Da 'portugalidade' à lusofonia

Tese de Doutoramento em Ciências da Comunicação (Especialidade em Teoria da Cultura)

Advances in microbial diagnosis: using mass spectrometry for proteomics and genomics applications

Since the last two decades mass spectrometry (MS) has been applied to analyse the chemical cellular components of microorganisms, providing rapid and discriminatory proteomic profiles for their species identification and, in some cases, subtyping. The application of MS for the microbial diagnosis is currently well-established. The remarkable reproducibility and objectivity of this method is based on the measurement of constantly expressed and highly abundant proteins, mainly important conservative ribosomal proteins, which are used as markers to generate a cellular fingerprint. Mass spectrometry based on matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI- TOF) technique has been an important tool for the microbial diagnostic. However, some technical limitation concerning both MALDI-TOF and its used protocols for sample preparation have fostered the research of new mass spectrometry systems (e.g. LC MS/MS). LC MS/MS is able to generate online mass spectra of specific ions with further online sequencing of these ions, which include both specific proteins and DNA fragments. In this work a set of data for yeasts and filamentous fungi diagnostic obtained through an international collaboration project involving partners from Argentina, Brazil, Chile and Portugal will be presented and discussed.

Metáforas da crise cotidiana: os media e a veiculação da crise grega

A partir da forma como nos media portugueses são veiculadas as relações de oposição e negociação entre a Grécia e a União Europeia, pode verificar-se a importância e a força que a metáfora conceitual possui como mecanismo linguístico e cognitivo de construção de perceções, defesa de pontos de vista e fundamento de perspectivas ideológicas. Alicerçando-se numa estrutura metafórica de base, a negociação é colocada entre os domínios JOGO e LUTA, evidenciando-se o peso das metáforas como poderosos mecanismos para construir e manipular as perceções que temos sobre a realidade.

Fundamentos do jornalismo: uma proposta de objectividade

Dissertação de mestrado em Ciências da Comunicação (área de especialização em Informação e Jornalismo)

Breeding activity of Scinax centralis (Anura, Hylidae) in Central Brazil

From January, 1997 to April, 1998, we studied breeding activity in a population of Scinax centralis Pombal & Bastos, 1996, in the state of Goiás, inside the Cerrado Biome, Brazil. The behavior of males and females in the choruses, the relationships between environmental variables and the presence of individuals, the spatial distribution pattern, amplexus and clutches were analyzed. The breeding season occurred from November to May. The majority of males began to call when they entered the chorus; they were defending their calling sites against other males. We found a positive correlation between the number of females and males in the choruses, but no significant correlation was observed between the operational sexual ratio (OSR, number of reproducing females/number of reproducing males) and the number of calling males. OSR was highly male-biased; on average, there were 40 males for each female. The presence of individuals was positively correlated with air temperature of two previous days and negatively correlated with rainfall on the observation day. Generally, males were non-randomly distributed and satellite males were observed. Females were larger and heavier than males. Egg number, but not diameter of the egg, was correlated with the female size.

Evaluación de la regeneración ósea mediante procesado de imagen

La regeneració òssia és un procés estudiat per experts de tot el món. Aquests experts estudien materials capaços d’accelerar el procés de formació de teixit ossi en zones on s’han produït defectes ossis. Després d’un determinat període de temps de l’aplicació dels materials d’estudi en la zona on hi havia una manca de teixit ossi, s’obtenen imatges d’aquesta zona on l’expert mitjançant l’ inspecció visual d’aquestes imatges avalua si l’os s’ha regenerat bé o no. El problema d’aquest mètode d’avaluació es que requereix d’un expert on la valoració d’aquest és subjectiva i difícil de quantificar, el que pot provocar que hi hagi discordança entre experts. Amb la finalitat de aprofitar les imatges en que es basa l’expert per avaluar la capacitat de regeneració òssia dels materials d’estudi es proposa realitzar un anàlisi quantitatiu de la regeneració òssia basat en el processament d’imatge. L’algorisme dissenyat es capaç de classificar imatges de la mandíbula en: imatges de regeneració bona i dolenta mitjançant la parametrització de l’histograma de nivells de grisos de la imatge, solucionant la falta d’objectivitat del mètode d’avaluació de la regeneració òssia i la necessitat d’un expert per realitzar-la.

