The interrogation of witnesses abroad in execution of a european investigation order: an examination from eyes of the defence

European Master Human Rights and Democratisation

A further investigation of the cytochrome b5–cytochrome c complex

J Biol Inorg Chem (2003) 8: 777–786

Multi-bit sigma-delta modulators with enhanced dynamic-range using non-linear DAC for hearing aids

15th IEEE International Conference on Electronics, Circuits and Systems, Malta

Anaerobic bacteria: an investigation of metabolic important enzymes: a novel type of oxygen reductase and enzymes of the tetrapyrrole biosynthesis

Desulfovibrio desulfuricans was the first species of a sulphatereducing bacterium to be isolated, in 1895. Since that time, many questions were raised in the scientific community regarding the metabolic and ecological aspects of these bacteria. At present, there is still a myriad of open questions remaining to be answered to enlarge our knowledge of the metabolic pathways operative in these bacteria that have implications in the sulfur cycle, in biocorrosion, namely in sewers and in oil and gas systems, and in bioremediation of several toxic metals. The work presented in this dissertation aimed at contributing with new insights of enzymes involved in two different metabolic systems on Desulfovibrio species, namely enzymes that play a role in the response to oxidative stress and that are involved in the haem biosynthetic pathway.(...)

Investigation of trypanothione synthetase of Leishmania infantum as a potential target for new anti-parasitic drugs

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia

Spatial analysis and investigation of fire events occurrences in the Valencian Community, Spain

Dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the Degree of Master of Science in Geospatial Technologies.

A further investigation of the cytochrome b5–cytochrome c complex

J Biol Inorg Chem (2003) 8: 777–786 DOI 10.1007/s00775-003-0479-y

Nominations across gender: An empirical investigation of Brazilian municipal elections

A Work Project, presented as part of the requirements for the Award of a Masters Degree in Economics from the NOVA – School of Business and Economics

Sudden sensorineural hearing loss : evaluation of co-morbidities and potential clinical associations

RESUMO: A surdez súbita (SS) caracteriza-se por uma perda abrupta de audição, mais frequentemente unilateral e associada a sensação de preenchimento aural, acufenos e vertigem. Afecta 5-20/100.000pessoas/ano (sobretudo adultos em fase activa na década de 40), com grande impacto na qualidade de vida. Possíveis causas incluem doenças infecciosas, circulatórias, traumáticas, imunológicas, neoplásicas, neurológicas, tóxicas e cocleares. No entanto, a causa da SS permanece desconhecida na maioria dos casos (80%), o que origina tratamentos controversos e frequentemente ineficientes. Os tratamentos disponíveis variam desde corticosteróides a antivirais, vasodilatadores, anti-agregantes, anticoagulantes, vitaminas e oxigénio hiperbárico (OHB). Atendendo a falta de informação relativa à etiologia e fisiopatologia da SS, pretendemos avaliar a evolução clínica dos doentes com SS tratados com OHB no Centro de Medicina Subaquática e Hiperbárica (CMSH) de Lisboa entre 2000 e 2005, durante um período mínimo de 5 anos, na tentativa de identificar eventuais factores de risco ou noxas clínicas com a SS. O estudo retrospectivo proposto baseia-se na revisão de processos clínicos do CMSH e na aplicação telefónica de questionários médicos de “follow-up” confidenciais – tanto a doentes (grupo de estudo), como aos respectivos esposos/companheiros/membros próximos da família (grupo de controlo) –, com particular ênfase nos antecedentes médicos e história clínica actual. Um estudo preliminar de 20 pessoas (10 doentes e 10 controlos) foi efectuado para antecipar dificuldades e estimar as necessidades logísticas. As dificuldades identificadas foram: 1) selecção dos doentes com números de telefone válidos e processos clínicos completos (com audiograma inicial e final); 2) contacto telefónico com os participantes de ambos os grupos (de estudo e controlo); 3) recursos humanos requeridos. Dado que a SS não é uma doença em si, mas um sintoma de uma doença subjacente, acreditamos que este estudo epidemiológico seja importante e útil, capaz de gerar novas luzes sobre a fisiopatologia e mecanismos desta entidade clínica.-------------ABSTRACT:Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) is characterized by abrupt, mostly unilateral loss of hearing, frequently associated to aural fullness, tinnitus and vertigo. It affects 5-20/100.000 people/year (particularly working adults in the 40ths), with huge impact on quality of life. Possible causes include infectious, circulatory, traumatic, immunologic, metabolic, neoplastic, neurologic, toxic and unidentified cochlear diseases. Nevertheless, SSHL’s etiology remains unknown in most cases (80%), giving rise to controversial (and frequently ineffective) treatments. Available therapies range from corticosteroids to antivirals, vasodilators, antiaggregants, anticoagulants, vitamins and hyperbaric oxygen (HBO). Given the lack of data concerning SSHL’s etiology and physiopathology, we intend to evaluate clinical evolution of such patients treated with HBO in the Underwater and Hyperbaric Medical Center (UHMC) at Lisbon from 2000 to 2005 during a minimum period of 5 years, in an attempt to identify eventual risk factors or clinical associations to SSHL. The intended retrospective study is based on the review of patients’ medical charts from UHMC and confidential follow-up questionnaires applied telephonically both to patients (study group) and patients’ spouse/partner/close family member (control group), focusing past and present medical history. A preliminary study of 20 subjects (10 of each group) was performed to anticipate difficulties and to estimate the required logistics. The identified difficulties were: 1) selection of subjects with valid phone numbers and complete medical charts (with initial and final audiograms); 2) telephonic contact with subjects from the study and control group; 3) human logistics required. As it is believed that SSHL is not a disease by itself but rather a symptom of an underlying disease, we believe that this epidemiologic study is important and will hopefully generate sound scientific knowledge concerning physiopathology and mechanism of disease of SSHL.

