Benthic nematode assemblage composition and diversity during a natural recovery process of Zostera noltii seagrass beds,

In 2008, the stable seagrass beds of the Mira estuary (SW Portugal) disappeared completely; however, during 2009, they have begun to present early symptoms of natural recovery, characterised by a strongly heterogeneous distribution. This study was designed to investigate the spatial and temporal variability patterns of species composition, densities and trophic composition of the benthic nematode assemblages in this early recovery process, at two sampling sites with three stations each and at five sampling occasions. Because of the erratic and highly patchy seagrass recovery and the high environmental similarity of the two sampling sites, we expected within-site variability in nematode assemblages to exceed between-site variability. However, contrary to that expectation, whilst nematode genus composition was broadly similar between sites, nematode densities differed significantly between sites, and this between-site variability exceeded within-site variability. This may be linked to differences in the Zostera recovery patterns between both sites. In addition, no clear temporal patterns of nematode density, trophic composition and diversity were evident.

The impact of SEPA in credit transfer payments: Evidence from the euro area

This paper analyses the effect of the implementation process of the Single Euro Payments Area (SEPA) project on credit transfer payments in euro area countries during the period between 2008 and 2013.

The Selection Process of Applications to the Portuguese Innovation Incentive System: Who Gets Financial Support?

Public policies to support entrepreneurship and innovation play a vital role when firms have difficulties in accessing external finance. However, some authors have found evidence of long-term inefficiency in subsidized firms (Bernini and Pelligrini, 2011; Cerqua and Pelligrini, 2014) and ineffectiveness of public funds (Jorge and Suárez, 2011). The aim of the paper is to assess the effectiveness in the selection process of applications to public financial support for stimulating innovation. Using a binary choice model, we investigate which factors influence the probability of obtaining public support for an innovative investment. The explanatory variables are connected to firm profile, the characteristics of the project and the macroeconomic environment. The analysis is based on the case study of the Portuguese Innovation.Incentive System (PIIS) and on the applications managed by the Alentejo Regional Operational Program in the period 2007 – 2013. The results show that the selection process is more focused on the expected impact of the project than on the firm’s past performance. Factors that influence the credit risk and the decision to grant a bank loan do not seem to influence the government evaluator regarding the funding of some projects. Past activities in R&D do not significantly affect the probability of having an application approved under the PIIS, whereas an increase in the number of patents and the number of skilled jobs are both relevant factors. Nevertheless, some evidence of firms’ short-term inefficiency was found, in that receiving public financial support is linked to a smaller increase in productivity compared to non-approved firm applications. At the macroeconomic level, periods with a higher cost of capital in financial markets are linked to a greater probability of getting an application for public support approved, which could be associated with the effectiveness of public support in correcting market failings.

As Santas Casas da Misericórdia na República Brasileira 1922-1945

O principal objectivo desta dissertação é o de conhecer um pouco melhor o processo de implementação das Santas Casas de Misericórdia no Brasil, dando especial ênfase à sua expansão durante o período de consolidação da República brasileira, mais concretamente entre 1922 a 1945. A necessária contextualização levou a pesquisa sobre as Misericórdias até à fase colonial e imperial do Brasil, acabando por demonstrar que as mesmas se fortaleceram no segmento de assistência médica, durante o período em análise, tomando o Estado brasileiro dependente das suas actividades. Este trabalho discute ainda o imaginário social da caridade e filantropia e a forma como tais preceitos configuraram a assistência médico-social no país. ABSTRACT; This dissertation aims to better know the implementation process of the Santas Casas de Misericórdia in Brazil, highlighting their expansion during the Republic, mainly between 1922 and 1945. For a better historical contextualization the study explores the Brazil's colonial and imperial phases, demonstrating that the Misericórdias progressively strength their power in the medical assistance segment, becoming the State dependent of their activities. The dissertation also discusses the philanthropy and charity's collective social imagery, as well as the way in which such concepts shaped the medico-social assistance in the country.

O papel dos sistemas de informação do Hospital de Curry Cabral na gestão hospitalar : Estudo de caso num serviço de radiologia

Os sistemas de informação, enquanto ferramenta da gestão, podem contribuir para o desenvolvimento das organizações sendo atualmente visível esta preocupação nos órgãos de gestão dos serviços de saúde. No processo de implementação dos sistemas de informação a economia da informação assume um destaque pela sua componente de mais-valia. No presente trabalho, fizemos uma caracterização dos sistemas de informação utilizados no serviço de radiologia do hospital Curry Cabral e percebemos como os profissionais trabalhavam e atualizavam a informação nesses mesmos sistemas. Analisámos posteriormente a produtividade através de índices criados para o próprio serviço, antes e depois da implementação dos sistemas de informação, para entender até que ponto podemos falar da economia da informação. Através de uma abordagem quantitativa pretendeu-se a realização de um estudo descritivo com recurso à técnica de inquérito através de questionário aplicado a 55 profissionais do serviço, nomeadamente a 17 médicos de radiologia, a 6 administrativas e a 31 técnicos de radiologia. De uma forma geral, os dados obtidos nesta investigação permitem verificar que a atualização dos sistemas de informação por parte dos profissionais deste serviço ocorre de uma forma bem conduzida e cuidada, nomeadamente pelos técnicos de radiologia. Entendemos também que de uma forma geral todos os profissionais estão cientes que os sistemas de informação contribuem para o auxílio na gestão principalmente devido a uma melhor monitorização do trabalho efetuado. Relativamente aos índices de produtividade percebemos que são difíceis de quantificar, no entanto, e de um modo geral esta aumentou em valores pouco significativos, cerca de 2,3%. ABSTRACT: The information Technology as a management tool can contribute to the healthy development of the organization. This fact has become visible by the interest showed on IT by the management body of the Health Services. On the implementation process of the IT Services the economy of information assumes a major role as a powerful and altering force to the landscape. ln this thesis we studied the IT services used by the Radiology Service of the Hospital Curry Cabral, and tried to understand how the professionals work, by using and improving the information on those systems. We analyze the productivity using markers built for the specified service, before and after the implementation of the IT Services to understand how far into the "IT Economics" we have traveled. Thru a direct approach a study was conducted using a questionnaire, and a target audience of 55 local radiology professionals, namely 17 radiology doctors, 6 service secretaries and 31 radiology technicians. ln general, the data gathered by this investigation, allowed us to verify that the data collected and updated by the Radiology professionals, is carefully collected, especially by the Radiology Technicians. We have also found that generally all Hospital professionals see the IT Services as a major help for management mainly thru better monitoring of accomplished work. ln relation to the productivity indexes we have found that they are hard to quantify, because certain aspects are close to impossible to ascertain, but in gross it has grown but in less than expected, more or less 2,3%.