Concepció, disseny i implantació d'un sistema de proves psicomètriques de rendiment acadèmic per a la matèria d'Història de la Música

Amb aquest projecte s'ha treballat en la direcció de: 1) Implementar un nou recurs en un projecte global de millora de la qualitat docent i d’aplicació de les TIC a l’ensenyament de les diferents assignatures de la matèria d’Història de la Música a la UdL en curs des de fa alguns anys. Concretament, diverses eines per a l’autoavaluació de l’alumnat a través d’un banc de preguntes segons el format de les proves psicomètriques (proves objectives en l’avaluació del rendiment acadèmic dels estudiants o d’elecció múltiple). 2) Arribar a disposar d’un extens banc de preguntes d’elecció múltiple i correcció objectiva en diferents formats, ordenades per blocs, temes, nivells de dificultat, etc., que reuneixin els criteris mínims de fiabilitat, objectivitat i validesa necessaris per a una correcta avaluació del rendiment acadèmic. Entenem que l’avaluació ha de tenir utilitats diferents que van més enllà de la simple puntuació de l’alumnat. Ha de servir també per millorar la docència, per facilitar l’aprenentatge de l’alumne, per assegurar un nivell de competència mínim, per discriminar entre estudiants o per informar la pròpia institució. 3) Aconseguir que l’alumne, a través de l’autoavaluació, entengui que aquest tipus de proves són instruments per continuar aprenent. En aquest sentit les proves d’elecció múltiple permeten tot un seguit d’opcions que ho afavoreixen. 4) Elaborar una eina amb capacitat de generar estadístiques, índex de discriminació i de fer l’anàlisi d’items, tot permetent anar redefinint i millorant els ítems.

Eusociality and cooperation

The evolution of eusociality, here defined as the emergence of societies with reproductive division of labour and cooperative brood care, was first seen as a challenge to Darwin's theory of evolution by natural selection. Why should individuals permanently forgo direct reproduction to help other individuals to reproduce? Kin selection, the indirect transmission of genes through relatives, is the key process explaining the evolution of permanently nonreproductive helpers. However, in some taxa helpers delay reproduction until a breeding opportunity becomes available. Overall, eusociality evolved when ecological conditions promote stable associations of related individuals that benefit from jointly exploiting and defending common resources. High levels of cooperation and robust mechanisms of division of labour are found in many animal societies. However, conflicts among individuals are still frequent when group members that are not genetically identical compete over reproduction or resource allocation.

On Strong Citizens: A Sociological View on Cognitions and Contentious Participation

