Calcium sulfate fillers and binders in Portuguese 15th and 16th centuries: Ground layers from a family painting workshop — Study by multianalytical spectroscopic techniques

This study presents results on a developed methodology to characterize ground layers in Portuguese workshops. In this work a set of altarpieces of the 15th and 16th centuries, assigned to Coimbra painting workshop was studied, overall the masters Vicente Gil (doc. Coimbra 1498–1525), Manuel Vicente (doc. Coimbra 1521–1530) and Bernardo Manuel (act. c. 1559–94), father, son and grandson, encompassing from late gothic to mannerist periods. The aim of the study is to compare ground layers, fillers and binders of Coimbra workshop, and to correlate their characteristics to understand the technical evolution of this family of painters, using complementary microscopic techniques. The cross-sections from the groups of paintings were examined by optical microscopy and the results were integrated through the analysis obtained by μ-X–ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy with energy dispersive X–ray Spectrometry, μ-confocal Raman and occasionally with μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy imaging. Ground layers are of calcium sulfate, present as gesso grosso (mainly anhydrite with small amounts of gypsum) in the first and last phases of the workshop and gesso mate (mainly gypsum with small amounts of anhydrite) in an intermediate period. Binders have protein and oleic characteristics.

Effect of autochthonous starter cultures in the production of "Paio", a traditional Portuguese dry- cured sausage

Traditional dry-cured sausages are highly appreciated in Mediterranean countries. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effect of different starter cultures in the sausages Alentejano pig meat was used to prepare drycured sausages in a local factory. Staphylococcus xylosus, Lactobacillus sakei and a yeast strain were inoculated at a concentration of 106 cfu/g meat batter both in separate and in mixed culture. Three independent batches with two replicates per treatment were produced. Samples were collected throughout the ripening process. pH and aw were determined according to the ISO standards. Microbiological counts of total mesophiles, total psycrotrophs, anaerobes, coagulase-negative staphylococci (CNS), lactic acid bacteria (LAB), enterobacteria, yeasts and moulds and Listeria monocytogenes were done according to the respective ISO standards, as well as detection of Salmonella spp. Biogenic amines quantification was performed by HPLC as described by Roseiro et al. (1). The treatment with L. sakei alone was the most effective in reducing the contamination level both with Salmonella spp. and L. monocytogenes, however this effect seems to be lost in the mixed cultures. The presence of the yeast strain seems to increase the levels of phenylethylamine and histamine. The contents in cadaverine, putrescine and tyramine were generally lower in the inoculated sausages. Regarding tyramine, the treatments with L. sakei showed significantly lower values. No significant differences between treatments were observed for both spermine and spermidine.

Quinn’s Leadership Roles: A Confirmatory Factor Analysis Study in Portuguese Health Services

Purpose: To evaluate psychometric properties of Quinn’s leadership questionnaire (CFV questionnaire; 1988) to the Portuguese health services. Design: Cross-sectional study, using the Quinn’s leadership questionnaire, administered to registered nurses and physicians in Portuguese health care services (N = 687). Method: Self-administered survey applied to two samples. In the first (of convenience; N = 249 Portuguese health professionals) were performed exploratory factor and reliability analysis to the CFV questionnaire. In the second sample (stratified; N = 50 surgical units of 33 Portuguese hospitals) was performed confirmatory factor analysis using LISREL 8.80. Findings: The first sample supported an eight-factor solution accounting for 65.46% of the variance, in an interpretable factorial structure (loadings> .50), with Cronbach’s α upper than .79. This factorial structure, replicated with the second sample, showed reasonable fit for each of the 8 leadership roles, quadrants, and global model. The models evidenced, generally, nomological validity, with scores between good and acceptable (.235 < x2/df < 2.055 e .00 < RMSEA < .077). Conclusions: Quinn’s leadership questionnaire presented good reliability and validity for the eight leadership roles, showing to be suitable for use in hospital health care context. Key-Words: Leadership; Quinn’s CVF questionnaire; health services; Quinn’s competing values.

First Portuguese Bastioned Fortresses in North Africa

O presente artigo tem por base a investigação desenvolvida em âmbito de doutorameto sobre as fortalezas de Ceuta e de Mazagão, as primeiras fortificações abaluartadas construídas no Norte de África pelos portugueses na década de 1540. Apesar de corresponderem a conjuntos com diferentes configurações, adaptados ao contexto em que se inserem, as duas fortificações possuem importantes características em comum no que respeita às lógicas arquitectónicas em que se baseiam, às tipologias utilizadas, às relações que estabelecem com o território envolvente e ao modo como as pré-existências integram a construção. Construídas na sequência das experiências mais avançadas, desenvolvidas em grande parte pelos arquitetos italianos, estas fortificações integram a primeira linha do processo de evolução da arquitetura militar internacional. Entre os principais modelos que podemos reconhecer como referência na concepção das fortificações de Ceuta e de Mazagão, tendo em conta algumas das suas características mais significativas, destacam-se obras como a Fortaleza velha de Livorno, de Giuliano da Sangallo, a Fortaleza da Basso, em Florença, de António da Sangallo-o-novo e o Castelo San Telmo, em Nápoles, de Pedro Luìs Escrivà.

