, mas normais nos pais e no irmão mais novo. O estudo genético, efectuado em ambos os doentes e na mãe (amostra do pai não disponível por paradeiro desconhecido), revelou heterozigotia para uma nova mutação no gene FECH (c.1052delA) nos filhos e heterozigotia para o alelo hipomórfico IVS3-48T>C em todos os elementos testados. Confirmou-se, assim, o padrão de hereditariedade “pseudodominante” observado na maioria das famílias, explicado pela presença simultânea de uma mutação no gene FECH e de um polimorfismo frequente, afectando o alelo oposto (IVS3-48T>C). Neste caso, o alelo mutante foi provavelmente herdado do pai. Do nosso conhecimento, esta é a primeira descrição de uma família portuguesa com PPE caracterizada do ponto de vista molecular, tendo-se descrito uma nova mutação, não referida na literatura.