The present thesis is about cognitions of left-wing activists and the role they play to better understand contentious participation. It compares activists of three post-industrial social movement organizations in Switzerland, i.e. Solidarity across Borders defending migrant's rights, the Society of Threatened People promoting collective human rights and Greenpeace protecting the environment. It makes use of an innovative mixed methods design combining survey and interview data. The main theoretical contribution is to conceptualize an analytical tool enabling to grasp the cognitive map of these activists by putting forward the concept of strong citizen, summing up their relation to society and politics. The relation to society consists of an extensive relation to others and an interconnected vision of society. Consequently, their primary concerns include the handing of common goods and the equal treatment of individuals with regard to common goods. The relation to politics incorporates a critical and vigilant citizen. They are critical towards political authorities and they appreciate political action by organized groups of the civil society. The thesis states that only by having such worldviews activists are able to construct an injustice, agency and identity frame for the claims of their organizations. Thus, the present work delivers a parsimonious answer to the question of where an injustice, agency and identity frame comes from. It does so by a systematic analysis of four specific arguments. First, it empirically demonstrates that these activists have - at the aggregate level - specific cognitive resources compared to the general population. Second, it describes the content of this specific cognitive outlook by evaluating the appropriateness of the strong citizen concept. Third, it looks at variations between activist's communities and shows that activists of more challenging protest issues are stronger citizens than activists of more mainstream protests. Finally, cognitions are not the only part of the story if one looks at contentious participation. Other factors, i.e. social networks and biographical availability, matter too. Therefore, I test if cognitions are able to contribute in explaining differences between activists' communities if one controls for other factors. In sum, this thesis is thus a first step to demonstrate why one should be concerned about activists' cognitions. - Cette thèse s'intéresse aux cognitions des activistes de gauche et à leur rôle dans le phénomène de la participation contestataire. Des activistes de trois organisations post- industrielles en Suisse sont comparé, à savoir Solidarité sans Frontières qui défend les droits des migrants, la Société des Peuples menacés qui promeut les droits des collectivités minoritaires et Greenpeace qui oeuvre pour la protection de l'environnement. Cette recherche utilise un « mixed methods design » en combinant de manière innovant des données de sondage et d'entretiens. Ma principale contribution théorique réside dans la conceptualisation d'un outil analytique qui permet de saisir la « carte cognitive » des activistes, à travers le concept de « strong citizen » qui se réfère à la relation spécifique qu'entretiennent certains individus avec la société et la politique. Ces individus sont caractérisés par une vision inclusive et interconnectée de la société, ainsi que par une conception politique du citoyen comme critique et vigilant. Mon argument principal est celui selon lequel seuls les individus possédant ce type particulier de cognitions sont capable de construire un cadre d'injustice, d'« agency » et d'identité. Cette thèse apporte donc quelques éléments de réponse à la question de l'origine de ces cadres cognitifs qui sont cruciales pour la participation. Pour ce faire, quatre aspects spécifiques sont analysés de manière systématique. Premièrement, je démontre empiriquement, au niveau agrégé, que ces activistes possèdent effectivement des ressources cognitives spécifiques - en comparaison avec la population générale. Deuxièmement, j'analyse le contenu de ces cognitions, ce qui me permet notamment d'évaluer la pertinence et l'adéquation du concept de « strong citizen ». Troisièmement, en m'intéressant cette fois aux variations entre communautés d'activistes, je démontre que ceux réunis autour d'enjeux protestataires très revendicatifs sont, d'un point de vue cognitif, plus proches de la figure du « strong citizen » que ceux mobilisés sur des enjeux plus consensuels. Finalement, d'autres facteurs, à savoir les réseaux sociaux et la disponibilité biographique, sont intégrés à l'analyse afin de mesurer le réel pouvoir explicatif des cognitions dans l'explication des différences observées entre communautés d'activistes. A travers ces analyses, cette thèse met en avant l'importance du rôle des cognitions dans l'étude de la participation contestataire.

Del discurso a la lexicografía: propuesta de aplicación para los conectores reformulativos

This paper aims at defending the necessity of creating applicationsfrom studies on discourse, so that applied linguistics becomes auseful tool for the society. This work explains briefly what reformulation connectors are and it shows the electronic prototype (than can be consulted by internet) of a tool designed to make the work of lexicographerseasy concerning the entrance of connectors in the dictionaries (ALCOR), by making emphasis on the theoretical base on which it is sustained and on the decisions of application that have been taken into account.