Adaptation and validation of HIV Antibody Testing Attitude Scale in Portuguese

Introduction; The awareness of HIV positiveness is important for health of the individual and of the comunity. The identicatio of HIV antibodies is possible both using conventional lab tests and quick result tests. In the bibliography it was made clear that there are no instruments in Portuguese to assert the reactions to the HIV quick tests and it was therefore considered it would be useful to adapt and validate a scale in Portuguese, since the language is the official language of 7 different countries and spoken by more than 250 milion people, Objectives: the purpose is to validate a version in European Portuguese of the HIV Antibody Testing Attitude Scale. Methods: the study refers to methodological research for the adaptation and validation of an instrument of attitude measurement. A translation and back-translation was prepared and a trial test was then carried out. A total of 317 students, lectures and co-workers of a Portuguese University was interviewes. Ethical principles were taken into consideration. the pool was obtained in the seven components of the University campus. Results: 3 trials of factorial testing of the main components of 5, 4 and 3 factors. It ended up a solution of 3 factors that explains 50.82% of the variability. In the analysis of the inter-items correlation values of between 0.018 and 0.749 were observed. The internal consistency reveals an alpha Cronbach coefficient of 0.860 as a whole, and in between 0,865 and 0.659 in the 3 factors. Conclusions: this version of the instrument shows that the psychometric properties allow its use in the Portuguese speaking countries.

Authentic Leadership Questionnaire: invariance between samples of Brazilian and Portuguese employees

The Authentic Leadership Questionnaire (ALQ) is used to assess authentic leadership (AL). Although ALQ is often used in empirical research, cross-cultural studies with this measure are scarce. Aiming to contribute to filling this gap, this study assesses the invariance of the ALQ measure between samples of Brazilian (N = 1019) and Portuguese (N = 842) employees. A multi-group confirmatory factor analysis was performed, and the results showed the invariance of the first- and second-order factor models between the Brazilian and Portuguese samples. The results are discussed considering their cultural setting, with the study’s limitations and future research directions being pointed out.

Cognitive Assessment System (CAS): Psychometric studies with Portuguese children from 7 to 15 years.

The Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) is a new measure of cognitive abilities based on the Planning, Attention, Simultaneous and Successive (PASS) Theory. This theory is derived from research in neuropsychological and cognitive Psychology with particular emphasis on the work of Luria (1973). According to Naglieri (1999) and Naglieri and Das (1997), the PASS cognitive processes are the basic building blocks of human intellectual functioning. Planning processes provide cognitive control, utilization of processes and knowledge, intentionality, and self-regulation to achieve a desired goal; Attention processes provide focused, selective cognitive activity and resistance to distraction; and, Simultaneous and Successive processes are the two forms of operating on information. The PASS theory has had a strong empirical base prior to the publication of the CAS (see Das, Naglieri & Kirby, 1994), and its research foundation remains strong (see Naglieri, 1999; Naglieri & Das, 1997). The four basic psychological processes can be used to (1) gain an understanding of how well a child thinks; (2) discover the child’s strengths and needs, which can then be used for effective differential diagnosis; (3) conduct fair assessment; and (4) select or design appropriate interventions. Compared to the traditional intelligence tests, including IQ tests, the Cognitive Assessment System (CAS) has the great advantage of relying on a modern theory of cognitive functioning, linking theory with practice.

Financing innovative start-ups in Portuguese context: what is the role of business angels networks?

Business angels provide both financing and managerial experience, which increase the likelihood of the survival of innovative start-ups. Over the last years, European countries with developing informal venture capital markets have seen governments support the creation of business angels networks (BANs) to increase and consolidate these markets. Using the Portuguese context to carry out the empirical work, this paper provides an assessment of value added provided by angels’ networks. A total of 88 useable responses were received and analysed using non-parametric statistical techniques. This paper demonstrates that is evidence of positive contribution of BANs in terms of bringing together investors and linking them with entrepreneur’s seeking finance. BANs played an important role in financing innovative start-ups also in peripheral regions. Results lead us to conclude that government support BANs would appear to be an effective mechanism to stimulate the angel market in developing informal venture capital markets. The conclusions of this paper are likely to have relevance for countries where there is growing interest in the potential of business angels as a means of financing innovative start-ups.