Investigation of the regulation mechanisms for bioplastics production from industrial residues

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Biotecnologia

Structural investigation of the Bacillus subtilis morphogenic factor RodZ

A thesis to obtain a Master degree in Structural and Functional Biochemistry

Diving into the depth of primary motor cortex: a high-resolution investigation of the motor system using 7Tesla fMRI

Dissertação para a obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Engenharia Biomédica

Evaluation of the effect of hearing aids using electroencephalographic analysis

based on the report for the Doctoral Conference of the PhD programme in Technology Assessment, held at FCT-UNL Campus, Monte de Caparica, July 2013. The PhD thesis has the supervision of Dr. Salomé Almeida (Central Hospital of Lisbon), and co-supervision of Prof. Manuel Ortigueira (FCT-UNL).

A intervenção dos orgãos de polícia criminal em sede de julgamento

Currently, Portugal assumes itself as a democratic rule of substantive law State, sustained by a legal system seeking the right balance between the guarantee of fundamental rights and freedoms constitutional foreseen in Portugal’s Fundamental Law and criminal persecution. The architecture of the penal code lies with, roughly speaking, a accusatory basic structure, “deliberately attached to one of the most remarkable achievements of the civilizational democratic progress, and by obedience to the constitutional commandment”, in balance with the official investigation principle, valid both for the purpose of prosecution and trial. Regarding the principle of non self-incrimination - nemo tenetur se ipsum accusare, briefly defined as the defendant’s right of not being obliged to contribute to the self-incrimination, it should be stressed that there isn’t an explicit consecration in the Portuguese Constitution, being commonly accepted in an implicit constitutional prediction and deriving from other constitutional rights and principles, first and foremost, the meaning and scope of the concept of democratic rule of Law State, embedded in the Fundamental Law, and in the guidelines of the constitutional principles of human person dignity, freedom of action and the presumption of innocence. In any case, about the (in) applicability of the principle of the prohibition of self-incrimination to the Criminal Police Bodies in the trial hearing in Court, and sharing an idea of Guedes Valente, the truth is that the exercise of criminal action must tread a transparent path and non-compliant with methods to obtain evidence that violate the law, the public order or in violation of democratic principles and loyalty (Guedes Valente, 2013, p. 484). Within the framework of the penal process relating to the trial, which is assumed as the true phase of the process, the witness represents a relevant figure for the administration of criminal justice, for the testimonial proof is, in the idea of Othmar Jauernig, the worst proof of evidence, but also being the most frequent (Jauernig, 1998, p. 289). As coadjutant of the Public Prosecutor and, in specific cases, the investigating judge, the Criminal Police Bodies are invested with high responsibility, being "the arms and eyes of Judicial Authorities in pursuing the criminal investigation..." which has as ultimate goal the fulfillment of the Law pursuing the defense of society" (Guedes Valente, 2013, p. 485). It is in this context and as a witness that, throughout operational career, the Criminal Police Bodies are required to be at the trial hearing and clarify the Court with its view about the facts relating to occurrences of criminal context, thus contributing very significantly and, in some cases, decisively for the proper administration of the portuguese criminal justice. With regards to the intervention of Criminal Police Bodies in the trial hearing in Court, it’s important that they pay attention to a set of standards concerning the preparation of the testimony, the very provision of the testimony and, also, to its conclusion. Be emphasized that these guidelines may become crucial for the quality of the police testimony at the trial hearing, thus leading to an improvement of the enforcement of justice system. In this vein, while preparing the testimony, the Criminal Police Bodies must present itself in court with proper clothing, to read before and carefully the case files, to debate the facts being judged with other Criminal Police Bodies and prepare potential questions. Later, while giving his testimony during the trial, the Criminal Police Bodies must, summing up, to take the oath in a convincing manner, to feel comfortable, to start well by convincingly answering the first question, keep an attitude of serenity, to adopt an attitude of collaboration, to avoid the reading of documents, to demonstrate deference and seriousness before the judicial operators, to use simple and objective language, to adopt a fluent speech, to use nonverbal language correctly, to avoid spontaneity responding only to what is asked, to report only the truth, to avoid hesitations and contradictions, to be impartial and to maintain eye contact with the judge. Finally, at the conclusion of the testimony, the Criminal Police Bodies should rise in a smooth manner, avoiding to show relief, resentment or satisfaction, leaving a credible and professional image and, without much formality, requesting the judge permission to leave the courtroom. As final note, it’s important to stress that "The intervention of the Police Criminal Bodies in the trial hearing in Court” encloses itself on a theme of crucial importance not only for members of the Police and Security Forces, who must welcome this subject with the utmost seriousness and professionalism, but also for the proper administration of the criminal justice system in Portugal.

Enterprise risk management adoption: An empirical investigation of its effects on firm performance

Enterprise Risk Management (ERM) is gaining relevance among financial and non-financial companies but its benefits still are uncertain. This paper aims at investigating the relationship between ERM adoption and firm performance based on a sample of 1130 non-financial companies belonging to the STOXX® index. A content analysis of individual accounts is performed to distinguish adopters, and a regression analysis explores the effect of ERM adoption on firm performance, proxied by Tobin’s Q. The findings suggest that there is a statistical significant positive effect of ERM adoption on firm performance, meaning that firms are benefiting from the implementation of this process.