Causal explanations and scientific realism in particle physics

Particle physics studies highly complex processes which cannot be directly observed. Scientific realism claims that we are nevertheless warranted in believing that these processes really occur and that the objects involved in them really exist. This dissertation defends a version of scientific realism, called causal realism, in the context of particle physics. I start by introducing the central theses and arguments in the recent philosophical debate on scientific realism (chapter 1), with a special focus on an important presupposition of the debate, namely common sense realism. Chapter 2 then discusses entity realism, which introduces a crucial element into the debate by emphasizing the importance of experiments in defending scientific realism. Most of the chapter is concerned with Ian Hacking's position, but I also argue that Nancy Cartwright's version of entity realism is ultimately preferable as a basis for further development. In chapter 3,1 take a step back and consider the question whether the realism debate is worth pursuing at all. Arthur Fine has given a negative answer to that question, proposing his natural ontologica! attitude as an alternative to both realism and antirealism. I argue that the debate (in particular the realist side of it) is in fact less vicious than Fine presents it. The second part of my work (chapters 4-6) develops, illustrates and defends causal realism. The key idea is that inference to the best explanation is reliable in some cases, but not in others. Chapter 4 characterizes the difference between these two kinds of cases in terms of three criteria which distinguish causal from theoretical warrant. In order to flesh out this distinction, chapter 5 then applies it to a concrete case from the history of particle physics, the discovery of the neutrino. This case study shows that the distinction between causal and theoretical warrant is crucial for understanding what it means to "directly detect" a new particle. But the distinction is also an effective tool against what I take to be the presently most powerful objection to scientific realism: Kyle Stanford's argument from unconceived alternatives. I respond to this argument in chapter 6, and I illustrate my response with a discussion of Jean Perrin's experimental work concerning the atomic hypothesis. In the final part of the dissertation, I turn to the specific challenges posed to realism by quantum theories. One of these challenges comes from the experimental violations of Bell's inequalities, which indicate a failure of locality in the quantum domain. I show in chapter 7 how causal realism can further our understanding of quantum non-locality by taking account of some recent experimental results. Another challenge to realism in quantum mechanics comes from delayed-choice experiments, which seem to imply that certain aspects of what happens in an experiment can be influenced by later choices of the experimenter. Chapter 8 analyzes these experiments and argues that they do not warrant the antirealist conclusions which some commentators draw from them. It pays particular attention to the case of delayed-choice entanglement swapping and the corresponding question whether entanglement is a real physical relation. In chapter 9,1 finally address relativistic quantum theories. It is often claimed that these theories are incompatible with a particle ontology, and this calls into question causal realism's commitment to localizable and countable entities. I defend the commitments of causal realism against these objections, and I conclude with some remarks connecting the interpretation of quantum field theory to more general metaphysical issues confronting causal realism.

Naamion takaa : näyttelijäntyön palapelini

The subject of this bachelor's thesis has its origins in the frequently asked question of an author; whether any of their own theatrical techniques correlate with those of any well-known theatrical personality. The aim of this bachelor's thesis, consequently, was to find out the true nature of the author as an actor and theatrical professional. The author started to put together a puzzle, from different fields of acting techniques, and came up with a solid picture. Different acting techniques and the basics of them were clarified and tested in practice. Techniques were reflected on, through great personalities in the field of theatre, via discussion. The selected personalities were Jouko Turkka, Antonin Artaud, Konstantin Stanislavski, Kaisa Korhonen and Bertolt Brecht. The toughness and physicality of acting played a strong role in this thesis. "Black pedagogy" was strongly criticized. The methods of Jouko Turkka were thoroughly investigated and, surprisingly to the author, turned out usable, although the author questioned the brutal ways that Turkka used them. The author carried out some of the physical exercises that corresponded to the different acting methods, and did "human tests" to understand the true meaning of the methods. Antonin Artaud abandoned all of his past life and sacrificed himself to art, which the author refuses to even consider it. The author found a soul-mate in Kaisa Korhonen and agreed with most of her methods. Many people who had worked with Kaisa Korhonen were interviewed to find out if she actually used the techniques. The author debated objectivity with Bertolt Brecht but, whereas Brecht saw it as the basis of everything, the author couldn't even consider it a usable technique. The author also had a discussion with Konstantin Stanislavski concerning the basics of acting, the study of singing, dancing and oral expression, and other beneficial skills. In the end, the author put herself on a plate, chopped herself into tiny pieces, started to study the pieces, and found out how she became as she is.

Voiko totuutta tavoittaa? : direct cinema -tyylisuunnan käyttö dokumenttielokuvassa

The subject of this study is the use of direct cinema style in documentary film. The main purpose of this thesis was to the research the ways in which direct cinema style attempts to show and achieve truth in documentary films. The following questions were posed: Is it possible to depict reality in a documentary film; how does the choice of using this style affect the final documentary? The essential purpose of this study was to try to see whether the direct cinema style works when trying to achieve truth in a documentary film. This work consints of two elements, the theoretical part and the short documentary. The theoretical part deals with the history, the truth, and the direct cinema- style in documentaries. The theoretical information of direct cinema has been used when making the short documentary. In the documentary Tuloaula 2 I have studied the way in which using direct cinema -style works in practise. The documentary has followed as strictly as possible the direct cinema style. I was the director, the cameraman and the editor of my documentary film. In the documentary film Tuloaula 2 it appeared that the direct cinema style works best when filming everyday life. By using this style it is easy for the director to observe and leave his own persona in the background. The strength in using the direct cinema style is that it enables the viewer to build his/her own impression on the subject. Even though the direct cinema style aims to achieve objectivity the director has to make numerous subjective choices during both the filming and the editing process. These subjective choices automatically effect the "truth" of the documentary film. The difficulty in a direct cinema style is the large amount of material. This often leads to a long editing phase, which is not often possible in the busy production schedules. The direct cinema style is not at its best when shooting people who are passive because their attention often focuses too much on the camera. In general, the best way to make a documentary film would be to use many documentary styles in one film and not to srictly concentrate on only one style.