The fingerprinting of the materials used in portuguese illuminated manuscripts: origin, production and specificities of the 16th century Anttiphonary paints from the Biblioteca Pública de Évora

This thesis focuses on the characterization of materials utilized within the illuminations of Codex 116c of Manizola, a large 16th century antiphonal housed in the Biblioteca Pública de Évora (BPE). Using various spectroscopic techniques (XRF, FTIR, Raman and SEM-EDS), a selection of illuminations were analyzed for pigment and binder identification. The manuscript was further analyzed using fiber optic reflectance spectroscopy (FORS), a non-invasive and portable analysis method ideal for use in illuminations. Using historical documentation and results gained from more extensive analysis of the manuscript, a collection of reference paint samples were created to be analyzed using this method. These samples serve as a reference not only to assist in the identification of pigments used within the manuscript, but also for future studies on similar materials allowing for a better understanding of manuscript production during the 16th century; RESUMO: O presente trabalho é dedicado à caracterização dos materiais utilizados na produção das iluminuras do Codex 116c da Manziola do espólio da Biblioteca Pública de Évora (BPE). Trata-se de um antifonário de grandes dimensões produzido no séc XVI que deverá ter pertencido à Livraria de São Bento de Cástris. A identificação dos materiais utilizados na produção das iluminuras pode ser feita através de análises científicas. No entanto, alguns dos componentes das tintas utilizadas, especialmente os pigmentos orgânicos (lacas) e algumas misturas, apresentam obstáculos à sua identificação por métodos não invasivos. Através de várias técnicas espectroscópicas (XRF, FTIR, Raman e SEM-EDS), foi analisado um conjunto representativo de iluminuras, de modo a identificar os pigmentos e os ligantes presentes nas tintas. O manuscrito foi também analisado por FORS, um método portátil e não invasivo, ideal para a análise de iluminuras. Com base em documentos históricos e nos resultados analíticos, foi criado um conjunto de amostras de referência para ser analisado com FORS. Com esta abordagem, pretende-se que estas amostras, especialmente as de lacas, sirvam de referência não só na identificação dos pigmentos no manuscrito como em estudos sobre materiais semelhantes, contribuindo para um conhecimento mais aprofundado sobre a produção de manuscritos no séc XVI.

Using syntactic and semantic features for classifying mo- dal values in the portuguese language

This paper presents a study made in a field poorly explored in the Portuguese language – modality and its automatic tagging. Our main goal was to find a set of attributes for the creation of automatic tag- gers with improved performance over the bag-of-words (bow) approach. The performance was measured using precision, recall and F1. Because it is a relatively unexplored field, the study covers the creation of the corpus (composed by eleven verbs), the use of a parser to extract syntac- tic and semantic information from the sentences and a machine learning approach to identify modality values. Based on three different sets of attributes – from trigger itself and the trigger’s path (from the parse tree) and context – the system creates a tagger for each verb achiev- ing (in almost every verb) an improvement in F1 when compared to the traditional bow approach.

The influence of forest management on bird communities of portuguese montados

The world distribution of cork oak Quercus suber and holm oak Q. rotundifolia is basically restricted to the western Mediterranean basin. These two evergreen oaks are the base of the Portuguese montado and the Spanish dehesa. This thesis aims to analyse how bird communities of the montado are influenced by management practices. We used different approaches to study this relationship, and to evaluate which features are responsible for species distribution in different typologies of montado. First, we reviewed the concept of montado in order to better understand the system and to set thresholds on what can be considered as montado. Afterwards, we studied the elements that promote higher species diversity and individual species, or group of species, that can act as indicators of High Nature Value for montados. Finally, we evaluated how the bird communities are structured, and the influence of the main management actions (e.g. cattle and cork exploitation) on those communities; Resumo: A distribuição mundial do sobreiro Quercus suber e da azinheira Quercus rotundifolia é praticamente restrita à bacia do Mediterrâneo. Estas duas espécies de carvalhos são a base dos montados em Portugal e das dehesas em Espanha. No âmbito desta tese analisamos como as comunidades de aves do montado são influenciadas pela gestão florestal. Para este efeito usámos diferentes abordagens e avaliámos quais as características do montado responsáveis pela distribuição das espécies ao longo das suas diferentes tipologias. Fizemos uma revisão do conceito de montado e proposemos uma definição para o sistema, englobando a sua multifuncionalidade. Estudámos os elementos singulares que promovem a diversidade de aves e que podem ser simultaneamente indicadores de áreas de Alto Valor Natural (HNV). Por fim, avaliámos qual a influência da gestão (p. ex. pastoreio e descortiçamento) na estruturação das comunidades de aves.

CHAPTERS OF THE PORTUGUESE SCHOOLBOOK: THOUGHTS ON THE TEACHING OF GRAMMAR-RATED SUBJECTS

This paper shows that grammatical subjects are articulated with teaching. In this sense, we comment and reflect on a few results obtained by means of search on the subject relative to the teaching of grammar in Portuguese Language Schoolbooks. The search focused the analysis on a book used in third grade (current fourth year) of Basic Education and guided itself in the hope that the activities would part from the functioning of the language system, and that should not necessarily be related to a lack of consideration to the orientations found in traditional handbooks.

