Protein stability in a proteomic perspective

Dissertation presented to obtain the Ph.D degree in Biochemistry

A technology diffusion perspective of Enterprise Resource Planning across European Small and Medium Enterprises: from determinants to Use to Value

Tese apresentada como requisito parcial para obtenção do grau de Doutor em Gestão de Informação

As dominicanas de Aveiro (c. 1450-1525): Memória e identidade de uma comunidade textual

Tese apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Doutor em História, na especialidade de História Medieval

HDL in HIV-1 infection: a quality perspective through paraoxonase-1 activities

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Mestre em Genética Molecular e Biomedicina

Robots and humans as co-workers? The human-centred perspective of work with autonomous systems

The design of work organisation systems with automated equipment is facing new challenges and the emergence of new concepts. The social aspects that are related with new concepts on the complex work environments (CWE) are becoming more relevant for that design. The work with autonomous systems implies options in the design of workplaces. Especially that happens in such complex environments. The concepts of “agents”, “co-working” or “human-centred technical systems” reveal new dimensions related to human-computer interaction (HCI). With an increase in the number and complexity of those human-technology interfaces, the capacities of human intervention can become limited, originating further problems. The case of robotics is used to exemplify the issues related with automation in working environments and the emergence of new HCI approaches that would include social implications. We conclude that studies on technology assessment of industrial robotics and autonomous agents on manufacturing environment should also focus on the human involvement strategies in organisations. A needed participatory strategy implies a new approach to workplaces design. This means that the research focus must be on the relation between technology and social dimensions not as separate entities, but integrated in the design of an interaction system.

Interactive acquisition of spatial information from images for multimedia applications

Dissertação para obtenção do Grau de Doutor em Informática

Cape Verde’s foreign policy: an economic perspective

The virtuous cycle between development success and foreign policy in Cape Verde reflects a positive interaction between globalization and governance. Development success under globalization entails positive market perceptions regarding the orientation and predictability of policies as well as the accompanying institutional arrangements, thereby making foreign policy salient beyond the comparator group, or “aspirational”. Even if there is no universally applicable development model, an aspirational foreign policy can be built on positive rankings with respect to comparator groups. In Macedo and Pereira (2010), macrolevel policy and institutional combinations underpinning trade diversification and income convergence in West and Southern Africa are used to establish development success for Cape Verde and Mozambique respectively. Here, the narrative of long-term development helps identify the following drivers: moving towards a market economy; opening up to regional and global trade; increasing economic and political freedom; pursuing macroeconomic stability and financial reputation; ensuring policy continuity (especially in trade and industrial sectors) and focusing on human development (especially poverty reduction and education). Looking at GDP per capita and indicators of financial reputation and good governance of sub-regional peers is not sufficient to conclude that Cape Verde’s convergence will be sustained. Nevertheless, the positive interaction between trade and financial globalization, on the one hand, and democracy and good governance, on the other, have positive implications for the effectiveness of foreign policy across the region as well as in the Portuguese-speaking community.

The ethical dilemma of expatriates in emerging economies: A liminal perspective

Adjustment to emerging economies is benefited if Western expatriates recognise they are experiencing a liminal situation, which can lead to the instrumental utilisation of coping strategies as equivalent to rites of passage between distinct ethical frameworks. Given the characteristics ascribed to rites, the ethical dilemma resulting from the simultaneous demand to abide by local rules and to respect Western ethical principles is more easily solved. Consequently, effective and sustainable adjustment is favoured. Implications for organisations and individuals are discussed.

Non–profit and investment attractiveness – best practices under a national perspective

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

Narrative Bifurcation, Cloud Computing Interfaces and Hitchcok

From a narratological perspective, this paper aims to address the theoretical issues concerning the functioning of the so called «narrative bifurcation» in data presentation and information retrieval. Its use in cyberspace calls for a reassessment as a storytelling device. Films have shown its fundamental role for the creation of suspense. Interactive fiction and games have unveiled the possibility of plots with multiple choices, giving continuity to cinema split-screen experiences. Using practical examples, this paper will show how this storytelling tool returns to its primitive form and ends up by conditioning cloud computing interface design.

InStory – The Making of na Interactive Digital Narrative

Em cooperação com Glorianna Davenport do M.I.T. Media Lab

DA MIMESIS AO AMOR. O PODER DA MEDIAÇÃO TEXTUAL EM JEAN RENART

Entre o maravilhoso do romance arturiano como dispositivo cultural em que os signos surgem como significantes que interpelam tanto o cavaleiro errante como o leitor, e o realismo como dispositivo retórico que faz da mimesis uma armadilha hermenêutica dominada pelo simulacro e o «trompe l’oeil», as obras de Jean Renart assumem um papel, cultural e poeticamente, mediador, convidando-nos a ir ao encontro dessa metáfora viva ricoeuriana que, nos limiares entre dois sistemas de representação contíguos embora parcialmente sobrepostos, reconfigura a linguagem, o sentido e o mundo (um sentido para o mundo) ao mesmo tempo que mantém em aberto os signos como significantes mediadores e permeáveis de um desejo de conhecimento (do outro, da letra, etc.) nunca satisfeito por natureza.

A Produção Textual de Ernesto de Sousa sobre Arte e Património

Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Doutor em Estudos Portugueses, variante de História do Livro e Crítica Textual

O género textual glossário: problemas para o Consultor e Revisor Linguístico

Dissertação apresentada para cumprimento dos requisitos necessários à obtenção do grau de Mestre em Consultoria e Revisão Linguística