Reply to Budowle, Ge, Chakraborty and Gill-King: use of prior odds for missing persons identifications

Prior probabilities represent a core element of the Bayesian probabilistic approach to relatedness testing. This letter opinions on the commentary 'Use of prior odds for missing persons identifications' by Budowle et al. (2011), published recently in this journal. Contrary to Budowle et al. (2011), we argue that the concept of prior probabilities (i) is not endowed with the notion of objectivity, (ii) is not a case for computation and (iii) does not require new guidelines edited by the forensic DNA community - as long as probability is properly considered as an expression of personal belief. Please see related article: http://www.investigativegenetics.com/content/3/1/3

Análise e Avaliação do Risco de Crédito Bancário nas PME’s – Utilização do modelo de rating

A análise de risco de crédito na actividade bancária é um tema bastante discutido no contexto das decisões das instituições financeiras. O presente estudo tem como objectivo demonstrar o processo de análise de crédito e avaliação do risco em instituições bancárias, evidenciando a utilização do modelo de rating. A implementação do acordo de Basileia veio dar uma nova forma ao relacionamento do sector bancário para com os seus clientes, estabelecendo regras no que respeita à concessão de crédito e avaliação do risco. Com isto as instituições passaram a ter uma maior preocupação em gerir o crédito e o risco inerentes a cada operação, apostando em ferramentas metodológicas adequadas ao processo creditício. As instituições bancárias acabaram por criar departamentos de risco, colocando a gestão de crédito e de risco nas mãos de profissionais especializados, agindo sobre regras e padrões internacionais uniformes. De realçar que o processo de análise de crédito envolve diversas etapas, cujo objectivo é avaliar o risco de incumprimento associado ao tomador de crédito, bem como suas consequências junto de quem concede o crédito. O rating de crédito é um instrumento cujo objectivo é atribuir uma nota que sintetiza o risco de incumprimento no pagamento de crédito, com o objectivo de reduzir a subjectividade associada ao processo de avaliação do risco. Da pesquisa realizada, constatou-se perante entrevistas junto das instituições bancárias locais que o modelo de rating ainda não é muito utilizado no nosso mercado bancário, e os que o utilizam tomam-no apenas como um indicador de risco. Segundo os entrevistados a realidade das PME’s Cabo-Verdianas não é adequada para a implementação de um modelo tão objectivo. The analysis of credit risk in banking activity is a widely discussed topic, and within the context of decisions of financial institutions. The present study aims to demonstrate the process of credit analysis and risk assessment in banking institutions, evidencing the use of internal rating model. The implementation of Basel II Accord has given a new shape to the relationship of the banking sector with its customers, establishing rules regarding the granting of credit and risk assessment. Consequently, institutions now have a greater concern in managing credit and the risk inherent to each transaction, relying on methodological tools that are appropriate to the credit process. The banks end up creating risk departments, placing credit risk management in the hands of skilled professionals that act conforming to international rules and standards. It should be noted that the credit analysis process involves several steps, aiming at assessing the default risk associated with credit borrower, and its consequences to whom grants credit. The credit rating is a process with the objective of assigning a grade, which summarizes the risk of default in payment of credit, in order to reduce the subjectivity associated with the process of risk assessment. The survey undertaken through interviews with local banking institutions showed that the rating model is not yet widely used in our banking market, and that the banks that actually use it, only do it as an indicator of risk. According to those interviewed, the reality of SMEs in Cape Verde is not suitable for the implementation of a model with such objectivity.