THE ARTIFICIAL PARADISES OF DES ESSEINTES, A DECADENT ESTHETE

In the late nineteenth century, the discoveries of the unconscious universe and the fondness for mysterious dimensions of existence have influenced a group of young artists to probe world mysteries through the incantatory power of words. From the opposition to scientific Realism and Naturalism, and also inspired by the revolutionary poetry of Charles Baudelaire, thus arose Decadentism. The novel À Rebours, by the French novelist and art critic Joris-Karl Huysmans (1848-1907), is an important expression of that spirit. In that work, there is a fruitful dialogue between painting and literature, which inaugurates a new style opposing the already exhausted realistic model. Duke Des Esseintes, the eccentric protagonist of the novel, struggles to modernity and emerging bourgeoisie’s unrefined taste of emerging bourgeoisie. In his searching for a new literary model, Huysmans bet on environment descriptions and art transpositions. The painting served as an aesthetic paradigm for the novel construction, not limited only to the frequent descriptions of Moreau or Redon’s paintings, but also encompassing the way Huysmans described the furniture, tapestries, artificial flowers and fishes, book covers etc... Being outstanding was his idea, things beyond the reach for the common man, devoted to trivialities of everyday life. The transposition of art, or the creation of an artistic work by language, acquires immeasurable value to the critical Huysmans engrossing him in À Rebours. There, the critical superimpose the writer. The decadent style of Huysmans opposes the analytical reason. In his work, the art aims to retake the passion, the dream, the mystery, fear, death, totally disengaged of the desire to represent the reality.

NINETEENTH CENTURY BRAZILIAN PORTUGUESE: LETTERS FROM THE BARONESS OF GUARAÚNA AND THE EMPRESS THEREZA

 1 Doutora em Linguística e Língua Portuguesa pela Universidade Estadual Paulista "Júlio de Mesquita Filho", campus de Araraquara (1998). Professora Associado A, no Departamento de Letras Vernáculas da Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa. Atua no Mestrado em Linguagem, Identidade e Subjetividade desde 03/2010. 2 Mestranda em Estudos da Linguagem pela Universidade Estadual de Londrina (2012). Bolsista CAPES. Especialista em Língua, Linguística e Literatura pela Universidade Estadual de Ponta Grossa (2010) e graduada em Letras Português/Inglês pela mesma instituição (2006). As with societies, history and culture, language also evolves, a process which is inherent to it. The Portuguese of Brazil has its own characteristics due to the influence of Indian, African peoples and others who have lived here. This study researched 19th century handwritten letters for the origins of Brazilian Portuguese. The corpus consists of three personal letters collected by the Museu do Tropeiro in Castro. Two of them were written by the Baroness of Guaraúna and one by the Empress Thereza de Bourbon. This textual genre is Revista Línguas & Letras ISSN: 1517-7238 Vol. 13 nº 24 1º Sem. 2012 a valuable source for socio-historical studies because it brings, through the linguistic register, an immeasurable cultural and intellectual legacy. Studying the educated Portuguese Brazilian language, used informally between 1880 and 1893, one is able to notice syntactic phenomena, which are found in forms of treatment and spelling diversity characteristic of the century in which they were written. Our focus was not to exhaust all the possibilities of analysis and observation on the origin of this entire legacy but to contribute towards the studies of the history of Brazilian Portuguese, and in particular, the one from the state of Paraná.

Teaching-learning process and teaching methodology in Portuguese for the deaf under the perspective of inclusive education

For years, the discrepancies faced by deaf students in the teaching of the Portuguese language were due to the lack of hearing. Recently, these failures have been attributed to the use of inadequate teaching methodologies and to the lack of communication through Libras between the deaf and the hearers. This article aims at reporting a research study that analyzed the teaching-learning processes from the point of view of a deaf elementary student in Viçosa/MG. The project was primarily developed by a qualitative approach, by utilizing the bibliographical review, the participant observation and the field diary. Results showed the communicative interactions were restrained, since teachers and hearing students were not fluent in Libras, and there was no interpreter available. The methodology was mostly expositive, with a predominance of oral resources. The findings demonstrated the challenges faced by the deaf students are numerous, since the school does not offer the structure to meet their needs, and the teachers do not have the required education to work in an inclusive school environment. This article reports some methodological proposals for the teaching of Portuguese that were elaborated and applied within an inclusive context, all following PCN orientations. It reinforces the need to invest in teacher training to meet the demands of inclusive education to improve the quality of the classes offered to the deaf in regards to the teaching-learning process for Portuguese.